San'en-zan Kodo-in Zojoji Temple
Located at the base of Tokyo Tower is Zojoji, an Omotoyama temple of the Jodo sect of Buddhism. Enshrined in Zojoji's Ankokuden Hall is the hidden black image of Buddha worshipped by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo period. Since he won one battle after after another, visiting this temple is said to increase the chance of victory.
Seeing Tokyo Tower paired with a temple is really something, and it’s unexpectedly beautiful.
Mt. Otowa Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Opened in the year 778, the temple was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994. In the 130, 000 m2 area of the precincts spread out on the hillside of Mt. Otowa, there are more than 30 cathedrals and monuments, including national treasures and important cultural properties.
You don’t need to “get it” here—you just need to stay for a while. After you visit, you’ll understand why everyone makes sure to put it on their itinerary.
Juhyo (Rime) in Zao (Yamagata Prefecture)
Zao in Yamagata Prefecture is one of the largest mountain resorts in the Tohoku region. In winter, Zao is a mecca for winter sports, and many tourists come to enjoy the "juhyo," or tree ice formed by snow and ice on the trees.
The second I took my gloves off, I regretted it within 3 seconds. But I still had to get photos—there’s no way you can see scenery like this in Taiwan. You’ve gotta come at least once in your life.
Shinobazu Pond
Shinobazu Pond, a natural pond spanning about 2 kilometers in circumference, is situated at the southern end of Ueno Park, Japan's first urban park covering an extensive area of about 530,000 square meters. The name "Shinobazu Pond" is said to originate from the area once known as Shinobazu Hill, located between the Ueno and Hongo plateaus (there are various theories).
I wasn’t expecting much, but it looked way better in person than in the photos. It somehow feels slow and laid-back even though you’re in Tokyo—super relaxing.
naigai Kamakura store
naigai Kamakura store is a sock specialty shop located in Kamakura City, Kanagawa. It is a company-operated store of the long-established Japanese sock maker NAIGAI CO., LTD. (hereafter, NAIGAI), founded in 1920. It is located about a 4-minute walk from Kamakura Station (JR Yokosuka Line/Shonan-Shinjuku Line) or Kamakura Station (Enoshima Electric Railway). It is conveniently located and easy to drop by while sightseeing.
The fabric is very fine and feels really comfortable—no scratchiness at all. It’s a bit pricier than regular socks, but it’s worth it.
Fuchu City Tourism Information Center
This tourist information center is close to Okunitama-jinja Shrine. A staff member is always there who is knowledgeable about tourist sites in Fuchu City to answer questions. The service is only in Japanese but sightseeing maps in English are there. Stop by before you explore Fuchu.
There’s a lot of travel info here, so it’s super convenient if you want to plan your trip. The staff are really friendly, and they can communicate in both English and Chinese with no problem.
Japan Kokeshi Museum
The museum opened in Naruko Onsen, known as the oldest production area for kokeshi dolls, sparked by the dedication of kokeshi dolls from artisans across Japan and the donation of a collection by poet and children’s story writer Kaname Fukasawa. Naruko kokeshi have been loved as children’s toys since Approx. 200 years ago, and later developed into souvenirs as well as hobbies and display pieces for adults.
Each doll has its own unique design and story behind it, and it really makes you feel the charm of Japanese folk craftsmanship.
Akiu Great Falls
Tucked away in the upper reaches of the Natori River, which flows through Sendai and Natori in Miyagi Prefecture and into the Pacific Ocean, Akiu Great Falls boasts an impressive width of 6 meters and a drop of 55 meters. The falls sit among the ranks of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls, with full designation as a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
The trail to the waterfall is very convenient, and you can enjoy all kinds of natural scenery along the way. There's an observation deck near the falls where you can take in the breathtaking view of the entire waterfall.
JMSDF Kure Museum
A submarine “Akishio” fulfilled various missions from 1986 to 2004, opens to the public as a museum in JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force) Kure Museum which is called “Iron Whale Museum”. This is the only museum in Japan where you can explore the inside of a submarine used in the past.
The museum has a huge collection of historical materials and artifacts related to the Japanese Navy, including a model of the battleship Yamato, various weapons, naval uniforms, and historical photos. These exhibits gave me a thorough understanding of the development of the Japanese Navy.
Atomic Bomb Dome (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park)
The Atomic Bomb Dome, in its original design, was completed as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotional Hall, by Czech architect Jan Letzel on April 5th, 1915. However, as it stood just 160 meters from the epicenter of the atomic bomb, it suffered severe damage from the blast. With a gutted steel frame and damaged exterior, its known colloquially as the Atomic Bomb Dome, a building that stands in testament to the tragic history unfolded here.
The Dome and the exhibits in the surrounding Peace Memorial Park, including documents and photos, give a detailed record of the destructive power of the atomic bomb and its aftermath.