Ueno Park
Ueno Park, officially known as "Ueno Onshi Park," is located in Taito Ward, Tokyo. Managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Construction Bureau, the park spans an impressive area of 530,000 square meters and has a rich history.
Tokyo's ginkgo trees—fall is here!
Tower of Osaka Castle
Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified the country during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600), began construction of the tower of Osaka Castle in 1583 and completed it in 1585. The castle was later destroyed during the Osaka Natsu no Jin（summer campaign of Osaka） in 1615, but was rebuilt by the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1626. However, the castle keep was destroyed by lightning in 1665. In 1931, the castle tower of the Toyotomi period was reconstructed with donations from Osaka citizens.
It was super hot, and the walk from the parking lot was all uphill. When we got to Osaka Castle, everyone rushed under the ginkgo trees to hide from the sun. I was all sweaty and sticky—really uncomfortable. 😣
Kankakei (Ropeway)
Kankakei is a gorge in Kagawa Prefecture’s Shodo Island. It is located in the heart of Setonaikai National Park. The valley of Kankakei was formed over thousands of years as volcanic andesite and agglomerate were thrust upward via shifting of the earth’s mantle and eroded by rain and wind, creating a spectacular scene of sheer cliffs and rock formations.
I wasn't lucky—the day I visited, it was super foggy and visibility was really poor.
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.
You have to take off your shoes and put them in a plastic bag before entering the main keep, but you have to carry your shoes with you the whole time. It's inconvenient, especially when climbing stairs or trying to take photos.
Jigokudani Monkey Park
Located along the Yokoyugawa River flowing from the Shiga Highlands and sitting at an elevation of 850 meters, Jigokudani Monkey Park exists in a harsh environment where one-third of the year is blanketed in snow. With its rugged cliffs and steam rising from hot springs everywhere, it's no wonder the place is called Jigokudani, or "Hell's Valley."
There were way too many tourists fighting to take photos. The monkeys were so startled that they didn't even want to soak in the hot springs anymore...