Shimabara
Specialities History - In the shadow of a live volcano, along southeastern Nagasaki prefecture, you’ll find Shimabara city. It’s a place that maintains an old-world feel of ...
Dazaifu Tenmangu
Specialities History - Towering over the streets of Dazaifu city in Fukuoka prefecture, the Dazaifu Tenmangu is one of many shrines dedicated to Tenjin, the Shinto god of...
Kenchoji Temple
Specialities History - Esteemed as the first Zen training monastery of its kind back in 1253, Kencho-ji Temple’s still reigns supreme, taking the number one spot in Kamakura...
Iki Island
Specialities History - Despite sounding similar to the English word “icky,” Iki Island is the opposite of anything unpleasant. Located in the Tsushima Strait, north of the m...
Ueno
Specialities Parks & Gardens - Forget Stacey’s mom, Ueno has got it going on. Like cherry blossoms and temple ruins? Head on down to Ueno Park. Can’t get enough of...
Hiroshima Castle
Specialities Castles, History - While many Japanese castles share similar architectural designs, Hiroshima Castle has every imaginable feature associated with a medieval fortress: a ...
Sun Messe Nichinan
Specialities Parks & Gardens - A nod to the famous Moai of Easter Island, the Sun Messe statues are the only replicas allowed to be made of the originals in...
Tsushima
Specialities History - Head to a unique Japanese island that’s physically closer to South Korea than it is to Japan and you’ll find yourself on Tsushima. In fact,...
Goto Islands
Specialities History - The Goto Islands, referred to as simply Goto or the Gotos by Nagasaki’s foreign population, consist of five main islands set atop the East China...
Nagatoro
Specialities Sports - A morning on the river, viewing the trees as a boatman guides the traditional wooden raft down still waters. Handmade soba for lunch, cold and...
Gyoda Ancient Lotus Park
Specialities Parks & Gardens - Imagine stumbling upon something that has been dead for over a millennium and bringing it back to life, and you'll have an idea of what...