Unazuki Onsen (宇奈月温泉) in Kurobe City is a popular hot spring resort where you can enjoy the natural scenery of Kurobe Gorge. The hot spring town is the best place to base yourself in to take in what the picturesque gorge has to offer. Once you get there, it won’t be hard to understand why Kurobe […]
Unazuki Onsen: The Best Hot Spring Town at Kurobe Gorge Read More »
As you approach Kurobe Gorge Railway‘s Unazuki Station, you will inevitably notice the three-story building that looks like an inn opposite the road. While it does look like a nice place to spend a night, it is actually a museum (only on the ground floor). You can learn about the mechanisms of hydroelectric power generation
Kurobe Hydropower Museum and the History of Kurobe Dam Read More »
The most convenient spot to indulge your body in the nice hot spring of Unazuki Onsen is Yumedokoro Unazuki (湯めどころ宇奈月総湯). The public bathhouse is close to Unazuki Station, in the same building as the Unazuki Onsen Information Center. Opened in 2016, it is one of the newest hot spring facilities in the hot spring town.
Yumedokoro Unazuki: Unazuki Onsen’s Stylish Public Bathhouse Read More »
When most travelers picture Kyoto, they imagine the brilliant orange gates of Fushimi Inari or the crowded bamboo groves of Arashiyama. However, the true soul of the region lies far beyond the city center, tucked away in the misty mountains, historic samurai castle towns, and floating coastal villages of greater Kyoto Prefecture. Exploring these spectacular,
17 Best Hidden Gems in Kyoto: Off-the-Beaten-Path Guide Read More »
Did you know that there is a jungle-like area in Naha City? The area is also incredibly close to Yui Rail’s Shiritsubyōin-mae Station (市立病院前駅) and Gibo Station (儀保駅)! Sueyoshi Park (末吉公園) has a very spacious ground of around 19 hectares. Taking many by surprise, a large part of the park looks just like a tropical
Sueyoshi Park: The Hidden Jungle Park in Okinawa’s Capital Read More »
A nice spot to stop by after your visit to the Shurijō Castle Park is the Shuri Kannon-dō (首里観音堂). The temple just a 10-minute walk from Tamaudun (玉陵) is one of the six temples around the castle that survived the turbulence in the last 400 years. In addition, the temple that the Ryūkyū imperial family
Shuri Kannon-dō Temple and Its Famous Paw-Joining Dog Read More »
It might come to you as a surprise, but there is a spot in Okinawa where it is said that the Goddess of the Sun in Japanese mythology, Amaterasu-Ōmikami (天照大御神), once briefly stopped by before she headed off for Ise (伊勢). And that holy spot happens to be at the side of Naha‘s city center!
Okinogū Shrine – The Site Where the Goddess of Sun descended Read More »
Speaking of Okinawa, it is the perfect destination to enjoy the stunning beaches. While Okinawa’s top beaches aren’t in the capital city, Naha, there is one beach for you to enjoy a last-minute swim in the warmer months or watersports. Plus, Okinawa’s highest-ranked shrine is just atop the cliff next to the beach!
The Best Guide to Naminoue Beach and Naminoue Shrine Read More »
Shurijō (首里城), a world heritage castle in Okinawa and Japan’s National Historic Site, was the residence of the Ryūkyū Kingdom’s king from 1429 to 1879. Prior to the last king of Ryūkyū surrendering Okinawa to the Meiji government, the castle was the center of the island’s political, diplomatic, and cultural center for centuries.
A Guide to Shurijō Castle – The Spiritual Symbol of Okinawa Read More »
Kojima District (児島郡) in Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture is Japan’s denim mecca. As soon as you step out of the JR train, you will be surprised by the amount of jeans-related decoration throughout the district. But Kojima is more than just Kojima Jeans Street. The sunset from Mt. Washu (鷲羽山) was chosen to be
Kojima Jeans Street and Other Awesome Attractions in Kojima Read More »
