Hotaru or firefly, are beloved in Japan. Often part of Japanese poems, songs, and stories they are unfortunately on their way to extinction due to the overzealous use of pesticides. Japanese streams are too often contaminated with pollutants, killing Hotaru and making them more and more difficult to find. [...]

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Arashiyama, one of the world's most famous bamboo groves, is located in Kyoto. Composed of many different public and private areas of the Sagano bamboo forest, Arashiyama is however one of the most well-known sections of this huge bamboo grove. [...]

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Kamo river has its source in the area of Mt. Sajikigatake. Its riverbanks are popular walking spots for both local residents and tourists alike. Beautiful and peaceful all year long, it is however during summer that the Kamo river in central Kyoto takes a livelier turn with many […]

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Kyu-Chikurin-In is a former temple located near the prefectural city of Otsu in Shiga prefecture. It’s located just a few minutes away from Kyoto Station. While no longer a temple, the place has been turned into a "Satobo" or retirement house for the priest of Enryaku-Ji temple

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One of Japan’s most famous temples, Kinkakuji is one of Kyoto’s most popular attractions and is a world-renowned tourist location. The temple was actually the retirement house of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. [...]

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Kisami Ohama beach is a gorgeous little stretch of sand and blue water located south of Izu peninsula in Shimoda. While 20 years ago Kisami Ohama beach was rather unknown, outside of locals and some Japanese people living in Tokyo [...]

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The Gora Kadan Ryokan is located in the heart of Hakone, one of Japan's most famous onsen and resort areas near Tokyo. Here you will find the former retreat of the Kanin-no-miya Imperial family. Open to all this “Relais & Chateaux” ryokan is the pride and joy of Hakone [...]

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Today we wanted to share with you a 27-minute long video of our top 20 attractions and activities in Wakayama prefecture. It includes around 30% never published before footage that we’ve been keeping just for the occasion [...]

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Birthplace of one of Tokyo’s oldest trees (it’s more than 700 years old), the Joshinji Templewas first established in 1678 in Kuhonbutsu, Tokyo. Home to the three Buddha Halls which are just in front of the main hall, house three of the nine Amida (Amitabha) Buddha. [...]

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Located in Saitama prefecture north of Tokyo, Gongendo is a gorgeous park featuring over 1,000 Sakura trees along a 1km stretch and a huge field of Rapeseed flowers. The contrast between the blue sky, light pink of the Sakura and the Rapeseed, make Gongendo Park an homage to spring! [...]

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Because of the recommendations made by the Japanese government to limit travel, experiencing Sakura season will be rather different this year. We are doing our best by traveling to places that are usually not too crowded like here on the banks of the Onnahori River in Saitama prefecture. [...]

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Thanks to its unique architecture and original wooden structure, Matsue Castle is famous for being one of Japan's last authentic castles. Completed in 1611, Matsue Castle is a wonder that everyone has to see at least once in their life. [...]

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