Hotel New Otani Tokyo
Doors opened ahead of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics here at Hotel New Otani Tokyo, a luxury hotel that remains a city favorite among domestic and global travelers for its seamless blend of extensive facilities with refined Japanese touches.
This hotel is huge! Every time I walk around, it feels like I'm in a maze. There are so many shops and restaurants, you could spend all day exploring and still not see everything!
Niigata Soshinju Hakusan Shrine
Hakusan Shrine is located in central Niigata City and is affectionately known by locals as “Hakusan-sama.” As Niigata’s guardian shrine with a history spanning more than 1,000 years, it draws many visitors who come to worship. The shrine’s main enshrined deity, “Hakusan-sama,” is also known as Kikuri-hime-no-Okami. Based on the story in which she mediated a quarrel between the married deities Izanagi and Izanami and helped reconcile them, she is widely revered as a match-making deity.
Now I get why they call it the guardian shrine—its vibe is incredibly steady. The second I walked in, my mood instantly lifted.
Todaiji Temple
In the Nara period (710-794), Emperor Shomu had the Rushana Daibutsu (Great Buddha) built at his request, and a memorial service was held in 752. This temple is one of the representative temples of Nara. It took nearly 40 years to build the temple complex.
This is the largest bronze Buddha in the world, weighing 380 tons! With a history of 1,200 years, it's also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tsutenkaku Tower
A steel tower which looks like the Eiffel Tower and 75 meters high was built In 1912, on top of a building which was the motif of the Arc de Triomphe, and named “Tsutenkaku” meaning “A building reaching the heaven'' by Nangaku Fujisawa, a Confucian in the early Meiji period. After being broken down due to a fire, citizens lobbied for rebuilding and the current 2nd Tsutenkaku was built in 1956.
The century-old fugu restaurant in front of Tsutenkaku Tower closed last year, so you probably won't see the iconic pufferfish lantern street view anymore.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
It is the head shrine of about 30,000 Inari shrines which are traditionally familiar throughout Japan and the god is worshiped for bountiful harvests of grain, business prosperity, the safety of households, recovery from illness, and wish fulfillment. This shrine was established in 711 AD.
Each donated torii gate has the donor's name and date written on it. Temples in Taiwan have a similar tradition.
Taisho Pond
Taisho Pond was created by the blockage of the Azusa River due to the eruption of Yakedake Mountain in 1915. The clean blue-green water clearly reflects the beautiful Kamikochi mountain range. The forest under the water has decayed in a mystical way, which now gives the pond a spiritual atmosphere. The beautiful birch forest spreads out at an altitude of 1,490 meters above sea level, the highest level where these kinds of trees are able to grow.
The distant mountains are covered in snow—so beautiful.
Itsukushima Shrine
Itsukushima Shrine stands on the island of Itsukushima, which is also known as the island of gods. It is said that the shrine was founded in 593 by Saeki no Kuramoto, and the 3 goddess “Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto,” “Tagorihime-no-Mikoto,” and “Tagitsuhime-no-Mikoto” are enshrined there. Famous for granting a wide list of benefits, these three goddesses as are worshipped as the goddesses of the sea, transportation, fortune, and art.
One of Japan's three most scenic spots.
This shrine is absolutely stunning!
Each season brings its own unique beauty.
SETRE MARINA BIWAKO
SETRE MARINA BIWAKO is a resort hotel located on the shore of Lake Biwa. You can enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Biwa from every guest room and anywhere in the hotel. The hotel's theme, "Born in Shiga," is reflected in the delicious local food and the hotel's interior. It is known as a great place to forget your busy life and enjoy a luxurious stay.
There are only 14 rooms in total, and every room has a view of Lake Biwa. Lying in a hammock on the balcony, reading a book and enjoying the lake view—it's truly relaxing.