Nakajima Park
Located at the heart of Sapporo, Nakajima Park offers a verdant space. many tourists flock to this popular park to see ever-changing scenery through four seasons.
Nakajima Park during ginkgo season was even more beautiful than I expected. The sunlight made everything glow golden, and the whole place had such a lovely atmosphere.
With the lake right next to it too, having scenery like this in the middle of Sapporo is a huge plus.
Kohfukuji Temple
This temple was first built as a private residence of Fujiwara no Kamatari in Yamashina-suehara of Yamashiro-no-kuni (current Kyoto prefecture) and named Yamashina-dera, and later, Fujiwara no Fuhito decided to relocate to the current place at the time of the establishment of the Heijo Ⅽapital in 710, and the temple was renamed Kohfukuji.
I was originally just planning to stop by, but I ended up really liking Kohfukuji Temple. The buildings are very well preserved, and the Buddhist statues in the National Treasure Museum were especially stunning. It was amazing to see the details up close.
Ashikaga Flower Park
At Ashikaga Flower Park, you can enjoy the sight of all kinds of seasonal flowers, which adorn the park according to eight themes: "Early Spring", "The Spring Flower Festival", "A Tale of the Wisteria", "Rainbow Garden", "Blue and White Garden", "The Flower Faeries Who Float By the Water", "Purple Garden", and "The Garden of Illuminated Flowers". The park is a popular location, enjoying not only local visitors, but those from abroad.
Even though it gets really crowded during flower season, the space inside is bigger than I expected, so it didn’t feel too cramped. I was still able to enjoy the flowers at a relaxed pace.
Kamikochi
Kamikochi offers one of Japan's most spectacular mountain sceneries. Its magnificent landscape is designated as a Special Natural Monuments along with Special Places of Scenic Beauty. Walter Weston, a British Anglican missionary praised Kamikochi in his writing “Mountaineering and Exploration in the Japan Alps” in 1896 which made Kamikochi an internationally well-known mountain area.
Even if you’re not usually an outdoorsy person, it’s easy to fall in love with nature here in Kamikochi. The whole area is very well maintained, and it really makes you want to come back again.
Fuji Shibazakura Festival
The weeks from mid-April to late May each year bring Fuji Shibazakura Festival, the largest spring flower event in the Tokyo metropolitan area to Fuji Motosuko Resort at the foot of Mt. Fuji. The season rings in with 500,000 moss phlox plants bloom in a stunning shimmy of color that frames perfectly with Mt. Fuji just behind. The festival designs a unique theme each year to showcase the vibrant hues of all seven varieties of shibazakura, including McDaniel Cushion and Autumn Rose.
I originally thought it would just be flower viewing, but it was even more beautiful in person than in the photos. Especially on a sunny day, Mt. Fuji with the shibazakura in full bloom looks absolutely dreamy.
Oshino Hakkai – The 8 Springs of Oshino
Oshino Hakkai is the collective name for Mt. Fuji’s 8 natural ponds, Deguchi-ike, Okama-ike, Sokonashi-ike, Choshi-ike, Waku-ike, Nigori-ike, Kagami-ike and Shobu-ike. Once a former lake, the area has dried up and formed the 8 spring-sourced ponds that remain today.
Seeing Mt. Fuji so clearly at Oshino Hakkai was truly stunning, and I felt so lucky 😍
Taima-dera Temple
An ancient temple said to have originated with Manpōzōin, founded in 612 by Prince Maroko, the younger brother of Prince Shōtoku. It is known as the only temple in Japan where a pair of three-story pagodas in Tenpyo architectural style still stand to the east and west. The Main Hall (Mandala Hall) enshrines the Taima Mandala as its principal image, said to have been woven in a single night by Princess Chūjō, who is associated with the legend of journeying to the Pure Land while still alive.
Compared with the popular sights in central Nara, Taima-dera Temple is more low-key, but that actually gives it an even stronger old-temple atmosphere. The grounds feel very historic, especially the architectural details. If you enjoy culture, you’ll really appreciate this place.
Lake Inawashiro Sightseeing Boat
A sightseeing boat cruise that lets you tour Lake Inawashiro. Located in Fukushima Prefecture, Lake Inawashiro is the fourth-largest lake in Japan and is also known as Tenkyokō (Mirror Lake) for its clear water. There are two boats (weekends, national holidays, and select periods only): the sightseeing boat Hakuchōmaru and the cruise boat Kamemaru. Each features a cute design inspired by a swan or a turtle, and during the season, each boat runs every 60 minutes.
Taking the sightseeing boat on Lake Inawashiro was really relaxing. The lake is huge, and it’s especially great when the weather is nice. The blue sky against the water makes the whole view feel so peaceful.
Nemuro Kotohira Shrine
A shrine said to have been founded in 1806 by Kahei Takadaya, a merchant and pioneer of northern fisheries who opened up Nemuro’s fishing grounds. It enshrines Omomonushi-no-Kami, Kotoshironushi-no-Kami, and Ukatama-no-Kami. As settlement expanded, it drew deep devotion as the local guardian shrine, and today it is worshipped as a protector deity for household safety, family prosperity for generations, fisheries, and the promotion of industry and commerce.
Coming here in winter really hits different. The snowy scenery with the shrine feels so Hokkaido.
The approach isn’t long, but the atmosphere is really nice and relaxing.
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”.
I ran into a scammy shop. They didn’t confirm the amount when charging my card, and I got charged twice!