Popular posts

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  Lake Kussharo

  Posted in: Hokkaido, Eastern Hokkaido

  1189 Views

  Rain or shine, sun or clouds, Lake Kussharo in Akan National Park near the town of Kawayu-Onsen offers breathtaking views.

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  Usa Jingu Shrine

  Posted in: Kyushu, Oita

  1186 Views

  Usa Jingu Shrine, a power spot of Oita Prefecture, is a shrine located in Minami Usa in the city of Usa, Oita Prefecture. It is known as the origin of the Rokugo-Manzan, a syncretic religious culture that fuses Buddhist and Shinto traditions. Many worshippers come to Usa Jingu Shrine to receive goshuin stamps and omamori amulets. The divine blessings they bestow are related to the divine virtues of the great god Hachiman and the other various deities that are enshrined within the shrine grounds.

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  Hakone Yosegi Zaiku Woodcraft

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

  1184 Views

  Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture is one of the most well-known hot spring destinations in Japan. It is also known for the Hakone Yosegi Zaiku, a traditional woodworking craft that skillfully creates geometric patterns by gathering woods of various natural colors, said to have developed about 200 years ago in Hatajuku of Hakone. They are crafted in various sizes and patterns, such as coasters, small boxes, drawers and trays, and the puzzle box which is quite difficult to open is especially...

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  Irabu Bridge

  Posted in: Okinawa

  1180 Views

  Located just west of Miyako Island, Irabu Island is a quaint, far-off isle with a population of around 5,000. Previously accessible only by ferry, the Irabu Bridge was constructed in 2015 to connect the two islands, thus becoming a hugely popular tourist destination for marveling at the wonders of nature unique to the remote island.

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  Homma Museum of Art

  Posted in: Tohoku, Yamagata

  1178 Views

  The Homma Museum of Art in Sakata City in Yamagata Prefecture is famed for its stunning Japanese gardens. The museum exhibits various objects, collected by the Homma Family, wealthy landowners in the Shonai area, including artworks, crafts and historical materials. Visitors can also explore Seienkaku, the main building which was used as the family's villa, and Kakubuen, a Japanese garden constructed for the villa.

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  Hoshitoge Rice Terraces

  Posted in: Chubu, Niigata

  1173 Views

  Niigata is a famous rice-producing region. Tokamachi City is dotted with many rice terraces, giving way to vast, beautiful rural scenery. The Hoshitoge Rice Terraces are particularly famous, and are often called the best rice terrace in Tokamachi.

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  Lake Towada

  Posted in: Tohoku, Aomori

  1172 Views

  Lake Towada, where Oirase Gorge starts, is mostly surrounded by cliffs. Virgin forests grow in the surrounding area and the calm mirror-like surface of the lake shines in a deep blue color.

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  Mikado Shrine

  Posted in: Kyushu, Miyazaki

  1162 Views

  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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  Omi Beef

  Posted in: Shiga, Kansai

  1161 Views

  Now popular around the world, Japanese wagyu beef consists of over 200 brands, and Omi, Matsuzaka and Kobe are renowned as the top three wagyu brands. Omi beef is a Japanese Black cattle raised in the rich natural environment and waters of Shiga Prefecture. With a fine texture and sweet flavored fat, the tender meat is best enjoyed as sukiyaki or shabu-shabu hot pot dishes.

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  Noboribetsu Onsen

  Posted in: Hokkaido, Southern Hokkaido

  1160 Views

  This is the typical hot spring in southern Hokkaido. There are many attractions such as Jigokudani and the bear farm

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  Kiyotsu Gorge

  Posted in: Chubu, Niigata

  1154 Views

  Kiyotsu Gorge stands alongside Kurobe Gorge and Osugidani Valley as one of Japan’s three great canyons. A treasure house of academic resources, the gorge was made part of Joshin’etsu Kogen National Park in September 1949.

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  Eiheiji Hakujukan, an inn close to Zen

  Posted in: Chubu, Fukui

  1153 Views

  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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