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  Tsutenkaku Tower

  Posted in: Osaka, Kansai

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  Designated as a national tangible cultural asset, the 108-meter-high Tsutenkaku observation tower is hailed as one of the symbolic landmarks of Osaka. Day or night, the Gold Observation Platform where the statue of Billiken, the Deity of Good Fortune resides, offers a pleasant view of the entire city. The current tower is the second generation, but has a beautiful ceiling painting, which is a reproduction of the original painting of the first tower, making it a popular photo spot.

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  Kencho-ji Temple

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

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  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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  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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  Shiiba-son

  Posted in: Kyushu, Miyazaki

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  The village of Shiiba-son in Higashiusuki-gun, Miyazaki, is one of Japan’s three major hidden scenic spots. It has numerous sightseeing spots such as the Tsurutomi Yashiki residence and Shiiba Itsukushima Shrine. The warriors of the Heike Clan, who had fled to the area after their resounding defeat at the hands of the rival Genji Clan in the 12th century, sought refuge and lived in Shiiba-son.

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  Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle

  Posted in: Chugoku, Okayama

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  Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle is one of 12 existing temples and is designated as an important cultural property of the country. It is also famous as the only mountain castle where its original tower still exists.

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  Utsunomiya Gyoza

  Posted in: Kanto, Tochigi

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  Gyoza is the signature food of Utsunomiya. Having claimed the highest annual spending on gyoza in Japan several times, Utsunomiya is literally the city of gyoza. You can enjoy its tasty delights cooked in a variety of ways, such as grilling, boiling, and frying, as well as in size, ingredients, skin thickness and sauce at respective restaurants.

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  Shuzenji Onsen

  Posted in: Chubu, Shizuoka

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  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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  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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  Kanazawa Jizakegura

  Posted in: Chubu, Ishikawa

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  Anto is an area for buying souvenirs inside Kanazawa Hyakubangai in Kanazawa Station in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. If you’re planning on buying local sake as a souvenir, you should get it at Kanazawa Jizakegura. You can casually enjoy Ishikawa local sakes - sample drinks at the local sake bar on the premises.

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  Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatories

  Posted in: Kanto, Tokyo

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  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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  Shrines and Temples in Nikko

  Posted in: Kanto, Tochigi

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  There are three representative holy places (two shrines and a temple) in Nikko: Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko Futarasan Shrine, and Rinno-ji Temple. There is the architecture of great historical value, such as national treasures and important cultural properties at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, which enshrines Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa, and Rinno-ji Temple, which features the grave of the third Shogun Iemitsu Tokugawa. Visitors must see the gorgeous sculptures including Nemuri-neko (sleeping cat) and the...

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  Mount Tsukuba

  Posted in: Kanto, Ibaraki

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  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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