Around the World - in Japan

Japan is full of surprises, including all the places that let you “travel abroad” without ever leaving the country. From full‑scale European theme parks to neighborhoods shaped by immigrant communities, you can step into pockets of Spain, China, Korea, Finland, Germany, and more. So for fun, I’ve rounded up ten foreign‑themed destinations that let you explore a little bit of the world, right here in Japan.

1. CHINA: Yokohama Chinatown, Kanagawa

Japan’s largest Chinatown, full of lanterns, street food, temples, and vibrant Chinese‑inspired architecture.

2. KOREA: Shin-Okuba Korea Town, Tokyo

K‑pop shops, Korean cosmetics, street food stalls, and restaurants; Tokyo’s most concentrated Korean cultural district.

3. FINLAND: Moominvalley Park, Saitama (Pictured)

A Finnish‑themed park inspired by Tove Jansson’s Moomins, with Nordic design, forest scenery, and Scandinavian cafés.

4. GERMANY: Doitsu Mura, Chiba

A German‑inspired leisure park with European‑style buildings, beer gardens, seasonal flower fields, and family attractions.

5. HOLLAND: Huis Ten Bosch, Nagasaki

A massive Dutch‑themed resort town featuring canals, windmills, tulip gardens, European architecture, and seasonal illuminations.

6.  SPAIN: Shima Spain Village, Mie

Japan’s most famous Spain‑themed park, complete with Mediterranean streets, Gaudí‑inspired architecture, flamenco shows, and Spanish food.

7. ITALY: La Vita, Tokyo 

A tiny but charming Italian‑inspired area with Venetian‑style canals, bridges, and European‑style boutiques.

8. ENGLAND: British Hills, Fukushima

A “British village” built for language immersion, complete with Tudor‑style buildings, pubs, afternoon tea, and British‑style gardens.

9. AMERICA: American Village, Okinawa

A coastal entertainment district modeled after an American seaside town, with diners, neon signs, and U.S.‑style shops.

10. EUROPE: Kobe Kitano Ijinkan, Hyogo

Historic Western residences, including French, British, and other European‑style houses from the Meiji era, preserved as museums.

Where else would you add to this list?