Summary of journey - Japan

12 days tour of Honshu

Start date: 25/03/2023

End date: 05/03/2023

Places covered

OSAKA

NARA

OKAYAMA

KOBA

KYOTO

TAKAYAMA

KANAZAWA

25/03/2023 – Reach Kansai Airport at 7:00am.

Kansai Airport

Kansai International Airport

Kansai International Airport (Japanese: 関西国際空港, romanized: Kansai Kokusai Kūkō) commonly
known as 関空 (Kankū) (IATA: KIX, ICAO: RJBB) is the primary international airport in the Greater Osaka
Area of Japan and the closest international airport to the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. It is located
on an artificial island (Kankūjima (関空島)) in the middle of Osaka Bay off the Honshu shore, 38 km (24
mi) southwest of Ōsaka Station,[4] located within three municipalities, including Izumisano (north),[5]
Sennan (south),[6] and Tajiri (central),[7] in Osaka Prefecture.
Kansai opened on 4 September 1994 to relieve overcrowding at the original Osaka International Airport,
referred to as Itami Airport, which is closer to the city of Osaka. It consists of two terminals: Terminal 1
and Terminal 2. Terminal 1, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, is the longest airport terminal in
the world with a length of 1.7 km (1+1⁄16 mi). The airport serves as an international hub for All Nippon
Airways, Japan Airlines, and Nippon Cargo Airlines, and also serves as a hub for Peach, the first
international low-cost carrier in Japan.

Reach Osaka by train using Kansai Wide Area Pass which takes about 50mins. From Osaka reach
Tengachaya Station in 20mins by train.
Check-in Airbnb’s newly renovated single-family villa/2 bathrooms/Double toilet. Entire home hosted by
Jin Sheng 金升.
The property is 7 minutes on foot from Tengachaya Station. From here you can get to Osaka's main
sightseeing spots by subway. It’s a 40 mins train journey to reach Tengachaya Station from Kansai
International Airport by Nankai Railway, no transfer, convenient and fast!

You can experience the real Japanese daily life here: the shopping street next to the station makes you
feel the other side of Japan, and the old shops in the narrow streets of the horizontal streets make you
experience and discover cheap good things! Traditional old Japanese houses, convenience stores, ramen
shops, bento shops, more interesting things are waiting for you to discover!

25/03/2023 – Visit to Nara

Nara City
Nara city

Nara (奈良市, Nara-shi, Japanese: [naꜜɾa]) is the capital city of Nara Prefecture, Japan. As of 2022, Nara
has an estimated population of 367,353 according to World Population Review, making it the largest city
in Nara Prefecture and sixth-largest in the Kansai region of Honshu. Nara is a core city located in the
northern part of Nara Prefecture bordering the Kyoto Prefecture.
Nara was the capital of Japan during the Nara period from 710 to 794 as the seat of the Emperor before
the capital was moved to Kyoto. Nara is home to eight temples, shrines, and ruins, specifically Tōdai-ji,
Saidai-ji, Kōfuku-ji, Kasuga Shrine, Gangō-ji, Yakushi-ji, Tōshōdai-ji, and the Heijō Palace, together with
Kasugayama Primeval Forest, collectively form the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
Kofukuji

Kofukuji Temple

Kofukuji (興福寺, Kōfukuji) used to be the family temple of the Fujiwara, the most powerful aristocratic
clan during much of the Nara and Heian Periods. The temple was established in Nara at the same time as
the capital in 710. At the height of Fujiwara power, the temple consisted of over 150 buildings.

Nara Park

Nara Park

Nara Park (奈良公園, Nara Kōen) is a large park in central Nara. Established in 1880, it is the location of
many of Nara's main attractions including Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji and the Nara National
Museum. It is also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer.

Todai-ji
Todai-ji temple
Todaiji (東大寺, Tōdaiji, "Great Eastern Temple") is one of Japan's most famous and historically
significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all
provincial Buddhist temples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved away from Nara
in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs.

Kasugataisha

Kasugataisha

Kasuga Taisha (春日大社) is Nara's most celebrated shrine. It was established at the same time as the
capital and is dedicated to the deity responsible for the protection of the city. Kasuga Taisha was also
the tutelary shrine of the Fujiwara, Japan's most powerful family clan during most of the Nara and Heian
Periods. Like the Ise Shrines, Kasuga Taisha had been periodically rebuilt every 20 years for many
centuries. In the case of Kasuga Taisha, however, the custom was discontinued at the end of the Edo
Period.

Mount Wakakusa
Mount Wakakusa

Mount Wakakusayama (若草山) is the grass covered mountain behind Nara Park, located between
Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Shrine. The mountain is about 350 meters tall and affords unobstructed
views over Nara City. Tourists are allowed to climb Mount Wakakusayama all year round except during
winter. A small entrance fee is charged.
26/03/2023 – Visit to Okayama

Okayama

Okayama city

Okayama (岡山市, Okayama-shi, Japanese: [okaꜜjama]) is the capital city of Okayama Prefecture in the
Chūgoku region of Japan. The city was founded on June 1, 1889.[1] As of February 2023, the city has an
estimated population of 700,940 and a population density of 890 persons per km2.[2] The total area is
789.95 square kilometres (305.00 square miles).The city is the site of Kōraku-en, known as one of the
top three traditional gardens in Japan, and Okayama Castle, which is ranked among the best 100
Japanese castles.[3] The city is famous as the setting of the Japanese fable "Momotarō".[4] Okayama
joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities in 2016.The city of Okayama is located in the
southern part of Okayama Prefecture, which is located in western part of the island of Honshū. The
northern part of the city forms a corner of Kibi Plateau, which is a series of gentle hills, and includes the
Asahikawa Dam, Okayama Airport, and a suburban residential area. The central urban area is located on
the Okayama Plain in the south, which was formed by the transportation and sedimentation of two first-
class rivers, the Asahi River and Yoshii River, which flow into the Seto Inland Sea. To the south of the
main urban area is Kojima Bay, which forms the scenic Kojima Peninsula overlooking the Seto Inland Sea.

Okayama Castle

Okayama Castle

Okayama Castle (岡山城, Okayamajō), also known as "crow castle" due to its black exterior, was built in
1597 in the style of the Azuchi-Momoyama Period. The original castle was destroyed in the last year of
World War 2, but a reconstruction was made in 1966. The castle is located on the Asahi River, which was
used as a moat. Korakuen Garden is located just across the river.

Korakuen

Korakuen

Korakuen (後楽園, Kōrakuen) is a beautiful landscape garden and Okayama's main attraction. Along
with Kanazawa's Kenrokuen and Mito's Kairakuen, Korakuen is ranked as one of Japan's three best
landscape gardens. It is located just beside Okayama Castle, which can be seen from the garden as
"borrowed scenery".

Kibitsu-Jinja Shrine
Kibitsu-Jinja Shrine

Kibitsu-jinja is a great Shinto shrine located in the north-west of Okayama. Loved by the locals, it
displays an original and preserved architecture, amidst the popular legends that surround this unique
place in the area.
26/03/2023 – Afternoon visit to Kobe from Okayama

Kobe

Kobe city

Kobe (/ˈkoʊbeɪ/ KOH-bay, Japanese: [koꜜːbe]; officially 神戸市, Kōbe-shi) is the capital city of Hyōgo
Prefecture Japan. With a population around 1.5 million, Kobe is Japan's seventh-largest city and the
third-largest port city after Tokyo and Yokohama. It is located in Kansai region, which makes up the
southern side of the main island of Honshū, on the north shore of Osaka Bay. It is part of the Keihanshin
metropolitan area along with Osaka and Kyoto.[2] The Kobe city centre is located about 35 km (22 mi)
west of Osaka and 70 km (43 mi) southwest of Kyoto.
Kobe was one of the cities to open for trade with the West following the 1853 end of the policy of
seclusion and has since been known as a cosmopolitan and nuclear-free zone port city. While the 1995
Great Hanshin earthquake diminished much of Kobe's prominence as a port city, it remains Japan's
fourth-busiest container port.[7] Companies headquartered in Kobe include ASICS, Kawasaki Heavy
Industries, and Kobe Steel, as well as over 100 international corporations with Asian or Japanese
headquarters in the city, such as Eli Lilly and Company, Procter & Gamble, Boehringer Ingelheim, and
Nestlé.[8][9] The city is the point of origin and namesake of Kobe beef, the home of Kobe University, as
well as the site of one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts, Arima Onsen.
Kitano-cho

Kitano-cho

Kitano-cho (北野町, Kitanochō) is a city district at the foot of the Rokko mountain range where many
foreign merchants and diplomats settled after the Port of Kobe was opened to foreign trade in the
second half of the 19th century. More than a dozen of the former mansions, known as Ijinkan, remain in
the area and are open to the public as museums.

Kobe Chinatown Nankinmachi

Kobe Chinatown

Kobe Chinatown Nankinmachi (南京町) is a compact Chinatown in central Kobe and a center of the
Chinese community in the Kansai Region. The area was developed by Chinese merchants who settled
near Kobe Port after the port was opened to foreign trade in 1868. As the Chinatown developed, it
became known as Nankinmachi after Nanjing, the former Chinese capital.

Kobe Former/Foreign Settlement

Kobe Former/Foreign Settlement
Kyu-kyoryuchi means "Former Foreign Settlement" in English.
When Kobe Port was opened as an international port in 1868 after long national isolation, the foreign
settlement was constructed.
It was the area facing Kobe Port on the south side of current JR Line.
The east end was the street "Flower Road" and the west end was the street "Meriken Road".
It is about 700 meters from east to west and about 400 to 600 meters from north to south.
Now this district is one of the central areas in Kobe, and has many office buildings.
This settlement was designed by British civil engineers, and 126 blocks in the district were sold for
Western foreigners at auction until 1873.

Mount Rokko

Mount Rokko

Mount Rokko (六甲山, Rokkōsan, 931 meters) is the highest peak in the Rokko mountain range, which
provides the pleasant green backdrop to the city of Kobe. Panoramic views of the heavily urbanized
Hanshin region (Kobe and Osaka) can be enjoyed from the mountain and are particularly spectacular
around sunset.
Circular bus line in Mount Rokko

Rokko Arima Ropeway

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (明石海峡大橋, Akashi Kaikyō Ōhashi) is, with a length of almost four
kilometers, the world's longest suspension bridge. Opened in 1998, it spans the Akashi Strait (Akashi
Kaikyo) between Kobe and Awaji Island and is part of the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, one of three
expressways which connect Honshu with Shikoku.

Kobe Port Tower

Kobe Port Tower

The Kobe Port Tower (神戸ポートタワー, Kōbe Pōto Tawā) is a landmark in the port city of Kobe,
Japan. The sightseeing tower was completed in 1963 and was temporarily closed from late 2009 to 28
April 2010 and again to present for renovation. It is located in Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.
Kobe Harborland

Kobe Harborland

Kobe Harborland (神戸ハーバーランド) is a shopping and entertainment district between JR Kobe

Station and the waterfront of Kobe's port area. The district offers a large selection of shops, restaurants,
cafes and other amusements, which, together with the romantic evening atmosphere, have made it a
popular spot for couples and tourists alike.

Shinnagata Iban (Gigantor Robot/Monument)

Shinnagata Iban (Gigantor Robot/Monument)

Gigantor Robot in Kobe, Japan built on October 26, 2014 to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the
Great Hanshin earthquake, symbolises Kobe s revival and as a guardian from future disasters.
27/03/2023 – Visit to Arashiyama

Sagano Romantic Train

Sagano Romantic Train

The Sagano Romantic train travels a leisurely, 25-minute route from Saga torokko station to Kameoka
torokko Station, following the scenic beauty of the Hozukyo Ravine on its route.Cherry blossoms in
spring, lush greens in summer,Japanese maple in fall, and perhaps a dusting of snow in winter - all four
seasons are delightful.

Arashiyama Bamboo forest

Arashiyama Bamboo forest

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of Kyoto’s top sights and for good reason: standing amid these
soaring stalks of bamboo is like being in another world. It’s one of the most photographed sights in the
city. But no picture can capture the feeling of standing in the midst of this sprawling bamboo grove – the
whole thing has a palpable sense of otherness that is quite unlike that of any normal forest we know of.
Tenryu Temple

Tenryu Temple

Tenryuji (天龍寺, Tenryūji) is the most important temple in Kyoto's Arashiyama district. It was ranked
first among the city's five great Zen temples, and is now registered as a world heritage site. Tenryuji is
the head temple of its own school within the Rinzai Zen sect of Japanese Buddhism.
Tenryuji was built in 1339 by the ruling shogun Ashikaga Takauji. Takauji dedicated the temple to
Emperor Go-Daigo, who had just passed away. The two important historic figures used to be allies until
Takauji turned against the emperor in a struggle for supremacy over Japan. By building the temple,
Takauji intended to appease the former emperor's spirits.

Togetsu Bridge

Togetsu Bridge

Togetsukyo is a 155-meter bridge built across the Katsura River, which flows leisurely through Saga
Arashiyama , a well-known place of scenic beauty in the western hills of Kyoto. The artistic form of the
bridge embodies the aesthetic sense that is at the heart of the Japan artistic tradition.
Don't Miss
# Taking a rickshaw ride over the river
# Dining at one of the many restaurants at either end of the bridge
Kinkaku-Ji temple

Kinkaku-Ji temple

Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, literally "Temple of the Golden Pavilion"), officially named Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺,
literally "Deer Garden Temple"), is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan.[2] It is one of the most
popular buildings in Kyoto, attracting many visitors annually.[3] It is designated as a National Special
Historic Site, a National Special Landscape and is one of 17 locations making up the Historic Monuments
of Ancient Kyoto which are World Heritage Sites.

28/03/2023 – Visit to Kyoto By the Sea

Amanohashidate Viewland

Amanohashidate Viewland

Amanohashidate Viewland is located on top of Mt. Monju, and can be reached via cable car or chair lift.
The cable car chair lift is only a short walk from Amanohashidate Station, making it an easy way to catch
panoramic views of Amanohashidate, one of Japan's Three Scenic Views. Amanohashidate Viewland is
on the south side of the Amanohashidate land bridge.
When you get to the top, you will see people bending over to view the land bridge through their legs.
This is called "matanozoki" and people do it because when upside down, the bays look like the sky and
Amanohashidate becomes a green dragon flying across it. There are also a variety of family friendly
attractions, such as a ferris wheel, sky-rail with pedal-cars, a sky walk, and many other rides and
activities.
Amanohashidate Sandbar

Amanohashidate Sandbar

The Amanohashidate Sandbar (天橋立), is a beautiful, three kilometer long isthmus that spans the
mouth of Miyazu Bay in northern Kyoto Prefecture. Amanohashidate roughly translates to "bridge in
heaven", and it is said that the sandbar resembles a meandering pathway connecting heaven and earth
when it is viewed from the mountains at either end of the bay. This famous view has been admired for
centuries, and is counted among Japan's three most scenic views alongside Miyajima and Matsushima.
The narrow sandbar, which measures as little as 20 meters across at its narrowest point, is lined with
nearly 8000 pine trees and is considered among Japan's finest pine tree spots. Some of the trees exhibit
unique shapes and have been given names such as Meoto Matsu (Couples Pine), Nakayoshi no Matsu
(Friendly Pine), and Chie no Matsu (Wisdom Pine).

Kasamatsu Park

Kasamatsu Park

This is one of the two overlooks perfect for viewing Amanohashidate, one of Japan's Three Scenic Views.
The park is located halfway between Motoise Kono Shrine and Nariai-ji Temple, and is accessible via
chairlift or cable car.
At Kasamatsu Park, there is a gift shop, Ama Terrace Restaurant with excellent views of the
Amanohashidate land bridge, as well as photo spots and places to view the land bridge upside down (by
looking between your legs). This inverted view is famous and meant to look like a green dragon flying
through the sky.
Ine Bay Boathouse

Ine Bay Boathouse

Ine is a seaside village in the "Kyoto by the Sea" area, which is in the north of Kyoto Prefecture. Ine lies
on the coast of the Sea of Japan and is famous for its wooden boathouses, or "funaya.". Ine's
boathouses are famous for their unusual architecture: the bottom story stores a boat and fishing gear,
while the second story comprises the living quaters. The floor of the bottom story nearly lines up with
the waterline, making the houses look like they are floating on the bay and making a unique way to
enter a home. The boathouses of Ine are a designated Group of Historic Buildings, a category under
Japan's Historic Preservation Act. The beautiful scenery at Ine makes it a popular place for filming TV
shows and movies. There are a range of tours with which to enjoy Ine.

Fukuchiyama Castle

Fukuchiyama Castle

Before Fukuchiyama Castle, there was Yokoyama Castle, a fortress of the Yokoyama, the local ruling
family. Akechi Mitsuhide, the samurai who subjugated Tamba, rebuilt the fortress using state-of-the-art
castle-building techniques of the time, and renamed it Fukuchiyama Castle. There used to be many
structures here, including a three-layered four-storied castle tower and expansive Ninomaru Palace.
However, these were taken down one after another, following the abolition of feudal domains in 1871.
All that remained was a stone wall between the raised foundation and castle keep, a well called
Toyoiwa-no-I, and a guard station. The castle currently standing was reconstructed over a period of
three years, and construction was completed 1986. The interior is used as the Fukuchiyama City Folk
Museum. The castle park also contains the Fukuchiyama Sato Taisei Memorial Art Museum. Exhibits
there are centered on works by the late Sato Taisei, a master of Japanese-style painting.
29/03/2023 – Kyoto seeing

Kyoto

Kyoto

Kyoto (/ˈkjoʊtoʊ/;[3] Japanese: 京都, Kyōto [kʲoꜜːto] (listen)), officially Kyoto City (京都市, Kyōto-shi,
[kʲoːtoꜜɕi] (listen)), is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. Located in the Kansai region on the
island of Honshu, Kyoto forms a part of the Keihanshin metropolitan area along with Osaka and Kobe. As
of 2020, the city had a population of 1.46 million. The city is the cultural anchor of a substantially larger
metropolitan area known as Greater Kyoto, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) home to a census-
estimated 3.8 million people.
Kyoto is located in a valley, part of the Yamashiro (or Kyoto) Basin, in the eastern part of the
mountainous region known as the Tamba highlands. The Yamashiro Basin is surrounded on three sides
by mountains known as Higashiyama, Kitayama and Nishiyama, with a maximum height of
approximately 1,000 meters (3,281 ft) above sea level. This interior positioning results in hot summers
and cold winters. There are three rivers in the basin, the Uji River to the south, the Katsura River to the
west, and the Kamo River to the east. Kyoto City takes up 17.9% of the land in Kyoto Prefecture and has
a total area of 827.9 square kilometers (319.7 sq mi).
Fushiyami Inari Taisha

Fushiyami Inari Taisha

The Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is recognized as Kyoto’s most important Shinto shrine as it is the head
shrine of the deity Inari. He is believed to be the patron of prosperity for businesses, traders, and
industrialists. He is also the Shinto god of rice and sake.
Located at the foot of Mount Inari, it goes up to 4 kilometers up the mountain with its many sub-shrines.
The shrine has a rich history spanning back to 711 AD, making it one of the oldest landmarks in Kyoto.
Its main entrance to the Fushimi Inari Shrine is the Romon Gate. It was first built in 1589 with the
blessing from Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the ruler of Japan and a samurai warlord.
At the back are the Senbon Torii, donated by owners of businesses in Japan hoping for good fortunes.
Their names are inscribed in black on the Torii gates, and they cover a hiking trail.
The Fushimi Inari shrine has some fox statues across the ground with some of them having keys in their
mouths. The Japanese believe that foxes are the gods’ messengers and the keys are for the rice
granaries they are protecting. Due to its historical and cultural significance, deservedly so, the Fushimi
Inari Taisha shrine is on every traveler’s list of what to see in Kyoto.
Kiyomizu Dera temple
Kiyomizu Dera temple

Built in 778, Otowa-san Kiyomizu Dera Temple is a Buddhist temple that is one of the most popular
Kyoto attractions. People recognise the temple by its main hall characterised by a vast wooden terrace
overlooking the beautiful city of Kyoto.
Fun fact: not a single nail was used to construct the 13-meter-high terrace. They used a method called
hell frame and used 139 trees in its construction.
Under the main veranda is the Otowa Waterfall with three streams that the locals believe could give a
person long life and success in their relationships and academics.
There are many restaurants and gift shops along the streets to Kiyomizu Dera Temple making this one of
the best places to explore around Kyoto.

Hanamikoji Street

Hanamikoji Street

Hanamikoji Street is the main hanamachi street of Gion-Kōbu in Kyoto. At nightfall, many tourists flock
there hoping to see a geisha leaving a tea house (ochaya).
In the heart of Gion, Hanamikoji Street runs for just over a kilometer between Sanjo Avenue and Kennin-
ji Temple. The machiya lining proudly along this small cobbled road are wonderfully preserved treasures.
Behind the facades, protected from outside gazes by kimusuko (wooden trellises) and from the weather
by inuyarai (curved bamboo barriers), hide ochaya (tea houses) and high-end restaurants . The street
consists of a northern part and a southern part, separated by Shijo Avenue. However, the traditional and
refined atmosphere is only present in the southern part. If you continue your walk north of the
Shijodori, you will find a lively district with many bars but devoid of the particular charm of hanamachi .
In the evening, when the lanterns light up, the street is somewhat a victim of its own success. The flow
of tourists and the continual ballet of taxis could disturb your contemplative stroll.

Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka

Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka

The old cobblestone streets of Ichinenzaka, Ninenzaka, and Sannenzaka have prospered since ancient
times. These sloping streets are lined with historic Japanese-style buildings that typify Kyoto, even
including many souvenir shops. Nearby Kodaiji Temple and Yasaka Shrine also make these narrow
streets part of a popular sightseeing route centering on Kiyomizu Temple.
Here you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Kyoto, with Kiyomizu’s three-tiered pagoda
overlooking private houses and scattered temples as you ascend the gentle incline.

Nishiki market

Nishiki market

For tourists looking to experience authentic Japanese food, one of the best things you can do is check
out the busy 5-block long Nishiki Market. There are approximately 120 stalls, each of which is selling
some form of Japanese delicacy. One can also get specialty items that are only locally available in Japan.
Despite how huge it is and the possible language barrier, one of the best things to do in Kyoto is to check
out the Nishiki Market. For those who have no experience with Japanese flavors, try some green tea. Be
adventurous as there are many delicacies to choose from. There are also trendy shops like Konnamonja
that offer tofu made ice cream and doughnuts. All serious traveling gourmets know that the Nishiki
market is definitely one of the places to visit in Kyoto!
Book a 4-hour guided walk of Nishiki market where you will be introduced to great food and sake!
Kamo River

Kamo River

The Kamo River (鴨川, Kamo-gawa, duck river – see onomastics) is located in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.
The riverbanks are popular walking spots for residents and tourists. In summer, restaurants open
balconies looking out to the river. There are walkways running alongside the river, and some stepping
stones that cross the river. The water level of the river is usually relatively low; less than one meter in
most places. During the rainy season, however, the walkways sometimes flood in their lower stretches

30/03/2023 – Takayama seeing

Takayama
Takayama
Takayama (高山市, Takayama-shi) is a city located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 January 2019, the
city had an estimated population of 88,473 in 35,644 households,[3] and a population density of 41
persons per km2. The total area of the city was 2,177.61 square kilometres (840.78 sq mi) making it the
largest city by area in Japan. The high altitude and separation from other areas of Japan kept the area
fairly isolated, allowing Takayama to develop its own culture over about a 300-year period.
Takayama is located in northern Gifu Prefecture, in the heart of the Japanese Alps. Mount Hotakadake is
the highest point in the city at 3,190 metres (10,470 ft). The city has the largest geographic area of any
municipality in Japan.

Hida Folk village

Hida Folk village

Hida Folk Village (飛騨の里, Hida no Sato) is an open air museum exhibiting over 30 traditional houses
from the Hida region, the mountainous district of Gifu Prefecture around Takayama. The houses were
built during the Edo Period (1603-1868) and were relocated from their original locations to create the
museum in 1971.
In a village-like atmosphere, the museum features buildings such as a former village head's house,
logging huts, storehouses and a number of gassho-zukuri farmhouses, which are named after their steep
thatched roofs resembling a pair of hands joined in prayer ("gassho"). They were moved here from
nearby Shirakawago, where gassho-zukuri houses are the reason for the region's World Heritage status.

Sancho-dori
Sancho-dori
Sancho Ancient Street, which is one of the must-see attractions in Takayama. There are lattice windows
on the outside of the house, canal water flows under the eaves, cedar leaf balls hang outside the
brewery, and there are machiya gates and old-fashioned warm curtains lined up one after another along
the street. The streets are lined with confectionary shops, traditional handicraft shops, and shops selling
the famous Mitarashi dango, which are crowded with tourists.

Takayama Jinya

Takayama Jinya

Because of its valuable timber resources, the Hida Region around Takayama was put under direct
control of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1692. The Takayama Jinya (高山陣屋) served as the local
government office headed by the officials dispatched from Edo (present day Tokyo).
The building complex was in official use until 1969 and is now open to the public as a museum. It
includes various nicely maintained tatami rooms that once served as offices, conference rooms, guest
rooms and residential space. There is also an interesting interrogation room.
Beside the main building stands a large storehouse built in the 1600s. Known as the biggest traditional
rice storehouse in Japan, it now functions as a museum, showcasing belongings and official documents
of past local leaders, old maps of the Hida Region and historic town plans.
Takayama Showa Museum

Takayama Showa Museum

The retro streets of 1950 are reconstructed inside the museum, and the lifestyle and culture of that time
period are nostalgically revived. At the entrance, there is a penny candy store selling everyone’s
favorites from time gone by. Continuing on, there is Midget Alley, a barbershop, a photo studio and a
general store. Many nostalgic items are on display, and visitors can see and feel the good old days.

31/03/2023 – Kanazawa seeing

Kanazawa

Kanazawa station
Kanazawa city

Kanazawa (金沢市, Kanazawa-shi) is the capital city of Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture. As of 1 January 2018,
the city had an estimated population of 466,029 in 203,271 households, and a population density of 990
persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city was 468.64 square kilometres (180.94 sq mi).
Kanazawa is located in north-western Ishikawa Prefecture in the Hokuriku region of Japan and is
bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west and Toyama Prefecture to the east. The city sits between the
Sai and Asano rivers. The eastern portion of the city is dominated by the Japanese Alps. Parts of the city
are within the borders of the Hakusan National Park.
Miyagawa Morning market

Miyagawa Morning market

Two morning markets (朝市, Asaichi) are held in Takayama on a daily basis from around 7:00 (from 8:00
in winter from December to February) to noon: the Miyagawa Market along the Miyagawa River in the
old town, and the Jinya-mae Market in front of the Takayama Jinya.
The stands sell local crafts, snacks and farm products such as vegetables, pickles and flowers. There is
typically a pleasant atmosphere around the markets, as tourists and locals alike saunter from stall to
stall purchasing goods and food and talking.

Shirakawago
Shirakawago

The Shirakawa-go (白川郷, Shirakawagō) and neighboring Gokayama (五箇山) regions line the Shogawa
River Valley in the remote mountains that span from Gifu to Toyama Prefectures. Declared a UNESCO
world heritage site in 1995, they are famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of
which are more than 250 years old.
Gassho-zukuri means "constructed like hands in prayer", as the farmhouses' steep thatched roofs
resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. The architectural style developed
over many generations and is designed to withstand the large amounts of heavy snow that falls in the
region during winter. The roofs, made without nails, provided a large attic space used for cultivating
silkworms.
Ogimachi, Shirakawa-go's largest village and main attraction, makes a good day trip from Takayama, or a
stop on the bus journey between Takayama and Kanazawa. The best way to experience the town,
however, is to stay overnight at one of the farmhouses, many of which now serve as minshuku.
Shiroyama Castle Tower Observation Deck

View from Shiroyama Castle Tower Observatory

Shiroyama Observatory is famous for spectacular views over downtown Kagoshima, Kagoshima Bay and
Sakurajima. The night view is also nice, particularly if a clear sky and bright moon allow Sakurajima to
remain visible. Nice views can also be enjoyed from the Satsuma no Yu outdoor hot spring bath at the
nearby Castle Park Hotel, which is also open to non-staying guests.

Ogi-machi Castle ruin observatory

View from Ogi-machi Castle ruin observatory

Ogi-machi Castle Ruin Observation Area is the best place for overlooking the whole Gassho-zukuri town.
Most of the pictures, which have the whole village view, were taken here. It is also a popular spot for
taking pictures to mark the occasion. This observatory was once used as a castle. From here you can see
various sights of changing seasons of Shirakawa-go. Shuttle buses are available from the village to the
observatory, but it is within walking distance.

Wada family residence

Wada family residence

The Wada House is the largest traditional gassho-style farmhouse in Shirakawa-go. Built late in the Edo
period (1603–1867), the house reflects the wealth and status of the Wada family, which for centuries
was the largest landowner in the village of Ogimachi and whose members held the hereditary position
of village headman (nanushi). The family made its fortune in the production and trading of saltpeter
(potassium nitrate, an essential ingredient in gunpowder) and, from the latter half of the 1800s, in silk
production. From the late 1700s to the end of the Edo period, the Wada were tasked with overseeing a
government checkpoint that regulated the flow of people and goods into and out of Shirakawa-go.
Several architectural details of the Wada House set it apart from other gassho-style farmhouses in the
area and reflect the family’s connections beyond the village community. A typical building of this kind
has only one front entrance that leads into an earthen-floored area where farm animals were kept, but
the Wada House also features a pair of large doors that open up into two tatami-mat rooms. These
doors were for the exclusive use of important guests such as government officials, who occasionally
visited the Wada House in connection with the family’s duties. Also of note are the house’s plastered
earthen walls, which are more fire-resistant than wooden walls, and the comparatively well-appointed
tatami rooms, built in a style that indicates knowledge of architectural trends in major cities at the time.
The garden on the north side of the house is a rarity in Shirakawa-go, where frequent heavy snow in
winter makes traditional-style gardens difficult to maintain. Lining the garden are stone walls and a
grove of trees planted to protect the house from the strong winds that often blow through the Sho River
valley.

Kanda family residence

Kanda family residence

This picturesque house is one of the best preserved farmhouse turned museums in Ogimachi. Located in
the center of town, you can get good views of the surrounding houses from the windows on its upper
floors.

Nagase house

Nagase house
The Nagase residence has been passed down within the Nagase family for 250 years. The first three
generations to occupy the house were doctors and the house now exhibits medical equipment from the
Edo Period. A five-story gassho style house, the eleven meter rafter beams (gassho beams) extend from
the peak to the eaves in a single span, creating the structure’s distinctive large roof.

Mingzenji

Meeting bridge

Gassho village
Gassho village

Ainokura is a village steeped in the history of the region with its various gassho-style houses, including a
primitive house and thatched roof temple among other sights. At the same time, people still live here on
a daily basis, making it a rare “Living World Heritage.”

Three cabins

31/03/23 Afternoon

Kanazawa station

Kanazawa station

Kanazawa Station is one of Japan’s most aesthetically pleasing station buildings. The station’s
architecture is all the more pleasing because it seems to perfectly blend modern style with a respect for
tradition. When we look closely at Kanazawa station we can learn a lot about Kanazawa’s history, its
respect for tradition, and its enterprising vision for the future.
Omicho market
Omicho market

Omicho Market (近江町市場, Ōmichō Ichiba) has been Kanazawa's largest fresh food market since the
Edo Period (1603-1868). Today, it is a busy and colorful network of covered streets lined by about 200
shops and stalls. While most shops specialize in the excellent local seafood and produce, you can also
find flowers, clothing, kitchen tools and more on sale.
Although the market is most exciting during the morning hours, it also gets quite busy around noon,
when tourists and locals arrive to have lunch at restaurants inside the market. It is not unusual for lines
to build in front of the popular restaurants, many of which specialize in rice bowls topped with fresh
Kanazawa seafood.

Higashi Chaya district

Higashi Chaya district

A chaya (lit. teahouse) is an exclusive type of restaurant where guests are entertained by geisha who
perform song and dance. During the Edo Period (1603 - 1868), chaya were found in designated
entertainment districts, usually just outside the city limits. Kanazawa has three, well preserved chaya
districts: Higashi Chayagai (Eastern Chaya District), Nishi Chayagai (Western Chaya District) and
Kazuemachi.
Of the three districts, the Higashi Chaya District (東茶屋街, Higashi Chayagai) is the largest and by far
the most interesting. Two chaya, the Shima Teahouse and Kaikaro Teahouse, are open to the public.
Other buildings along the central street now house cafes and shops. One of the shops, Hakuza, sells gold
leaf products, a specialty of Kanazawa, and displays a tea ceremony room which is completely covered
in gold leaf.
Kojicho Chaya street

01/04/23 Morning – Kanazawa

Kanazawa Kenrokuen garden

Kanazawa Kenrokuen garden

Kenrokuen (兼六園) in Kanazawa is justifiably classified as one of Japan's "three most beautiful
landscape gardens" alongside Mito's Kairakuen and Okayama's Korakuen. The spacious grounds used to
be the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle and were constructed by the ruling Maeda family over a period
of nearly two centuries. Opened to the public in 1871, Kenrokuen features a variety of flowering trees
which provide the garden with a different look for each season.

Kanazawa castle park

Kanazawa castle park

From 1583 to the end of the Edo Period, Kanazawa Castle (金沢城, Kanazawajō) was the seat of the
powerful Maeda Clan, lords of Kaga, a feudal domain ranking second only to the Tokugawa possessions
in terms of size and wealth.
The castle burnt down several times over the centuries, and the most recent fires of 1881 were survived
only by two storehouses and the Ishikawa-mon Gate. The gate dates from 1788 and faces Kenrokuen.
For several decades, Kanazawa University occupied the former castle grounds until the campus was
moved to the city's outskirts in the early 1990s. Since then, a project is underway to rebuild the castle's
former buildings. In the meantime, most central structures are standing again and make a visit more
interesting.
21st Century museum of contemporary art

21st Century museum of contemporary art

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa (金沢 21 世紀美術館, Kanazawa Nijūisseiki
Bijutsukan) is a museum of contemporary art located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan. The museum was
designed by Japanese architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of the architectural office SANAA in
2004. In October 2005, one year after its opening, the Museum marked 1,570,000 visitors.[1] In 2020,
due to the COVID-19 pandemic it attracted only 971,256 visitors, a drop of 63 percent from 2019, but it
still ranked tenth on the list of most-visited art museums in the world.

Ninja weapon museum

Ninja weapon museum

The Ninja Museum consists of a ninja residence with revolving walls, trap doors and hidden
compartments, exhibition halls displaying ninja tools, gadgets and weapons, and a demonstration zone
with spectacular shows featuring ninja skills and real weapons.

Nomura samurai house

Nomura samurai house
Nomura Samurai House is an historic home and garden in Nagamachi, a very well preserved district to
the west of Kanazawa Castle. Nagamachi was formerly the area where the samurai of Kanazawa lived
with their families. Today the area looks pretty much the same as it did in the Edo era, with canals and
cobbled streets that run between earthen tile-topped walls. Nomura Samurai House is one of the chief
attractions in this district.

02/04/23 Osaka

Miho Museum (closed on Monday)

Miho Museum

The Miho Museum stands deep in the forested hill west of central Koka and can be visited in a side trip
from Kyoto. It was designed by the renowned architect, I. M. Pei, and is named after Koyama Mihoko,
one of the richest women in Japan and the founder of the museum.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the museum is the design of its structures and how they are
integrated into their natural surroundings. This is highlighted in the museum's approach which leads
through a mixture of man-made and natural environments. The inside of the museum continues this
theme by contrasting steel and glass with warm stone and panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.
The museum's exhibits consist of works from ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, Romans, and
various Asian cultures, with the pieces largely coming from Koyama's private collection. The main exhibit
changes every year or so, and special exhibits change every few months.

Omi Hachiman
Omi Hachiman (近江八幡, Ōmihachiman) is a city in Shiga Prefecture that is known for its nicely
preserved old town and canal where visitors can enjoy traditional boat cruises through the historic
townscape. Omi Hachiman rose to prominence during the feudal era as the base of the local merchants,
the Omi merchants, whose trade activities were famed across the country and provided them with great
wealth.
The town was originally developed in the late 1500s when a nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi built a castle
there. The castle was demolished only a decade later after Hideyoshi ordered his nephew to commit
ritual suicide for allegedly plotting a coup; however, the town prospered as a business hub in part due to
its location along two of the most important trade routes of the era: the Nakasendo Highway which
connected Kyoto with Tokyo (then Edo) and the shipping route that connected the Sea of Japan via Lake
Biwa with Kyoto.

Hachiman-bori Canal Boat Cruises

Two companies offer boat cruises along the canal. One uses man-powered boats that glide through the
historical district at a slow pace, while the other uses engine-powered boats that explore not only the
historical section, but also a more modern-looking part of the canal. Cruises last 35 minutes, and shoes
must be removed on the boats.

Hochiman Ropeway
Easily accessed via a ropeway, the summit of Mount Hachiman provides visitors with pleasant views of
the town and Lake Biwa. Previously the site of Hachiman Castle, the summit now offers a small network
of walking trails with viewpoints, a temple and some castle ruins. Departing from next to Himure
Hachimangu Shrine, the ropeway provides passengers with nice views of Omi Hachiman and the
surrounding area during the short journey up and down the mountain.
Mure Hachiman shrine

Himure Hachimangu Shrine is an atmospheric shrine standing among tall trees at the foot of Mount
Hachiman, a few steps from the lower ropeway station. With its long history, the shrine enjoyed such a
high status that the town of Omi Hachiman was even named after it.

02/04/23 – Evening – Osaka

Osaka
Osaka city

Osaka (Japanese: 大阪市, Hepburn: Ōsaka-shi, pronounced [oːsakaɕi]; commonly just 大阪, Ōsaka
[oːsaka] (listen)) is a designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most
populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the third most populous city in Japan, following Special wards of
Tokyo and Yokohama. With a population of 2.7 million in the 2020 census, it is also the largest
component of the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area, which is the second-largest metropolitan area in
Japan[4] and the 10th largest urban area in the world with more than 19 million inhabitants.[3]
Osaka was traditionally considered Japan's economic hub. By the Kofun period (300–538) it had
developed into an important regional port, and in the 7th and 8th centuries, it served briefly as the
imperial capital. Osaka continued to flourish during the Edo period (1603–1867) and became known as a
center of Japanese culture. Following the Meiji Restoration, Osaka greatly expanded in size and
underwent rapid industrialization. In 1889, Osaka was officially established as a municipality. The
construction boom accelerated population growth throughout the following decades, and by the 1900s,
Osaka was the industrial hub in the Meiji and Taishō periods. Osaka made noted contributions to
redevelopment, urban planning and zoning standards in the postwar period, the city developed rapidly
as one of the major financial centers in the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area.
Osaka is a major financial center of Japan, and it is recognized as one of the most multicultural and
cosmopolitan cities in Japan. The city is home to the Osaka Exchange as well as the headquarters of
multinational electronics corporations such as Panasonic and Sharp. Osaka is an international center of
research and development and is represented by several major universities, notably Osaka University,
Osaka Metropolitan University, and Kansai University. Famous landmarks in the city include Osaka
Castle, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Dōtonbori, Tsūtenkaku in Shinsekai, Tennōji Park, Abeno Harukas,
Sumiyoshi Taisha Grand Shrine, and Shitennō-ji, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan.The city's
west side is open to Osaka Bay, and is otherwise completely surrounded by more than ten satellite
cities, all of them in Osaka Prefecture, with one exception: the city of Amagasaki, belonging to Hyōgo
Prefecture, in the northwest.

Shinsaibashi suji

Shinsaibashi (心斎橋) is a district in the Chūō-ku ward of Osaka, Japan and the city's main shopping
area. At its center is Shinsaibashi-suji (心斎橋筋), a covered shopping street, that is north of Dōtonbori
and Sōemonchō, and parallel and east of Mido-suji street. Associated with Shinsaibashi, and west of
Mido-suji street, is Amerika-mura, an American-themed shopping area and center of Osaka's youth
culture. Major stores and boutiques concentrates are found around the area. Shinsaibashi is easily
accessed via the subway.

03/04/23 – Osaka

Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle (姫路城, Himejijō), also known as White Heron Castle (Shirasagijo) due to its elegant,
white appearance, is widely considered Japan's most spectacular castle for its imposing size and beauty
and its well preserved, complex castle grounds. The castle is both a national treasure and a world
heritage site. Unlike many other Japanese castles, it was never destroyed by war, earthquake or fire and
survives to this day as one of the country's twelve original castles.
Himeji Castle lies at a strategic point along the western approach to the former capital city of Kyoto. The
first fortifications built on the site were completed in the 1400s, and were gradually enlarged over the
centuries by the various clans who ruled over the region. The castle complex as it survives today was
completed in 1609. It is made up of over eighty buildings spread across multiple baileys, which are
connected by a series of gates and winding paths.

Mount Shosha Engyoji temple

Mount Shosha Engyoji temple

Mount Shosha (書写山, Shoshazan) is the site of Engyoji (円教寺, Engyōji), an atmospheric temple
complex with a history of over 1000 years. Located at the edge of Himeji City, the mountain can be
accessed in only 30 minutes from the city center by bus and ropeway.
Engyoji's temple buildings are spread over a spacious, densely forested area on the mountain top. From
the ropeway station it takes a 10-15 minute walk uphill to reach the Niomon Gate and another 10-15
minutes to reach the Maniden, a beautiful wooden temple hall, constructed on pillars on a steep slope.
Alternatively, a minibus operates between the upper ropeway station and the Maniden every 20
minutes (500 yen for a round trip).
04/04/23 – Osaka

Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle

The construction of Osaka Castle (大阪城, Ōsakajō) started in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama
Honganji Temple, which had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga thirteen years earlier. Toyotomi
Hideyoshi intended the castle to become the center of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule. It was
the largest castle at the time.
However, a few years after Hideyoshi's death, Tokugawa troops attacked and destroyed the castle and
terminated the Toyotomi lineage in 1615. Osaka Castle was rebuilt by Tokugawa Hidetada in the 1620s,
but its main castle tower was struck by lightening in 1665 and burnt down.
It was not until 1931 that the present ferro-concrete reconstruction of the castle tower was built. During
the war it miraculously survived the city-wide air raids. Major repair works gave the castle new glamor in
1997. The castle tower is now entirely modern on the inside and even features an elevator for easier
accessibility. It houses an informative museum about the castle's history and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
The castle tower is surrounded by secondary citadels, gates, turrets, impressive stone walls and moats.
The Nishinomaru Garden, encompassing the former "western citadel", is a lawn garden with 600 cherry
trees, a tea house, the former Osaka Guest House and nice views of the castle tower from below. Unlike
most of the rest of the castle grounds, the garden requires an admission fee.
The entire Osaka Castle Park covers about two square kilometers with lots of green space, sport
facilities, a multi-purpose arena (Osakajo Hall) and a shrine dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The park is
one of Osaka's most popular hanami spots during the cherry blossom season, which usually takes place
in early April.

Osaka Mint

Osaka mint
The Osaka Mint Bureau (造幣局, Zōheikyoku) is the head office of Japan Mint, a governmental agency
responsible for the supply of coins and medals and the analysis, testing and certification of metals.
But as much as for coins, the Osaka Mint Bureau is famous for the over 300 cherry trees, which stand on
its premises. Over 100 cherry varieties, mostly later-blooming yae-zakura trees (with more than five
petals per blossom) can be viewed on the premises. Every year, the gates to the garden are specially
opened to the general public during a one-week period in mid April.
During the rest of the year, the Mint Museum is opened to the public, introducing the coin production
process and history of the mint and exhibits various coins and medals from Japan and elsewhere. Entry
to the museum also includes entry into the cherry tree garden.