KC | Vegetarian's Japan Guide

Osaka Tenmangū: The Shrine in the City to Adore Plum Blossom

June 7, 2025 / Kansai Region, Osaka Prefecture, Plum Blossoms, Temples & Shrines

In Osaka‘s city center, the Ōsaka Tenmangū Shrine (大阪天満宮) is a convenient spot to adore the plum blossoms. Close to Japan’s longest shopping arcade, Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street (天神橋筋商店街), around 100 plums were planted for the god enshrined, Sugawara no Michizane (菅原道真). Because Michizane is worshipped as the God of Learning (学問の神様), many students would visit […]

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The Top 10 Cherry Blossom Spots in Ishikawa Prefecture

October 19, 2024 / Cherry Blossom, Hokuriku Region, Ishikawa Prefecture

If you plan to visit Kanazawa in spring, check out the below top 10 destinations to adore the gorgeous cherry blossoms in Kanagawa and the surrounding cities in Ishikawa Prefecture. Some might be intuitive, but it is also very likely that you will find some hidden gems you weren’t aware of, which will make you

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Kyoubijaya: The Place to Enjoy Amazing Tofu Cusine in Ōhara

October 19, 2024 / Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture

Just in front of Sanzen-in is a restaurant specializing in tofu skin cuisine. Kyoubijaya (京美茶屋), with a history of more than 60 years, has served the monks in Sanzen-in since its establishment. While tofu skin might not sound enticing to you, don’t turn your nose up without giving it a try! You will be surprised

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The Best Guide Matsumoto: What to Do and Where to Go

December 23, 2024 / Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture

Matsumoto City (松本市) is probably the most popular travel destination in Nagano Prefecture. Prospered as a castle town of Matsumoto Castle, in addition to traditional and retro architecture, the shopping district is also filled with trendy cafes and boutique stores. Furthermore, Matsumoto is also known as a treasure trove for breathtaking natural scenery, making the

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Miho Museum: The Most Amazing Art Museum in Japan

October 15, 2024 / Autumn Foliage, Cherry Blossom, Kansai Region, Museums/Galleries, Shiga Prefecture

A hidden gem in Kōka City in Shiga Prefecture is the Miho Museum (ミホ・ミュージアム), buried deep in the mountain at the city’s west. Precisely like the architectural design concept, stepping onto the museum’s ground is like stepping into utopia. While the bus trip from Ishiyama Station takes around an hour, you won’t regret making the

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Daichi-ji Temple: The Hidden Picturesque Gem Close to Kyoto

October 15, 2024 / Autumn Foliage, Hidden Gems, Kansai Region, Shiga Prefecture

One of the best temples to visit in Kōka is Daichi-ji (大池寺). The temple erected by Gyōki (行基) has a gorgeous garden and a torii gate almost submerged in a lake! It is quietly tucked in Shiga Prefecture‘s countryside. Not known by many people, it is a great spot to visit if you are after

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The Best Mochi at Kōka Mochifuru Sato-kan Mochimochi House

October 15, 2024 / Kansai Region, Shiga Prefecture

If you are after one of Japan’s most delicious mochi rice cakes, make sure Kōka Mochifuru Sato-kan Mochimochi House (甲賀もちふる里館もちもちハウス) in Shiga Prefecture‘s Kōka City is on your itinerary. The facility is basically a rice cake workshop with a shop and a restaurant attached – it is guaranteed that the mochi you purchase or

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Mii-dera – A Temple with Rich History and Stunning Scenery

October 14, 2024 / Anime Pilgrimage, Autumn Foliage, Cherry Blossom, Kansai Region, Shiga Prefecture, Temples & Shrines

Just a 30-minute train ride away from Kyoto, Mii-dera Temple (三井寺), formally Nagarasan Onjō-ji (長等山園城寺), overlooks the gorgeous Lake Biwa, is the headquarters of the Tendaijimonshū sect (天台寺門宗). It has been a renowned temple since its establishment, which occurred during the five years when Ōtsu was the capital of Japan. In addition to its rich

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Takebe Shrine: The Shrine That Was on the 1,000 Yen Note

October 14, 2024 / Kansai Region, Shiga Prefecture, Temples & Shrines

Takebe Shrine (建部大社), close to Seta no Karahashi Bridge (瀬田の唐橋), was the most important shrine in Ōmi Province. Why? Because it has Yamato Takeru no Mikoto (日本武尊) enshrined as the main god. While that might not mean much to you, we still think that Takebe Shrine is still worth a visit. There are a couple

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Ōmi Jingū – A New Shrine with a Long History

October 14, 2024 / Anime Pilgrimage, Kansai Region, Shiga Prefecture, Temples & Shrines

You probably assume that all the shrines in Japan would have a minimum of a few centuries of history. However, this isn’t the case for Ōmi Jingū (近江神宮), close to Lake Biwa in Ōtsu City! Although it was founded only in 1940, the shrine’s location and the god enshrined hold some important Japanese history dating

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