Tourist attractions--archive--

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.

Shurijo Castle Park is a historical park built around Shuri Castle, the political and cultural center of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Shurijo Castle has suffered repeated damage from war and fire, including the destruction of its main hall in a fire in 2019. However, restoration and reconstruction are currently underway. The red-tiled architecture and stone walled castle are a unique example of Okinawa's culture.

Ise Grand Shrine, affectionately known as "Oise-san," is a special shrine known as the spiritual home of the Japanese people. It consists of 125 shrines, centered around the Inner Shrine, dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, and the Outer Shrine, dedicated to Toyouke Omikami, the deity who governs food, clothing, and shelter. The grounds, surrounded by vast forests and the clear waters of the Isuzu River, are enveloped in a solemn atmosphere...

Higashi Chaya District is a representative tourist destination in Kanazawa that continues to convey the teahouse culture that has continued since the Edo period, and is designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the national government. The streets lined with townhouses with latticed doors are charming, and at night, the lights of paper lanterns light up, giving you a sense of the atmosphere of a former entertainment district...

Kenrokuen is a feudal lord's garden that is considered one of the "Three Great Gardens of Japan," along with Korakuen in Okayama and Kairakuen in Mito, and has been designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government. Developed over many years by the Maeda family of the Kaga domain, the garden is popular with both domestic and international tourists for its beautiful scenery that can be enjoyed throughout the seasons. In particular...

The Shiretoko Peninsula, located in eastern Hokkaido, was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. This pristine natural area offers visitors the chance to enjoy wildlife such as brown bears and white-tailed eagles, as well as seasonal scenery. With drifting ice in winter, virgin forests and waterfalls in summer, and stunning coastline views, the area offers a variety of different experiences throughout the year.

The Blue Pond in Biei Town is a tourist spot known for its mystical scenery, with its sparkling blue water surface. Originally an artificial pond created as part of disaster prevention work, the unique blue color is said to be due to the aluminum-containing water reflecting light. The color changes with the seasons and weather...

Yakushima, an island in Kagoshima Prefecture, was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Supported by abundant rainfall and a diverse ecosystem, its forests are known as the "Alps of the Ocean," and are particularly known for their Yakusugi cedar trees, some thousands of years old. The island is also said to have inspired the setting for the Studio Ghibli film "Princess Mononoke."