Featured posts

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  Mount Tsukuba

  Posted in: Kanto, Ibaraki

  1366 Views

  Situated in the Kanto Plain, Mount Tsukuba is the tallest mountain in Ibaraki Prefecture and is often compared alongside Mount Fuji for its stunning beauty as in the phrase "Fuji of the west, Tsukuba of the east." Its distinctive twin peaks are called Mount Nantai (male body) and Mount Nyotai (female body). The mountain surface continuously changes its color with the seasons and time of day and is also nicknamed Shihou (purple mountain) for its breathtaking purple shade when lit by sunset....

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  Tsuruga Castle

  Posted in: Tohoku, Fukushima

  606 Views

  Tsuruga Castle of Aizu is a famous one among castle in Fukushima Prefecture. Located in Aizuwakamatsu City, this castle became a stage of Boshin War. Beside the strong history that you can feel, Tsuruga Castle also popular with light up in the night. During spring and autumn, not only the castle but cherry blossoms and autumn foliage also colored by the light. As for the access, visitor can use a loop bus route.

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  Kitakata Ramen

  Posted in: Tohoku, Fukushima

  776 Views

  Kitakata Ramen is known as one of Japan’s three major ramen noodle dynasties, with the essential base of the soy-sauce soup that has varies widely at each store, and there is no particular standard that defines the brand. Kitakata ramen is characterized by its unique noodles, known as "Hirauchi Jukusei Takasuimen" (Matured Flat Noodles with Lots of Water). They are about four millimeters wide, flat and curled and have been matured for a long period of time, they’re firm, filling, and have a...

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  Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival

  Posted in: Tohoku, Fukushima

  1145 Views

  On the first Saturday, Sunday and Monday of October every year, Nihonmatsu Shrine’s annual festival is held, which has a tradition of more than 350 years. The main attraction is the 3,000 brightly glowing red paper lanterns. On the eve of the festival, seven large floats called Taikodai are gathered from neighboring towns, and a ceremony is held to light the sacred flame of Nihonmatsu Shrine to the red paper lanterns. The 11-meter tall Taikodai are each decorated with 300 lanterns, and they...

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  Komine Castle

  Posted in: Tohoku, Fukushima

  1876 Views

  Komine Castle, completed in 1632 after a four-year restoration, was built by Nagashige Niwa who served as the lord of the Nihonmatsu Domain and is known for constructing a number of castles. On a long and narrow hill stands Komine Castle surrounded by beautiful stone walls. Before it was destroyed during a battle in 1868, the castle had passed through the hands of seven clans with a total of 21 lords including Sadanobu Matsudaira, a famous chief senior councilor of the Tokugawa shogunate....

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  Higashiyama Onsen

  Posted in: Tohoku, Fukushima

  822 Views

  Higashiyama Onsen hot spring was discovered by Gyoki, a monk who was highly respected by many people around 1300 years ago. It has remained very popular for the quality of its waters, which are believed to be effective for maintaining beautiful skin, and also for the stunning natural features that surround it: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in early summer, colorful leaves in autumn and bountiful snowfall in winter. Other attractions are the entertainment offered by Higashiyama...

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  Bandai-Asahi National Park

  Posted in: Tohoku, Fukushima

  1547 Views

  The Bandai-Asahi National Park encompasses a number of mountains stretching over Yamagata, Fukushima and Niigata prefectures, with rich forests, dynamic volcanic areas and beautiful lakes and marshes. These mountains are not only visited by people for leisure purposes but also as sites for mountain worship. One of the outstanding features of the park is the Rengenuma Pond and Nakasenuma Pond Trail, which, being relatively flat, is easy to walk while offering magnificent views created by...

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  Zao Onsen Ski Resort

  Posted in: Tohoku, Yamagata

  1042 Views

  Sitting on the border between Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures, Mount Zao is a complex volcano that forms part of the Ou Mountain Range. The Yamagata side is a popular destination dotted with ski resorts, ropeways and hot springs endowed with rich nature. Various activities can be enjoyed all year round such as observing alpine flora in spring, trekking in lush greenery in summer and colorful leaves in autumn, as well as skiing and viewing frost-covered trees known as "snow monsters" in winter...

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  Hirata Farm Shonai Airport Restaurant

  Posted in: Tohoku, Yamagata

  743 Views

  Hirata Farm's Sangenton and Kinkaton are pork brands from the Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture. Pigs are grown feeding on Japanese rice and often referred to as "mythical pork" for their rarity in the market. Sangenton and Kinkaton are among the highest-quality pork brands in the world, in which pigs are grown healthily in an open pigpen and the pork characterized by its delicate texture and refined sweet flavor. Hirata Farm's directly managed restaurant can be found in Shonai Airport,...

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  Ginzan Onsen

  Posted in: Tohoku, Yamagata

  934 Views

  Ginzan Onsen is a secluded hot spring town nestled in the mountains of Obanazawa City in the northeast of Yamagata Prefecture. The city is known as a major producer of watermelons in Japan as well as the birthplace of a traditional dance called Hanagasa odori, but its main claim to fame is the Ginzan Onsen, one of the most popular hot spring towns in Yamagata. As the name Ginzan Onsen that literally means "silver mountain hot spring" indicates, the area flourished as a giant silver mining...

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  Homma Museum of Art

  Posted in: Tohoku, Yamagata

  924 Views

  The Homma Museum of Art in Sakata City in Yamagata Prefecture is famed for its stunning Japanese gardens. The museum exhibits various objects, collected by the Homma Family, wealthy landowners in the Shonai area, including artworks, crafts and historical materials. Visitors can also explore Seienkaku, the main building which was used as the family's villa, and Kakubuen, a Japanese garden constructed for the villa.

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  Yamadera Hojuzan Risshaku-ji Temple

  Posted in: Tohoku, Yamagata

  715 Views

  Officially known as Hojuzan Risshaku-ji, Yamadera was founded in 860. At the base of the mountain sits the main Konpon Chudo Hall, a designated important cultural property of Japan, followed by the 1,015 stone steps that lead to the summit. It is a form of ascetic training that leaves your worldly desires behind as you ascend each step. The views of the mountains and surrounding villages from the mountaintop are truly captivating.

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