Osaka Shinsekai Original Kushikatsu Daruma Shinsekai Main Store
Founded in 1929, just off Tsutenkaku Tower, Osaka's landmark. The main store of "Kushikatsu Daruma", which operates mainly in Osaka city.Kushikatsu is fried in Daruma's special original cooking oil making it light and easy to eat and does not cause stomach upsets like many heavy deep fried dishes can.
The prices are cheap and the food is delicious. Every time I come, I end up ordering way too much!
Gero Onsen Gassho-mura (Gero Hot Springs Gassho Village)
One of the sightseeing areas that must be visited at Gero Hotsprings, " Gero Onsen Gassho-mura," is an important open-air museum where valuable gassho-style private houses are relocated and gathered from the world heritage site Shirakawa-go.
It's much smaller in scale compared to Shirakawa-go.
Mt. YOKOTE Manten View Terrace
Mt. Yokote is the highest mountain in the beautiful mountain range of Shiga Kogen. Here, there is the highest permanent ski lift in Japan, and the summit of the 2,307-meter-high mountain can be reached without walking by using the "Skylator," a moving walkway, and chairlifts.
This place is an awesome ski spot in winter.
Yamanaka Suwa Shrine
This old shrine was established in 966 and enshrines Toyotama-hime (goodness in Japanese mythology). The main hall was built in 1552 when Shingen Takeda prayed for protection and victory of the battle against the Hojo clan, and is located on the westside of Lake Yamanaka.
This time, I saw a lot of pregnant women coming here to pray for a safe delivery. According to my friends, it's supposed to be really effective.
Kurama-dera
This shrine is the headquarters of Kurama Koukyou, a sect of Buddihsm. In 770 AD, saint monk, Gantei, who was also a disciple of Ganjin, the founder of Toshodaiji Temple, enshrined Bishamonten (guardian god of Buddhism), and this is the origin of this temple. In the golden head hall, statues of Bishamonten No, Senju-Kannon Bosatsu, and Goho Maoson are enshrined.
It takes about an hour and a half to hike from Kurama-dera to Kibune. The trail is actually pretty easy, with untouched forest scenery and fresh air all around.