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10 Must-Visit Japanese Gardens for Nature Lovers
What Are the Best Gardens to Visit in Japan? Japanese gardens offer visitors a chance to relax and reflect on not only the natural beauty of the landscape and plants but also the unique aesthetics and appreciation of details that comes with Japanese garden design. Whether you’re interested in historical gardens, Zen spaces, or seasonal beauty, Japan has a garden to suit every traveler’s taste. We have compiled a list of what we believe to be some of the best and most easily accessible gardens in Japan. — Kenrokuen Garden — Ryoan-ji — Kinkaku-ji — Nagoya Culture Path — Uraku-en Garden — Hamarikyu Garden — Tokugawa Garden — Ashikaga Flower […]
6 Best Castles in Japan for History Lovers
How Many Castles Are There in Japan? At one point there were around 50,000 castles in Japan. Today, only roughly 200 of those castles remain—only twelve of which still retain their original castle keep (“Tenshou” in Japanese), while the others are reconstructions. The twelve original castles include Hirosaki Castle, Maruoka Castle, Matsumoto Castle, Inuyama Castle, Hikone Castle, Himeji Castle, Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, Matsue Castle, Marugame Castle, Kochi Castle, Matsuyama Castle, and Uwajima Castle. Among them, the “Tenshou” of Himeji Castle (Hyogo Prefecture), Hikone Castle (Shiga Prefecture), Matsumoto Castle (Nagano Prefecture), Matsue Castle (Shimane Prefecture), and Inuyama Castle (Aichi Prefecture) are designated as national treasures. Many of Japan’s castles were demolished […]
Onsen in Autumn: Relax in Nagano’s Nature
As the middle of September arrives, the summer heat in Japan is finally fading, and fresh winds of autumn are cooling the country down after a long humid summer! Japanese autumn starts in early September and lasts until the end of November. Autumn is a favored season for Japanese people as there are many seasonal events related to autumn colors, known as koyo (紅葉) in Japanese. The tree leaves gradually change their color from green into yellow, and then into red and brown, creating a array of colorful mountains, until the leaves eventually fall to the ground. — Where is Nagano Prefecture? — The Best Onsen to Enjoy Nagano’s Autumn Leaves — 20 […]
The 3 Most Sacred Places in Japan Explained
Some of the most iconic locations in Japan are Shinto Shrines. These religious sites offer travelers a unique opportunity to not only see the unique architecture and rituals of these sacred locations, but also to connect with the heart of Japanese people. This page reveals the 3 holiest sites in the country and the cultural importance of Japan’s top shrines. What Makes Japan’s Sacred Sites Unique? Shintoism is the indigenous faith of the Japanese and is relatively unique among religions in that it has no dogma, doctrine, or known founder. Although Shintoism lacks a doctrine, there are two historical texts, the Kojiki and Nihonshoki (written in the early 8th century), […]
6 Real-Life Locations That Inspired “Your Name”
Anime Pilgrimages, or “seichi junrei” in Japanese, are a fun and unique way to travel around Japan. These pilgrims follow the route of characters and allow travelers to see some of the locations from their favorite show or movie in real life. A Traveler’s Guide to “Your Name” Landmarks One of the best animated movies for an anime pilgrimage is the movie “Your Name”(君の名は or “Kimi no Na wa” in Japanese). This movie is not only famous as the third highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, outpacing even Hayao Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away,” but is also well known for its beautiful and faithful depiction of both the Japanese countryside and Tokyo […]
3 Day Nagoya Highlights Itinerary
Located in the center of Japan, Nagoya is known as “the Heart of Japan.” This castle city once attracted samurai and craftsmen alike and, later, wealthy merchants and innovative leaders of industry. Today, Nagoya is one of Japan’s largest cities and has cemented itself as Japan’s center of industry. This modern and innovative city also has a diverse food scene, great access to nature, and vibrant nightlife, making it an ideal place to stay as you travel across Japan or into the mountainous heartland of Central Japan. Only have time for a short trip to Nagoya? This 3-day itinerary allows you to make the most of your time in the […]
Best Tours in Tokyo
The capital of Japan is an expansive metropolis waiting to be explored by travellers. Tokyo is conveniently located on the main island of Honshu, making access to Tokyo incredibly easy. Home to two airports serviced by large airlines (Haneda and Narita), travellers are able to choose from a wide selection of flights to suit their travel schedules, and with both airports offering smooth transport options into the city centre it makes for a great starting and finishing point for your Japan trip. On this page you will find the following information : — Where is Tokyo? — Best Tours in Tokyo — Private Tours and Charters — Where to Stay […]
Cherry Blossoms in Nagano: When and Where to Enjoy the 2025 Season
Cherry blossoms play an important role in Japanese culture and for the brief time they are in bloom each spring, capture the imagination of the public. Known as ‘sakura’, the fragile beauty and fleeting nature of the blossoms is seen to reflect that of life itself – something to be cherished and delighted in with family and friends. Due to its altitude and cooler climate, Nagano’s sakura season is later than Osaka, Tokyo, or other coastal cities in the lower half of Japan. Thanks to this, even if you’ve missed the blossoms elsewhere a short trip to Nagano will give you a chance to see them for yourself. — What […]
Real Life Ghibli Locations in Japan
Japan is full of locations that seem to be straight out of a Studio Ghibli movie—as well as plenty of other locations which are said to have served as the real life inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki and the animation team. We’ve put together a list of real life Ghibli locations as well as places which seem to have been plucked directly from the films. All the locations are easily accessible to travelers and are sure to provide a memorable experience. Ghibli Inspired Places in Japan Places in Japan That Look like Studio Ghibli Best Studio Ghibli Experiences in Japan Ghibli Inspired Places in Japan While most Studio Ghibli films are […]