Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (Ijokaku style pavilion)
This memorial hall displays valuable items related to Sun Yat-sen, a Chinese revolutionary, politician, and philosopher, such as handwritten calligraphy. The building was originally a villa owned by Wu Jintang, a wealthy merchant from the Kobe overseas Chinese community.
I learned about Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary journey here. It's a place with real historical significance.
Uontana Fish Market
Located near Akashi Station, this arcade is lined with a wide variety of fresh seafood. It is decorated with large fishing flags during the New Year's holiday season and is always crowded with shoppers and tourists.
Many shops sell Akashiyaki, which is really unique when dipped in broth. The octopus rice and shredded squid are also pretty good.
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge connects Honshu and Awaji Island. It is known as the world's longest suspension bridge, with a total length of 3,911 meters and a distance of 1,991 meters between the two main towers. Together with the Onaruto Bridge, it connects the Kansai area to Shikoku, and is a popular tourist route.
You can really relax here, just watching the sunset and the sea.
Higashi Chaya District
It is one of Kanazawa's representative tourist attractions. The townscape with its beautiful Degoushi (latticed window) and the stone pavement has been selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the national government.
At night, when the crowds are gone, Kanazawa's tea district feels especially peaceful and has a totally different charm.
Karatsu Castle
A retainer of Hideyoshi Toyotomi and the first lord of Karatsu, Hirotaka Terasawa, had completed its building for 7years in 1602. Many lords from the Kyushu area helped this construction and old materials used in the Nagoya castle were used.
This castle is built by the sea. The view from the main keep is great and the ticket is JPY 500. The nearby Maizuru Park is free to enter.
Himeji Castle
This castle is a World Heritage Site and a Japanese castle masterpiece. The main keep, built by Ikeda Terumasa in the early Edo period, has a five-story exterior, one basement level, and six stories above ground on the inside, making it the largest Edo period castle tower still standing.
There were way too many people visiting, so it took a long time to get through. Plus, there were a lot of stairs to climb.
HUIS TEN BOSCH
This is the largest theme park in Japan, with beautiful European-like cityscapes and a canal that leads to the sea. The park is decorated with seasonal flowers and illuminations and has a wide range of the latest attractions. The park is also filled with excitement and a moving experience through a variety of events.
There aren't many restaurants to choose from inside the park, and the prices aren't cheap.
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History
The three brick buildings, built between the Meiji and Taisho eras, were once used as former military armories, and after the war as the Kanazawa College of Art. In order to reuse them as a museum, the exterior of the buildings were faithfully restored to their original state.
Besides the permanent exhibits inside, the red brick buildings outside are also really worth checking out.
Dotonbori
Crab, octopus, cow, crane….these are just a few of the oversized 3D signboards that make up the look and feel of the bustling Dotonbori Area. Its packed with a number of eateries along the northern Dotonbori River and main street along its southern side.
There are tons of authentic Osaka foods here—takoyaki, kushikatsu, Kinryu Ramen, and more. There are also lots of drugstores. This is definitely a must-visit area when you come to Osaka.
Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan, nicknamed “USJ”, is a large-scale theme park with entertainment for everyone, both children and adults alike. The park is separated into different areas, each with a different theme from popular titles across the world.
If you're going to a theme park in Japan, you really have to get used to waiting in line. Especially in the summer, you'll end up sweating a lot while waiting. If you don't have patience, I wouldn't recommend coming.