Robert Chen's Reviews

Kyoto International Manga Museum

Japan's first comprehensive manga cultural facility opened in 2006 as a joint project between Kyoto Seika University and Kyoto City, which established Japan's first manga department. It is operated as a facility with both museum and library functions to collect, store, and release materials related to manga, which is now attracting attention from around the world, conducting cultural research, and holding exhibitions and events based on these materials.

• Kyoto
• Museums

Kodaiji Temple

At the foot of Mt. Higashiyama, Kyoto, northeast of Hokanji Temple known for Yasaka Pagoda, there is a zen temple. After the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, his wife Nene (Kita-no-Mandokoro) moved from Osaka to Kyoto and retired into religion.

• Kyoto
• Shrines & Temples

Fuji Safari Park

At the foot of Mt. Fuji, the largest safari park in Japan sits at 850m above sea level. You can see how lions, giraffes, leopards, elephants and bears live in the natural setting.

• Shizuoka
• Zoos & Aquariums

Kawaguchi-ko Momiji Corridor

This is a popular spot where maple trees are planted along the lakeshore of Lake Kawaguchi, 830 meters above sea level, for about 1.5 kilometers. As the name "corridor" implies, the overlapping branches of the maple trees and the color of the leaves that have fallen to the ground make for a beautiful tunnel of colored leaves.

• Yamanashi
• Nature Spots

Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum

This music-themed museum is tucked against the shores of Lake Kawaguchi. The grounds feature a European atmosphere, wide open views and a one-of-a-kind look and feel with Mt. Fuji sitting in the background.

• Yamanashi
• Museums

Lake Hamana Nukumori no Mori

“Nukumori no Mori" is a medieval European landscape that looks like something out of a picture book. The late architect Shigeyoshi Sasaki spent more than 20 years carefully creating this warm and welcoming space. The small stone house and antique furniture imported from Europe create a fairytale-like atmosphere.

• Shizuoka
• Commercial Buildings

Ukimido (Mangetsuji Temple)

Kaimonsan Mangetsuji Temple, a Zen temple of the Daitokuji branch of the Rinzai sect, is located on the southern shore of the Biwako Bridge. A hall at the end of a bridge over Lake Biwa is called Ukimido (floating hall) because it looks like it is floating on the lake. It is one of the most scenic spots in Lake Biwa.

• Shiga
• Shrines & Temples

Hourai Garden, Daichiji Temple

It is said that the temple was founded 1,300 years ago in the Nara period, Bodhisattva Gyoki, who created four ponds in the shape of a “心 (heart)” and built the main hall in the center, enshrining a statue of Shakanyoraizo (Buddha) created by Gyoki.

• Shiga
• Shrines & Temples