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  Kitsuki Castle Town

  Posted in: Kyushu, Oita

  890 Views

  The Hiina Doll Festival of the Kitsuki castle town in Kitsuki City, Oita Prefecture, is a magnificent event. Various kinds of Hina dolls are put on display throughout the castle town, which has the air of a little Kyoto. The event is held from February to March every year. Only in Kitsuki can you see so many different Hina dolls in the 30 or so locations around the city. 

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  Magose-toge Pass

  Posted in: Chubu, Mie

  889 Views

  Considered to be the most beautiful part of Kumano Kodo, the Magose-toge Pass is paved with gorgeous stones and lined with hinoki cypress trees. From the pass, there are additional climbing paths leading up to the Mount Tengura and Mount Binshi peaks, both commanding spectacular views from the top.

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  Sankeien Garden

  Posted in: Kanto, Kanagawa

  886 Views

  Sankeien is a Japanese-style garden that was created by Sankei Hara (1868-1939), a businessman who was engaged in the production and trading of raw silk that laid the foundation for the development of Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture. The 175,000-square-meter site is dotted with 17 valuable historical buildings, including 10 important cultural properties relocated from around Japan such as Kyoto and Kamakura, creating stunning scenery from season to season that harmonizes with nature.

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  Matsushima Bay Cruise

  Posted in: Tohoku, Miyagi

  886 Views

  Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture is counted among Japan’s three most scenic spots and also a popular tourist destination. The sightseeing boat that goes all the way around Matsushima Bay from the Matsushima Sightseeing Boat Pier is highly recommended. In Matsushima, where about 260 large and small islands are scattered in the sea, there are cultural assets related to Date Masamune and the Date Clan culture remaining such as Zuiganji Temple, Entsuin Temple, Godaido Temple Hall, Kanrantei...

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  Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum

  Posted in: Shikoku, Kochi

  885 Views

  Sakamoto Ryoma, born in Tosa, was a patriot at the end of the Edo Period and dedicated his life to early modern Japan. The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum was opened in November 1991 to commemorate his achievements, and collect and exhibit items relating to him.

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  Mitsumine Shrine

  Posted in: Kanto, Saitama

  885 Views

  Located in the mountains of Okuchichibu at 1,100 meters elevation, Mitsumine Shrine is dedicated to Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, the mythical deities said to have given birth to the country of Japan. The divine messenger Oguchi Makami is a wolf believed to have mysterious powers that protects against various misfortunes.

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  Umikaji Terrace Senagajima

  Posted in: Okinawa

  883 Views

  Only a 15-minute drive from Naha Airport, Umikaji Terrace Senagajima is located on an outlying island connected by a mid-sea road. Among the pure white resort townscape are over 40 shops where you can enjoy dining and shopping. Moreover, the stunning sunset over the East China Sea can be viewed from anywhere on the island.

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  Yanagawa River Cruising

  Posted in: Kyushu, Fukuoka

  882 Views

  Located in the southern part of Fukuoka, Yanagawa is a castle town boasting over 400 years of history. When the castle was built, water-filled moats were also constructed throughout the town to protect the castle, which gave rise to Yanagawa’s reputation as the city of water. Today, it offers a leisurely tour that cruises down a 4-kilometer-long stretch of these moats that lasts about an hour.

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  Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple

  Posted in: Kanto, Gunma

  879 Views

  Founded in 1697, Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple is the home of Takasaki Daruma dolls, traditional round dolls used to make wishes in Japan. On the temple premises, you can find stacks of Daruma dolls that have been brought there, as they have fulfilled their duties. Experience making your very own Daruma by drawing in the eyebrows and mustache with a paint brush.

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  Nakaoyama Pottery Village

  Posted in: Kyushu, Nagasaki

  878 Views

  Hasami is known as a pottery town, and the area of Nakaoyama has a particularly high concentration of potteries. The village features many nostalgic scenes of yesteryear, including one of the world's largest climbing kilns, which made mass production of ceramics possible in the Edo Period (1603 - 1868), brick chimneystacks, and back alleyways. Experience first-hand the history of this pottery village as you tour its potteries and explore its alleyways.

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  Ine no Funaya

  Posted in: Kyoto, Kansai

  876 Views

  Ine is a small fishing village located in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture facing the Sea of Japan. There are still about 230 "funaya," or traditional wooden boat houses, stretching for five kilometers along the Ine Bay. These houses are built right on the water and the boats are housed in the first floor while the second floor is a living space. The funaya houses stand in a row around the bay creating a scenery unique to Ine town, which somehow evokes a nostalgic feeling.

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  Sego-don Mura Village

  Posted in: Kyushu, Kagoshima

  875 Views

  The Hinatayama Sego-don Mura Village now has a new addition a Saigo Takamori-themed inn. Situated in the Hinatayama Onsen Village, the inn’s building is modeled after the Ryuho Residence Saigo used to stay at when on vacation in the village, thus making it a historically important facility as well. Complete with a beautiful Japanese garden, this facility provides a new great tourist attraction.

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