Okayama Castle, one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles, and its garden Korakuen are the main attractions drawing tourists to visit Okayama. But, there are many other sites one should visit. All around the prefecture are natural wonders that offer spectacular autumn foliage displays. Below we have listed 10 stunning, off-the-beaten-trail destinations in Okayama Prefecture that […]
Okayama Prefecture’s Hidden Autumn Foliage Destinations Read More »
There is something magical about cherry blossoms. It is probably the alluring scenery created by millions of tiny white or pink flowers or the spirit behind the tradition of hanami that has existed for centuries. Whatever it is, there are many reasons why it is a great idea to visit Japan around the season.
Okayama Prefecture’s Hidden Cherry Blossom Destinations Read More »
The Sakamoto Area (坂本) in Ōtsu City in Shiga Prefecture is located at the foot of Mt. Hiei. In the good old days, this is where the monks of Mt. Hiei’s Enryakuji lived after they were put out to pasture following their “retirement”. Shaped by all the Satobō (里坊), which are the temples/residences of the
Sakamoto – The Town that Thrived at the Foot of Mt. Hiei Read More »
In Sakamoto, apart from the temples and shrines, there is a spot that introduces the life of a local government official in the Edo period to its visitors. The Kunin Yashiki (公人屋敷) close to Kaihan’s Sakamoto-Hieizanguchi Station (坂本比叡山口駅) used to be the residence of the Okamoto family (旧岡本邸). It is now a small complex that
Kunin Yashiki and the Life of Local Government Officials Read More »
Saikyō-ji (西教寺), at the foot of southeastern Mt. Hiei, is the headquarter of the Tendai Shinsei sect (天台真盛宗), which has more than 450 branches across Japan. The temple also gets more attention when fall foliage brightens up the scenery.
Saikyō-ji – One of the Best Temples for Fall Foliage Hunting Read More »
Just like any other Toshogū shrines in Japan, Hiyoshi Toshogū (日吉東照宮) is a shrine where Tokugawa Ieyasu is enshrined. A Tōshōgū was built here in 1634 because the monk Tenkai (天海), who glorified him as Tōshō Daigongen (東照大権現), is based at Sakamoto.
The Best Guide to Hiyoshi Tōshōgū Shrine in Sakamoto Read More »
If you are wondering which Satobō in Sakamoto the head of Enryakuji retired to, it is the Shigain Monzeki Temple (滋賀院門跡). It was established when the buildings were moved from Kyoto’s Hōshō-ji Temple (法勝寺) at the beginning of the Edo period. Until the late Edo period, the Shigain Monzeki Temple was where the retired heads
Shigain Monzeki: Where Enryakuji’s Head Monks Retired to Read More »
Kyotamba is a quiet town in the central part of Kyoto Prefecture with abundant nature. With large temperature differences between daytime and nighttime, the town is renowned for its black beans and chestnut production. When the part of Kyoto Jūkan Expressway (京都縦貫自動車道) was finally completed for the Kyotamba section, the town became one of the
Kyotamba – The Black Beans, the Chestnuts and the Sceneries Read More »
Biwako Hakodateyama (びわこ箱館山) has long been a popular ski resort in Shiga Prefecture. But more recently, it has come to be known as one of the biggest resort parks in the Kansai region. The scenery up in the mountain will definitely woo you that you will want to keep going back!
Biwako Hakodateyama – The Best Place to Adore Lake Biwa Read More »
Kyoto isn’t just about all the temples and Geishas around Kyoto Station. Some of the prefecture’s most amazing spots are located away from the urban crowd and hidden in rural areas such as Nantan City (南丹市). Just around 1 – 2 hours away from Kyoto’s city center, you will find Japan’s stunning rural landscape with
Kyoto’s Stunning Spots off the Beaten Track in Nantan City Read More »