Japan's most beautiful castle: Himeji Castle, also known as Shirasagi Castle.
A must-visit spot during cherry blossom season!
If you're coming to Japan to see cherry blossoms, Himeji Castle in the Kansai area is the perfect choice for first-timers.
Kansai is rich in history and culture, and Japanese people have loved cherry blossoms since ancient times. Their love for sakura goes all the way back to the Nara period, as seen in the Manyoshu poetry collection, which has many references to cherry blossoms. You can really feel how much the Japanese cherish these flowers.
Seeing cherry blossoms in Japan feels like seeing hope and a new beginning—after all, they're the flowers of spring, and their arrival means spring is here.
Himeji Castle is in Hyogo Prefecture. While Hyogo might sound unfamiliar, most people know Kobe (yep, the place famous for steak!).
If it's your first visit, here are five places you can't miss:
1. Himeji Castle
2. Kobe Port
3. Kitano Ijinkan (the Starbucks here is a must!)
4. Mt. Maya night view
5. Arima Onsen
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A must-visit in Noboribetsu (NIXE Marine Park).
It's a great spot for both adults and kids. It's pretty rare to find a marine park like this in Hokkaido! There are lots of shows—the penguin parade is the main attraction here, and most visitors come just for that.
Finding food here might seem tricky, but don't worry! The park isn't huge, but it has everything you need. Most people go for the all-you-can-eat sukiyaki, but there are other restaurants and snacks (like ice cream) that I totally recommend!
(The photo shows the Ferris wheel that's only open for kids in summer—super cute!) -
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Lake Toya is a hot spring lake in Hokkaido that never freezes over. The island in the middle of the lake reminded me so much of a HERSHEY'S Kisses chocolate when I first saw it! Behind Lake Toya, there's Mt. Yotei, which looks a lot like Mt. Fuji (it's also called Ezo Fuji). There are tons of attractions around the lake:
1. The Usuzan Ropeway (cable car)
2. Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch
3. In summer, you can take a cruise and watch fireworks at night; in winter, there's a starlight path
4. If you're traveling on your own, you can even try out beginner-level ski slopes here
Honestly, if you want to fully enjoy Lake Toya, even a three-day, two-night trip doesn't feel like enough! -
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Lake Akan in winter is amazing! I always tell people that for a honeymoon, you should pick a snowy country to really feel that 'growing old together' vibe. Hokkaido's Lake Akan is a great choice!
Here are ten things you can do in Kushiro and Lake Akan during winter:
1. Hot springs
2. Snowshoeing in Kushiro Wetlands
3. Ride the Kushiro Wetlands SL Winter Train
4. Try 'Katte Don' (DIY seafood bowl)
5. Ice skating
6. Snowmobiling
7. See beautiful red-crowned cranes
8. Ski at Utara near Lake Akan
There's so much more!
The most fun is ice fishing for wakasagi (smelt) on the lake. If you don't catch any, the shop will even give you a plate of fried wakasagi to try! -
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Sometimes you just need to get out with the family. I think this is the most beautiful spot in Onuma Park, hands down. The view of Mt. Komagatake, the lake, and the blue sky with clouds is just stunning.
I really admire how Japan limits the number of businesses in tourist areas, so local shops don't get out of hand. There’s usually just one boat operator here (and they don’t overcharge).
You can go fishing, boating, cycling, and there are some small restaurants too. It's a great place to visit after lunch. -
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Crepuscular rays, also called 'Jesus rays,' are a common sight at Lake Shikotsu. It's a freshwater lake in Chitose, Hokkaido, and part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park. It's actually the northernmost lake in Japan that doesn't freeze over.
It's so quiet and beautiful here—kind of like a grander, cleaner version of Sun Moon Lake. The wind on the lake can get strong depending on the season, but there are lots of little shops and dessert places around, perfect for a break. You have to try the cream puffs from Sweets shop PATISSIER LAB (Tarumae Mountain Cream Puff, 220 yen) and the cheesy potatoes—they're super delicious! -
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Kanazawa is like a mini Kyoto where you can easily spend half a day exploring. Kenrokuen is the most famous spot here, and its name comes from Li Gefei's 'Record of Famous Gardens in Luoyang,' which says a great garden needs six elements. In all of Japan, only this garden truly matches that description.
There are so many unexpected things to discover inside. Kenrokuen really lives up to its reputation. If you have time, try to find out what the six elements are! After exploring, there are lots of local snacks and little items to check out in the Kanazawa area. No wonder it's called the little Kyoto! -
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Old houses are something we've all seen, but coming to Shirakawa-go is about seeing how people in a snowy country managed to live in such tough conditions. These unique houses are full of the wisdom and creativity of the people who lived here long ago. Even though this used to be a pretty poor village, tourism and electricity have really improved life for the locals.
It's a picture-perfect place all year round. Walking in feels like stepping back in time to old Japan. There are lots of festivals and events throughout the year, so it's worth visiting in every season. You can even see the irrigation channels from childhood (if you look closely, the water is super clean and there are trout swimming in it!). -
