Places to Visit

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Maizuru City – The Stunning Former Base of the Japanese Navy

Maizuru City (舞鶴市), facing the Sea of Japan, is located in the northern section of Kyoto Prefecture. While the rest of Kyoto is largely adorned with traditional buildings from eras up to the end of the Edo period, Maizuru City embodies the history of Japan after the modernization that occurred during the Meiji era.

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Shozan Teian Shozan Resort Kyoto Japan

Shōzan Resort Kyoto: The Hidden Gem for a Traditional Garden

Towards the north end of Kyoto’s city center in Katagamine (鷹ヶ峰), Shōzan Resort Kyoto (しょうざんリゾート京都) is where the locals would visit for a stylish getaway. The area is also where you can feel the history of Kyoto. The water from the Kamiyagawa River (紙屋川) flowing through the resort was used to make paper for the

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Chishaku-in's Garden Kyoto Japan

Chishaku-in: The Must-Visit Hidden Gem Near Kyoto Station

If you are a history buff or enjoy Japanese gardens, Chishaku-in (智積院) is an ideal spot to visit. The temple was initially built to pray for Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s first son. While the garden isn’t particularly spacious, it is the second closest publicly accessible garden to Kyoto Station that has been designated as one of the

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Fukuchiyama City and the Amazing Scenery All Year Round

Fukuchiyama (福知山), in northern Kyoto Prefecture, is a city blessed with abundant nature, hidden cherry blossoms, and fall foliage destinations. The city, known for its connection with the famous samurai – Akechi Mitsuhide, also is the best spot to admire hydrangeas in early May and also has a mountain where demons used to reside.

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A Guide to Motoise Sansha Shrines – The Origin of Ise Jingu

If you have been to the Ise Jingu (伊勢神宮) in Mie Prefecture, you might be interested in visiting the Motoise Sansha Shrines where the objects of worship of Ise Jingu used to be enshrined. It is also a destination where rock climbing addicts would want to visit, for the worship hall which can only be

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Kannabe Kōgen – The Crater and Other Astonishing Landscapes

If you are looking for resorts during your visit to Kansai, consider Kannabe Kōgen in Hyōgo Prefecture‘s Toyooka City! It is a plateau located in the outer ring of Mt. Kanabe (神鍋山) and is known as one of the leading ski resorts in Kansai. When the breath of spring releases the Kannabe Kōgen from the

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Sato no Yu: The Bathhouse to Adore Storks & Natural Scenery

Among Kinosaki Onsen’s seven public bathhouses, Sato no Yu (さとの湯) is the newest. The bathhouse is just next to the town’s train station and faces the Maruyama River (円山川). Its outdoor onsen pool offers a scenic view of Toyooka City‘s nature. If you are lucky, the country’s Special Designated Natural Monument, White Stork (コウノトリ), may

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Gosho no Yu: Kinosaki Onsen’s Best Public Bathhouse

Among all Kinosaki Onsen‘s public bathhouses, Gosho no Yu (御所の湯) is the most recommended onsen facility. There aren’t many places where you can adore a 3m mighty waterfall while soaking in a hot spring, so be sure to stop by! While the bathhouse doesn’t have an indoor pool, a part of the onsen tub is

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Ichi no Yu: The Hot Spring With the Best Medical Benefits

If receiving medical benefits from the hot spring is important to you, Ichi no Yu (一の湯) is the best public bathhouse to visit in Kinosaki Onsen. The spring quality was ranked the best in Japan by Japan’s Father of Hot Spring Medicine. Moreover, if you are after an experience of bathing in a cave or

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Jizō-Yu: The Hot Spring Where a Jizō Bodhisattva Appeared

Besides Ichi no Yu, Jizō-Yu (地蔵湯) is another public bathhouse where you can rent a private hot spring tub in Kinosaki Onsen. Its building looks like a humble hotel but is definitely hard to miss when you walk past. The gigantic stone lantern at the front is too hard to miss! The hexagon-shaped windows are

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