Travel App NEWT Announces 'Top 30 Municipalities for Summer Scenery 2026' Selected from 1,741 Across Japan

Reiwa Travel Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takaya Shinotsuka) has announced the 'Top 30 Municipalities for Summer Scenery 2026,' ranking 1,741 municipalities across Japan through its smart and value-driven travel app, NEWT (Nyuto).

This ranking is based on a comprehensive analysis of three distinct data sources: media evaluations, search trend performance, and actual booking trends. The results highlight not only well-established tourist destinations but also municipalities that are quietly gaining attention.

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Survey conducted by NEWT (Nyuto), the travel app for domestic and international tours and hotel bookings

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Top 10: Municipalities Offering Breathtaking Summer Scenery

1st Place: Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture

Score Breakdown: Scenic Value 38 pts / Search Surge 29 pts / Booking Trends 27 pts — Total: 94 pts

Photo by Unsplash

Yamagata City has been the most talked-about destination in 2026. Yamagata Prefecture was the only Japanese region selected for National Geographic's 'Best of the World 2026' list, which highlights 25 must-visit global destinations. Around the same time, The Japan Times also named Yamagata City as the first in its series spotlighting Japanese municipalities worthy of global recognition. In the Zao area of Yamagata City, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of alpine flora and lush mountain slopes via the Zao Ropeway. The emerald-green Zao Okama crater lake and the mystical Doko-numa marsh offer quintessential summer scenery. The Zao Central Plateau, approximately 10°C cooler than the city center, provides an ideal environment for summer retreats.

NEWT Recommended Hotels

Zao Onsen Zao Shikinoyado

https://newt.net/hotel/jpn/e91659?utm_medium=pr

Kozanso Takamiya

https://newt.net/hotel/jpn/e74712?utm_medium=pr

2nd Place: Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture

Score Breakdown: Scenic Value 34 pts / Search Surge 24 pts / Booking Trends 30 pts — Total: 88 pts

Provided by Tottori City Tourism and Geopark Promotion Division

Tottori City recorded the highest growth rate in booking data on NEWT nationwide. It also boasts exceptional scenic beauty. Shirousagi Coast within the city is designated as one of 'Japan’s 100 Finest Beaches' and attracts many beachgoers in summer. The coastal area, including Tottori Sand Dunes, is part of the San'in Kaigan National Park and UNESCO Global Geopark, where wind and tidal patterns create magnificent natural sand sculptures. At night, visitors can enjoy the enchanting sight of fishing boats' lights, a classic summer scene.

Comment from Tottori City Tourism and Geopark Promotion Division

We are delighted that Tottori City has been ranked 2nd in the 'Top 30 Municipalities for Summer Scenery.' Tottori Sand Dunes and Shirousagi Coast are part of the UNESCO Global Geopark, offering majestic landscapes shaped by nature over millennia. In summer, the dunes offer not only starry night skies and fishing boat lights but also stunning contrasts between golden sands and sunsets. We warmly invite you to visit Tottori City this summer.

NEWT Recommended Hotels

Tottori Onsen Hotel Monarch Tottori

https://newt.net/hotel/jpn/e53385?utm_medium=pr

Kansuitei Kozeniya

https://newt.net/hotel/jpn/e675195?utm_medium=pr

3rd Place: Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture

Score Breakdown: Scenic Value 33 pts / Search Surge 22 pts / Booking Trends 29 pts — Total: 84 pts

Photo by PIXTA (Image is for illustrative purposes)

Yonago City, the gateway to the San'in region, offers views of Mount Daisen, the highest peak in the Chugoku region. Kairekai Coast, selected for the Ministry of the Environment’s '88 Best Swimming Spots in Japan,' is renowned for its scenic views of both the sea and Mount Daisen. Kaire Onsen is a rare seaside hot spring, allowing visitors to enjoy both swimming and hot spring bathing in summer. From the ruins of Yonago Castle, visitors can witness the 'Orange Road' phenomenon — a limited-time spectacle where the sunset aligns perfectly over the middle of Nakaumi Lake — occurring in May and from late July to early August.

NEWT Recommended Hotels

Kaire Onsen Yukibou Hakusen

https://newt.net/hotel/jpn/ph399?utm_medium=pr

Kaire Fuuga

https://newt.net/hotel/jpn/ph418?utm_medium=pr

4th Place: Hakodate City, Hokkaido

Score Breakdown: Scenic Value 36 pts / Search Surge 24 pts / Booking Trends 23 pts — Total: 83 pts

Provided by Hakodate City Content Development Division

Hakodate Mountain’s night view, an iconic symbol of the city, has earned a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide Japon, receiving high acclaim both domestically and internationally. In addition to the fan-shaped cityscape, the Fishing Boat Fire Plaza near the ropeway offers views of squid-fishing boats’ lights on summer nights. Tachimachi Cape, facing the Tsugaru Strait, is another scenic spot known for its dramatic cliffs and sea breezes.

Comment from Mr. Hirofumi Hikaku, Head of Content Development, Hakodate City Tourism Department

We sincerely appreciate Hakodate City being ranked 4th among 1,741 municipalities nationwide. Visitors can enjoy world-renowned night views from Mount Hakodate, as well as unique sights like squid-fishing boat fires on the Tsugaru Strait and the majestic landscapes of Tachimachi Cape. We invite you to experience Hakodate’s historic streets, fresh seafood, and hot springs — a city rich in diverse attractions.

5th Place: Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture

Score Breakdown: Scenic Value 33 pts / Search Surge 20 pts / Booking Trends 27 pts — Total: 80 pts

Provided by Izumo City Tourism and Exchange Department

The Hinomisaki area of Izumo City features the Hinomisaki Lighthouse, selected by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities as one of the 'World’s 100 Lighthouses.' Standing at 43.65 meters, it is Japan’s tallest lighthouse, with a striking white structure atop a cliff. The area is part of Daisen-Izumo National Park and features diverse coastal scenery, including the columnar jointed rock formations of 'Izumo Matsushima.' In summer, the nearby beaches attract visitors with their clear waters, and the view from the lighthouse is especially praised.

Comment from Izumo City Tourism and Exchange Department

We are delighted that Izumo City has been ranked 5th. Hinomisaki, mentioned in the selection criteria, lies within the national park and is a key area of the Japanese Heritage site 'Izumo: Sacred Land Where the Sun Sets' and the 'Shimane Peninsula and Lake Shinji-Nakaumi Geopark.' It offers numerous scenic spots, including sunsets over the Sea of Japan, Hinomisaki Shrine (a National Important Cultural Property), and Tsu-no-Shima Island (a national natural monument and breeding ground for black-tailed gulls). We warmly welcome visitors. The fresh seafood around Hinomisaki is also exceptional.

6th Place: Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture

Score Breakdown: