Shurijō (首里城), a world heritage castle in Okinawa and Japan’s National Historic Site, was the residence of the Ryūkyū Kingdom’s king from 1429 to 1879. Prior to the last king of Ryūkyū surrendering Okinawa to the Meiji government, the castle was the center of the island’s political, diplomatic, and cultural center for centuries.
A Guide to Shurijō Castle – The Spiritual Symbol of Okinawa Read More »
Kyoto has many beautiful traditional gardens that are not known to many international tourists, and the garden in Yawata City Shōkadō Garden Art Museum (松花堂庭園) is one of them! Yawata City has long been known as a bamboo production area. Thus, the garden has bamboo groves that are stunning to look at throughout the year.
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Close to the mountainous area west of Kyoto Station, besides the weeping cherry blossom, Shōbō-ji (西山正法寺) is a hidden plum blossom spot in Kyoto that only a few know about. The temple is nicknamed a Rock Temple (石の寺) because unique rocks were collected from all over the country. Many of them are placed in its
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If you land at the Kansai Airport between late February and early March, don’t jump on the train straightaway for Osaka’s city center. The plum blossoms close to Kinyūji might be blooming beautifully upon your arrival. How about starting your trip by detouring to the small temple for the plum blossoms up the hill?
Kinyūji: The Plum Blossom Temple Close to the Kansai Airport Read More »
If you want to receive blessings for academic success, visit Dōmyōji Tenmangū (道明寺天満宮) in Osaka‘s Fujiidera City (藤井寺市). The shrine that enshrines the God of Learning, Sugawara no Michizane (菅原道真), has a history of more than 1,400 years (founded in 947). Like most Tenmangūs in Japan, plum blossoms can be found in the shrine’s precinct.
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Fukuoka is a city that is relatively laid back compared to other big cities in Japan. If you are looking to add a natural spot for a break from the eating and shopping in the city center, consider Nokonoshima (能古島)! This island boasts a seemingly endless field of flowers throughout the year as well as
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If you plan to visit Nokonoshima Island in Fukuoka, ensure Nokonoshima Island Park (のこのしまアイランドパーク) at the northmost of the island is on your itinerary. It is the most beautiful part of Nokonoshima. Especially with its breathtaking view of the flower fields and magnificent ocean as the backdrop, the park of 150,000 square meters has been
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Japan is truly a place of impeccable beauty during the fall foliage season. The rich, vivid color has enchanted hundreds of thousands of tourists around the world, and many would love to travel back to the country for more picturesque scenery that can’t be found elsewhere in the world. So if you plan a trip
The Top 12 Fall Foliage Spots in Ishikawa Prefecture Read More »
If you want to escape the bustling Hakata city center quickly, Rakusuien (楽水園) at the back of Sumiyoshi Shrine is the perfect place for a short break. The small garden is like an oasis in the city, allowing you to slow down and appreciate the beauty of nature. From mid-November to early December, the garden
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On the southwest of Lake Haruna, Haruna Shrine (榛名神社) has been looking after the region since the late 6th century. The 30-minute walk on the approach from the torii gate to the main worship hall is so mysterious that some sort of sacred power is gained just by taking a short journey! This is especially
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