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  The Great Buddha of Kamakura and Kotoku-in

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

  1496 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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  Kumano Hongu Onsen Village

  Posted in: Wakayama, Kansai

  1493 Views

  Kumano Hongu Onsen Village, situated in the mountains of Kumano in Wakayama Prefecture, is known for its three hot springs: Yunomine Onsen, Kawayu Onsen and Wataze Onsen. This area is home of the World Heritage site Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine. It's a perfect place to enjoy both the historic hot springs and hiking along the Kumano Kodo trails in the beautiful terrain surrounded by rivers.

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  Cape Higashi-Hennazaki

  Posted in: Okinawa

  1487 Views

  Cape Higashi-Hennazaki is a long, beautiful cape stretching approximately two kilometers on the eastern tip of Miyako Island. The breathtaking ocean view has been designated as one of the country's Historic Sites, Places of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monuments. The scenery experienced from the lighthouse standing at the end of the cape is especially moving. Many flowers bloom in every season along the constructed walking trail, such as the tennoume plum blossoms, designated as the prefecture's...

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  KAPATERIA Café

  Posted in: Kyushu, Fukuoka

  1487 Views

  JR Tanushimaru Station has an adorable kappa design exterior based on the legend of the famous mythical creature in Tanushimaru, Kurume City. Inside, visit the KAPATERIA, a fun cafe serving delightful kappa-motif sweets and meals. Sit at one of the seats overlooking the platform, and enjoy the view of the huge Welcoming Kappa on the platform against the backdrop of the beautiful Minou Mountain Ranges as the trains leisurely pass by. Also, visit the information desk inside the station for the...

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  Hyuga Sun Park Onsen, Ofunade-no-Yu

  Posted in: Kyushu, Miyazaki

  1482 Views

  Ofunade-no-Yu is a natural hot spring ideally located overlooking the deep blue sea and uninterrupted sky. In addition to a market of Hyuga's regional produce and Shiosai restaurant offering delicious food at a spectacular location, the complex facility is also equipped with an auto campground, a ground golf course, and tennis courts.

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  Ginzan Onsen

  Posted in: Tohoku, Yamagata

  1481 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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  KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM

  Posted in: Hyogo, Kansai

  1474 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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  Zuihoden, the Mausoleum of Date Masamune

  Posted in: Tohoku, Miyagi

  1470 Views

  Zuihoden is a mausoleum as the final resting of Date Masamune. It was designated a National Treasure in 1931 as a gorgeous mausoleum to convey the Momoyama cultural traditions, built by own will of Masamune, but it was burned down during World War 2 in 1945. The current building was reconstructed based on the building before burning. Besides Masamune’s Zuihoden, there are the Kansenden and Zennoden, which were built for the second and third generation of Date lords.

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  Kouyaji Temple

  Posted in: Kyushu, Saga

  1468 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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  Mount Yoshino

  Posted in: Nara, Kansai

  1468 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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  Sounkyo Gorge

  Posted in: Hokkaido, Center of Hokkaido

  1466 Views

  Part of Daisetsuzan National Park , the Sounkyo area consists of many gorges surrounded by 100 m high cliffs. The area is especially beautiful in the fall, and hiking tours are available almost throughout the year.

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  Shiiba-son

  Posted in: Kyushu, Miyazaki

  1463 Views

  The village of Shiiba-son in Higashiusuki-gun, Miyazaki, is one of Japan’s three major hidden scenic spots. It has numerous sightseeing spots such as the Tsurutomi Yashiki residence and Shiiba Itsukushima Shrine. The warriors of the Heike Clan, who had fled to the area after their resounding defeat at the hands of the rival Genji Clan in the 12th century, sought refuge and lived in Shiiba-son.

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