Aeon Lake Town
Just about an hour by train from Tokyo, this massive shopping center is located right in front of Koshigaya Lake Town Station.
Locals love coming here too, so it's super crowded on weekends. I recommend visiting on a weekday if you want to avoid the crowds.
Furano Ski Resort
Furano Ski Resort is located just 10 minutes by car from downtown Furano in Hokkaido. It is also known as part of the “Hokkaido Powder Belt,” which boasts some of the world’s finest powder snow.
The snow here is super fine and fluffy, which makes skiing really smooth. There are slopes for all levels, so whether you're a beginner or an expert, you'll have a great time. On clear days, you can see a vast snowy landscape and the wide Furano plains from halfway up the mountain—it's absolutely beautiful. There are also hot springs and great food, so you can enjoy a relaxing ski vacation. No wonder it's such a popular ski spot in Hokkaido.
Lake Yamanaka（Yamanaka-ko）
Lake Yamanaka covers an area of about 6.57 square kilometers and is about 980.5 meters above sea level. It is located at the third highest point in Japan. The lake is the closest to Mt. Fuji among the “Fuji Five Lakes " and offers beautiful scenery of the four seasons with the majestic Mt.Fuji.
Lake Yamanaka is such a charming spot. The beautiful lake, the stunning mountain scenery, and the peaceful atmosphere really left a strong impression on me.
Festival of the Lights in OSAKA: Osaka Hikari-Renaissance
The "Festival of the Lights in OSAKA," which beautifully and fantastically illuminates the night of Osaka.
Along with the Midosuji Illumination, this is one of Osaka’s two major year-end events. The Christmas vibes are really strong during the winter season.
Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine
Ketsumi-mikono-okami is enshrined here. The shrine was built during the era of Japan’s 10th emperor, Sujin. Designated as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2004.
Out of the three shrines, this one is the largest and most impressive. The atmosphere feels really powerful and sacred.
Izumo Iwai Shrine's Yabusame Festival
Yabusame (archery on horseback), a Shinto ritual at Izumo-Iwai Shrine, is a traditional event that has been passed down for over 950 years and continues to this day. It is said that it started when Minamoto no Yoshiie dedicated yabusame (archery on horseback) here after he had conquered Oshu.
Watching the young riders shoot arrows while galloping on horseback was so smooth and steady. You can tell it takes a lot of training to reach that level.
Shinhotaka Ropeway
Far east of Takayama City, in Okuhida Hot Spring Villages, a ropeway takes you to Shin Hotaka Onsen. From the starting point, Shinhotaka-Onsen Station, to the terminal, Nishi-Hotakaguchi Station, ride the 1st and then 2nd ropeway to enjoy a 3,200m-long journey in the sky.
I was really lucky! The weather was great when I visited, and the view of Mt. Yarigatake and the Northern Alps was super clear.
Kusatsu Onsen (Kusatsu Hotspring)
Kusatsu Onsen is popular and well known as one of Japan's three major hotsprings. 32300 liters per minute naturally gushes, which is admitted as the highest amount of discharge in Japan, the source water with high acid is known to have an excellent antibacterial effect.
You can smell the strong scent of sulfur in the air. There are lots of souvenir shops around the Yubatake area. At night, when the lights come on, the atmosphere gets really romantic.
Kabukicho
Kabukicho is the entertainment district that sits just steps from the east exit of Shinjuku Station. It’s a major hub for izakaya pubs, amusement centers and nightlife spots to enjoy after hours. With neon signs lit up through the entire night, it’s earned the nickname of “the city that never sleeps”.
This is Tokyo’s famous nightlife district. There are lots of promoters at the entrances trying to attract customers, so I felt a bit awkward taking photos. The izakayas were packed, and the whole area was full of energy.