I recently visited Shirakawa-go, which was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are traditional thatched-roof houses lining the area, and you can even enter some of them. It seems that some people still live there and continue to preserve this landscape. The view of the entire area from the top of the mountain is also breathtaking.

I visited the "Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Village," registered as a World Heritage Site as part of the "Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama," along with the Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture. This village, also featuring gassho-style houses, offered a lovely rural landscape. It is smaller than Shirakawa-go, with fewer tourists, allowing for a stronger sense of local culture and lifestyle, making one feel as if they have stepped into a world reminiscent of Studio Ghibli. The village is locat... Show more

Across the tunnel is the "Gokayama Gassho no Sato," which is in the opposite direction of the "Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Village." On this side, there was an even greater impression of trees instead of rice fields. The tree standing behind the building somehow resembles Totoro. It seems that at "Gokayama Gassho no Sato," reservations are required, and it is possible to have meals and accommodations, allowing for the experience of traditional lifestyle and culture. It seems like a valuable experienc... Show more

The view from the Hakone pirate ship was magnificent. Against the blue of Lake Ashi, Mount Fuji, and the clear blue sky, the vermilion peace gate of the Hakone Shrine stood proudly. The snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji was also lovely.

Climbing Mount Fuji with my friends was the most special experience of my life. We hiked throughout the night and arrived at the peak during sunrise. The shadow of Mount Fuji on the land was the most breathtaking thing I have ever seen.

The Kinkaku, built by the third shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, is one of the representative tourist attractions in Kyoto, popular among tourists from both domestic and international locations. The Kinkaku is commonly known as Kinkaku-ji, with its formal name being 'Rokuon-ji.' Along with Kiyomizu-dera, it is registered as a World Cultural Heritage site. The scenery at Kinkaku varies by season, with the winter occasionally blanketing the roof of Kinkaku with glistening sn... Show more

京都市左京区にある、世界文化遺産に登録された神社。境内にある糺の森から縄文時代から弥生時代にかけての土器や住居の痕跡が多数発見され、この神社が紀元前から祀られていることが証明されている。7世紀末の文献によると、大勢の人々が集まる葵祭の警備命令があったので、奈良時代にはすでに大規模な神社であったことが分かる。平安時代になると、国と京都の守護神、皇族の氏神様となり、式年遷宮や斎王の制度が設けられた。『源氏物語』や『枕草子』などにも現れる。境内には、日本の国歌『君が代』に歌われる「さざれ石」がある。葵祭の流鏑馬神事を行う馬場もある。最寄り駅は、京阪出町柳駅。

I visited Ryoan-ji Temple, famous for its dry landscape stone garden! It is truly artistic to express the flow of nature and time with only rocks and pebbles, without using water. The atmosphere was calm and serene, and I felt at peace. Sansui Queen Elizabeth stopped by here during her official visit to Japan.

Kiyomizu-dera is a temple in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, dedicated to the worship of Kannon, built during the Heian period. Its main attraction is the 13-meter-high Kiyomizu stage (main hall) on the cliff of Otowa-san (a national treasure). From the stage, one can enjoy a panoramic view of Kyoto's urban area. There used to be a tradition of jumping off the stage as a sign of a significant decision. The stage has a superior seismic-resistant structure. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Known as a representative tourist destination of Hyogo Prefecture and registered as Japan's first World Cultural Heritage, Himeji Castle, also known as Shirasagi Castle, is famous for its large and white main tower. The construction of such a main tower occurred when Kodera Terumasa became the lord of the castle after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, and a major reconstruction was carried out. The main tower underwent significant repair work from 2009 to 2015, enhancing its beauty. Himeji Castl... Show more

The Golden Hall of Todai-ji (a national treasure). It houses the world's largest wooden structure, where the Great Buddha (Vairocana Buddha) is enshrined. During the Nara period, amidst the chaos caused by the spread of smallpox and political unrest, Emperor Shomu prayed for the peace of the nation and made the decision to build the hall. The Great Buddha was completed in 749, and the eye-opening ceremony was held on April 9, 752. Despite damage from war, lightning, earthquakes, and other disast... Show more

熊野古道の中でも、当時の面影を特に美しく残している「大門坂」。聖地「那智山」へと約640ｍの石畳が続きます。苔むした石段と樹齢800年を越す老杉等に囲まれ、往古の熊野詣が偲ばれます。 (出典: 和歌山県公式観光サイト)

Historical and Cultural Experience Walking in Heian Attire at Daimonzaka/Daimonzaka Teahouse. Explore the vicinity of Kumano Kodo Daimonzaka while wearing ancient Heian attire.

Hara Castle (Continued Japan's Top 100 Castles No. 188) is a castle located in Minamishimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture. It is a constituent heritage of the hidden Christian-related heritage of Nagasaki and the Amakusa region. It was originally built as a branch castle of the Hinoe Castle of the Arima clan in 1496. It was later transformed into a modern castle by the hands of Harunobu Arima. It is said that the castle was abandoned when the Arima clan moved to Shimabara Castle, and its construc... Show more

Zakimi Castle (Continued Japan's Top 100 Castles No. 199) is a castle located in Yomitan Village, Okinawa Prefecture. It was built by Gosamaru, a vassal of the later Ryukyu Kingdom King Sho Hashi. In modern times, during the Battle of Okinawa, Japanese army anti-aircraft guns were installed, and after the U.S. invasion, it became a Borō shooting range and a radar base. Now, the number one highlight of Zakimi Castle is undoubtedly the arch gate. While the stone walls of castles in mainland Japan... Show more

Katsuren Castle (No. 200 in the list of Japan's Top 100 Castles) is a castle located in Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture. Katsuren Castle is famous as the castle of the last lord, Amawari. Unable to endure the tyranny of the previous lord, Amawari led a coup and became the 10th lord. Amawari took advantage of Katsuren's port to engage in active overseas trade, contributing to the development of the town. While official history portrays Amawari as a villain who plotted the overthrow of the Ryukyu K... Show more

A World Heritage temple in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. The photo shows the Phoenix Hall, a symbol of Byodoin Temple. It was originally the villa of Fujiwara no Yorimichi, a regent of the Heian period, later converted into a temple. The central structure is the Amida Hall, housing a seated statue of Amida Buddha, with a golden phoenix adorning its roof. The photo was taken from across the pond in the garden, capturing the symmetrical beauty of the Phoenix Hall. It truly embodies the concept of a... Show more

Inside this Phoenix Hall, there is not only the seated statue of Amida Nyorai but also luxurious decorations (double-coved ceiling) on the ceiling. There are also paintings on the walls and doors. 52 Cloud-Adoring Bodhisattva statues are displayed on the upper part of the Phoenix Hall's walls, all riding on clouds. Some are playing musical instruments or dancing. Half of them are on display at the Phoenix Museum, which is an attached museum. The Phoenix Museum also exhibits items such as a hangi... Show more

Within the precincts, there are not only the Phoenix Hall and Hoshokan, but also a teahouse and wisteria trellis. Additionally, there is the grave of Minamoto no Yorimasa. It was the first time I learned that Minamoto no Yorimasa's grave is at the Byodoin. The Byodoin Phoenix Hall is a structure with a history of 1000 years, and repairs for its preservation as a cultural asset have been carried out frequently since modern times. Before-and-after photos of its restoration can also be viewed at th... Show more

Fujinomiya, Yamanashi Prefecture, Oshino Village, Oshino Parking: 300 yen, about 10 nearby ¥ Free (museum entrance fee only 300 yen) The contrast of Mount Fuji and Oshino Hakkai is beautiful. ✨Please come and visit!