Featured posts

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  Inabayama Miyajima Gorge Prefectural Park

  Posted in: Chubu, Toyama

  671 Views

  Inabayama Miyajima Gorge Prefectural Park is a large 757-hectare park comprised of 346-meter-high Mount Inaba and Miyajima Gorge at the foot of the mountain. The park, boasting farms, mountain streams, and waterfalls, lets you experience bountiful nature.

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  Hoshitoge Rice Terraces

  Posted in: Chubu, Niigata

  893 Views

  Niigata is a famous rice-producing region. Tokamachi City is dotted with many rice terraces, giving way to vast, beautiful rural scenery. The Hoshitoge Rice Terraces are particularly famous, and are often called the best rice terrace in Tokamachi.

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  Ponshukan Sake Museum

  Posted in: Chubu, Niigata

  730 Views

  The Ponshukan Sake Museum is inside Echigo-Yuzawa Station. Here, you can enjoy famous Niigata products such as sake and rice to your heart’s content at sake tasting sessions and the souvenir stands.

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  Northern Culture Museum

  Posted in: Chubu, Niigata

  829 Views

  This is the building of wealthy farmers. In everything from its architecture and gardens to its collection of art, this museum is full to the brim of Niigata tradition and art. The Northern Culture Museum is the former mansion of the Ito family, who were the lords of vast areas of land in Echigo. It is maintained and open to the general public as this museum.

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  Yahiko Shrine

  Posted in: Chubu, Niigata

  1202 Views

  Yahiko Shrine’s history goes back so far that it was featured in the Manyoshu, an ancient collection of Japanese poems. People affectionately call it “Oyahiko-sama.” It is popular for being the location with the greatest spiritual energy in Niigata.

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  Kiyotsu Gorge

  Posted in: Chubu, Niigata

  850 Views

  Kiyotsu Gorge stands alongside Kurobe Gorge and Osugidani Valley as one of Japan’s three great canyons. A treasure house of academic resources, the gorge was made part of Joshin’etsu Kogen National Park in September 1949.

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  Tsukioka Onsen

  Posted in: Chubu, Niigata

  1405 Views

  Opened in 1915, Tsukioka Onsen in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, boasts a hot spring with one of the highest sulfur concentrations in Japan. The rare, stunning emerald green sulfurous spring is called "the hot spring to make you even more beautiful," and is popular especially among women. The slightly alkaline water is mild on the skin, leaving it feeling moist for a long period of time after bathing.

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  The Great Buddha of Kamakura and Kotoku-in

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

  730 Views

  Designated as Japan's National Treasure, the bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha, which is the principal image of Kotoku-in, is commonly known as the Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu in Japanese). The construction of the statue began in 1252 and it was originally enshrined in Daibutsu-den Hall. However, the building was destroyed due to several typhoons and ultimately by a huge tsunami in 1498. Since then, the Buddha has been standing in the open air. With a height of 13.35 meters...

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  Enoshima Island

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

  1117 Views

  Enoshima Island, which is easy to reach from Tokyo, is a scenic tourist spot that has been popular since the Edo period (1603-1868). Don't miss Mount Fuji seen from Enoshima Island, particularly in the evening. The entire island is a power spot, and it has a long history with pilgrims. While looking back on the past, enjoy a day of sea breeze!

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  Yokohama Chinatown

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

  581 Views

  Yokohama Chinatown is Japan's largest Chinatown, packed with Chinese restaurants, souvenir shops and variety goods shops within the 500 meters by 500 meters area. Numerous people visit this town of food and culture seeking the authentic Chinese tastes and exotic atmosphere. In addition to great food, it is also fun to stroll around and look for various Chinese goods.

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  Lake Ashi

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

  758 Views

  Lake Ashi, with a shoreline of approximately 20 kilometers, spreads out widely with Mount Fuji as a backdrop. This vast lake is surrounded by resort areas with a number of tourist spots, including shrines, an aquarium, an art museum, and historical buildings. There are also many activities to enjoy, such as hot springs, cruises and a ropeway to the mountain top. This area offers many opportunities to enjoy its natural features, as well as local traditions.

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  Hakone Yosegi Zaiku Woodcraft

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

  867 Views

  Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture is one of the most well-known hot spring destinations in Japan. It is also known for the Hakone Yosegi Zaiku, a traditional woodworking craft that skillfully creates geometric patterns by gathering woods of various natural colors, said to have developed about 200 years ago in Hatajuku of Hakone. They are crafted in various sizes and patterns, such as coasters, small boxes, drawers and trays, and the puzzle box which is quite difficult to open is especially...

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