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Vegetarian's Japan Guide

Castles with Original Castle Keep

Matsumoto-Castle-and-Uzumi-Bridge-Matsumoto-Nagano-Japan

The Ultimate Guide to Matsumoto Castle

Among all the castles in Japan, only twelve have a castle keep from the Edo period (1603 – 1867). Furthermore, among the twelve, only five are designated national treasures. So if you are searching for the best castle to visit for your next Japan trip, consider Matsumoto City‘s symbol, Matsumoto Castle (松本城), a national treasure […]

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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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Bitchū Matsuyama Castle: The Castle Floating in the Sky

Matsuyama Castle in Takahashi City in Okayama is also known as the Takahashi Castle (高梁城). As it can be easily confused with the Matsuyama Castle in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, it is more commonly referred to as the Bitchū Matsuyama Castle (備中松山城).

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Yatakayama-Sunrise-And-Sea-Of-Cloud-Takahashi-Okayama-Japan

Takahashi City and the Amazing Sea of Clouds View

Takahashi (高梁市) City in Okayama Prefecture is a great place for anyone after some stunning sea of cloud pictures. Within the city, it has not one, but two spots where you have a high chance of capturing the stunning weather phenomenon. You might even have a sunrise over the sea of clouds on one side of the

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Hirosaki-Castle-Aomori-Japan

Hirosaki Castle and Hirosaki Park – A Romantic Spot to Be

Those who know 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 spots

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Himeji-Castle-With-Cherry-Blossom

Himeji Castle – The Most Elegant Castle in Japan

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

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