Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima
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
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The Roadside Station Genbikei (道の駅 厳美渓) is a large complex with several facilities, including a farmers’ market, Restaurant Pattankun, and Ichinoseki City Museum. Located just a 5 to 10-minute walk from the spectacular Genbikei Gorge, it is a perfect resting spot after exploring the gorge.
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When people visit Semboku City in Akita Prefecture for leisure, their preferred natural destinations will most likely either be Nyūtō Onsen (乳頭温泉郷), Lake Tazawa (田沢湖), or Tamagawa Onsen (玉川温泉). While those spots are definitely worthwhile places to visit, we would recommend that you also drop by the Dakigaeri Valley (抱返り渓谷) close to Kakunodate (角館) as
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Lake Tazawa (田沢湖) in Semboku City in Akita Prefecture, with a depth of 422.4 meters, is the deepest lake in Japan. The 6 kilometers wide caldera lake was formed due to a volcanic eruption. Because of its depth, the lake can absorb a lot of heat in summer that even in the snowy winter, its
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For those who likes herbs, stop by Tazawako Herb Garden Heart Herb (田沢湖ハーブガーデン ハートハーブ) when you visit Lake Tazawa. The garden that is around a 10-minute walk from Tazawako Resthouse is filled with about 250 different types of plants, including herbs inclusive! Not only can you adore and smell the flowers and herbs in the
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Lake Tazawa isn’t just a scenic lake close to Kakunodate. The lake has a legend that a couple of the attraction on the lakeshore is related to it. And the center of the legend is associated with Gozanoishi Shrine (御座石神社). Not only can you worship the guardian god of Lake Tazawa here, but there are
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Just like its name, the houses where samurai used to reside are lining up on Bukeyashiki Street (武家屋敷通り) in Kakunodate! A couple of these 200-year-old traditional houses are open to the public. Finding the differences in the construction of the houses between the home of top-ranked samurai, middle-ranked samurai, and lower-ranked samurai can be really fun!
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Hirosaki City (弘前市) is located on the western side of the Aomori Prefecture. The city is most well-known for Hirosaki Castle (弘前城) and Hirosaki Park (弘前公園), which is one of the top three cherry blossom viewing spots as well as one of the three most popular illuminated cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. The city,
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When you need a break from the exploration in Hirosaki Park, Fujita Memorial Garden (藤田記念庭園) next to the park is a perfect spot for a rest. The memorial garden is an example of how Western and Japanese cultures can exist in harmony. Thus, if you are interested in unique architectural styles, check out the main
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