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 »
Totsukawa Village (十津川村), the biggest village in Japan, is located in the southernmost part of Nara Prefecture. It is blessed with beautiful scenery. To its north is the Tanize Suspension Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in Japan. Sasano Falls, located in the middle of the village, is one of the Top 100 Waterfalls in the
Totsukawa – Japan’s Biggest Village and the Hidden Gems Read More »
Just like Mt. Hyōno, Torokawa Valley (瀞川渓谷), also in the Hyōnosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan Quasi-National Park (氷ノ山後山那岐山国定公園) has such stunning scenery that it was chosen to be one of Japan’s Top 100 Hidden Scenic Spots! The mountain trail in Torokawa Valley is more suitable for those more experienced in mountain trekking. There are several places where you must
Torokawa Valley: A Top Picturesque Natural Spot in Kansai Read More »
Kōyasan, or Mt. Kōya, is a sacred mountainous area north of Wakayama Prefecture surrounded by peaks about 1,000 meters above sea level. Having received a three-star rating in the “Michelin Green Guide Japan”, it remains an enigma to most of us. For more than 1200 years, this irreplaceable sacred settlement has enchanted people in Japan
Kōyasan – One of the Three Holiest Mountains in Japan Read More »
With an altitude of 2702 meters, Mt. Hakusan or Mt. Haku (白山) is one of the top three mountains in Japan, along with Mt. Fuji (富士山) and Mt. Tate (立山) of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. With picturesque and magnificent scenery along the hiking trails, Mt. Hakusan is a popular hiking destination for any age
Hiking Mt. Hakusan, One of Japan’s Top Three Sacred Mountain Read More »
If you are coming to Fukuchiyama City by train, you might notice a castle up on the hill from the train window. Fukuchiyama Castle (福知山城) is a popular destination and a landmark in Northern Kyoto. It was also listed in the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles (続日本100名城) by the Japanese Castle Foundation (日本城郭協会)!
Fukuchiyama Castle and Why Akechi Mitsuhide Was a Good Man Read More »
Izushi (出石) is a quaint town in Toyooka City where you can find traces of Japanese history dating back to the Edo period (1603 – 1867). Although it might not seem like it now, the castle town used to be incredibly prosperous. This prosperity earned it the title of Tajima Province’s Little Kyoto! Because the
Izushi – A Castle Town that Retains the Past Eras’ Remnants Read More »
If you have two days to spend in Kinosaki Onsen, allocate half a day to visit Izushi. The small township is a hidden gem close to the popular hot spring town. After enjoying the town’s famous local specialty, Izushi Soba, hike up to the top of Izushi Castle Ruins (出石城跡) for a panoramic view of
Izushi Castle: The Best Spot for a Scenic View of Izushi Read More »
Akō (赤穂) is a rural city that isn’t too far away from the most elegant castle in Japan, Himeji Castle. While it is certainly not a top must-see destination in Japan, it does have its charm. In spring, it is the place that you want to be for its beautiful cherry blossom in the coastal
Akō City – The Salt, The Castle, And The Sunset Read More »
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
The Best Guide to Akō Castle Ruins and Akō Ōishi Shrine Read More »
