Roadside Station Shodoshima Olive Park
This park is popular for its Mediterranean-like scenery and excellent facilities. There are many photo spots that make you want to take pictures, such as a white windmill perched on a hill overlooking the Seto Inland Sea and an English garden with approximately 120 varieties of herbs and roses in full bloom.
The restaurant serves delicious dishes made with local ingredients. The olive oil dishes are especially unique and really tasty.
Shibamata Taishakuten Daikyo-ji Temple
The official name of Shibamata Taishakuten is “Kyoeizan Daikyo-ji.” It is a temple of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism, and as it was built in 1629 it has quite the long history.
This temple belongs to the Nichiren sect. Many people come here to pray for good luck and safety. The architecture is really beautiful and unique—definitely worth a visit.
Hiroshima Castle
Hiroshima Castle was built in 1589 by Terumoto Mori, known as one of the five dignitaries of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The castle is located in the center of Hiroshima city, famous as a major tourist attraction with easy access.
The castle was destroyed by the atomic bomb but was later rebuilt to look like the original. Inside the main keep, there's a museum focused on samurai culture. The view from the observation deck on the 5th floor is fantastic.
Shibuya Scramble Intersection
This is a scramble intersection in front of Shibuya Station. Said to be the world’s busiest crosswalk, it has become a famous sight to see in Tokyo. From the pedestrian bridge connecting the JR Yamanote Line and the Keio Inokashira Line, you can view the flurry of people crossing the intersection from above.
The subway exit is inside a shopping mall, and the layout is like a maze—it took some effort to finally reach the famous intersection. You’ll find the 109 shopping building, the Hachiko statue, and the busy crossing. It’s just like the scenes you see in Japanese dramas, but now it’s real.
Mogami Kyo Gorge
Mogami River is a prominent grade A river, counted as one of Japan’s Three Greatest Rapids. The middle area of it (From Furukuchi District in Tozawa Village to Kiyokawa District in Shonai Town) is a 15km-long scenic gorge called Mogami Gorge.
The Mogami River is known as the mother river of Yamagata and is one of Japan’s three great rapids. It flows into the Sea of Japan at Sakata. I took the Mogami Gorge Basho sightseeing boat—when it’s cold, they provide a roof and heated tables on board. It really felt like the famous poem: 'While the monkeys on both banks keep calling, my light boat has already passed through a thousand mountains.'
Yama-Dera (Hōjusan Risshakuji Temple)
This mountain temple, of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, is properly known as “Hōjusan Risshakuji Temple.” It is a historical place, founded in 860 by Jikaku Daishi. It is believed that, with each step you take up the 1015 stone steps, your worldly desires are purged. Furthermore, it has also been worshipped since ancient times as a temple that helps to cut out bad relationships and forge good bonds.
Yamadera feels like a place where ascetic monks train. To reach the top, you have to climb on foot, which is pretty tough, but the beautiful scenery along the way makes it all worthwhile.