Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi
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.
Hōfukuji Temple and the Interesting Monk and Mouse Statues Read More »
Gōkei (豪渓) was designated as one of Japan’s National Site of Scenery Beauty in 1923. It is a beautiful valley located upstream of the Makidani River (槙谷川), a tributary of the Takahashi River (高梁川). The valley is still considered a hidden gem as most of the tourists who come to the valley are locals. With
Gōkei Valley – One of the Most Picturesque Valley in Okayama Read More »
You probably have heard about the cat islands in Japan, and maybe you have even been to one, but did you know that Japan has a rabbit island too? Ōkunoshima (大久野島) is a small island floating on the Seto Inland Sea. The island in Hiroshima Prefecture has more than 1,000 wild rabbits (as of 2019),
Ōkunoshima – The Rabbit Island that Was Erased from the Map Read More »
Many people know that the Itsukushima Shrine, the shrine with a torii gate floating on the sea, is a World Heritage Site. But do you know it isn’t just the shrine itself that was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site? And when you ask where to find deer in Japan, most people will tell
The Ultimate Guide to Miyajima and the Great Torii Gate Read More »
In addition to Itsukushima Shrine, Daishōin Temple (大聖院) on the top of a hill is another attraction on Miyajima that you should visit. The temple has the longest history among all the attractions on the sacred island. On top of the spectacular view from the temple, there are a few amazing things to see in
Daishōin Temple – The Oldest Attraction on Miyajima Read More »
When you list Miyajima (宮島) as one of the destinations on your itinerary, you want to make sure you allocate enough time on the island known as “god’s island”. Some suggest that half a day on the island is more than enough. Whilst this might be true if you only wanted to take some photos
Mikuniya – Spend a Night at Miyajima’s Best Guesthouse Read More »
Miyajima isn’t just about the Floating Torii Gate. Head to the most sacred part of Miyajima, Mt. Misen (弥山), for the magnificent scenery up at the summit and to explore Mt. Misen’s Seven Wonders! The easiest way to get to the top of the sacred mountain is by taking the Miyajima Ropeway (宮島ロープウエー). If you
The Ultimate Guide to Mt. Misen and Miyajima Ropeway Read More »
When people talk about Miyajima, the first thing that will pop up in their mind is most likely the giant “floating” torii gate. In fact, at high tide, the entire shrine seems to float on water! If you have ever wondered which shrine’s precinct the torii gate is marking, it is Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社), one
Itsukushima Shrine and Miyajima’s Great Torii Gate Read More »
Mt. Ōjigatake (王子が岳) is a mountain with various oddly shaped rocks on the border between the two cities, Tamano (玉野) and Kurashiki (倉敷) in Okayama Prefecture. The view of the Seto Inland Sea along the hiking trail and from the summit is what makes the mountain a popular spot among the locals. This is especially
Mt. Ōjigatake and the Weird Smiley Rock at the Summit Read More »
Tamano City (玉野市) in Okayama Prefecture is a great place to visit for outdoor activity enthusiasts as well as any art connoisseurs. From the gigantic “smiley rock” at the top of the mountain to the large fish sculpture made of items washed ashore, the artistic spirits of the Tamano citizens can be observed throughout the city! Bouldering
Tamano – An Artistic Port City Filled With Stunning Nature Read More »
