honshu
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Dormy Inn Premium (Fukui, Japan): A Review
About Dormy Inn Premium Dormy Inn is a chain onsen hotel found across Japan. While it describes itself as a business hotel (no doubt to attract Japanese businessmen travelling for work), it is unlike other “business hotels”. Dormy Inn focuses on the natural hot springs that each Dormy Inn has and the services that come…
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Eiheiji Temple: Temple in the Shape of a Seated Buddha
Approximately half an hour east of Fukui City lies Eiheiji Temple. Founded in 1244, it is one of the two head temples of Soto Zen Buddhism. In addition to the amazing setting (a forested valley in the mountains), the buildings form the shape of a seated Buddha. History of Eiheiji Temple Eiheiji Temple was founded…
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Ouchijuku: Former Post Town in Fukushima Prefecture
In Fukushima Prefecture’s Aizu region lies Ouchijuku, a former post town where lodgers travelling to the nearby power base of Aizu-Wakamatsu and further north would stop. Nestled in the mountains, this village has held on to its way of life, nowadays welcoming people from far and wide to experience this Edo-period way of life. History…
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Fukushima Skyline: Beautiful drive through the mountains
If you are in Fukushima and can rent a car, I recommend visiting the Fukushima Skyline, also known as the Bandai-Azuma Skyline. This drive goes up and down the mountains just to the city’s east. Getting there If you rent a car in central Fukushima (e.g., near the station—I used Orix at the western station entrance), you…
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Nebuta Warasse Museum in Aomori: Colourful painted and lit floats
Of Tohoku’s three major summer festivals, the Nebuta festival in Aomori is probably the most well-known. From 2 to 7 August, the city comes alive at night with parades, music, dancing and more. Central to the celebrations are the parade floats, which feature historic and mythological figures. However, if you look into going during this time, you…
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Hotel Sankyo Fukushima: A Review (Fukushima, Japan)
About Hotel Sankyo Fukushima Hotel Sankyo Fukushima has an upscale style in central Fukushima City. It is part of the SK Hotel Group, and its perks include its central location, great price-to-value ratio, and excellent customer service. A big part of the pull of Hotel Sankyo Fukushima is its breakfast buffet, which is usually included…
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Enban Gyoza: Fukushima’s special dumplings
If you are in Fukushima City (i.e., the capital of Fukushima Prefecture), you must try a few things. It is famous for sauce katsu, for example, and when peach season comes around, you can get everything in peach flavour (even pizza)! However, the thing most Japanese people will say when you mention food and Fukushima…
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Akiu Great Falls: Nature at Sendai’s Front Door
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Hirosaki Itinerary: One-Day in Hirosaki and Beyond
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Fujita Memorial Garden: A Waterfall-shaped garden
Just south of the unassuming Hirosaki Castle sits Fujita Memorial Garden, a tiered Japanese garden featuring an upper and lower garden. Fujita Memorial Garden serves as an oasis in the middle of the city, with natives and visitors coming here for a casual stroll and a break from modern life. Created by Fujita Kenichi in…
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Hirosaki Castle: One of Japan’s original ones
Sitting less than an hour southwest of Aomori city by train, Hirosaki is home to something rare in Japan: an original castle. While most were rebuilt in the 1950s-1980s for tourism purposes, Hirosaki Castle is among the 12 original surviving castles. However, it has an additional uniqueness even among this rare crowd. The others, such…
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Mt Shinobu: Looking over Fukushima
In the centre of Fukushima city stands Mt Shinobu, which overlooks the city and is splayed around its base. Mt Shinobu only has a height of 275 meters (902 ft); it is actually a monadnock – an isolated rock hill, knob, ridge, or small mountain that rises abruptly from a gently sloping or virtually level…
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Hotel Premium Green Plus: Eco-friendly Stay in Sendai (Japan)
About Hotel Premium Green Plus Hotel Premium Green Plus is part of the Hotel Green chain, a local Sendai chain focusing on eco-friendliness. There are twelve Hotel Greens in Sendai: Hills, Plus, Well, Mark, Selec, Pacific, Park, Green Sovereign, Arbor, Line, Palace, and City. These hotels are primarily clustered in Aoba Ward, just west of…
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Inakadate’s Rice Field Art: Anime, History and more!
If you are in Aomori Prefecture, one thing you should not miss is Inakadate’s Rice Field Art. Located south of Aomori Prefecture and just slightly east of Hirosaki, Inakadate has a long history of planting different kinds of rice to create visual masterpieces. Unlike other versions across Japan, Inakadate has three different fields in two…
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Shimokita Peninsula: Beautiful Coastline
Off of Japan’s Aomori Prefecture lies the Shimokita Peninsula. A remote place that is difficult to get to (even with a car), the Shimokita Peninsula is known for a couple of things. The first is Cape Oma, Honshu’s Northernmost Point and also Japan’s tuna capital. The second is the sacred mountain of Osorezan, which is…
