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Hattoji-Furusato-Mura-Bizen-Okayama-Japan

The Ultimate Guide to Hattōji Furusato Village

If you are in Okayama Prefecture‘s Bizen City, how about taking a detour to experience the countryside? Driving along the windy road and slowly climbing up the mountain, your field of vision will suddenly widen! Located at an altitude of 400 meters, the Hattōji Furusato Village (八塔寺ふるさと村) was where Buddhism used to prosper as much […]

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Bitchū Matsuyama Castle: The Castle Floating in the Sky

Matsuyama Castle in Takahashi City in Okayama is also known as the Takahashi Castle (高梁城). As it can be easily confused with the Matsuyama Castle in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, it is more commonly referred to as the Bitchū Matsuyama Castle (備中松山城).

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Takahashi City and the Amazing Sea of Clouds View

Takahashi (高梁市) City in Okayama Prefecture is a great place for anyone after some stunning sea of cloud pictures. Within the city, it has not one, but two spots where you have a high chance of capturing the stunning weather phenomenon. You might even have a sunrise over the sea of clouds on one side of the

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Mt.Yatakayama and How to Spend a Night at Yatakayama Park

Another great place to admire the view of the sea of clouds is Mt.Yataka (弥高山). Even taller than Mt. Komatsu, at 654 meters above sea level, the sea of clouds continues further across the horizon to the distant mountains of the Shikoku region. As with Bitchū Matsuyama Castle, your best chance to see the sea

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Fukiya Furusato Village and the Bengala Dye Industry

From Takahashi‘s city center, if you continue traveling in a northwest direction deep into the mountain up to the plateau, which is 500 meters above sea level, the Fukiya Furusato Village (吹屋ふるさと村) will suddenly appear in front of you. The village looks so out of place because it doesn’t quite blend in with the natural

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Minō – A City Great for Onsen & Nature Getaways from Osaka

If you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of Osaka City and get back to nature, consider coming to Minō / Minoo / Minoh city (箕面市). It is in Osaka prefecture, less than 30 minutes by the Hankyū Train from Umeda Station (梅田駅)! Right next door to Minō is Ikeda city (池田市) which

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All You Need to Know About Watching Sumo Wrestling in Japan

Sumo wrestling is a fascinating cultural experience, and one of the dream activities for many who visit Japan is to see a sumo wrestling match. But, as sumo wrestling tournaments are only held at certain times of the year, advance planning is required if you are keen on a day of action at a sumo

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