Latest posts

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  Hakone Yosegi Zaiku Woodcraft

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

  915 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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  Kencho-ji Temple

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

  1318 Views

  Kencho-ji Temple is the head of the Kencho-ji school of Rinzai Buddhism. It was established in 1253 by Tokiyori Hojo, the regent of the time, who invited the Chinese high priest Rankei Doryu from Nansong to open one of Japan's first authentic Zen monasteries. On the premises, there is a training hall where monks still undergo rigorous training.

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  Sankeien Garden

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

  649 Views

  Sankeien is a Japanese-style garden that was created by Sankei Hara (1868-1939), a businessman who was engaged in the production and trading of raw silk that laid the foundation for the development of Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture. The 175,000-square-meter site is dotted with 17 valuable historical buildings, including 10 important cultural properties relocated from around Japan such as Kyoto and Kamakura, creating stunning scenery from season to season that harmonizes with nature.

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  Hachijojima Island Freesia Festival

  Posted in: Kanto, Tokyo

  981 Views

  The Hachijojima Island Freesia Festival is a spring festival held every year from late March to early April in Hachijojima, a tropical island accessible from Haneda Airport in approximately 55 minutes. At the Hakkeisan Freesia Field near Hachijojima Airport, around 350,000 freesias of various colors bloom brilliantly against the backdrop of Hachijo-Fuji mountain. Numerous events that can only be experienced on the island are held during the festival period.

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  Hossawa Falls

  Posted in: Kanto, Tokyo

  628 Views

  The only waterfall in Tokyo selected as one of the Top 100 Waterfalls in Japan, Hossawa Falls in the village of Hinohara is 62 meters tall and has four stages in all. The deep hole at the lowest stage (length of about 26 meters) has a mysterious atmosphere and is said to be inhabited by a large serpent since ancient times. The waterfall is also famous for freezing in winter, and the Hossawa Falls Winter Festival is held from December to February every year.

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  Tokyo Tower

  Posted in: Kanto, Tokyo

  1136 Views

  Rising 333 meters, Tokyo Tower has been appreciated as the icon of Tokyo since its construction in 1958. The symbolic tower which attracts people day and night is a must-see site of the metropolis.

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  Ginza Chuo-dori Street

  Posted in: Kanto, Tokyo

  1005 Views

  Ginza Chuo-dori Street may be most famous as Japan's premier shopping area with large-scale department stores and luxury brand boutiques, but did you know that it is also renowned for its sweet confections? Amid the international crowd of visitors, new shops are constantly opening, while many long-time establishments strive to this day to maintain their traditional flavors. Here, we introduce the finest confectionery shops of Ginza Chuo-dori, the birthplace of many of Japan's best-known sweets.

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  Lake Okutama

  Posted in: Kanto, Tokyo

  1010 Views

  Lake Okutama in Okutama, Tokyo, has a total storage capacity of 180 million tons and supplies about 20% of the water used by Tokyo residents. The lake is located inside Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park and is popular as an oasis of the metropolis as it changes its appearance beautifully from season to season with cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, fall leaves, and winter snowscapes. The lakeside is dotted with various historic sites and antique houses with a nostalgic atmosphere. It is also a...

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  Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatories

  Posted in: Kanto, Tokyo

  687 Views

  Open to the public free of charge, the observatories located on the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building provide a panoramic view of the capital of Tokyo. The Tokyo Tourist Information Center and Japanese Prefectural Promotion Corner are located on the first floor of the building, where you can get tourist and event information on not only Tokyo but on every prefecture in Japan.

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  Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum

  Posted in: Kanto, Tokyo

  754 Views

  Originally built as the residence of Prince Asaka in 1933, the main building of the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum opened as an art museum in 1983. The building itself is a work of art, imbued with the essence of beauty that Prince and Princess Asaka brought back after their long-term stay in France. After various renovations in recent years including the construction of the Annex and maintenance of the garden, the museum was fully opened in 2018.

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  Nagareyama Honcho Edo Corridor

  Posted in: Kanto, Chiba

  599 Views

  Located along the Edogawa River of Nagareyama, Chiba Prefecture, the area known as Nagareyama Honcho flourished from its mirin (sweet sake) brewing industry since the 18th century. It is recognized as the birthplace of Shiromirin (clear mirin), which was carried to Edo by water transportation of the Edogawa River and brought prosperity to Nagareyama. The area retains the atmosphere of those years, dotted with shrines and temples as well as buildings, long-standing shops, and storehouses from...

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  Tomisato Horse Park

  Posted in: Kanto, Chiba

  714 Views

  The city of Tomisato, Chiba Prefecture, was once the home of Shimofusa Imperial Stock Farm, which was under the control of the Imperial Household Agency. In the Meiji era (1868-1912), the farm became the first in the country to import and breed racehorses. The area now has several farms in addition to facilities where you can experience horseback riding. Many restaurants, especially around Tomisato Horse Park, offer great local foods, so spend a relaxing day in the company of horses.

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