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 »
If you like hot springs, instead of the Hahcimantai Aspite Line, take the Hachimantai Jukai Line (八幡平樹海ライン) to the summit of Mt. Hachimantai. As the name of the highway suggests, this highway passes through Hachimantai’s virgin forest. Along the road, you are accompanied by the magnificent view of Mt. Iwate. The scenery along this drive
Hachimantai Jukai Line: The Stunning Motorway and the Onsen Read More »
If you plan to rent a car and explore Iwate Prefecture‘s nature, consider putting Hachimantai (八幡平) on your itinerary. The mountainous area in Towada-Hachimantai National Park (十和田八幡平国立公園) offers breathtaking scenery and is a perfect destination for hiking and trekking. One of the ways to get to the summit is Hachimantai Aspite Line (八幡平アスピーテライン). In fact,
Hachimantai Aspite Line: The Most Scenic Drive in Iwate Read More »
For anyone out there who wants to be at the summit of a mountain the lazy way but doesn’t want to splurge on some fancy transportation mode (i.e., a gondola lift), check out Mt. Akita-Komagatake (秋田駒ヶ岳) in Akita Prefecture! Although you have to hike a bit longer than Mt. Iwaki in Aomori Prefecture, it only
The Best Guide to Mt. Akita-Komagatake and the Moomin Valley Read More »
Sakura Park (猿賀公園) in Hirakawa City in Aomori Prefecture is a 6.3-hectare park surrounding the Saruka Shrine. It is the best spot in the city where anyone can enjoy some relaxing time any time of the year (*’▽’).
Saruka Park – The Best Park in Hirakawa City Read More »
The Noto Peninsula (能登半島) close to Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture is rich in nature. The entire peninsula is designated as a national park. The diverse landscape created a unique rural culture that differs from the close-by popular destination – Kanazawa. The best way to explore the peninsula is to do a loop course and discover
The Ultimate Guide to the Stunning Noto Peninsula Read More »
At the northmost part of the Noto Penisula, there is a picturesque cape called Cape Suzu (珠洲岬). It is also where the most fanciful Ryokan is located on the peninsula!
Cape Suzu – The Most Beautiful Spot in Noto Peninsula Read More »
Proceeding north of the Chirihama Beach Driveway, you will enter a region of countless strange rocks and cliffs extending for about 30 kilometers. The scenery here is as stunning as Mt. Kongou (Kumgang, 金剛山) in North Korea, which is why it is named Noto Kongō (能登金剛).
Noto Kongō’s Gammon Gate – Noto Peninsula’s Natural Wonder Read More »
Chirihama Beach Driveway (千里浜なぎさドライブウェイ) is an 8 km beach shore on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture that connects Imahama Coast (今浜海岸) and Chirihama Beach (千里浜). It is the only place you can freely drive any vehicle on the sand in Japan, including bicycles. Even across the world, you probably won’t be able to find
Chirihama Beach Driveway – The Only Sandy Driveway in Japan Read More »
Although its existence remains unknown to many, in addition to the famous Kenrokuen Garden, there is one more garden that is worth your time in Kanazawa. Directly next to the Kaga-Yūzen Kimono Center, the Gyokusen-en (西田家庭園「玉泉園」) is a garden that is 120 years older than Kenrokuen, opposite the Hyakumangoku-dori avenue. Not known by many tourists,
Gyokusen-en – Nishida Family’s Gorgeous Garden Read More »
