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Kenninji Temple

Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple and the head temple of the Kenninji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. It was founded in Kennin 2 (1202), when Minamoto no Yoriie, the second shogun of the Kamakura shogunate, donated the temple grounds and appointed Zen master Eisai as its founding priest. The temple flourished as the third-ranked temple of the Kyoto Gozan, but wars and fires later left it in ruins. Its restoration began during the Keicho era when Ankokuji Ekei relocated the Abbot’s Quarters to the site, and its buildings were subsequently rebuilt under the protection of the Tokugawa shogunate.

• Gion, Higashiyama, Yamashina
• Shrines & Temples

Hakone Sightseeing Cruise

A sightseeing ship that operates on Lake Ashinoko, a scenic spot in Hakone. The three ships, Royale II, Victory, and Queen Ashinoko, are characterized by their colorful and luxurious decorations. Each of them has a capacity of about 500 passengers and takes 25 to 35 minutes each way between Togendai Port, Hakone-machi Port, and Moto-Hakone Port. On a sunny day, the open deck is a great place to enjoy the scenery. Enjoy the pleasant breeze and the seasonal views of nature and mountains.

• Hakone
• Ships

Hakone Shrine

Hakone Shrine sits just steps from Lake Ashi, a spot dotted with coveted Hakone destinations like Owakudani and Togen-dai. The shrine heralds the Hakone Ookami god, and remains one of the most renowned shrines in Kanto.

• Hakone
• Shrines & Temples

Lake Chuzenji

It has been said that the valley was dammed by lava from the eruption of Mt. Nantai about 20,000 years ago, and the original shape was created. Located at an altitude of 1,269 meters above sea level, it is at one of the highest heights in Japan.

• Tochigi
• Nature Spots

Kamikochi

Kamikochi offers one of Japan's most spectacular mountain sceneries. Its magnificent landscape is designated as a Special Natural Monuments along with Special Places of Scenic Beauty. Walter Weston, a British Anglican missionary praised Kamikochi in his writing “Mountaineering and Exploration in the Japan Alps” in 1896 which made Kamikochi an internationally well-known mountain area.

• Nagano
• Nature Spots