Bisei Astronomical Observatory can be found at the top of the mountains that make up a key location in the town of Bisei.  It is considered one of the best locations in West Japan for star gazing.  Bisei town has a lot to offer for the visitor.  You can make a weekend trip to this … Continue reading Bisei Astronomical Observatory →

The all-weather park consists of four green houses and an observatory which are connected by a covered corridor. Visitors can enjoy various flowers, including begonias and fuchsias which are in bloom all year round. You can also find lots of birds in two of the green houses and other places in the park. There are … Continue reading Matsue Vogel Park →

Jinpukaku Mansion is a villa constructed in 1907 by Marquis Nakahiro Ikeda, the grandson of the last lord of the Tottori domain, to provide accommodation for Crown Prince Yoshihito (later the Taisho Emperor) during his tour of the San’in region. It is a two-storey white wooden building with a tiled roof, the design of which … Continue reading Jinpukaku →

What is happening at Honshu's most southern tip? Steep cliffs rise up from the sea where waves are wildly clashing against the rocks. Some local fishermen take hobby anglers out to these rocks. They enjoy standing there for hours casting their fishing rods. There is plenty of fish here in the sea as the Kuroshio … Continue reading Cape Shionomisaki →

Kotatsu (こたつ) hot tables are a popular cost-efficient way to keep warm during Japan’s colder seasons. Integral to household culture, a kotatsu has a low coffee table with a heating element installed underneath. A blanket sits atop the table, then another hard wooden piece over that. This creates a cozy little environment for sitting around, … Continue reading Kotatsu →

Rising at the border of Nara and Osaka, Mt. Ikoma (“Ikoma-san” in Japanese) is a famous mountain in Japan that can be easily reached through a cable car that goes to the summit from Kintetsu Railway’s Ikoma Station. The hiking course that goes from the top of the mountain – through Hozanji Temple – to … Continue reading Mount Ikoma →

The Kinosaki Marine World is an aquarium united with nature, where the Japanese sea unfolds before your eyes. Located high up on the coastal cliffs in Hiyoriyama, about 5km north of Kinosaki Onsen. Marine World can be accessed by bus from Kinosaki Onsen Station, which is the closest train station. https://visitkinosaki.com/things-to-do/marine-world/

Despite its location in downtown Minami Osaka, the calm and quiet street accommodates places such as traditional Japanese restaurants, bars, Okonomiyaki restaurants, kushi katsu restaurants. In the center of the street, there is Mizukake Fudou shrine, which many visitors visit. https://osaka-yanen.com/en/sights_post/hozenji-yokocho/

Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社, Yasaka Jinja) or Gion Shrine, is one of the most famous shrines in Kyoto. The shrine is located between Gion District and Higashiyama District, making it a spot that’s relatively easy to visit when walking between the two districts or to Kawaramachi Station. In this post, I’ll share some photos of Yasaka … Continue reading Yasaka Jinja Shrine →

"Genkyuen Garden" located on the grounds of the Hikone Castle was historically home to the feudal lords. This landscaped garden is a replica of "Omi Hakke" (Eight Views in Omi), which were selected referring to Chinese Imperial Villa "Eight Views of Xiaoxiang". Many events are held throughout the year on the premises for tourists who … Continue reading Genkyuen Garden →