Tourist attractions--archive--

Overview Kakunodate Samurai Residence Street is a preserved district where the townscape of the Edo period remains. Dotted with museums showcasing the residences, earthen walls, and weapons of feudal lords, the area offers a charming atmosphere throughout the seasons. The rows of cherry blossom trees in spring create a landscape that has earned the area the nickname "Little Kyoto of the Michinoku region." Highlights: Views of the interiors of preserved samurai residences, such as the Aoyagi residence...

Overview Known for Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Forest Path, Arashiyama is a tourist destination where Kyoto's nature and history blend together. Enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the seasons, strolling around temples and riverside areas, and exploring restaurants. Highlights: Bamboo Forest Path: A tranquil walking path and photo spot; Togetsukyo Bridge and Hozugawa River: Stunning riverside views; Tenryuji Temple...

Overview Ginkakuji (also known as Jisho-ji) is a Zen temple built by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, and a famous site of Higashiyama culture. Though not adorned with silver leaf, it is known for its simple architecture that evokes a sense of wabi-sabi, its well-maintained gardens, and its stunning design, including the Kogetsudai and Ginsandan. Highlights: Kannon Hall (Ginkakuji) and its simple...

Overview This large aquarium is located in Motobu Town in the northern part of Okinawa's main island. Its highlight is the whale sharks and manta rays that swim in the expansive "Kuroshio Sea" tank, where visitors can learn about Okinawa's rich marine ecosystem and culture. It's popular with families and divers alike. Highlights: Kuroshio Sea: One of the world's largest aquariums...

Overview Located about 50 minutes by train from central Tokyo, this hiking spot is located at an altitude of 599 meters. Its lush mountain ranges and ancient temples blend seamlessly together, and it's popular for its seasonal scenery and easy hiking trails. It's a popular tourist destination that can be enjoyed by beginners and families alike. Highlights: There are easy routes via cable car or lift, as well as...

Overview Mount Koya is a sacred site of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism founded by Kobo Daishi Kukai during the Heian period. It is a religious city with temples, lodgings, and graveyards scattered across the mountain. Characterized by a tranquil landscape where nature and history blend in harmony with the seasons, the area offers a variety of opportunities for worship, ascetic experiences, and cultural heritage tours. Highlights include the Okunoin Mausoleum and memorial towers for warlords of the past...

Overview Kumamoto Castle is an ancient castle built by Kato Kiyomasa, with its magnificent stone walls and elegant castle tower. Built over 400 years ago, it was damaged in the 2016 earthquake, but has undergone extensive restoration and restoration, and visitors can learn about its history through its interior collections and restored exhibits. It's also a popular spot for its cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, and nighttime illuminations. Highlights: Reconstruction...

Overview The Otaru Port Canal, where historic warehouses and stone embankments remain, is a tourist spot where the romantic gas lamps and illuminations at dusk strongly convey the atmosphere of a port town. Attractions: Gas lamps and walking paths along the canal, plenty of photo spots, cafes and souvenir shops housed in historic warehouses, canal cruises...

Overview: This Sengoku-era mountain castle, with its striking black-painted castle tower, is a designated National Treasure. Its Edo-period appearance is well preserved, and visitors can enjoy its history and scenery through the interior and exterior exhibits, as well as the surrounding moat and gardens. Highlights: View of the castle town from the castle tower, a National Treasure; the upside-down castle reflected in the moat; cherry blossoms and autumn leaves; the steep staircases and weaponry exhibits inside; and...

Overview Himeji Castle is a famous national treasure known as the "White Heron Castle," and its white plaster exterior and elaborate defensive structures from the Edo period are noteworthy.