National Places of Scenery Beauty | Vegetarian's Japan Guide

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Tanesashi Coast Guide: Hachinohe Hiking & Vegan Travel Tips

June 26, 2026 / Aomori Prefecture, National Places of Scenery Beauty, Tōhoku Region, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Looking for a breathtaking coastal escape in northern Japan that perfectly balances wild nature with plant-based travel? Look no further than the Tanesashi Coast (種差海岸) in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture. Serving as the stunning northern terminus of the famous Michinoku Coastal Trail, this scenic 12-kilometer stretch of the Sanriku Fukkō National Park (三陸復興國立公園) features everything from […]

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The Former Yūbikan and its Garden in Osaki Miyagi Japan

The Former Yubikan: Japan’s Oldest Samurai School and Garden

April 24, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Miyagi Prefecture, National Historic Site, National Places of Scenery Beauty, Tōhoku Region

Nestled in the historic town of Iwadeyama (岩出山) on the way to Naruko Gorge, lies the Former Yūbikan and its Garden (旧有備館および庭園). Originally built as a retirement villa for the Date clan, this site evolved into one of Japan’s oldest surviving provincial schools, where the children of retainers once balanced the study of literature with

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Why Kaga Onsen is the Best Side-Trip from Kanazawa

March 20, 2026 / Hidden Gems, Hokuriku Region, Ishikawa Prefecture, National Places of Scenery Beauty, Onsen/Hot Spring, Pottery and Crafts

Tucked away in the mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture, Kaga Onsen (加賀温泉) is more than just a hot spring destination. It is a collection of four distinct resort towns dating back 1,300 years. Since the 2024 Hokuriku Shinkansen extension, these four historic hot spring towns, Yamashiro, Yamanaka, Katayamazu, and Awazu, have become effortlessly accessible, offering a serene alternative

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Reflection of Hotaka Mountains in Taishō Pond

Taishō Pond: The Most Beautiful Starting Point in Kamikōchi

February 28, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture, National Places of Scenery Beauty, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Experience the ethereal beauty of Taishō Pond (Taishō-ike, 大正池), one of the most iconic and photogenic landmarks in the heart of the Kamikōchi highlands. Formed by the volcanic eruption of Mt. Yakedake in 1915, this stunning mirror-like lake is famous for its standing withered trees and the breathtaking reflections of the Hotaka Mountain Range. As

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Oirase Gorge: Japan’s Best Waterfalls & River Walk

January 23, 2026 / 100 Hidden Scenic Spots, 100 Landscapes of Japan, Aomori Prefecture, Autumn Foliage, Cycling, National Places of Scenery Beauty, Snow Scenery, Tōhoku Region, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Immerse yourself in the ethereal beauty of Oirase Gorge (Oirase Keiryū, 奥入瀬渓流), a 14-kilometer stretch of crystal-clear mountain streams and moss-covered rock formations in Aomori Prefecture. Located within the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, this breathtaking valley is renowned as one of Japan’s most scenic destinations, especially during the vibrant autumn foliage season and the lush “fresh

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Akiu Otaki Fall Autumn Sendai Miyagi Japan

The Best Guide to Akiu Otaki Falls and Futakuchi Gorge

December 23, 2025 / Autumn Foliage, Hidden Gems, Miyagi Prefecture, National Places of Scenery Beauty, Tōhoku Region, Top 100 Waterfalls in Japan

Akiu Ōtaki Falls (秋保大滝), also known as the Akiu Great Falls (or simply Akiu Falls), is the must-see spot in Akiu Onsen. The 55-meter-tall waterfall is just spectacular, no matter which season you visit. It was thus chosen as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls and designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty.

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The Best Guide to Kappa Bridge and the Nearby Facilities

October 18, 2025 / Autumn Foliage, Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture, National Places of Scenery Beauty, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Kappa Bridge (河童橋) is the landmark of Kamikochi. The most important facilities in the area are located close to the bridge, including the Kamikochi Bus Terminal and visitor centers. This part of Kamikochi is almost like a transport hub that allows tourists to gain the necessary information to explore the area and rejuvenate. The suspension

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The Best of Kamikōchi: Hiking, Scenery, and Logistics

March 1, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Camping, Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture, National Places of Scenery Beauty, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Discover the pristine wilderness of the Japanese Alps with our comprehensive guide to Kamikōchi (上高地), Japan’s premier mountain highland destination. Located within the Chūbu-Sangaku National Park in Nagano Prefecture, this breathtaking glacial valley is world-renowned for its crystal-clear Azusa River, the iconic Kappa Bridge, and soaring 3,000-meter peaks like Mt. Hotaka. Whether you are a

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Trekking to the Mysterious Myōjin Area in Kamikōchi

January 27, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture, National Places of Scenery Beauty, Temples & Shrines, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Your visit to Kamikōchi shouldn’t stop at Kappa Bridge. Trekking further for another hour upstream of the Azusa River from Kappa Bridge, you will reach the Myōjin Area. Here is the ground of God. Not sure if it is because this is where God lives, as the atmosphere around the area is distinctly different from

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Yanagawa Tachibana-tei Ohana Shotoen Garden Yanagawa Fukuoka Japan

Yanagawa Tachibana-tei Ohana: The Must-Visit in Yanagawa

August 9, 2025 / Accommodation, Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyūshū Region, National Places of Scenery Beauty

If you take the Normal Yanagawa River Cruise Course, the cruise finishes near Yanagawa Tachibana-tei Ohana (柳川藩主立花邸御花). The spot where over 400 years of history and nature blend together is the must-visit in Yanagawa. Surrounded by a moat, like a castle, the complex was the villa of the Tachibana clan (立花家) that led the

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