Gozaisho Ropeway
Gozaisho ropeway connects Yunoyama Onsen Station at the foot of the 400-meter-high Mt. Gozaisho to the 1180-meter-high Sanjo Koen Station in 15 minutes. From the ropeway car, you can look down upon a panoramic view of Ise Bay. The restaurant at the mountain-top station serves meals.
Riding the ski lift with your feet dangling in the air is a pretty unique experience.
Asahiyama Zoo, Asahikawa City
Asahiyama Zoo, the northernmost zoo in Japan, is a popular zoo known for its behavioral exhibits, in which comfortable spaces are created for the animals' ecology and their natural behavior is brought out to be seen.
The king penguins and polar bears are the stars of Asahiyama Zoo. It gets really cold if you stay outside for a long time in winter, though.
Sakuranobaba Josaien
This multipurpose culture and tourism facility serves as an outdoor recreation of a Kumamoto Castle hill at the foot the mountain. Here you’ll find Kumamoto’s local gourmet, plenty of shopping and a chance to dive into the history of Kumamoto’s history.
Kumamoto Castle is still under restoration, so I just explored the nearby shopping street and tried some local Kumamoto food.
Lake District of Goshikinuma
An explosion of steam gave birth to hundreds of lakes and ponds in 1888. About 30 of large and small lakes such as Bishamon, Aka, Midoro, Tatsu, and Benten are called Goshikinuma Ponds, which won 1-star in the Michelin Green Guide in 2016.
Really beautiful spot! Just watch out for some rocky paths.
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.
The scenery is beautiful all year round, and you can even spot monkeys 🐒.
Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle was built between the years 1593 and 1594. It is one of the oldest of the still-standing “gojuu-rokkai” (five roofs, six stories) structures in Japan, and it has been registered as a national treasure.
Such an exquisite building! If you get the chance, you really should go inside and take a look!
Mohri Garden
The Mohri Garden in Roppongi Hills is an oasis in the city, a place to relax amidst the hustle and bustle of glamorous tourist spots. The Mohri Garden has its roots in the upper residence of the Mohri family, the lords of Chofu Domain, built during the Edo period. In the Meiji period, it became the residence of Rokuichiro Masushima, the founder of Chuo University, after World War II it was the Tokyo factory of Nikka Whisky, and then it was acquired by TV Asahi. In 2003, it was developed into its current form when Roppongi Hills opened.
It's a small garden. If you have some extra time, it's nice to take a stroll here.
Sanrio Puroland
Guests can meet Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty and My Melody at this indoor theme park. Sanrio characters put on authentic performances like shows and parades that mix stories, dances, and songs together.
The stuff they sell inside is a bit pricey.