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  Kutani Ceramic Art Village

  Posted in: Chubu, Ishikawa

  1363 Views

  Kutani Ceramic Art Village is packed with all kind of charm inherent in Kutani ceramics (Kutaniyaki), a form of pottery with a 360-year history. Visitors can gaze at famous works at a Kutani ceramics museum and art gallery, buy things at shops in the ceramic art village featuring rich lineups of products, get actual hands-on experience when it comes to making Kutani ceramics and painting them, and take a peak at workshops. There’s something for everyone to enjoy their visit in their own way....

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  Motonosumi Inari Shrine

  Posted in: Chugoku, Yamaguchi

  1362 Views

  In 1955, a white fox appeared by the bedside of Hitoshi Okamura, a local fishing business owner. The fox asked, "Who do you think you have to thank for having come this far with fishing?" After he explained his past, the fox said, “You must hold a ceremony on this land to appease me" This prompted Okamura to build Motonosumi Inari Shrine.

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  Kasuga-taisha Shrine

  Posted in: Nara, Kansai

  1355 Views

  Kasuga-taisha Shrine is a World Cultural Heritage site with a history of 1,300 years, and is the head shrine of the over 3,000 Kasuga Shrines to be found all around Japan. Surrounded by a primeval forest stands an impressive bright orange shrine building on the premises, which are also famous for the many gorgeous wisteria trees that come into full bloom in the spring. The shrine is located in Nara Park, and there are over a 1,000 deer roaming the grounds that are considered messengers from...

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  Ginzan Onsen

  Posted in: Tohoku, Yamagata

  1354 Views

  Ginzan Onsen is a secluded hot spring town nestled in the mountains of Obanazawa City in the northeast of Yamagata Prefecture. The city is known as a major producer of watermelons in Japan as well as the birthplace of a traditional dance called Hanagasa odori, but its main claim to fame is the Ginzan Onsen, one of the most popular hot spring towns in Yamagata. As the name Ginzan Onsen that literally means "silver mountain hot spring" indicates, the area flourished as a giant silver mining...

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  Kawachi Wisteria Garden

  Posted in: Kyushu, Fukuoka

  1349 Views

  The Kawachi Wisteria Garden was selected as one of the “31 Most Beautiful Places in Japan” by the U.S. news channel CNN in 2015. Its main attraction is the beautiful shades of wisteria flower tunnels. The garden is privately owned by founder Masao Higuchi and his family, who have been devoting themselves to growing wisteria flowers with great care and a deep love for over 50 years.

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  Kyoto Tower

  Posted in: Kyoto, Kansai

  1348 Views

  The design of Kyoto Tower, well known as a landmark of the city, was based on a lighthouse, which casts its light over a city with no sea. From the 100-meter-high observatory, you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire city with different features of the season. Its charming mascot, Tawawa-chan, is also a popular feature among Kyotoites.

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  Kouyaji Temple

  Posted in: Kyushu, Saga

  1339 Views

  Kouyaji Temple in the town of Kitagata in Takeo is a "Rhododendron Temple," where 1,000 rhododendron bushes of 20 varieties bloom in April. Also known as "Shakunage Temple," this unique temple also has a Shakunage Kannon statue, which casts away the misfortunes of worshippers, and Bokefūji Kannon statue, which is said to ward off dementia. This historic area was part of the Nagasaki Trail. It has many charms, including areas of beautiful flowers and delicious food offerings.

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  The Great Buddha of Kamakura and Kotoku-in

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

  1339 Views

  Designated as Japan's National Treasure, the bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha, which is the principal image of Kotoku-in, is commonly known as the Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu in Japanese). The construction of the statue began in 1252 and it was originally enshrined in Daibutsu-den Hall. However, the building was destroyed due to several typhoons and ultimately by a huge tsunami in 1498. Since then, the Buddha has been standing in the open air. With a height of 13.35 meters...

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  Kushiro Swamp

  Posted in: Hokkaido, Eastern Hokkaido

  1339 Views

  Kushiro Shitsugen National Park (釧路湿原) is the largest marsh in Japan located in Hokkaido, spreading over an area of 29,000 hectares, of which 7,900 hectares are protected under the Ramsar Convention.

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  The Circular Rishiri Island

  Posted in: Hokkaido, Dohoku

  1338 Views

  Rishiri Island is located to the west of Wakkanai, Japan's northernmost point, and across the Rishiri Strait from the Sarobetsu Plain. It is a circular island about 20 km off the coast of Hokkaido that has a circumference of 63 km. The symbol of the island is Mt. Rishiri (1,721 m), a beautiful cone-shaped peak which is also referred to as "Rishirifuji."

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  Kaho Theater

  Posted in: Kyushu, Fukuoka

  1332 Views

  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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  Mizuki Shigeru Road

  Posted in: Chugoku, Tottori

  1332 Views

  The road was reopened after renovation in July 2018, the 25th anniversary of its initial opening in 1993.

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