The Meaning of meisho [名所] In Japanese

名所
めいしょ
Romaji: meisho N3

What does 名所 mean?

Translation and Meaning

famous place, place of interest, notable site

Definition

名所 refers to a famous or notable location, often singled out for its scenery, history, or cultural value, and typically highlighted in travel writing and tourism materials as a must-see site.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • 1) A well-known landmark or tourist spot widely recognized within a region or country
  • 2) A place celebrated for its cultural or historical significance, such as a temple, shrine, historic district, or scenic viewpoint
  • 3) A recommended sightseeing destination in travel guides or itineraries, often used in phrases like 名所として紹介される

Etymology

名 めい + 所 しょ → めいしょ; a Sino-Japanese compound whose readings are on-yomi, yielding the modern pronunciation and meaning of a place known for its fame.

Origin

The concept emerged in classical Japan under Chinese influence and was widely used in Edo-period travel literature to designate famous sights and curated routes for sightseeing.

Composition

  • 名 = fame, name, renown
  • 所 = place, location
  • Combined meaning: a place distinguished by fame or renown, i.e., widely known and celebrated

Usage

Used as a formal noun in travel guides, cultural heritage descriptions, and tourism materials to label scenic, historic, or culturally significant locations; commonly appears in phrases like 名所巡り and 名所として紹介される.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: visualize a map pin with 名 as a name tag above a sign reading 所; a ‘named place’ is a 名所, so remember that fame marks the location.

Variations

  • 名勝 (meishō) — scenic spot, famous place
  • 見どころ (midokoro) — highlights, must-see points
  • 有名な場所 (yūmei na basho) — famous place

Example Phrases

  • 今日は 名所を 友達と 一緒に 巡る 予定です。
    Kyou wa meisho o tomodachi to issho ni meguru yotei desu.
    Today I’m planning to tour famous spots with my friends.
    Lista:
    • 今日は (Kyou wa) – today
    • 名所を (meisho o) – to the famous spots
    • 友達と (tomodachi to) – with friends
    • 一緒に (issho ni) – together
    • 巡る (meguru) – to tour
    • 予定です (yotei desu) – it’s planned
    The key point is that 「名所」 is the object of 巡る, meaning ‘famous places’.
名所