100 Landscapes of Japan | Vegetarian's Japan Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

June 21, 2026 / 100 Landscapes of Japan, Autumn Foliage, Cherry Blossom, Chūgoku Region, Cultural Experiences & Activities, Okayama Prefecture

Stepping into the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter (倉敷美観地区) in Okayama Prefecture feels like stepping onto a living movie set, and it often is. Affectionately known as Japan’s “Little Venice,” this breathtaking district is a popular shooting location for historical films and Japanese television dramas, thanks to its wonderfully preserved, willow-lined canals and iconic white-walled storehouses. […]

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Himeji Castle surrounded by blooming pink cherry blossoms in spring

Himeji Castle Guide: Attractions, Tickets, & Vegan Tips

June 13, 2026 / 100 Landscapes of Japan, Autumn Foliage, Castles with Original Castle Keep, Cherry Blossom, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, Kansai Region, Top 100 Japanese Castles, World Heritage

As Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s 12 remaining original keeps, Himeji Castle (姫路城), tops almost every traveler’s bucket list. Known as the “White Heron Castle Shirasagi-Jō (白鷺城)” for its brilliant white plaster walls and elegant, wing-like architecture, this 400-year-old masterpiece is the ultimate day trip from nearby Osaka or

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Hiraizumi: Is Japan’s “Kyoto of the North” Worth the Trip?

February 23, 2026 / 100 Landscapes of Japan, Autumn Foliage, Hidden Gems, Iwate Prefecture, National Historic Site, Temples & Shrines, Tōhoku Region, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Known as the “Kyoto of the North”, Hiraizumi town (平泉町) once rivaled the imperial capital in splendor, with a refined culture and elegant architecture in the 12th century. Retaining its charm and traces of its former greatness, Hiraizumi has a couple of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Established in the 12th century by the powerful Oshu

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Shimei-Tei-Observatory-Lake-Towada-Aomori-Japan

Lake Towada Guide: The Top 15 Must-See Attractions & Tips

February 7, 2026 / 100 Landscapes of Japan, Aomori Prefecture, Autumn Foliage, Hidden Gems, Snow Scenery, Tōhoku Region, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Discover a realm where volcanic power meets serene sapphire waters at Lake Towada (Towadako in Japanese, 十和田湖), the largest caldera lake on Japan’s main island of Honshu. Straddling the border of Aomori and Akita prefectures, this “mystic lake” is the heart of Towada-Hachimantai National Park, famous for its crystal-clear depths and dramatic forested cliffs. Whether

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Hirosaki Castle & Park: Japan’s Top Cherry Blossom Spot

January 11, 2026 / 100 Landscapes of Japan, Anime Pilgrimage, Aomori Prefecture, Autumn Foliage, Castles with Original Castle Keep, Cherry Blossom, Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, Snow Scenery, Tōhoku Region, Top 100 Japanese Castles

As the crown jewel of Aomori’s cultural landscape, Hirosaki Castle (弘前城) and the surrounding Hirosaki Park (弘前公園) offer one of Japan’s most iconic historical experiences. Built in 1611 by the Tsugaru Clan, the castle remains one of only twelve “original survivors” in the country, standing as a rare testament to Edo-period architecture. While the park

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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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Yufuin Travel Guide: Onsen, Cafes, and Best Things to Do

January 5, 2026 / 100 Landscapes of Japan, Autumn Foliage, Cherry Blossom, Hidden Gems, Kyūshū Region, Ōita Prefecture, Onsen/Hot Spring

Nestled in a verdant river basin at the foot of the twin-peaked Mount Yufu, the charming town of Yufuin (由布院 or 湯布院) is one of Kyushu’s most beloved hot spring retreats. Unlike the bustling geysers of neighboring Beppu, Yufuin offers a tranquil, “boutique” onsen experience characterized by misty morning views of Lake Kinrinko, and the whimsical,

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The Best Guide to the World Heritage: Shirakawagō

October 10, 2025 / 100 Landscapes of Japan, Autumn Foliage, Chūbu Region, Gifu Prefecture, Snow Scenery, World Heritage

Since its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, Shirakawa-gō (白川郷), also known as Shirakawagō in Gifu Prefecture, has been considered one of the most popular getaway spots in Japan. Located in a remote mountainous region in central Japan, Shirakawago village and their people were known to be isolated and hidden from the

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Snow-Corridor-Tateyama-Kurobe-Alpine-Route

The Ultimate Guide to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

September 24, 2025 / 100 Landscapes of Japan, Autumn Foliage, Chūbu Region, Hokuriku Region, Nagano Prefecture, Snow Scenery, Toyama Prefecture, Transportation in Japan, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (立山黒部アルペンルート) is a scenic route that traverses the Japanese Northern Alps, connecting Toyama and Nagano Prefectures. Known as the Roof of Japan, Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route opens on April 15 and closes on November 30 each year. This spectacular route is renowned for its magnificent 20-meter snow wall at the

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Daibotoge-Observatory-Kinasa-Nagano-Japan

Kinasa – A Village Filled with Myths and Amazing Nature

June 4, 2025 / 100 Landscapes of Japan, Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture

If you are looking for a stunning place to visit in Japan that hasn’t been commercialized and has an abundance of nature, consider dropping by Kinasa in Nagano Prefecture! The quaint village is just around an hour away by bus from the city center of Nagano. It is also adjacent to both Togakushi and Hakuba,

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