It was in the 12th Century, that Kamakura quickly became a city of both Japanese politics and culture, as influential as Kyoto, with the iconic Tsurugaoka Hachimangu temple at its center. Because of its influence, Kamakura gathered a powerful army and as such had to train its troops and samurais in the latest combat techniques […]
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A typical feature of most Japanese towns, shopping arcades in Hiroshima come in many forms and sizes. But, if you had to visit one, and only one, we would strongly recommend you go and have a walk along the Hondori Arcade. Take time to explore the one-kilometer long covered shopping district and finish your journey […]
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Founded in 940 by Kanchō Daisōjō, a disciple of Kōbō Daishi, Naritasan (Narita-san) Shinshoji (Shinsho-ji) is a Shingon Buddhist temple located in central Narita, and near Narita airport. Despite its age, Naritasan remained a remote and humble temple until Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川 家康) moved his capital to Edo in 1603. Only then did Naritasan Shinshoji, […]
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Tokyo counts many gorgeous cherry blossom/sakura spots that are all worth your time and attention if you do not mind the bustling crowds. But, away from the masses and mostly kept secret by many photographers and sakura specialists, there is a 2km long sakura wonderland that will literally blow your mind with its beauty and […]
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Aoyama, like Yanaka, hosts a huge cemetery located in the center of Tokyo and open to the public. First opened in 1872 as Tokyo’s’ first municipal cemetery, Aoyama Cemetery hosts many wealthy and historical Japanese figures as its permanent guests, and, surprisingly, Aoyama cemetery is one of the few cemeteries in Japan that has a […]
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Japanese lacquer is one of the most famous and amazing craftworks that one can enjoy or, better still, own. Most often delivered in a simple form like a bowl or a cup, Japanese lacquer is one of the most complex forms of craft, or shall we say art, that you can imagine. While Japan offers […]
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Located five minutes away from Shinjuku by train via the Chuo Line, Nakano Broadway is a huge shopping complex famous for its many anime and idol goods stores as well as its dozens of Mandarake stores! But Nakano Broadway is not only heaven on earth for otaku (geeks) around the world, it is also a […]
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Believe it or not but this castle was actually destroyed 7 years after its completion in 1608! Indeed it was on an order from the Tokugawa Shogunate that enforced a ‘one-castle-per- province’ law (一国一城) that meant Iwakuni Castle had to be destroyed. It was only in 1962 that the actual castle was rebuilt and serves […]
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The Kintai-kyo Bridge has been Iwakuni’s most distinctive landmark since its construction in 1673. Entirely made of wood, and this without the use of any nails, the Kintai bridge is composed of five arches sitting on top of massive stones pillars crossing over the Nishiki river and located on the foot of Mt. Yokoyama where […]
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Built in 1598 by the Daimyo (feudal lord) Mori Terumoto, Hiroshima Castle, also known as the Carp Castle, used to be the home of the feudal lord of the Hiroshima clan. Destroyed by the atomic bomb during the 2nd World War, the castle was only rebuilt in 1958 and now serves as a museum of […]
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Built in 1620 at the order of Asano Nagaakira, a powerful feudal lord (Daimyo) of the Hiroshima clan, the Shukkein-en garden later served as the villa of the Asano family during the Meiji period. Shukkeien, which can be translated into English as “shrunken-scenery garden”, includes valleys, mountains and forests represented in miniature all across the […]
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Located outside of Yokohama and somehow in the middle of an industrial area, Sankei-en garden is an oasis of beauty and calm. Erected in 1904 by a silk trader named Tomitaro Hara, also known as Hara Sankei, this garden features, in one location, the many wonders of Japan. Thanks to his fortune, Tomitaro Hara brought […]
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