Hidden Gems

Biwako Valley: The Best Place to Adore Lake Biwa

At the west shore of Lake Biwa on the Hira Mountain Range (比良山系), the Biwako Valley (びわ湖バレイ), situated at an elevation of 1,100 meters, is a famous ski resort in Kansai. From spring to autumn, it is also a well-known mountain resort. In addition, in July 2016, a long-waited observatory called Biwako Terrace (びわ湖テラス) was […]

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Former Chikurin-in Temple and the Stunning Garden Reflection

Amongst all the Satobō (residence of retired monks) in Sakamoto, the Former Chikurin-in (旧竹林院) is probably the most famous. Not only is it known to be one of the highest-rank temples in Enryakuji, but its garden was also designated the National Place of Scenery Beauty in 1998. Nowadays, this garden is known as a spot

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Fukukuru:The Hidden Wood-Fired Bakery in Kameoka, Kyoto

If you fancy yourself a bread connoisseur, you must give Fukukuru Woodfire Bakery (薪窯パンふくくる) in Kameoka a try! Although it is a little far from Kameoka Station, the bread is very flavorful and delicious. The little store in an old folk house has a relaxing atmosphere. The couple who run the bakery are very nice

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Kameoka Fog Terrace: Kyoto’s Best Spot to See Adore Sea of Clouds

Because Kameoka City (亀岡市) is situated in a basin, it is usually covered by a thick fog in the morning from late autumn to early spring. The locals refer to the fog in Kameoka as Tamba Fog (丹波霧), and the fantastic sea of clouds scenery earned Kameoka the title of “The City of Fog” (霧の都)!

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Anao-ji: The Temple Where a Buddha Is Lying In Bed

If you are already bored with ordinary temples and shrines in Kyoto, you might still want to check out Anao-ji Temple (穴太寺) when you visit Kameoka. The Buddha is covered in a Japanese futon! Known as the 21st temple in The 33 Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, Anao-ji, boasting a history of more than 1,300 years, is

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Okususobana Valley – One of the Most Stunning Places in Nagano

Okususobana Valley (奥裾花渓谷) is one of the most scenic spots in Nagano. Located in Kinasa Village‘s north, the picturesque valley was chosen to be one of the 100 Landscapes of Japan. Especially in October, when the 5 km valley is decorated with vivid fall color, it receives numerous visitors for the masterpiece created by mother

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Kyotamba – The Black Beans, the Chestnuts and the Sceneries

Kyotamba is a quiet town in the central part of Kyoto Prefecture with abundant nature. With large temperature differences between daytime and nighttime, the town is renowned for its black beans and chestnut production. When the part of Kyoto Jūkan Expressway (京都縦貫自動車道) was finally completed for the Kyotamba section, the town became one of the

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Biwako Hakodateyama – The Best Place to Adore Lake Biwa

Biwako Hakodateyama (びわこ箱館山) has long been a popular ski resort in Shiga Prefecture. But more recently, it has come to be known as one of the biggest resort parks in the Kansai region. The scenery up in the mountain will definitely woo you that you will want to keep going back!

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Shirahige Shrine and the Torii Gate in Lake Biwa

You probably all know about the great torii gate standing in the sea in Miyajima/Hiroshima, but did you know you don’t need to travel all the way down south for a similar view? Just north of Kyoto in Shiga Prefecture, Shirahige Shrine (白鬚神社) is another shrine in Japan that has its torii gate in the

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