Kencho-ji
Japan's First Zen Training Monastery
The first Zen training monastery in Japan, founded in 1253, and ranked first among Kamakura's Fiv...
Kitano Tenmangu
Shrine of Learning Famous for Plum Blossoms and Flea Markets
A major shrine dedicated to the deity of learning and scholarship, celebrated for its 2,000 plum ...
Marine World Uminonakamichi
Aquarium on the Uminonakamichi Sandbar
An aquarium on the Uminonakamichi sandbar in Fukuoka, focusing on the marine life of Kyushu's seas.
Nada Kuroiwa Suisenkyo
Cliffside Slope of Five Million Wild Narcissus by the Sea
A steep seaside slope on southern Awaji Island carpeted with around five million wild narcissus t...
Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan
Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan: The Inn Guinness Lists as the Oldest Hotel, Up the Hayakawa Valley
A hot-spring inn far up the Hayakawa valley that dates its spring to 705 and holds the Guinness r...
Shinhotaka Ropeway
Double-Decker Ropeway to a Northern Alps Viewpoint
A ropeway in the Okuhida hot spring area of Takayama that carries passengers to a viewpoint over ...
Hakodate
Hakodate - Hokkaido's Sparkling Port City
Port city famous for its night view from Mount Hakodate, bustling morning market, and historic We...
Iki
An Hour from Hakata: Barley Shochu, a Monkey Rock and a Yayoi Capital
A low, green island in the strait between Fukuoka and Tsushima, about 17 km from north to south. ...
Kikuchi Gorge
Forested Valley of Clear Streams and Small Falls
A forested valley on the northwestern outer rim of Mount Aso, with clear streams, rapids, deep po...
Mount Bizan
Tokushima's Eyebrow Mountain with City Views
Tokushima's symbol mountain, named for its eyebrow-shaped ridge. A ropeway reaches the summit in ...
Nara National Museum
Buddhist Art in Nara Park, and the Two Autumn Weeks of the Shosoin Exhibition
Japan's second-oldest national museum, on the edge of Nara Park between Kofuku-ji and Todai-ji. I...
Okayama
Okayama, Garden City and Momotaro's Hometown
A Shinkansen-connected city famous for the Momotaro legend, Korakuen Garden, and access to the ar...
Saga Castle
Restored Honmaru Palace of the Nabeshima Clan
Beautifully reconstructed Honmaru Palace of the former Nabeshima lords, one of the largest wooden...
Takeo Onsen
1,300-Year-Old Hot Spring with Vermillion Gate
Ancient hot spring town with a striking vermillion gate designed by the architect of Tokyo Statio...
Tomogashima
The 'Castle in the Sky' Island of Jungle-Swallowed WWII Fort Ruins
A cluster of uninhabited islands in the Kitan Strait off Wakayama, where overgrown Meiji-era gun ...