If you are planning to visit Fukuoka Prefecture, Dazaifu Tenman-gū (太宰府天満宮) is the biggest shrine in the Kyūshū region and shouldn’t be overlooked. Together with the Kitano Temman-gū (北野天満宮) in Kyoto, they are the headquarters of the 12,000 Tenman-gū shrines in Japan! The god enshrined in Dazaifu Tenman-gū is the namesake of a lively riverside […]
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Uji City Botanical Park (宇治市植物公園) is a spot where a variety of flowers bloom throughout the year. In fact, it is a hidden gem of cherry and plum blossoms that is not far from Kyoto’s city center. In early summer, you can also visit the park at night to see many fireflies dancing! You will
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On the way to Kobe, Hattori Ryokuchi Park (服部緑地) is another plum blossom hunting spot in Osaka. The park, which was chosen to be one of the Top 100 Urban Parks in Japan, is best known for its plum grove and water park. The fall foliage scenery there is also amazing. Opened in 1950, Hattori
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The reason that many people visit Kobe is for the Kobe beef. But the city has much more to offer, including some spots with stunning scenery created by the plum blossoms. While the flowers on the sticks of the plum trees may look less impressive compared to the cherry blossoms, the volume and their sweet
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If you like visiting museums and historical sites, Ōnaka-iseki Park (大中遺跡) is the perfect spot to appreciate the plum blossoms and the historical site from approximately 1900 years ago! The 20 plum blossoms at Ōnaka-iseki Park and the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Archaeology usually bloom between mid to late February. The locals often have picnics
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If you want to escape Osaka’s crowded city center, consider taking a break at Yamadaike Park (山田池公園), north of the busy Namba area. The urban park is the perfect spot to enjoy seasonal colors and nature. You can also rent a bicycle from the park’s office and cycle between different scenic areas. There are even
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Visiting a place related to the imperial family always feels a bit special. Why not stop by the Suma Rikyū Park (神戸市立須磨離宮公園) if you visit Kobe in spring to early summer? The park is best known for its fountain garden, reminiscent of the Palace of Versailles. The panoramic view of Osaka Bay is also impressive.
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A hidden gem in Osaka for flowers and fall foliage hunting is Kanshin-ji Temple (観心寺). After all, it was chosen to be one of the Flower Temples in the Kansai region! In addition, the temple houses Osaka Prefecture’s oldest architectural national treasure. You can also perform a few simple rituals in its vast precinct. Moreover,
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If you want to spend a couple of hours at a rural site accessible from Kobe, Mitoro Fruits Park (加古川市見土呂フルーツパーク) in Kakogawa City is THE perfect spot! The 12,000 square meter plum grove has around 200 plums of 11 varieties. The plum grove is divided into two parts, one for harvesting fruit and one for
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Most people visit Kyoto for its traditional vibe. While the temples and shrines are certainly the must-sees in the city, you are missing out if that is all you have on your itinerary! Kyoto Botanical Garden (京都府立植物園), also known as the Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Garden, is a hidden gem in the northern part of Kyoto
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