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  Takachiho Shrine

  Posted in: Kyushu, Miyazaki

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  Takachiho Shrine enshrines the deities of the other 88 main local shrines of Takachiho. Built approximately 1,900 years ago, the shrine has a long history. It enshrines deities of good harvests, marriage prospects, transport safety, and lifting of bad luck, and attracts many faithful. Huge trees tower over the shrine premises, such as the 800-year-old "Chichibu Cedar" and the "Couple Cedar", which is said to be good for fortune in marriage. "Takachiho Kagura" is also performed every night in...

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  Matsuyama Castle

  Posted in: Shikoku, Ehime

  1772 Views

  You can easily access the castle tower of Matsuyama Castle in Matsuyama, Ehime via ropeway or lift, and the castle is lit up at night. Matsuyama Castle sits atop Mount Katsuyama (132 meters above sea level) in central Matsuyama city.

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  Mount Yoshino

  Posted in: Nara, Kansai

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  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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  Yutoku Inari Shrine

  Posted in: Kyushu, Saga

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  The most popular tourist attraction in Kashima City, Saga, is Yutoku Inari Shrine, also known as a spiritual site. You can also enjoy the specialty sake in the Hizen Hamashuku area as well as healing your mind and body at Torii Gates in the Sea and Takezaki Hot Springs in Tara Town.

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  Katsuren Castle Ruins

  Posted in: Okinawa

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  The city of Uruma is located at the center of the Okinawa main island, and the Katsuren Castle Ruins can be found atop a hill on the eastern coast of Uruma, on the Katsuren Peninsula jutting out onto the Pacific Ocean. Amawari, the lord of Katsuren Castle, attacked the royal palace of Shuri Castle in hopes to take over the kingdom, but suffered a major defeat and perished in 1458. Climb the steep steps of Katsuren Castle and you'll rewarded with a grand panoramic view of the ocean.

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  Suigo Itako Iris Festival

  Posted in: Kanto, Ibaraki

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  Over the month from late May to late June, around one million irises of 500 varieties blossom all at once during the Suigo Iris Festival held in the Iris Garden of Itako, Ibaraki Prefecture. Back in the days, the "Robune" rowboat was the day-to-day mode of transportation through the canals of Itako. Today, the robune is brought back to life just during this festival for a pleasant cruise. In addition, enjoy a host of events including the Yomeiri-bune (marriage boat) carrying a beautiful...

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  Kaho Theater

  Posted in: Kyushu, Fukuoka

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  Kaho Theater is a small playhouse that opened in 1922 in Iizuka, Fukuoka Prefecture, which once flourished as a coal mining town that supported Japan’s modernization. Performers including actors, singers, and rakugo comedic storytellers have entertained a great number of audiences on the wooden stage that was modeled on the architectural style of kabuki theaters of the Edo Period (1603-1868).

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  Hoshitoge Rice Terraces

  Posted in: Chubu, Niigata

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  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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  Utsunomiya Gyoza

  Posted in: Kanto, Tochigi

  1757 Views

  Gyoza is the signature food of Utsunomiya. Having claimed the highest annual spending on gyoza in Japan several times, Utsunomiya is literally the city of gyoza. You can enjoy its tasty delights cooked in a variety of ways, such as grilling, boiling, and frying, as well as in size, ingredients, skin thickness and sauce at respective restaurants.

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  The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka

  Posted in: Osaka, Kansai

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  The museum was established by Osaka City when the Ataka Collection, including two national treasures and 12 important cultural properties, was donated by the 21 companies of the Sumitomo Group. Since then, with mainly Chinese and Korean ceramics, a Japanese ceramic collection and donated works being added, the museum now boasts the largest collection of oriental ceramics in both quality and quantity in Japan.

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  Unazuki Onsen

  Posted in: Chubu, Toyama

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  One of the prefecture's largest hot spring resorts, Unazuki Onsen opened along with the development of hydropower facilities on the Kurobe River, where Unazuki's hot spring has its source at the Kuronagi spring. The resort is located at the entryway to Kurobe Gorge, one of the deepest V-shaped valleys in Japan, and is also the starting point of the torokko train with a fantastic view of the gorge along its route.

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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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