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  Shigaraki Pottery Village

  Posted in: Shiga, Kansai

  897 Views

  Recognized as one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, Shigaraki pottery boasts a long history centered around Shigaraki in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture. It is perhaps best known for the comical raccoon dog ceramic statues found at many storefronts in Japan. Shigaraki Pottery Village is a long-standing potter with over 100 years of history, with some of the few completely preserved climbing kilns built using the slope of a mountain, as well as old-fashioned cave kilns.

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  Tsunoshima Bridge

  Posted in: Chugoku, Yamaguchi

  889 Views

  Tsunoshima Bridge was opened in the year 2000, and it is Japan’s longest (1780m) bridge to an isolated island that you can cross for free, as it is a non-toll road.

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  Usa Jingu Shrine

  Posted in: Kyushu, Oita

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  Usa Jingu Shrine, a power spot of Oita Prefecture, is a shrine located in Minami Usa in the city of Usa, Oita Prefecture. It is known as the origin of the Rokugo-Manzan, a syncretic religious culture that fuses Buddhist and Shinto traditions. Many worshippers come to Usa Jingu Shrine to receive goshuin stamps and omamori amulets. The divine blessings they bestow are related to the divine virtues of the great god Hachiman and the other various deities that are enshrined within the shrine grounds.

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  Juwari Soba Etsu Bungotakada Soba Noodles Shop

  Posted in: Kyushu, Oita

  886 Views

  Bungotakada, located on the western side of the Kunisaki Peninsula, is known for its delicious Bungotakada soba noodles. A unique feature of this local specialty is that the season for newly harvested soba (buckwheat) comes twice a year. In particular, the crop acreage of Harusoba, the soba planted in the spring, is the largest in the country. This is a staple dish you should definitely try when visiting Bungotakada.

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  Kouyaji Temple

  Posted in: Kyushu, Saga

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  Kouyaji Temple in the town of Kitagata in Takeo is a "Rhododendron Temple," where 1,000 rhododendron bushes of 20 varieties bloom in April. Also known as "Shakunage Temple," this unique temple also has a Shakunage Kannon statue, which casts away the misfortunes of worshippers, and Bokefūji Kannon statue, which is said to ward off dementia. This historic area was part of the Nagasaki Trail. It has many charms, including areas of beautiful flowers and delicious food offerings.

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  Homma Museum of Art

  Posted in: Tohoku, Yamagata

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  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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  Kutani Ceramic Art Village

  Posted in: Chubu, Ishikawa

  878 Views

  Kutani Ceramic Art Village is packed with all kind of charm inherent in Kutani ceramics (Kutaniyaki), a form of pottery with a 360-year history. Visitors can gaze at famous works at a Kutani ceramics museum and art gallery, buy things at shops in the ceramic art village featuring rich lineups of products, get actual hands-on experience when it comes to making Kutani ceramics and painting them, and take a peak at workshops. There’s something for everyone to enjoy their visit in their own way....

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  Yutoku Inari Shrine

  Posted in: Kyushu, Saga

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  The most popular tourist attraction in Kashima City, Saga, is Yutoku Inari Shrine, also known as a spiritual site. You can also enjoy the specialty sake in the Hizen Hamashuku area as well as healing your mind and body at Torii Gates in the Sea and Takezaki Hot Springs in Tara Town.

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  Cape Futtsu

  Posted in: Kanto, Chiba

  872 Views

  Cape Futtsu, the symbol of Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture, is the perfect location to take in the entire Tokyo Bay. Selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Beaches with White Sand and Blue Pine, the cape provides a panoramic view of Mount Fuji, the Miura Peninsula and central Tokyo on a clear day. As it juts out into the sea for about four kilometers, there are various facilities for the whole family to spend the day, such as a clam digging area, swimming pool, and beach. The wild plant community...

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  Ginzan Onsen

  Posted in: Tohoku, Yamagata

  871 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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  Hakone Yosegi Zaiku Woodcraft

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

  870 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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  Mikado Shrine

  Posted in: Kyushu, Miyazaki

  869 Views

  Mikado Shrine, surrounded by a sacred forest, thick with giant trees. Said to have been founded in 718, the deities enshrined in Mikado Shrine include Oyamatsumi, Teika-O of Baekje, Hakuchi-O (the third prince of Baekje), Ukanomitama, and Emperor Ojin.

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