Hiruzen-Kogen-Center-Joyful-Park-Maniwa-Okayama-Japan

A Guide to What to Do at Hiruzen Kogen Center & Joyful Park

When you are a bit bored of nature and are after a bit of a thrill at Hiruzen Highlands, head to Hiruzen Kogen Center & Joyful Park (ヒルゼン高原センター・ジョイフルパーク). There are various rides for everyone to enjoy, even for young children. Taking the ferry wheel is another way to overlook the scenic plateau. In addition, it

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Suzaku no Niwa Umekoji Park Kyoto Japan

Umekōji Park: The Hidden Gem in Kyoto for Seasonal Colors

Umekōji Park (梅小路公園) was opened in 1995 to commemorate the 1,200th anniversary of the founding of Kyoto as the capital in the Heian period. Another main reason for the park’s creation is to add green space in Kyoto’s city center so that locals can rest. Unlike other attractions in the city center, it isn’t crowded

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Amagasaki Castle Ruins Park and Plum Blossoms Hyogo Japan

Amagasaki Castle Ruins Park: Japan’s Funniest Castle Park

Just a 5-minute walk from Hanshin’s Amagasaki Station (阪神尼崎駅), Amagasaki Castle Ruins Park (尼崎城址公園) is the most easily accessible spot in Amagasaki City for plum blossoms. While only 22 plums are planted, it is the perfect spot to take photos of the gorgeous flowers with the castle. In addition, you can transform yourself into the

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Kanba Falls – One of the Best Waterfall in Western Japan

Kanba Falls (神庭の滝) in Okayama Prefecture, a 20-meter-wide waterfall with water falling from a 110-meter cliff, is the biggest waterfall in Western Japan and one of the Top 100 Waterfalls in the country! Together with the surrounding nature, the spot was also designated to be one of the 100 Landscapes of Japan (=゚ω゚)ノ.

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Rashomon-Gate-Niimi-Okayama-Japan

Niimi City and the Amazing Limestone Caves

Okayama Prefecture, in the western part of Japan’s main island, is definitely not known for its limestone caves. However, if you drop by Niimi City (新見市), you will encounter a few of the most fascinating limestone caves you will ever see! During summer, there is a relaxing marsh for you to trek on and even

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Makido-Cave-Ryugu-Bridge-Niimi-Okayama-Japan

Your Ultimate Guides to the Makidō and Ikuradō Caves

Whether you are a Japanese or a foreigner, Okayama is undoubtedly not the prefecture that people would think of when it comes to limestone caves. This is great news for the limestone cave lovers who are reading this article because crowds of people won’t surround the fantastically lit-up caves even during the Golden Week!

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Sanzunokawa-and-Taiko-Bridge-Mt.-Osore-Aomori-Japan

Mt. Osore – Welcome to the World After Death

Have you ever wondered what the world would look like after you die? Well, we have. According to Japanese folk tales, those who die will pass a bridge to cross the Sanzunokawa River. It has been said that the river divides our world from another world. As we all need to cross that river one

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Sōja City and the Scenic Hidden Gems that Many Don’t Know

If you are after some hidden gems in the Chūgoku region, come to Sōja City (総社市) in Okayama Prefecture for the beautiful natural wonders that the non-locals might not be aware of. Apart from the scenic places, you will also find a castle that used to house demons. And on the other side of the

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Hōfukuji Temple and the Interesting Monk and Mouse Statues

Hōfukuji Temple (井山宝福寺) is a sub-temple of the Tōfukuji Temple (東福寺) school of the Rinzai sect (臨済宗). It is also the leading Zen Buddhist temple in the region. When you explore this temple, you will find a couple of tied-up monks’ statues. However, there is no need to be afraid of or weirded out.

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