During your time in Tokyo, if you want to experience fruit picking in Japan, there are a couple of good orchards in Tokorozawa. As the city is around a 30-minute train ride from Shinjuku, many people who live in Tokyo visit these orchards when the fruits they like are in season. After all, fruit picking
The Best Guide to the Top Orchards in Tokorozawa City Read More »
Close to Morioka’s famous landmark, Sakurayama Shrine (櫻山神社), Mont Ceri. Morioka is a bakery that aims to cater to all customers. And the good news is that the bakery usually opens for breakfast at 7:30 am on weekdays. If you plan to visit Morioka, there is no need to rely on rice balls sold at
Mont Ceri. Morioka: The Vegan and Gluten-Free-Friendly Cafe Read More »
As soon as you walk out of Kichijoji Station from the north exit, the yellow sign of Harmonica Yokochō Kichijōji (ハモニカ横丁吉祥寺) will be on your face. This is the best part of Kichijōji for everyday dining, grabbing a couple of side dishes, eating while walking, and visiting an izakaya at night. Most of the shops
Harmonica Yokochō: An Izakaya & Street Food Paradise 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 »
If you ever wonder what the interior of a dam look like, don’t miss out on Hiyoshi Dam (日吉ダム) when you come to Kyoto! The Kansai region‘s biggest dam is also a facility to learn about the power of flooding and how a dam can effectively minimize the damage of too much rain and maintain
Hiyoshi Dam: The Biggest Dam in the Kansai Region Read More »
At the southwest of Nantan City in Kyoto, the Ruri River Valley Natural Park (京都府立るり渓自然公園) in the 4 km long Ruri River Valley (or Rurikei Gorge) is a designated National Place of Scenery Beauty. The valley has a delicate landscape with a 530-meter-tall plateau. The upstream of the valley is made of granite, whereas the
Ruri Valley – The Most Stunning Valley in Kyoto Read More »
Nagahama, the second biggest city in Shiga Prefecture, is rich in history and nature. Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s success in becoming the leader of Japan in the second half of the 16th century was said to have started from here. The city at the northmost of Shiga Prefecture is next to both Fuki and Gifu Prefecture, making
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If you plan to visit Nagahama City in Shiga Prefecture in November, remember to put Keisoku-ji (鶏足寺) and Shakudō-ji Temple (石道寺) in your itinerary. Although located away from the city center, the two temples just minutes away from each other are the best destinations for autumn color hunting!
Keisoku-ji – Nagahama’s Most Alluring Destination in Fall Read More »
Because of the Battle of Shizugatake (賤ヶ岳の戦い) in 1583 between Hashiba Hideyoshi (羽柴秀吉) and Shibata Katsuie (柴田勝家), Mt. Shizugatake is not only a scenic destination but also a pilgrimage spot for Japanese history buffs. Around the summit, monuments of the battlefield and those who died in the war commemorate the historic event. At the same
Shizugatake: The Stunning Attraction With a Bloody History Read More »
If you aren’t told, you might not know that one of the National Places of Scenery Beauty is just minutes from JR Nagahama Station. Keiunkan (慶雲館) is the spot that was built to receive the Emperor Meiji’s visit in the late 19th century. Apart from the gorgeous garden, it is also one of the spots
Keiunkan: A Must-Visit in Nagahama for the Japanese Garden Read More »
