Twice a year Odaiba hosts one of Tokyo’s most popular fireworks displays. While the Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks spectacular, held every summer in Odaiba, may be the more famous, this smaller one, also known as the Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks, is definitely worth checking out. Designed to spread Christmas cheer and love, the Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks […]
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Located in a neighborhood of Kyoto neighborhood and in the heart of the Takao mountain, Saimyo-ji temple, along with Jingoji (Jongo-ji) and Kozanji (Kozan-ji) temples, is well known as one of the “Sanbi” or three tails temples famous for its autumn colors. Founded in 824 by the priest Chisen, a disciple of the the Revered […]
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The Sagano Romantic Train, also known as the Sagano Scenic Railway or Sagano Torokko, is a sightseeing train line that runs along the Hozugawa River between Kyoto Arashiyama and Kameoka. Originally designed to connect the cities of Kyoto and Kameoka, the train now caters exclusively to tourists. Since 1989, passengers can enjoy one of Kyoto’s […]
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Founded in 733 and converted to the Tendai Sect in 859, Jindai-ji is actually the second oldest temple in Tokyo area after Sensoji in Asakuasa. Rather difficult to access from Tokyo, Jindai-ji is actually located in the Tokyo suburb of Chofu, but this temple has much to offer for anyone willing to make the trip […]
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Tsukiyomi-no-kami is an auxiliary shrine or “Betsugo” of Ise’s Grand Shrine Geku located near the center of Ise. This shrine is dedicated to the brother of Amaterasu Omikami, presiding over the ‘night world’ and revered for viewing the moon at night.
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There is no doubt that Kyoto is easily one of Japan’s most beautiful cities, however, ignoring the stunning places in the area surrounding Kyoto would be a huge mistake! Located 20 minutes away from Kyoto, Kameoka is one of those cities that definitely offers some of Kyoto’s most impressive experiences and chief among them : […]
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Also known as the ‘bay of pearls’, Ago Bay is a stunning scenic bay located near Ise which hosts as many as 50 different islands of various sizes. Because of its unique location and its complicated coastline, Ago Bay quickly became one of the most famous pearl culture spots in Japan and this is thanks […]
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Erected in 768 and located in in the south-west area of Kyoto on the slopes of Mount Oshio, Oharano Shrine is a Shinto shrine related to the Fujiwara clan, one of Japanese history’s most powerful families from 794 to 1185. It is said that that when the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in […]
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A good hour away by car from Ise, Kongosho-Ji is a secluded temple hidden on top of Mount Asama, Mie’s highest mountain. Founded in 825 by Kobo Daishi (774~835), a buddhist saint founder of the Shingon or “True Word” school of Buddhism, Kongosho-Ji is in fact a rampart designed to protect Ise Jingu from any […]
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Far from being a tourist destination, Gotanda is nonetheless an interesting place to visit or to stay if you ever come to Tokyo. Located in Shinagawa, Gotanda is one of Yamanote Line’s main stations, and offers a wide range of affordable places to stay and eat, making it a perfect location if you are on […]
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Located in the neighborhood of Arashiyama in Kyoto, Otagi Nenbutsu-Ji is a Buddhist temple famous for its 1200 rakan, or stone statues, representing the disciples of Buddha. Founded in the middle of the eighth century by Empress Shōtoku, the Otagi Nenbutsu-ji had been destroyed many times until it was moved to its current location in […]
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Located not so far from Ise Grand Shrine alongside the Miya River and between the small hills you will find the city of Watari, its rice fields and its many green tea fields. Japanese green tea fields around Mt Fuji are indeed very popular, but tea grows pretty much everywhere in Japan and each region, […]
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