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  Mount Yōtei

  Posted in: Hokkaido, Southern Hokkaido

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  The mountain is also known as "Ezo Fuji". Mount Yotei (1,898 m high) is an active stratovolcano located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park in Hokkaido. Yotei is as beautiful as Mount Fuji, one of the top 100 most beautiful mountains in Japan

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  Kouyaji Temple

  Posted in: Kyushu, Saga

  373 Views

  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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  Shibukawa Beach

  Posted in: Chugoku, Okayama

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  Shibukawa beach stretches for an entire kilometer. It has been selected as one of the 100 best beaches in Japan and is the largest swimming beach in Okayama, with visitors flocking in the summer.

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  Futami Okitama Shrine

  Posted in: Chubu, Mie

  373 Views

  The Futami Okitama Shrine is located in the town of Futami in Ise City, Mie Prefecture. This is a famous shrine where women pray for a felicitous marriage, and where married couples pray for matrimonial happiness. The amulets and goshuin (shrine's seal stamped onto a notebook) are also popular. The custom from ancient times is to purify oneself at this Futami Okitama Shrine before going on to pray at the nearby Ise Grand Shrine.

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  Hiroshima's Okonomimura

  Posted in: Chugoku, Hiroshima

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  Okonomimura is located in the Shintenchi district of Naka Ward in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Here is where you'll find famous restaurants serving Hiroshima-yaki—Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancakes) layered with yakisoba (fried noodles). Enjoy dining on these local favorites while you converse with the chef and watch your food being cooked on the griddle in front of you. With numerous restaurants housed together in one small building, Okonomimura also offers a...

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  Mount Yoshino

  Posted in: Nara, Kansai

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  Mount Yoshino in central Nara Prefecture has long been famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot. On the ridge extending about 8 kilometers at the north end of the Omine mountain range, varieties of cherry blossoms start to bloom from the foothills and travel upwards in the order of Shimosenbon, Nakasenbon, Kamisenbon and Okusenbon. Around 30,000 cherry blossom trees are said to cover the valleys and ridges, and come into full bloom from the beginning to the end of April. In particular,...

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  Echizen Soba Village

  Posted in: Chubu, Fukui

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  Echizen oroshi soba, traditional cuisine of Fukui Prefecture, is a refreshing soba noodle dish served in dashi stock and topped with piquant daikon oroshi, or grated Japanese radish. Despite its simplicity, it is popular for its profound taste and also recently as a health food for longevity. There are three ways Echizen oroshi soba is served: serving the dashi stock and daikon oroshi separately; mixing the daikon oroshi into the dashi, and mixing the juice of daikon oroshi into the dashi.

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  Awara Hot Springs

  Posted in: Chubu, Fukui

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  Awara Hot Springs is the leading hot spring in Fukui Prefecture, boasting a 130-year history since they opened. The plaza in front of Awara-Yunomachi Station is lined with attractions such as a foot bath and food stands. At the Traditional Performing Arts Center, you can try dressing up as a geiko or a maiko. You can also casually try out taiko performances and o-zashiki asobi (parties with geisha entertainment), while being taught by real geikos. You can also watch songs and dances performed...

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  Ryusendo Cave

  Posted in: Tohoku, Iwate

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  Ryusendo Cave in Iwaizumi, Iwate Prefecture, is one of Japan's three greatest limestone caves and designated as a national natural monument. The underground lake created by pristine water welling out of the cave is one of the most transparent in the world, called "dragon blue." The spot has also been drawing attention in recent years as a "lover's sanctuary," a romantic setting often visited by couples.

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  Kawayu Onsen

  Posted in: Hokkaido, Eastern Hokkaido

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  Kawayu Onsen is located in the northeast of Hokkaido. The source is Atosanupuri (Mount Iou), which is still active as an active volcano, and the hot water contains sulfur minerals. The hot water is so powerful that it can melt a 5-inch nail in a week

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  Harakomeshi and Hokkimeshi in the town of Watari

  Posted in: Tohoku, Miyagi

  371 Views

  Watari is a coastal town in the southern area of Miyagi Prefecture that is located at the mouth of the Abukuma River, the second largest river in the Tohoku region. Salmon caught in the river is a famous local specialty that has long been offered to shoguns as an autumn delicacy. Originating in Arahama in the town of Watari, Harakomeshi has plentiful cuts of fatty salmon and sparkling salmon roe (harako, also known as ikura) on top of rice cooked with salmon broth. As soon as you take a bite,...

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  Hozan-ji Temple

  Posted in: Nara, Kansai

  370 Views

  Hozan-ji Temple is located on the hillside of Nara Prefecture's Mount Ikoma, worshiped as a mountain where gods reside since ancient times. With the enshrinement of Shoten, a Buddhist guardian god, Hozan-ji Temple has been affectionately called Ikoma Shoten. The deity Shoten is also called Kangiten and is said to grant all wishes in the present world. At Hozan-ji Temple, the Kangiten Festival is held on the first and 16th day of every month, and the temple becomes bustling with visitors...

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