Just minutes from JR Akita Station, Senshū Park (千秋公園) isn’t just another park you can find in Japan. In the park, you will find a castle, a tea ceremony tea house, three shrines, a museum, an art gallery, and even a library! What is even more awesome is that the castle has been recognized as one …
Senshū Park – An Unusual Castle Park in Akita City Read More »
Kakunodate Town, or Kakunodatemachi (角館町), is a town in Akita Prefecture that is known as “Michinoku no ko Kyoto (みちのくの小京都)”, or “Northeastern’s Little Kyoto”. The town used to be the home of the samurai stationed at Kakunodate Castle back in the Edo period (1603 – 1868). Even now, traces of the presence of the samurai …
Kakunodate Town – The Little Kyoto of Northeastern Japan Read More »
Amongst The Three Great Gardens of Japan, Kenrokuen Garden (兼六園) in Kanazawa is probably the most famous (with the other two being the Kōrakuen (後樂園) in Okayama Prefecture and the Kairakuen (偕樂園) in Ibaraki Prefecture). This National Place of Scenery Beauty is practically the symbol of the city, if not the entire Ishikawa Prefecture!
Those who know of Hirosaki Castle (弘前城) or Hirosaki Park (弘前公園) in Aomori Prefecture probably know them because of their reputation for stunning cherry blossoms. More than two hundred thousand people visit Hirosaki for its Cherry Blossom Festival (弘前さくらまつり) each year! No wonder it was chosen as one of the top three cherry blossom viewing …
Hirosaki Castle and Hirosaki Park – A Romantic Spot to Be 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 »
If you ask a local who lives in Hakata where they would take a leisurely stroll, they will probably tell you Ōhori Park (大濠公園). The park opened to the public in 1929 has been the city’s oasis. But, during the cherry blossom season, many of the locals will definitely flock to Maizuru Park (舞鶴公園), located …
The Best Guide to Fukuoka’s Ōhori Park and Maizuru Park Read More »
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 …
Hikone Castle – Hikone’s Best Cherry Blossom Destination Read More »
Nagahama Castle (長浜城) at the northeastern lakeshore of Lake Biwa is known as Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s starting point of becoming the leader of Japan. Even if you aren’t interested in Japanese history and the Japanese castle, you might still want to visit the castle park in spring. Usually, from early to mid-April, the cherry trees blossom …
Nagahamajō – The Castle that Leads to Hideyoshi’s Success Read More »
If you are coming to Kansai for the cherry blossoms, consider Kaizu Ōsaki (海津大崎), one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots! Along the 4 km lakeshore, there are around 800 cherry trees, old and young, that usually blossom in early to mid-April (the exact date of full bloom varies each year). As one of …
Kaizu Ōsaki – Shiga’s Ultimate Cherry Blossom Destination Read More »