Hidden Gems

Kurashiki Bikan Area

Discover Ancient Japan at Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter (倉敷美観地区), also known as Japan’s “Little Venice”, is a historical area comprising classical Japanese architecture with a few outside influences such as the Ōhara Museum of Art, which looks like a Greek temple. It is situated along the Kurashiki River in the Okayama Prefecture. The Kurashiki River was originally used […]

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Mt-Shosha-Engyoji-Temple-Entrance

Mt. Shosha: How to Visit Himeji’s Hidden Mountain Temple

While millions of tourists flock to Hyogo Prefecture for the iconic white walls of Himeji Castle, few realize that an ancient, spiritual destination awaits just 25 minutes away. Rising quietly above the city, Mt. Shosha (書写山) is home to Engyōji Temple (圓教寺), a breathtaking 1,000-year-old Buddhist complex nestled deep within a dense, mossy forest. Famously

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Washuzan-Shoshuho-Seto-Inland-Sea

Shōshūhō and the Magnificent View of the Seto Inland Sea

Have you heard of the Seto Ohashi Bridge (瀬戸大橋)? It is currently the world’s longest 2-tiered bridge system! With a total length of 13.1 km, it takes approximately 20 minutes to cross that bridge by car or train. If you want to see this record-breaking world bridge that crosses five small islands in the Seto

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Kurobe-Gorge-Unazuki-Station-Yamabiko-Lookout

Trek the Spectacular V-Shaped Kurobe Gorge

Kurobe Gorge (Kurobe Kyōkoku, 黒部峡谷) in Toyama Prefecture is one of Japan’s Top 100 Hidden Scenic Spots and the No.1 V-shaped Gorge in Japan! The gorge located from the middle to the upper stream of the Kurobe River divides the northern part of the Northern Japan Alps into the Ushiro-Tateyama Mountain Range (後立山連峰) and the Tateyama

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