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  Mount Yoshino

  Posted in: Nara, Kansai

  1861 Views

  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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  Tsutenkaku Tower

  Posted in: Osaka, Kansai

  1861 Views

  Designated as a national tangible cultural asset, the 108-meter-high Tsutenkaku observation tower is hailed as one of the symbolic landmarks of Osaka. Day or night, the Gold Observation Platform where the statue of Billiken, the Deity of Good Fortune resides, offers a pleasant view of the entire city. The current tower is the second generation, but has a beautiful ceiling painting, which is a reproduction of the original painting of the first tower, making it a popular photo spot.

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  Higashiyama Onsen

  Posted in: Tohoku, Fukushima

  1853 Views

  Higashiyama Onsen hot spring was discovered by Gyoki, a monk who was highly respected by many people around 1300 years ago. It has remained very popular for the quality of its waters, which are believed to be effective for maintaining beautiful skin, and also for the stunning natural features that surround it: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in early summer, colorful leaves in autumn and bountiful snowfall in winter. Other attractions are the entertainment offered by Higashiyama...

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  Hiroshima's Okonomimura

  Posted in: Chugoku, Hiroshima

  1852 Views

  Okonomimura is located in the Shintenchi district of Naka Ward in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Here is where you'll find famous restaurants serving Hiroshima-yaki—Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancakes) layered with yakisoba (fried noodles). Enjoy dining on these local favorites while you converse with the chef and watch your food being cooked on the griddle in front of you. With numerous restaurants housed together in one small building, Okonomimura also offers a...

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  Mount Rokko

  Posted in: Hyogo, Kansai

  1845 Views

  Mount Rokko extends from the western to the northern parts of the urban area of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. Commonly, Mount Rokko refers to the entire Rokko Mountain Range, which includes various sized mountains spanning not only Kobe but also the surrounding cities of Ashiya, Nishinomiya and Takarazuka. At the mountaintop, there are many relaxing sightseeing spots such as a pasture farm and an ancient temple with a wonderful view. The night view from Mount Maya is famous as one of the three best...

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  Kutani Ceramic Art Village

  Posted in: Chubu, Ishikawa

  1845 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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  Nebuta Museum WA-RASSE

  Posted in: Tohoku, Aomori

  1845 Views

  The Aomori Nebuta Festival boasts a history of more than 300 years and has been designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan. A lot of people from all over the world gather at the festival that held from 2nd to 7th August every year, and on the 7th August as the last day, the nebutas are placed in boats and ferried around the sea as fireworks light up the night sky. Nebuta Museum WA-RASSE is a tourist facility where visitors can experience the charm of the Aomori Nebuta...

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  The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka

  Posted in: Osaka, Kansai

  1844 Views

  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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  Aomori City

  Posted in: Tohoku, Aomori

  1840 Views

  Aomori City is the administrative center of Aomori Prefecture, in the Tohoku region on the island of Honshū. The city faces Mutsu Bay, located on the road connecting the Tsugara Strait and the Hakkoda Range in southern Aomori Prefecture. It has the largest seaport in the province. Before the Seikan Tunnel went into operation, the main entrance to Honshu island for people from Hokkaido was by ferry from Hokkaido to Hakodate city

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  The Great Buddha of Kamakura and Kotoku-in

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

  1831 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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  Unazuki Onsen

  Posted in: Chubu, Toyama

  1830 Views

  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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  KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM

  Posted in: Hyogo, Kansai

  1828 Views

  Designed with a beautiful white space frame roof portraying a sailboat and waves across the open sea, KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM was founded in 1987, commemorating the 120th anniversary of the opening of the current Port of Kobe in 1868. The museum underwent renovations and reopened in 2020 with the slogan “The Journey of Kobe and Its Port.” The transition of Kobe City with the times and the history and future of the ocean, ships, and the port are told through various materials, models, videos, and...

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