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  Shuzenji Onsen

  Posted in: Chubu, Shizuoka

  935 Views

  Tokko-no-Yu is the oldest hot spring in the Shuzenji Onsen resort in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture. Legend has it that in 807, when renowned Buddhist priest Kukai visited the area, he was deeply touched by the deeds of a son caring for his sick father and struck a river rock with his tokko (a Buddhist ritual tool) to produce the famous hot spring. Today, Tokko-no-Yu is only open for observation, and dipping your hand and feet or bathing in the water is not allowed.

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  Kenrokuen Garden

  Posted in: Chubu, Ishikawa

  935 Views

  Kenrokuen is one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. It was built over a long period of time as a park for the successive feudal lords of the Kaga Domain. Located in the center of Kanazawa City, Kenrokuen is well-known to tourists from around the world and many of the prefecture’s residents as a garden where people can enjoy the beauty of the four seasons. In the evening, there is a light-up event held during certain times of the year where visitors can enjoy a kind of charm...

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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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  Lake Towada

  Posted in: Tohoku, Aomori

  932 Views

  Lake Towada, where Oirase Gorge starts, is mostly surrounded by cliffs. Virgin forests grow in the surrounding area and the calm mirror-like surface of the lake shines in a deep blue color.

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  Noboribetsu Onsen

  Posted in: Hokkaido, Southern Hokkaido

  928 Views

  This is the typical hot spring in southern Hokkaido. There are many attractions such as Jigokudani and the bear farm

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  Mikado Shrine

  Posted in: Kyushu, Miyazaki

  924 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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  Usa Jingu Shrine

  Posted in: Kyushu, Oita

  924 Views

  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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  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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  Juwari Soba Etsu Bungotakada Soba Noodles Shop

  Posted in: Kyushu, Oita

  922 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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  Yutoku Inari Shrine

  Posted in: Kyushu, Saga

  918 Views

  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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  Kutani Ceramic Art Village

  Posted in: Chubu, Ishikawa

  915 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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  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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