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 Festivals, 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...
Hiroshima Castle
Specialities History - While many Japanese castles share similar architectural designs, Hiroshima Castle has every imaginable feature associated with a medieval fortress: a ...
Hinomisaki Lighthouse
Specialities Landmark - Japan’s tallest masonry lighthouse and ranked in the top 100 historic lighthouses in the world, Hinomisaki Lighthouse is one of the more unique sites ...
Ikebukuro
Specialities Festivals - Ikebukuro really has it all-in-one. This once small historical village, (literally meaning "pond bag"- classy) has grown into a shopping and anime par...
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...
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Specialities Landmark - Everyone gets excited about the Skytree and the Tokyo Tower, but there's a cheaper place – cheaper because it's free – to catch a view...
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...