honshu
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Morioka New City Hotel: A Review (Morioka, Japan)
About Morioka New City Hotel Morioka New City Hotel is part of a small chain that is consistently named “[City] New City Hotel.” Other New City Hotels are in Aomori, Akita, Sendai, Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. It offers single, double, twin, and family-sized rooms. In addition to the rooms (more on that below), they also…
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Sanriku Fukko National Park: Iwate’s Amazing Coastline
Sanriku Fukkō National Park was established after the 2011 tsunami destroyed many parts of the Tohoku region in Japan. Stretching from Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture to almost Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, this coast has some amazing geological features. From the coast, you can see almost a double coastline. At some point in the last 100,000…
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Kamaishi Dai-Kannon Temple: Giant Buddha overlooking Honshu’s Sanriku Coast
Iwate Prefecture in Tohoku is home to Kamaishi Dai-Kannon Temple, a giant Buddhist statue that overlooks Kamaishi harbour and the Sanriku coast. History and Architecture In the late 1960s, the Seikiouzenji Temple in Kamaishi commissioned this statue and a large temple. They commissioned this work from Kou Hawagawa, who created a 48.5-metre statue from concrete…
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Cape Oma: Honshu’s Northernmost Point
Sitting at the northernmost point of Honshu lies Cape Oma and the town of Oma. Known for its colossal tuna, car/truck ferry to Hokkaido, and not much else, Oma is a remote place that is difficult to get to – so few people are competing with you for nice views! Oma: Tuna Capital of Japan…
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APA Hotel Aomori Ekihigashi: A Review (Aomori, Japan)
About APA Hotel Aomori Ekihigashi APA Hotel is a Japanese chain that operates across Japan. Known as a budget hotel, it attracts mostly Japanese business people and is found primarily in cities near downtown and business areas. APA Hotel is a mid-range hotel in terms of quality. Its modern style includes lots of lights and…
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Osorezan: Sacred Mountains in the Shape of a Lotus
Located in Aomori Prefecture’s Shimokita Peninsula, Osorezan (which translates as “Dread Mountain”) is one of the prefecture’s must-see sights. This sacred mountain plays a large role in Japanese Buddhism and has done so for over 1,000 years. History A dream The story of Osorezan, which is synonymous with the Bodai-ji Temple here, started with a…
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Hotel Osakaya: A Review (Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan)
About Hotel Osakaya Hotel Osakaya is an older, independent business hotel in downtown Aizu-Wakamatsu in the historic and shopping areas. Hotel Osakaya is a three-star hotel with a lobby and reception on the ground floor and a restaurant on the second floor. The upper three floors are comprised of single, double and triple rooms. Hotel…
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Residence Hotel Hakata 19: Apartment Hotel Style in Tenjin, Fukuoka (Japan)
About Residence Hotel Hakata 19 Location Gallery About the Apartment The good The bad Response to my review What I did while there Verdict About Residence Hotel Hakata 19 Residence Hotel Hakata 19 is an unmanned hotel run by Leading Property Management (LPM) near Tenjin in Fukuoka, Japan. It is part of an accommodation portfolio…
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Smile Hotel Utsunomiya Higashiguchi: A Review
About Smile Hotel Utsunomiya Higashiguchi Smile Hotel Utsunomiya Higashiguchi is part of the Smile Hotel group, a chain of business hotels found in most cities. They pride themselves on offering service with a smile (hence the name), great hospitality, and excellent Internet access through WiFi and LAN connections (provided in all rooms). Smile Hotel has…
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Kyoto Kamanza Hotel: A review (Kyoto, Japan)
About Kyoto Kamanza Hotel Kyoto Kamanza Hotel is a hotel located in the heart of Kyoto near Nijo-jo (Nijo castle). A small botique hotel, it caters more to small families and couples than to larger groups and business people. It is only 3 floors and each floor has about 5 rooms per floor. In fact…
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Kyoto Tower Hotel: an honest review (Kyoto, Japan)
About Kyoto Tower Hotel Situated right in front of Kyoto Station, Kyoto Tower Hotel is a four-star hotel that stands in a central location convenient for touring Kyoto. As the name suggests, it is located in Kyoto Tower and has a special door to access the hotel, which sits approximately halfway up the tower on…
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bnbplus Sarasa Nara: A full review (Nara, Japan)
About bnbplus Sarasa Nara bnbplus Sarasa Nara (yes the first b is lower case) is a one-star hostel located in central Nara, Japan. It is located on the third floor of a multi-storey building. The lifts will take you directly there. I normally would not have stayed in a hostel. However I went during the…
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The OneFive Osaka Sakaisuji: A review (Osaka, Japan)
About The OneFive Osaka Sakaisuji and Location The OneFive Osaka Sakaisuji is a three-star hotel chain with its headquarters in Fukuoka, Japan. It operates hotels in several cities across Japan, each with “OneFive” and the city and district in the name, including this location. Set in Osaka’s Chuo (central) district, popular points of interest near…
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A Guide to Betsuin Temple: Unveiling Nagoya’s Buddhist Heart
Nagoya, a metropolis known for its modern marvels, also boasts a rich cultural heritage. Nestled amidst the city’s energy lies Betsuin Temple, a haven of tranquillity and a window into Japanese Buddhist history. This guide delves into Betsuin Temple’s intriguing past, explores its present offerings, and provides essential information for your visit. A Walk Through…
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Hello Kitty Haruka Express
Are you planning a trip to Japan and dreaming of whisking your way to adorable adventures? Then look no further than the Hello Kitty Haruka Express, a limited express train that takes you on a journey straight into kawaii paradise! Planning Your Purrfect Trip: This charming train whisks you from Kansai International Airport to three…
