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  Mount Yoshino

  Posted in: Nara, Kansai

  706 Views

  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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  Watatsumi Sushi Restaurant

  Posted in: Kyushu, Miyazaki

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  Watatsumi Sushi Restaurant is located on the 3rd floor of "Miyazaki Bougainvillea Airport", the sky gateway to Miyazaki. From Ladies’ Sets to Seafood Rice Bowls and lettuce-wrapped sushi rolls, a Miyazaki original, to caviar and sturgeon meat sushi, the restaurant offers an extensive range of seafood to enjoy. It is the kind of place you can drop in for a casual bite while waiting for your plane.

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  Tanegashima Space Center

  Posted in: Kyushu, Kagoshima

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  Visitors to JAXA Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane-cho can look around its facilities on their own or join a guided tour led by a full-time guide.

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  Kibitsu Shrine

  Posted in: Chugoku, Okayama

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  Every Japanese grew up hearing the folklore of Momotaro, a boy hero who sets off to fight a band of ogres. The tale is said to have been modeled after the ogre-fighting mythology of Ohkibitsuhiko-no-Mikoto enshrined in Kibitsu Shrine, called the "Tale of Ohkibitsuhiko-no-Mikoto and Ura." Kibitsu Shrine itself is known for the beautiful Kibitsu-zukuri architectural style that appears as if a bird is spreading its wings, and the main building and worship hall are designated as national treasures.

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  Wakayama Electric Railway's Kishigawa Line

  Posted in: Wakayama, Kansai

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  Wakayama Electric Railway's Kishigawa Line connects Wakayama Station in Wakayama City with Kishi Station in Kinokawa City. Unique-themed trains travel the line, and at the last stop of Kishi Station, you can greet the famous cat stationmaster Nitama. Kinokawa is one of the country's leading fruit production areas and is also famous as the birthplace of Hanaoka Seishu, the first surgeon in the world to successfully perform a surgery under general anesthesia.

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  Awara Hot Springs

  Posted in: Chubu, Fukui

  702 Views

  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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  Gokayama Gassho-style Village

  Posted in: Chubu, Toyama

  701 Views

  Gokayama gassho-style village was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1995. 23 gassho-style buildings currently remain in Ainokura gassho-style village, and 9 remain in Suganuma gassho-style village. Most of them are around one to two centuries old, and the oldest of them are said to have been built 400 years ago. The area’s mountain village culture is steeped in the tradition of gassho-style houses and its history is passed down to the present day.

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  Temple Lodgings of Koyasan

  Posted in: Wakayama, Kansai

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  Koyasan is home to 117 temples today, of which 51 have temple lodgings. Originally these lodgings were guesthouses for monks and worshippers visiting the temple. Today, they are also widely open to general tourists. During your stay, you can participate in meditation and liturgies, as well as various events that each temple lodgings offer. Enjoy a relaxing stay in the quiet temples, many with Japanese gardens beautiful in every season.

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  Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum

  Posted in: Shikoku, Kochi

  699 Views

  Sakamoto Ryoma, born in Tosa, was a patriot at the end of the Edo Period and dedicated his life to early modern Japan. The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum was opened in November 1991 to commemorate his achievements, and collect and exhibit items relating to him.

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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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  Higashiyama Onsen

  Posted in: Tohoku, Fukushima

  698 Views

  Higashiyama Onsen hot spring was discovered by Gyoki, a monk who was highly respected by many people around 1300 years ago. It has remained very popular for the quality of its waters, which are believed to be effective for maintaining beautiful skin, and also for the stunning natural features that surround it: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in early summer, colorful leaves in autumn and bountiful snowfall in winter. Other attractions are the entertainment offered by Higashiyama...

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  Bandai-Asahi National Park

  Posted in: Tohoku, Fukushima

  697 Views

  The Bandai-Asahi National Park encompasses a number of mountains stretching over Yamagata, Fukushima and Niigata prefectures, with rich forests, dynamic volcanic areas and beautiful lakes and marshes. These mountains are not only visited by people for leisure purposes but also as sites for mountain worship. One of the outstanding features of the park is the Rengenuma Pond and Nakasenuma Pond Trail, which, being relatively flat, is easy to walk while offering magnificent views created by...

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