Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shinjuku Gyoen once stood as an estate of the Naito family, the hereditary vassals of the Tokugawa family in the Edo period before being established as an imperial garden in 1906.
Whether you're here for the flowers or just to enjoy the lush lawns, it's really soothing.
Hirakata T-SITE
Located in Hirakata City, halfway between Osaka and Kyoto, this eight-story, one-basement shopping complex opened in 2016 with the theme of "A lifestyle department store that accompanies and adds colors to your daily life". Centered on the Tsutaya Bookstore, which sells books, there are stores such as knick-knacks, apparel, cosmetics, cafes, restaurants, and more.
The design and decor, both inside and out, are super refined. It really shows off a new lifestyle vibe. I wish we had more big shopping malls with bookstores like this in Taiwan.
Wakayama Castle
The origin of the castle started in 1585, Hashiba Hideyoshi (later Toyotomi Hideyoshi) subjugated Kishu teritory (the area now known as Wakayama) and he ordered his younger brother, Hidenaga, to build a castle on Mt.Torafusu which is at a downstream of Kinokawa-river. Later, a vassal of the Hashiba family, Kuwayama Shigeharu was placed in charge of the castle (and later, the castle lord). After the Battle of Sekigahara, Asano Yoshinaga became lord of the castle and he started building a tower followed by an interconnected corridor. He built residences in the area now known as Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Nishinomaru while building a castle town. In 1619, Yorinobu, the 10th son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, inherited the castle.
Standing at the top of the castle and looking down at the streets below, I felt like I ruled the world!
Kumano Hayatama Taisha
Having been called the "land of resurrection," it is a shrine with the never-ceasing worshipers who are seeking the courage and readiness to take a new step in the passages of life.
This is one of the three most famous shrines in Wakayama. What makes it unique is the 'Yatagarasu' shrine, which worships crows. Legend says crows are messengers of the Japanese emperor. Maybe that's why you see so many big, chubby crows all over Japan!
Moegi no Mura
Moegi no Mura, located in Kiyosato, Hokuto City, is an all-on-one destination with stylish, eclectic shops, restaurants, a music box museum and more, all tucked inside a garden of wild flowers. The natural garden engulfing Moegi no Mura was designed by none other than renowned landscaper, Paul Smither. The garden attracts countless numbers of visitors each day.
One summer, I ran into a huge group of Japanese motorcycle riders here. Every bike was classic and super cool! 👍
Oshino Hakkai – The 8 Springs of Oshino
Oshino Hakkai is the collective name for Mt. Fuji’s 8 natural ponds, Deguchi-ike, Okama-ike, Sokonashi-ike, Choshi-ike, Waku-ike, Nigori-ike, Kagami-ike and Shobu-ike. Once a former lake, the area has dried up and formed the 8 spring-sourced ponds that remain today.
You can see Mt. Fuji from here, but there are just too many people. Also, some of the tourists aren't very well-behaved.