Historical Place

Gifu: The Land of Clear Waters Strategically located in central Japan, Gifu-ken (岐阜県, Gifu prefecture) is made up of five (unofficial) regions and is famous for its beautiful mountain towns, clear waters, traditional cormorant fishing...

As sweltering summer turns to autumn, leaves take on an amber hue starting from the mountains in Hokkaido and spreading southwards. Here are three top spots where Japanese people go “koyo (autumn leaf) hunting”!  Arashiyama, Kyoto 嵐山－京都   Best...

A display of Japanese lights Meguro Gajoen is Tokyo's longest-running wedding venue, and one of the most gorgeous, too. Its resemblance to the bathhouse of Ghibli Studio's "Spirited Away" has often been pointed out, and we...

An international expo was scheduled for Tokyo in 1940, whose main venue would have been in Tsukishima. This expo was planned to celebrate Japan’s 2,600th anniversary. According to historical document “Nihonshoki” written in the...

Horyuji Temple: The World's Oldest Wooden Building While Kyoto may be home to many of Japan’s most famous and photographed temples, it was nearby Nara Prefecture’s Horyuji Temple that captured UNESCO's attention to become Japan's first...

Get spirited away at one of Japan's oldest hot springs At Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, you soak in the historic atmosphere just as much as the hot spring itself. While Matsuyama as a...

Himeji Castle: Japanese castle architecture perfected and preserved After 5 and a half years of renovations, Himeji Castle reopened to the public in March in blazing white glory, with not just repainted walls and new roof tiles,...

Tohoku - the northeastern region of Japan's main island -  is most enjoyable in autumn, when this scenic area is aflame with fall colors, and its famed fruits and seafood are in full harvest. And...

Simultaneously valuing traditions and welcoming the new What exactly does religion mean in Japan? What is Shinto and how important is it to the Japanese? Never during my 10 years in Japan did I ask myself...

A sacred shrine you reach by escalator Presiding over a steep slope in the middle of Tokyo, the Hie Shrine is probably Japan's most urban shrine. Located in Nagatacho of the Chiyoda Ward,  the shrine is surrounded by a...