National Historic Site

Hikone-Castle-Cherry-Blossom-Hikone-Shiga-Japan

Hikone Castle – Hikone’s Best Cherry Blossom Destination

One of the most famous attractions around Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa, is Hikone Castle (彦根城). The castle was never besieged and thus maintained its graceful appearance throughout the past 400 years. Because of its beautiful scenery, even those who aren’t interested in castles tend to pay it a visit when they travel to Shiga […]

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Ako-Castle-Ruins-Ako-Hyogo-Japan

The Best Guide to Akō Castle Ruins and Akō Ōishi Shrine

Many people come to Japan for its magnificent old castles. However, when it comes to castle ruins, we find that many tourists end up skipping them. We picture tumbledown walls and rocky boulders when we think of castle ruins. Unless notable or famous historical events have taken place there, there aren’t many incentives for international

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Shizutani-School-Bizen-Okayama-Japan

Shizutani School: The Oldest But Scenic School in Japan

If you are interested in seeing a Japanese school from a couple of centuries ago, visit Shizutani School (旧閑谷学校) in Okayama‘s Bizen City. It is the oldest public school in Japan and was thus designated as a National Historic Site. The school was established in the early 1670s by the then Okayama Domain’s lord, Ikeda

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Tsugaru-Kokeshi-Museum-Kuroishi-City-Aomori-Japan

Kuroishi – Your Guide to Hirosaki’s Gorgeous Sister City

People with a bit of knowledge of Aomori Prefecture will most likely have heard about the famous Hirosaki City. What they might not know or hear of is its sister-like city, Kuroishi (黒石市), which prospered with Hirosaki City as Hirosaki Castle’s castle town.

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A-Factory-Aomori-Japan

Your Ultimate Guide to Aomori City’s Attractions

Aomori City, the capital of Aomori Prefecture, has abundant beautiful nature, such as the Hakkōda mountain ranges and Mutsu Bay. Stunning scenery can be adorned throughout the year, and in fall, it is the time to find out your favorite kinds of apples! The city also holds one of Japan’s representative festivals. Moreover, it has

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Seiden-and-Una-Shurijo-Castle-Park-Naha-Okinawa-Japan

A Guide to Shurijō Castle – The Spiritual Symbol of Okinawa

Shurijō (首里城), a world heritage castle in Okinawa and Japan’s National Historic Site, was the residence of the Ryūkyū Kingdom’s king from 1429 to 1879. Prior to the last king of Ryūkyū surrendering Okinawa to the Meiji government, the castle was the center of the island’s political, diplomatic, and cultural center for centuries.

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