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  Tomisato Horse Park

  Posted in: Kanto, Chiba

  1886 Views

  The city of Tomisato, Chiba Prefecture, was once the home of Shimofusa Imperial Stock Farm, which was under the control of the Imperial Household Agency. In the Meiji era (1868-1912), the farm became the first in the country to import and breed racehorses. The area now has several farms in addition to facilities where you can experience horseback riding. Many restaurants, especially around Tomisato Horse Park, offer great local foods, so spend a relaxing day in the company of horses.

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  Utsunomiya Gyoza

  Posted in: Kanto, Tochigi

  1882 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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  Lake Towada

  Posted in: Tohoku, Aomori

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  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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  Ise Grand Shrine "Ise Jingu"

  Posted in: Chubu, Mie

  1877 Views

  The Ise Grand Shrine in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, has been known as “Oise-san” from a long time ago, and surrounded by great spots such as Okage Yokocho and Oharai Machi. Visitors can enjoy Akafuku Mochi and lot of great sightseeing even after visiting the Shrine.

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  Juwari Soba Etsu Bungotakada Soba Noodles Shop

  Posted in: Kyushu, Oita

  1873 Views

  Bungotakada, located on the western side of the Kunisaki Peninsula, is known for its delicious Bungotakada soba noodles. A unique feature of this local specialty is that the season for newly harvested soba (buckwheat) comes twice a year. In particular, the crop acreage of Harusoba, the soba planted in the spring, is the largest in the country. This is a staple dish you should definitely try when visiting Bungotakada.

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  Hakone Yosegi Zaiku Woodcraft

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

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  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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  Kushiro Swamp

  Posted in: Hokkaido, Eastern Hokkaido

  1868 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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  Eiheiji Hakujukan, an inn close to Zen

  Posted in: Chubu, Fukui

  1866 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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  Matsuyama Castle

  Posted in: Shikoku, Ehime

  1865 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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  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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  Kasuga-taisha Shrine

  Posted in: Nara, Kansai

  1862 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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  Kaho Theater

  Posted in: Kyushu, Fukuoka

  1861 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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