Japan
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Hiroshima Castle: Japan’s Carp Castle
Located in the famous city of Hiroshima in eastern Japan, Hiroshima Castle has played an important part in Japan’s history. One of the most accessible castles, it is not to be missed! History of Hiroshima Castle Sengoku Period The castle’s story begins between in the late 1500s when one of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s councillors, Mori Terumoto,…
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Kanazawa Central Hotel: A Review
About Kanazawa Central Hotel Kanazawa Central Hotel is a 3-star hotel in downtown Kanazawa that caters to a wide range of clientele. The hotel has the main building and the “Annex” or “East Building”. Kanazawa Central Hotel is billed as a Japanese business hotel but also offers gender-segregated public baths, its own restaurant, laundry facilities…
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Kanazawa Castle: Museum of Stone Walls in Historic Kanazawa
In Japan’s Hokuriku region lies an excellent example of a Japanese castle: Kanazawa Castle. Located in the city of the same name, this partially restored castle is an excellent place to go to beat the crowds at other castles and is a quick trip from Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Kanazawa Castle – A Rich History…
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Hiking in the Kiso Valley
Japan’s Kiso Valley in Nagno Prefecture lies near the Japanese Alps. History of the Kiso Valley Kiso Valley has been important to Japan for at least the past 1,500 years. There are records that mention the Kiso Mountain Road opened in 702 to connect current Nagano Prefecture to lands to the south. The region has…
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Hirosaki Botanical Garden
In northern Japan’s Aomori Prefecture lies Hirosaki, a small city. Known for its apples and orchard, this city boasts one of Japan’s few remaining original castles. Within the castle grounds is the Hirosaki Botanical Garden, a beautiful example of Japanese and international flowering and medicinal plants. General Information Hirosaki Botanical Garden is Hirosaki’s largest in-city…
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Kaze no Garden (Wind Garden): Site of a famous TV show (Hokkaido, Japan)
Located on the island of Hokkaido in the well-known town of Furano, which features attractions such as Panorama Road, Lavender Fields and Farm Tomita, also boasts another famous garden that was the setting of a famous television show in Japan. Sharing the same name as the show, Kaze no Garden (or Wind Garden), is an…
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Rokka no Mori: Wasteland turned Garden and Art Gallery (Hokkaido, Japan)
Located just to the south of the city Obihiro, Rokka no Mori (or 六花の森, literally the forest of 6 flowers) is a garden and art gallery in Hokkaido, Japan. Set up by the Rokkatei company, one of Hokkaido’s (and by extension, Japan’s) leading confectionary companies, the garden opened in 2017 on the site of a…
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Shiroi Koibito: Japan’s take on ‘European Cookies’
If you are in the city of Sapporo on Japan’s Hokkaido island and have a bit of a sweet tooth, you may be interested in visiting Shiroi Koibito Park. Known for their ‘European cookies’ of the same name, Shiroi Koibito are one of the typical gifts given for omiyage after visiting the city. What is…
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Yakushima: The Southern Coast’s Rocky Beauty
If you ever get a chance to go to the island of Yakushima off the southern coast of Kyushu, Japan, you will immediately notice the geology. With over 46 mountains over 1,000 metres, it is no wonder that it is called the “Alps of the Sea”. If you are interested in how this island was…
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Hakata Dontaku: One of Japan’s Largest Festivals
Every year on 3 and 4 May, Fukuoka City hosts one of Japan’s largest festivals – Hakata Dontaku. The festival can trace its origins back over 800 years and has been held nearly continuously since. In recent years, over 2 million people come to Fukuoka just to watch the parade, which features over 35,000 dancers,…
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Kanazawa Curry – What is it?
The Ishikawa Prefecture sits in central/western Honshu (depending on how you divide the island). It’s capital, Kanazawa, is known for its rich tradition of handcrafted items, particularly gold leaf, and its preserved Edo-era atmosphere. In fact you can wonder around areas reminiscent of Kyoto’s Gion district without the crowds. However, something else the city is…
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Suihou Ogura Onsen: Unique even in Beppu!
Located near the mountains, Beppu’s Suihou Ogura onsen is one of the many unique onsen in this town famous for its onsen. Beppu – A place of healing Beppu and its miraculous healing pools have been a spot to go since the 8th century AD. During during the Edo period, Beppu saw an explosion in…
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Ueno Farm: English Gnome Garden in Central Hokkaido
You would think that Hokkaido is one of the farthest places to be from the UK – and you would be right! However that doesn’t stop the Japanese interest in English gardens and gnomes in particular. In Asahikawa, Ueno Farm is the local example going one step further – it is gnome themed. Getting there…
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Manabe Garden: Hokkaido’s Oldest Conifer Garden
Located in Hokkaido’s Obihiro city is Manabe Garden, the site of the first Conifer garden in Japan. Among its collection includes rare plants, many of which were established even before Hokkaido’s modernisation process which started even before the beginning of the Meiji Period (1868-1912). Manabe Garden Manabe Garden (真鍋庭園, Manabe-teien) is a garden that consists…
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Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine: History and Learning in Fukuoka
Near Fukuoka city, Japan, stands the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. More than just a spiritual haven, it’s a tapestry woven with threads of history, art, and academic aspiration – a place where scholarly spirit meets serene landscapes. Legend and History of Dazaifu Tenmangu The story of Dazaifu Tenmangu begins in the Heian period (794-1185 CE) with…
