SEARCH RESULTS: 2024
Matsuri no Mori (Festival Forest) Museum
Matsuri no Mori, or Festival Forest, is a captivating museum that immerses visitors in the vibrant cultural heritage of Takayama’s renowned festivals. This unique museum offers an in-depth look into the artistry, history, and spirit of these festive events, making it a must-visit destination for those interested in Japanese culture and tradition. Unlike the Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan, which focuses primarily on the traditional festival floats, Matsuri no Mori features modern festival floats crafted in the Heisei era. These floats were created as part of a grand project to preserve and celebrate the traditional craftsmanship methods of the Hida people, ensuring that these skills are passed down to future generations. […]
Hida-Furukawa: A Hidden Gem of Gifu Prefecture
Hida-Furukawa is a charming town nestled in the scenic hills of northern Gifu Prefecture, offering a preserved historical ambiance and tranquil atmosphere. Unlike its bustling neighbor, Takayama, Hida-Furukawa provides a serene escape where visitors can experience authentic traditional Japan. Known for its beautiful white-walled storehouses, scenic canals filled with koi carp, and rich cultural heritage, this town offers a unique and immersive journey into Japan’s past. Shirakabe Dozogai Street: Historical Charm Wander through the serene Shirakabe Dozogai Street, where traditional storehouses line a small canal filled with colorful koi carp. This non-commercial heritage site perfectly reflects the area’s culture and history. Alongside the canal, you’ll find craft stores, restaurants, cafes, […]
Gero Onsen: A Tranquil Hot Spring Haven
Gero Onsen, nestled between Nagoya and Takayama, revered for its healing waters since the Edo Period. Celebrated as one of Japan’s finest onsen, it offers a perfect blend of historical allure and serene relaxation. Immerse yourself in the therapeutic embrace of Gero’s hot springs, surrounded by natural splendor, and experience a deep sense of renewal. Here, tradition meets tranquility, inviting you to unwind in the mineral-rich waters that have soothed generations. Gero Onsen stands as a testament to the timeless appeal of Japan’s hot spring culture, promising an unforgettable journey into wellness and peace. Gero Onsen: The Flow of History Trace the revered lineage of Gero Onsen, a sanctuary celebrated […]
Okuhida Onsen: Tranquility in the Japanese Alps
Nestled in the Northern Japan Alps, Okuhida Onsen is a collective term for five charming onsen towns, each offering its own unique character and hot spring waters. Known for their stunning open-air baths (rotenburo) with breathtaking views, Okuhida Onsen is a perfect destination for those seeking relaxation and a connection with nature. Positioned between Kamikochi and Takayama, Okuhida Onsen is conveniently located for visitors wanting to explore both popular destinations. Five Unique Onsen Towns Okuhida Onsen encompasses five distinct hot spring towns, each with its own unique charm and character. These towns offer a variety of experiences, from historical hot springs to modern relaxation spots, all set against the stunning […]
Tateyama Mountains: Top 3 Viewing Spots
Visitors to Toyama will be struck by the impressive sight of the Tateyama Mountains running across the horizon. Located at the northern of the Hida Mountain Range – often referred to as the North Japan Alps – this is Japan’s tallest mountain range and a striking backdrop to the city. Many people do love exploring the mountains through Kurobe-Tateyama Alpine Route, the splendor of the range can be enjoyed from the comfort of the city as well! These are our recommendations of where to view the mountains: 1 / Toyama City Hall Observation Tower This is the most convenient point to get a great view of the mountains. Hours very […]
Zuiryuji Temple
The small city of Takaoka is often skipped over, with travelers going to either Kanazawa of Toyama instead. The “workshop of Kanazawa” is somewhere that is convenient to stop by and has a lot of history in the many building that still stand to this day. The townscape that is preserved in the city is one of the late 1900s, a period that is not often represented throughout Japan. This means you can see the nation as it transforms itself from the samurai era to the modern era through its interesting, weird and unique architecture. There are merchant houses, meteorological offices, metalworking shops and temples everywhere. The most famous of […]
Nagamachi Samurai District
Wandering the streets of the Nagamachi Samurai District visitors can get a sense of the old city and the important role of the samurai-class that once resided in this area. Located nearby Kanazawa Castle, the district retains much of its historic characters with preservation of traditional gates, earthen walls and charismatic laneways. Kanazawa was one of the wealthiest cities in all of Japan during the Edo period and was the same size as Rome and Madrid. This is reflected in the types of homes still represented in the area, mostly middle and upper caste samurai. The famous walls are also carefully preserved by the residents of the area and in […]
Noto Peninsula
Extending 100 kilometers into the Sea of Japan, Noto Peninsula is relatively isolated region and home to beautiful coastal vistas. A place of tremendous beauty including rugged coasts and lush forests, the area has not developed to the extent of other regions of Japan and as such, offers visitors escape, solitude and pristine beauty. Note: Due to damage by the January 1st, 2024, the northern parts of the peninsula are still heavily damaged and are not suitable for tourism. The southern towns and cities are still recovering but some tourist sites have reopened. Coastal roads allow for scenic drives while just inland from the sea, rural villages ago about their […]
Best Views of Mount Fuji
Fuji is a beautiful and awe-inspiring sight. Given its tremendous size, it can be seen at great distance and from an endless array of angles meaning that there is no one place from which to view the mountain. Many visitors to the area want that classic photo of Fuji, set against a reflective lake or behind a tranquil temple. From the Fuji Five Lakes area to Hakone, there are many great places to see the mountain. We have created this page to give you some inspiration on where you can see Mount Fuji during your trip to Japan. On this page you will find the following information : — Best […]
