While many travelers flock to the “Golden Route” of Tokyo and Kyoto, the true soul of Japanese autumn lies in the Chūbu region, the rugged, cultural heart of Central Japan. Spanning from the towering peaks of the Japanese Alps to the spiritual hubs of the Nagano highlands, Chūbu offers a dramatic landscape of fiery maples
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A spot to have a relaxing afternoon tea and live like a celebrity on the side of Inokashira Park is Mlesna Tea Tokyo (ムレスナティー東京). The cafe that overlooks the park looks like a villa. The space beyond the gate is like a VIP lounge. Being in the luxurious space already feels like you are part
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While finding a vegan-friendly restaurant in the big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto isn’t hard, it is challenging once you step into Japan’s rural region. But don’t worry when you visit Nagano. Nagano Donabe Ramen Takesan (長野土鍋ラーメンたけさん) in Obuse serves delicious vegan ramen and dumplings! You can also make risotto from your ramen at the
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Are you a sweet tooth? If yes, then you can’t miss out on the famous sweets maker in Japan, Toraya! Toraya’s history goes way back to the early 16th century Kyoto. It was chosen as a purveyor to the imperial court from the late 1500s. When Japan’s capital transferred to Tokyo, it also successfully established
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If you are interested in visiting Japanese architecture constructed from the end of the 19th century to the early 20th century, visit the Senmaya Sake no Kura Community Facility (千厩酒のくら交流施設) in Ichinoseki City. Many buildings completed around that time incorporated Western elements into the existing Japanese design. The community facility renovated from a former sake
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Yūgendō (幽玄洞) in Ichinoseki is said to be the oldest limestone cave in Japan. The cave was determined to be 50 meters below water 350 million years ago. Thus, in addition to stalagmites, fossils such as trilobites and crinoids can also be seen in the 500-meter-long cave. At the cave’s far end is the emerald-green
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Sukawa Kōgen (須川高原) in Ichinoseki is the plateau halfway up Mt. Kurikoma (栗駒山). You can find the unique volcanic landscape at Sukawa Kōgen, including lakes, marshes, wetlands, and alpine plants. The hot spring gushing out here has a strong acidity but is said to be effective for gastrointestinal issues and skin diseases. In autumn, the
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Mt. Murone (室根山) is Ichinoseki‘s perfect spot to enjoy nature and a range of outdoor activities. Besides hiking trails, lookouts, and camping sites, it has an astronomical observatory. The mountain has a height of 895 meters. On a clear day, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic mountainous and ocean view from the summit.
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If you are curious about how fancy a chief retainer’s residence in Iwate Prefecture was during the Edo period, visit the Former Numata Family Samurai Residence (旧沼田家武家住宅) in Ichinoseki. The Numata clan was the chief retainer of Ichinoseki Domain (一関藩). The residence was determined to be completed in the beginning of the 18th century. The
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Most people visit Ichinoseki City for the Genbikei Gorge and Geibikei Gorge. They are the top spots in Iwate Prefecture to enjoy nature’s blessing. But if you are in the city from spring to autumn, there are a couple of places you can head to to adore seasonal flowers. So, don’t be too disappointed if
The Hidden Flower Spots in Ichinoseki That You May Not Know Read More »
