The most appealing part is the beautiful view of Kobe Harbor. You can see the red Kobe Port Tower from afar, and together with the boats on the water and the surrounding buildings, it creates a distinctive harbor landscape.
When visiting Kobe, I highly recommend making time to walk around Kobe Harborland. You can not only enjoy shopping but also experience the relaxed pace of this port city.
Miyama Folk Museum
Located in the northern settlement of Miyama Town, a coveted destination where idyllic thatched-roof houses remain, the Miyama Folk Museum showcases the former lifestyle of the area and the story behind hits designation as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
I had planned to visit the Miyama Folk Museum in Miyama, Kyoto, to learn about the history and everyday culture of the area's traditional thatched-roof houses. Unfortunately, it happened to be closed this time, so I couldn't go inside, which was a little disappointing! Still, just walking around the village of Miyama gives you a strong sense of the Japanese countryside.
Miyama's most distinctive feature is its traditional homes with thatched roofs. Together with the surrounding forests, mountains, and natural scenery, they make you feel as though you've stepped into an old village where time has stood still.
Ginkaku-ji
This temple was built by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, as a villa called "Higashiyama-den". Along with Kinkakuji Temple, this temple is a pagoda temple outside of Shokokuji Temple (i.e., a hermitage built in a different location from the main temple after his retirement). After Yoshimasa's death, the temple was named Jishoji after his Buddhist name.
Ginkaku-ji in Kyoto is one of the city's most iconic historic sites and is as famous as Kinkaku-ji. Although it doesn't glitter like Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji has an understated, elegant beauty and is filled with the spirit of Japanese Zen. As soon as you enter the temple grounds, you can feel the peaceful, relaxed atmosphere.
The temple's most distinctive features are the Ginshadan, made of piled white sand, and the tall Kogetsudai. Their simple shapes are full of artistic beauty. Together with the surrounding gardens, moss, and green trees, the entire scene looks very elegant, making you want to slow down and take in the beauty of the Japanese garden.
A Pilgrimage for the Popular Manga, “Slam Dunk”
This is the location of the railway crossing that served as a model for the opening scene of Slam Dunk, a basketball-themed anime that has gained enthusiastic fans not only in Japan, but all over the world.
The railroad crossing in front of Kamakurakōkōmae Station is an iconic location from the anime Slam Dunk! I'm sure many people immediately think of the scene in the opening where Sakuragi Hanamichi and Haruko meet as soon as they see this place. As one of the classic locations from Slam Dunk, it's definitely worth making a special pilgrimage here!
The blue ocean is right next to the crossing, and with the Enoden train slowly passing by, the whole scene is filled with the youthful feeling of a Japanese anime, as if you've actually stepped into an animated world. There are also many visitors who come specifically to take photos. Everyone wants to capture the iconic moment when the train passes, and seeing this familiar scene in person is truly exciting!
