-
Nachi Taisha
The Shintō shrine Nachi Taisha, near the waterfall Nachi-no-taki, was built in homage to the waterfalls kami (spirit god). Its one of the three great shrines of Kii-hantō, and worth the climb up the steep steps for the inspirational views cross the gorges to the waterfall and down
-
Miyajima Public Aquarium
Miyajimas aquarium houses the usual sealife suspects, including seals and penguins, as well as interactive displays. There are also dolphins kept captive here – something animal welfare groups suggest causes harm to these sea mammals. Be warned that the aquarium gets very busy duri
-
Ryūgenji Mabu Shaft
The Ryūgenji Mabu Shaft is a tunnel into the silver mine. It has been widened substantially from its original size and one glance at the original tunnel that stretches beyond the fence at the end of the accessible area should be enough to make most people glad they werent born as 1
-
Senjō
Dominating the hill immediately to the north of Itsukushima-jinja is this huge pavilion built in 1587 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The atmospheric hall is constructed with massive pillars and beams, and the ceiling is hung with paintings. It looks out onto a colourful five-storey pagoda
-
Southern Cross Center
A short walk from the Ishini (石仁) bus stop, 3km south of Chabana, is a lookout that serves as a museum of Yoron-tō and Amami history and culture. Offering good views south to Okinawa, it celebrates the fact that Yoron-tō is the northernmost island in Japan from where the Southern C
-
Lafcadio Hearn Old Residence
A small late-19th-century samurai house with pretty gardens where Hearn lived. You can still see the desk where he penned his classic collection Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan, which contains his famous essay on Matsue – Chief City of the Province of the Gods, and the Japanese ghost
-
Dazaifu Exhibition Hall
Dazaifu Exhibition Hall displays finds from local archaeological excavations. Nearby are the Tofurō ruins (都府楼) of ancient government buildings.Enoki Shrine (榎社) is where Sugawara-no-Michizane died. His body was transported to Tenman-gū on the ox cart that appears in so many local
-
Asakura Chōso Museum
Sculptor Asakura Fumio (artist name Chōso; 1883–1964) designed this atmospheric house himself, which includes a central water garden, a studio with vaulted ceilings and a sunrise room. Its now a museum with a number of the artists signature realist works, mostly of people and cats,
-
Futago
In the centre of the Kunisaki Peninsula, near the summit of Futago-san (721m), is Futago-ji, founded in 718 and dedicated to Fudō-Myō-o, the fire-enshrouded, sword-wielding deity. It’s a lovely climb, especially in spring or autumn and there are plenty of subtemples to explore arou
-
Fuji TV
Designed by the late, great Kenzō Tange, the Fuji TV headquarters building is recognisable by the 90-degree angles of its scaffolding-like structure. It is topped by a 1200-tonne ball, which includes an observation deck. Pick up an English guide at the desk out front for informatio
-
Tokyo Sea Life Park
The focal point of Kasai Rinkai-kōen, the largest park of Tokyos central 23 wards, is this mammoth aquarium where the highlight is a doughnut-shaped tank filled with sleek, silvery bluefin tuna. As well as sealife from many different oceanic habitats you can also see cute penguins,
-
Uchiko
About halfway between the station and Yōkaichi is Uchiko-za, a magnificent traditional kabuki theatre. Originally constructed in 1916, the theatre was completely restored in 1985, complete with a revolving stage. Performances are still held at the theatre about 40 times per year; c
-
Ōmi
Between Kanazawa station and Katamachi, youll find this market, reminiscent of Tokyos Tsukiji. A bustling warren of fishmongers, buyers and restaurants, its a great place to watch everyday people in action or indulge in the freshest sashimi and local produce. The nearest bus stop i
-
Togawa
Fuji-Yoshidas oshi-no-ie (pilgrims inns) have served visitors to the mountain since the days when climbing Mt Fuji was a pilgrimage rather than a tourist event. Very few still function as inns but Togawa-ke Oshi-no-ie offers some insight into the fascinating Edo-era practice of Mt
-
Saito Family Summer Villa
Opened to the public as a museum in June 2012, almost a century after its construction as an indulgent private summer house, this luscious example of turn-of-the-century Japanese architecture and design also features a beautiful garden with huge Edo period pines sheltering over a h
-
Ryōgen
Ryōgen-in is a fine subtemple in the Daitoku-ji complex. It has two pleasing gardens, one moss and one karesansui . The karesansui has an interesting island in its midst that invites lazy contemplation. When you enter the Daitoku-ji complex via the east (main) gate, it’s on the lef
-
Naha City Traditional Arts & Crafts Center
Right on Kokusai-dōri, this gallery houses a notable collection of traditional Okinawan crafts by masters of the media. You can also try your hand at Ryukyuan glass-blowing, weaving, bingata (painting on fabric) and pottery-making in the workshops (¥1500 to ¥3000), and make your ow
-
Aizu Bukeyashiki
This is a superb reconstruction of the yashiki (villa) of Saigō Tanomo, the Aizu clan’s chief retainer. Wander through the 38 rooms, which include a guestroom for the Aizu lord, a tea-ceremony house, quarters for the clan’s judge and a rice-cleaning mill, presented here in full, no
-
Kibune
This shrine, halfway up the valley-town of Kibune, is worth a quick look, particularly if you can ignore the unfortunate plastic horse statue at its entrance. From Kibune you can hike over the mountain to Kurama-dera, along a trail that starts halfway up the village on the eastern
-
Sōseki Memorial Hall
Meiji-era novelist Natsume Sōseki (1867–1916) is honoured at the pretty 1870s home where he lived during his four years teaching English in Kumamoto. The home has some fine architectural details, and in the garden you can stroll in the masters footsteps. Its about a 100m walk west
Total
1725 -travel
FirstPage PreviousPage NextPage LastPage CurrentPage:
50/87 20-travel/Page GoTo Page:
