The Hojo Garden here is the most popular spot. Sitting quietly and admiring the rock garden really helps you feel calm and refreshed.
Ryoanji Temple | Review by 陳世明
Other Reviews by 陳世明
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Adachigahara Furusato Village
Located in Adachigahara, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, this facility features a vast natural garden dotted with a local history museum, traditional houses open for viewing, an indoor kids’ park, a bouncy dome, and more. Visitors can spend the day in many ways-learning about Nihonmatsu’s history and local culture or enjoying the playground equipment. In spring, a Cherry Blossom Festival is held, and in early fall, the Manjushage (red spider lily) Festival takes place. Seasonal flowers illuminated at night can be enjoyed with the village’s symbol, a five-story pagoda, as the backdrop.
It really feels like rural Japan. The air is super fresh, there aren’t many people, and it’s really comfortable to walk around.
The grounds aren’t huge, but the vibe with the old folk houses and thatched-roof homes is totally on point. Great for photos 📸 -
Tofukuji Temple
The head temple of the Tofukuji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Regent Kujo Michiie commissioned the temple as a family temple, appointing Shoichi Kokushi as its founding priest. Construction began in 1236, and the seven-hall temple complex was completed 19 years later in 1255. It is also one of Kyoto’s Five Great Zen Temples.
It felt like a money grab. Each person spent about 4,000 to 5,000 yen, and they closed at 4 p.m., so we missed out on seeing a lot of things.
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Blue Cave (Otaru, Hokkaido)
At the “Blue Cave,” sunlight entering the cave reaches the seabed, and all colors in the seven-color spectrum except blue are absorbed, causing the surface of the sea to glow a beautiful blue. This natural work of art is created by a combination of conditions, including the clarity of the seawater, the surrounding terrain, and the angle of the light. Blue caves can be found in several locations across Japan and around the world, with the cave on Italy’s island of Capri being especially famous. Located within Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park, Otaru’s Blue Cave is well worth visiting during a trip to the city.
Took a sightseeing boat tour of the Blue Cave. The ocean was a beautiful blue, changing with the sunlight. You’ll see some really unique rock formations along the way. The whole trip takes about 80 minutes. Definitely wear the warm coat they provide—it gets seriously cold out there.
