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  Fujinokuni Tea Museum

  Posted in: Chubu, Shizuoka

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  The Fujinokuni Tea Museum is a rare prefectural museum dedicated to tea, located in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Founded on the Makinohara Plateau, the largest tea farming region in Japan, the museum introduces both Japanese tea and teas from around the world and also has a beautiful Japanese garden and a tea ceremony house. There are also restaurants and shops where you can enjoy menus using tea while gazing at the magnificent Mount Fuji, so take your time to look around and relax.

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  Lake Biwa

  Posted in: Shiga, Kansai

  446 Views

  Sitting proudly at the center of Shiga Prefecture, Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan, and was created approximately four million years ago. Due to its size, it offers a wide variety of unique seasonal scenes in different areas. "Biwa-ichi" is a popular recent activity which involves cycling in a loop around this large lake. It has now been selected as one of the National Cycle Routes certified by the national government.

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  Eiheiji Hakujukan, an inn close to Zen

  Posted in: Chubu, Fukui

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  An inn close to Zen, Eiheiji Hakujukan falls somewhere in between a traditional Japanese inn and a shukubo temple lodging, offering convenient facilities and services while introducing you to the world of Zen with authentic Buddhist vegetarian cuisine and sitting meditation experience. The inn's Zen concierges, trained at the Soto Zen sect's head temple Daihonzan Eiheiji Temple, will assist your journey to the world of Zen both at the Zen monastery and within Hakujukan.

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  Mikado Shrine

  Posted in: Kyushu, Miyazaki

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  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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  Inuyama Castle

  Posted in: Chubu, Aichi

  444 Views

  Inuyama Castle was initially constructed by Oda Nobuyasu, uncle of Oda Nobunaga, in 1537. As you gaze out from the castle tower, you’ll clearly be able to see that it is the northernmost part of the Nobi Plains - looking north, you can see the magnificent Kiso River and mountains, and looking south, you can see the expansive Nobi Plains. Inuyama Castle is the pride of Aichi. Its imposing castle tower is the oldest among Japan’s remaining castles.

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  Himeji Castle

  Posted in: Hyogo, Kansai

  442 Views

  The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage castle located in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, is also known as the White Heron Castle for its pristine white stature that stands out against the blue sky, resembling a white heron taking flight. Admire the dazzling castle tower and explore the many attractions including the various defenses against attack. In Koko-en garden founded on the grounds of the former West Residence, you can enjoy dining or tea while gazing at the majestic castle.

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  Oike Springs

  Posted in: Kyushu, Oita

  440 Views

  The Oike Springs are located in the Asono district of Shonai in the city of Yufu in Oita’s central-south region. Even though they are not very far from the popular tourist destination of Yufuin Onsen and they have been selected as one of Japan’s best 100 waters, this is a hidden scenic spot known only by a few.

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  National Ainu Museum

  Posted in: Hokkaido, Southern Hokkaido

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  The museum's mission is "to promote proper understanding and awareness of Ainu history and culture in Japan and elsewhere out of respect for the dignity of the indigenous Ainu people"

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  Hirosaki Park

  Posted in: Tohoku, Aomori

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  Hirosaki Park is located in the center of Hirosaki City with a total area of about 490,000 square meters. The site was originally Hirosaki Castle which was the castle of the Tsugaru Clan who reigned the Hirosaki Domain of 100,000 koku (unit of area) during feudal era. In spring, there is Japan’s most famous Cherry Blossom Festival, in autumn is Autumn Festival where the white walls of the moat and the castle decorated with autumn foliage, and in winter, a Snow Lantern Festival with huge snow...

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  Yonago Castle Ruins

  Posted in: Chugoku, Tottori

  436 Views

  Yonago Castle was built on top of the 90-meter high Minatoyama in central Yonago City, and is sometimes called "Kume Castle". From the ruins, you can look out over West Hoki. The view from the castle mound is loved by the local populace.

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  Shingen-ko Festival

  Posted in: Kanto, Yamanashi

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  The Shingen-ko Festival is held every April when cherry blossoms bloom to commemorate Shingen Takeda, a warlord of Kai Providence (present-day Yamanashi Prefecture) during the Sengoku period (mid-15th to early 17th century), and a renowned samurai hero very popular in Japan. Over 1,000 participants from all around the prefecture, authentically dressed as Sengoku-period samurai troops, gather at Maizuru Castle Park and reenact the samurai procession to the famous battle site of Kawanakajima....

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  Minobusan Kuon-ji Temple

  Posted in: Kanto, Yamanashi

  436 Views

  Founded by Nichiren Shonin, the founder of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism, in the Kamakura period (1185-1333), this is the head temple of the sect. The weeping cherry trees, which are over 400 years old, are part of the 10 best weeping cherry trees in Japan. Many halls in the precincts, including the main hall with a painting on the ceiling that depicts a large dragon, featuring the history and culture of Kuon-ji Temple.

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