Kojima Jeans Bus (児島ジーンズバス) If you like denim, the Kojima District in Okayama Prefecture is a must-visit destination for you. The denim decoration surrounds you as soon as you get to Kojima Station (児島駅). But, the denim decorations don’t just stop at the vending machines, the coin-operated lockers, or the ticket gates at the station. […]
Kojima Jeans Bus: The Sightseeing Bus for Denim Lovers Read More »
Have you heard of the Seto Ohashi Bridge (瀬戸大橋)? It is currently the world’s longest 2-tiered bridge system! With a total length of 13.1 km, it takes approximately 20 minutes to cross that bridge by car or train. If you want to see this record-breaking world bridge that crosses five small islands in the Seto
Shōshūhō and the Magnificent View of the Seto Inland Sea Read More »
When people talk about Himeji, they talk about the beautiful all-white Himeji Castle and the castle’s garden – Kōkōen. Both attractions can be easily accessed from the Himeji Station and are highly recommended. But if you have a day to spend in Himeji, extend your visit to one of Japan’s hidden gems – Engyōji Temple
Mt. Shosha – The Beautiful Mountain Overlooking Himeji Read More »
While the famous Kōrakuen Garden in Okayama was chosen to be one of the Three Greatest Gardens in Japan, we really think Kōkōen Garden (好古園) deserves a lot more publicity overall. Compared to Kōrakuen, Kōkōen Garden in Himeji has a lot more features, including nine small unique gardens that were constructed in line with Edo
The Best Guide to Kōkōen – Himeji Castle’s Stunning Garden Read More »
Nowadays, many Japanese castles have been included in the World Heritage Register. But, when it comes to the ranking determined by the Japan Castle Foundation, there can only be ONE castle that is ranked first place. Himeji Castle (姫路城) in Hyōgo Prefecture was nicknamed the White Heron Castle or Shirasagi-Jō (白鷺城) in Japanese because the
Himeji Castle – The Most Elegant Castle in Japan Read More »
Unazuki Onsen (宇奈月温泉) in Kurobe City is a popular hot spring resort where you can enjoy the natural scenery of Kurobe Gorge. The hot spring town is the best place to base yourself in to take in what the picturesque gorge has to offer. Once you get there, it won’t be hard to understand why Kurobe
Unazuki Onsen: The Best Hot Spring Town at Kurobe Gorge Read More »
Eating Japanese sweets is a must to fully appreciate a Japanese hot spring town, and Unazuki Onsen has a couple of nice traditional confectionery makers that we recommend. Each of them has a few signatory sweets that are worthwhile for a try. Although the raw ingredients are more or less the same, the confectioner at
The Must-Visit Confectionery Shops in Unazuki Onsen Read More »
As you approach Kurobe Gorge Railway‘s Unazuki Station, you will inevitably notice the three-story building that looks like an inn opposite the road. While it does look like a nice place to spend a night, it is actually a museum (only on the ground floor). You can learn about the mechanisms of hydroelectric power generation
Kurobe Hydropower Museum and the History of Kurobe Dam Read More »
The most convenient spot to indulge your body in the nice hot spring of Unazuki Onsen is Yumedokoro Unazuki (湯めどころ宇奈月総湯). The public bathhouse is close to Unazuki Station, in the same building as the Unazuki Onsen Information Center. Opened in 2016, it is one of the newest hot spring facilities in the hot spring town.
Yumedokoro Unazuki: Unazuki Onsen’s Stylish Public Bathhouse Read More »
Coming to Kurobe Gorge does take a bit of time from Tokyo or Osaka. Walking between platforms with bulky luggage is also a hassle to get to the next connecting train. But soon after you get off the train, you will realize all the hustle you have just been through is worth it because the
Hotel Yamanoha – The Hotel with the Best View of Kurobe Gorge Read More »
