Hello! from Japan

About Japan and my life

Places outside of Tokyo

Visit Mt.Norikura, an excellent hiking place in Japan!

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Hi, how’s eveything?
We just had a terrible typhoon a few days ago. 

It didn’t hit Takayama, the area where I live now, but a lot of places in Nagano have damaged seriously. 
I hope nothing bad will happen this year any more… 

Beautiful view at Mt. Norikura

Last month I climbed Mt. Norikura, which is 3,026m meters above sea level and is one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains. 
It was my first time to get there and I really enjoyed my trip so I would like to share about it here. 

To get there, it is the best to take a bus.
Private cars are not allowed in the area.
Bus goes to a station at 2,702 meters above sea level (which is the highest bus stop in Japan).
You can use Nohi bus from Takayama, Hirayu, or Honoki-daira(takes about 90min, 60min, 45min respectively).

From the bus station, you can choose to climb different areas as shown on the map below. 

Map is provided by Norikura Natural Environment Guide Center,
Hida Norikura Tourism Association

To its highest peak, Mt.Kegamine, it takes about 90 min on foot. 
Although you could wear casual clothes and shoes, you are strongly advised to wear climbing shoes as the way to get there is really steep and can be slippery if it rains. 

This is the way to the highest peak of Mt. Norikura

You can enjoy watching beautiful ponds, flowers, and wild life such as Ptarmigans in Mt.Norikura.

A pond in Norikura

From mid-July to mid-September, you can take early morning bus to see the sunrise, and Norikura is particularly popular during September to October when visitors can enjoy beautiful Autumn leaves. 

Norikura in Autumn

If you are planning to visit Mt. Norikura this year, you need to be hurry because it will be closed at the end of Oct. The opening day is on May 15th every year.

Mt. Norikura is a perfect place to hike in Japan! 
Enjoy visiting there and taking pictures of beautiful nature. 

See you next time!
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my album below.
Free Somebody
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Visit the majestic Gifu castle on 300m high Mountain

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Hi, How are you doing?
I went to Gifu Castle a few weeks ago and I really enjoyed visiting the place so here’s some info to share. You can not only enjoy the view of the city from the top, but also learn the history (especially about the Warring/Samurai period in Japan).
If you have a chance, be sure to check this majestic castle!

view from gifu castle
View of Gifu city from the top of Gifu Castle.
It was a little cloudy when I was there but was really worth seeing!

About Gifu Castle

Gifu castle was originally named Inabayama Castle. 
It is believed that Nikaido Yukimasa(a butler to the Kamakura Shogunate) was the first one to build fortress on the top of the Mt. Kinka in 1201.

Saito Dosan was the castle lord during the Warring period, and later on in 1567, Oda Nobunaga became the lord and subjugated the area.

He also renamed the area from Inokuchi to Gifu ,and the name of the castle became Gifu castle. With this castle as his base, Nobunaga fought to unify Japan for over 10 years. The castle fell just before the war of Sekigahara, when Nobunaga’s grandson, Nobuhide became a member of the West Squad, and the East Squad invaded the castle.
The castle was destroyed in 1601 ,and some of the structures (castle towers and turrets) were moved to Kano Castle. 

The present castle we can visit is the one that was reconstructed in 1956.
You can enjoy the sight as Nobunaga had once viewed the world from the top of the castle(at 329m above sea level). 
You can take a view of Nagara River(famous for cormorant fishing), city of Gifu, and tall mountains including the Japan Alps. 
The observation area is open at night time occasionally from Spring until December. 

gifu castle on mt.kinka
Gifu castle on top of Mt.Kinka

About Oda Nobunaga

He was one of the most powerful feudal lords in the late 16th century. 
He tried to unify Japan and gained control over most Honshu(main island). 
Nobunaga was born on June 23, 1534, as the 2nd son of Oda Nobuhide, a daimyo in Owari (now part of Aichi prefecture).
Through his childhood, he was known for his strange behavior and people called him Outsuke (meaning, the Great Fool). 

In 1551 Nobuhide died unexpectedly. It is said that Nobunaga threw ceremonial incense at Nobuhide’s funeral, acting outrageously.
To take responsibility for his misbehaviors and to teach Nobunaga the right way of serving as a samurai, his menter Hirate Masahide committed Harakiri (suicide to show obligation). 

Some of the Oda clan were against him for his misbehaviors but Nobunaga destroyed those who came against him including his younger brother, Oda Nobuyuki (He had eliminated all opposition groups within the clan and Owari area by 1559). 

Among a lot of legendary battles he had during the Warring period, one of the most famous is the Battle of Okehazama.
In 1560, he fought against Imagawa Yoshimoto (he was a powerful lord based in Suruga, present-day Shizuoka prefecture). 
Yoshimoto had over 25,000 men, and they were marching toward Kyoto to expand his territories. One day at the narrow gorge of Dengaku-hazama, they were celebrating their victories.
Nobunaga, with only about 2,500 warriors, set some flags and dummy troops some distance away to get attention ,and at the same time, carried out a surprise attack from behind.
This led him to the victory and he became known by many warriors throughout Japan.

Later on, he changed the way people fight from using horses and swords to firearms and that brought him great success in conquering many areas in Japan. 

At Gifu, he instituted Rakuichi Rakuza (Free market, free guild).
With this, he eliminated barriers such as taxes, unions, and trade guilds.
This stimulated the economy and the castle town flourished.

On June 23rd when he was 47, his retainer Akechi Mitsuhide rebelled against him at Honoji temple in Kyoto and Nobunaga killed himself in the burning temple. 
He is still remembered as one of the most powerful, innovative historical figures.

nobunaga
You can see this golden statue of Oda Nobunaga at JR Gifu station.
Notice that he has a rifle instead of a sword!

Access to Gifu castle

To visit the castle, it is the best to use a bus from the train stations.
You can take a but at JR Gifu station or Meitetsu Gifu station and get off at Gifu Koen Mae(is is about 15 min travel) ,and walk to Mt. Kinka ropeway. 
From there, you can get to the station near the top of the mountain.
You can then take a walk to Gifu castle. 

Ropeway fare are 620yen for one way and 1,080yen for both ways.
To enter Gifu castle and Gifu castle museum located nearby, you need to pay the admission fee of 200yen.
Opening hours are 8:30am to 5:30pm during May 12 to Oct 16th, 9:30am to 4:30pm during Oct 17th to Mar 15th, 9:30am to 5:30pm during Mar 16th to May 11th. 

There’s Gifu City Museum of History located near the Ropeway station, in Gifu park. You can learn about the culture and history of Gifu city there. 
It has the permanent exhibition focused on Oda Nobunaga.
It hosts special exhibitions throughout the year displaying some historical art works. It is a good place to stop by before/after visiting Gifu castle.

・Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (closed on Mondays, the day after national holidays, and during end of the year and new year holidays)
・Price: 300yen to enter 

Historical places around

Shobo-ji Temple 

Just below the Mt.Kinka, there’s a temple called Shobo-ji, where a big Buddha is enshrined. 
It is 13.63m in height and is the largest dry lacquer Buddha statue and also one of Japan’s Three Great Buddhas (others are Nara and Kamakura’s Buddhas. Some people claim that Takaoka’s Buddha to be one of the greatest). 

Shobo-ji's Budhha

Inaba Shrine

It is a shrine beloved as the tutelary shrine of Gifu.
It is over 1,900 years old and it is believed that it was moved to its current location from Mt. Kinka by Saito Dosan.

Inaba Shrine

By visiting Gifu castle, you can learn what the life during Samurai era was like. 

Many festivals are held throughout the year in the area as well.
Among them, the most famous is Ngara river fireworks festival in the summer(on the last Saturday of July and 1st Saturday of August). 
Over 30,000 fireworks are set of at the event and it is breathtaking.
Have fun visiting Gifu!

See you next time,
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my album below.
Free Somebody
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Top 9 amazing things in Toyama

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Hi, how’s it going?
I went on a trip to Toyama city the other day.
It is one of the closest and the biggest city areas from Takayama city in Gifu prefecture, where I currently live.

Toyama city takes one-third of the land of Toyama prefecture, and is the capital of the area. It flourished as a castle town and the production of medicine was the major business during Edo period.
There still remains a lot of drug stores, and you can enjoy visiting many museums and great sushi restaurants. 
Here is the list of must-see places and things in Toyama prefecture.

・Sightseeing spots

Kurobe Gorge (黒部峡谷/Kurobe kyokoku)

Kurobe Gorge is one of the deepest gorges in Japan.
You can enjoy the natural scenic beauty as well as some hot springs around.
There is a slow-moving train which was originally made for the construction of Kurobe Dam during 1920s to 1930s.  
It connects Unazuki and Keyakidaira stations (takes about 80 min to travel and goes through over 40 tunnels and across over 20 bridges). 
The train runs from April to November and is especially popular during Autumn when visitors can enjoy beautiful Autumn leaves.

the kurobe gorge
写真提供：（公社）とやま観光推進機構

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

It is a mountain sightseeing route between Tateyama(Toyama) and Omachi(Nagano), which goes through the Japanese Northern Alps.
The highest point is 1975m, and it includes 7 different transports such as a trolleybus, funicular, and ropeway.  
You can enjoy panoramic view of the mountains, ponds, as well as famous Kurobe Dam, which is 186 m high and the biggest dam in Japan. 
Until the end of May, the wall of snow (that is about 20 m high) can be seen on the road.
The area is closed for private vehicles. Be careful not to get confused with Kurobe Gorge which is located in the different area.

tateyama kurobe alpine route
写真提供：（公社）とやま観光推進機構

Gokayama

It is a traditional style village designated as a world heritage site along with Shirakawa-go. 
Traditional architectural style (called Gassho-Zukuri) can be seen there together with beautiful nature around.
Many of the houses are over 300 years old and you can learn how people managed to live in the countryside of Japan.

gokayama
写真提供：（公社）とやま観光推進機構

Toyama Castle park

Located near JR Toyama station, Toyama Castle Park covers the former grounds of Toyama Castle.
Although the castle keep is a reconstructed building, the area has a Japanese garden and an art museum.
You can enjoy the view of the city from an observation deck located on the top floor.
The park is popular during April when people gather to enjoy the cherry blossom.
The Sato Memorial Art Museum is located across the park, which has paintings, local lacquerware, ornaments, and some traditional Japanese tea rooms.

toyama castle

Fugan Canal Kansui Park

Located about 9 min walk away from the North exit of JR Toyama Station, Fugan Canal Kansui Park is a popular spot to relax.
It has a spring, waterfall, playground and bridge. 
Starbucks coffee there won the best store design award in 2008, and is known as one of the most beautiful Starbucks buildings in the world.

starbucks in toyama

Toyama Glass art museum

This museum has a large collection of both traditional and modern glass art works and is also a library inside.
The building was beautifully designed by world-renowned architect, Kengo Kuma.
On the 6th floor is a glass garden produced by Dale Chihuly, a famous contemporary glass artist.  

glassart museum

・Open from 9:30am to 6:00pm (until 8:00pm on Sat).
・Closed first and 3rd Wednesdays each month, on Dec 31st ,and Jan 1st.
・Price: 200 yen for permanent exhibition, 700-1,000yen for temporary exhibitions.

・Events

Yotaka Festival

It is a festival which is usually held on the second weekend of June. 
Giant lantern floats (a big one can go over 7 meters in height) go around the city.
After the procession, they are bashed into each other to destroy the opponent.
It is said that the tradition of fighting started over hundreds years ago when the roads were narrow.
Each group that carry lantern floats wouldn’t give way to the other, and they fought to show which one was stronger. 
The tradition is kept to this date but the festival is not just for the fighting of people merely competing for winning.
It is to vitalize the city and the communities, and energize the people who participate and view the event.
In May, pre-festival event, Fukuno Yotaka Festiva is held.Lanterns are displayed and lit up during the night time.
Traditional music and dance are performed and people sing Yotaka song.

yotaka festival
写真提供：（公社）とやま観光推進機構

Owara kaze no bon

It is an annual traditional dance performance event held during the night of Sep 1st to 3rd and has a history of about 300 years.
It is said that the festival was started to appease typhoons and hope for good harvest of rice.
As many as 250,000 visitors come during the event every year. 
People wear Kimono and a hat (dancers hide their faces from the wrath of the god) ,and dance to the traditional music played by instruments like Shamisen and Kokyu. The performance lasts all night.

owara kaze no bon

・Seafood

Fish, Shrimp(Shiroebi) ,and squid(Firefly squid) caught in Toyama bay are really fresh and tasty especially between March and June. 
Masu-zushi (pressed-trout sushi) is a speciality of Toyama.
It is kind of sushi which is made using traditional food-preservation skills. Slices of trout are prepared on vinegered rice and wrapped with bamboo leaves. It is then pressed for several hours.
There are a lot of sushi and sashimi places in the city where you can enjoy these fresh seafood and Masu-zushi.

写真提供：（公社）とやま観光推進機構

Toyama city is near Gifu and Ishikawa prefectures and is a great place to stop by. 
You can enjoy amazing nature, inspiring museums, and delicious seafood as well as exciting festivals.
Take your camera with you and enjoy your visit to Toyama city!

See you next time,
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my album below.
Free Somebody
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12 amazing places you should visit in Hokkaido

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It seems that the rainy season this year is going to last longer than usual in Japan.
As the temperature is going high, I already started missing the cool weather.
So, this time I wrote about Hokkaido, which is the Japan’s northernmost area and it is one of the best destinations during hot summer time. 
Hokkaido is known for its tremendous land with great nature, landscape, and food culture.
22% Japanese land belong to Hokkaido and many parts of it are unspoiled.
Hokkaido attracts many outdoor lovers from all over the world like hikers, campers, and cyclists in summer, skiers and snowboarders in winter.

Here are 12  places you should visit in Hokkaido with info about food culture there.

1.Sapporo

It is the capital city of Hokkaido and there are about 2 million people there.
Combining both Japanese and foreign cultures, this place has unique atmosphere. 
Many foreign cultures were introduced to this area during the Meiji Restoration period, when Japanese people started learning from overseas.

clock tower

Sapporo Clock Tower, which was build it 1869, is a historical and cultural symbol of Sapporo.
This place was originally used as the first institution for Agricultural Studies in Japan, and students conducted their military training and physical education here. It is now a museum of history and the iconic tower of Sapporo. The bell rings every hour and tells the time to the city.

sapporo beer

Beer is a popular product in Sapporo. Sapporo beer, which is the oldest Japanese beer brand is popular all over the areas in Japan. You can find Sapporo beer easily (the one with a Star label on) at any convenience stores or supermarkets. The technique of beer brewery was introduced to Japan from Germany in the late 1860s and the very first one was brewed in Sapporo in 1876 by a Japanese brewer, Seibei Nakagawa, who trained in Germany. At the Sapporo beer museum, you can take a guided tour of the history and brewing methods and taste fresh beer after the tour.

snow festival

The must-see event in Sapporo is the Sapporo Snow Festival.
It is an annual event held in February. It features about 250 snow/ice sculptures on display outside in Odori Park, Tsudome, and Susukino.
At night, some of them are lit up and you can enjoy viewing/taking pictures of the beautiful art works.

2.Otaru

It is a harbor city which can be reached by train from Sapporo within an hour. This area thrived as a port city, and many western style buildings were made during Meiji era.
Glassware and music boxes are popular products here, and it is also known for its picturesque city view. There are many museums and shops, so this area is a good place to buy souvenirs!
In February, the Otaru Snow light path festival is held every year, when snow lanterns and illuminations light up the city during from 17:00 to 21:00 everyday.

otaru

3.Hakodate

Hakodate is the southernmost city of Hokkaido. 
This city is the first port to open up to foreign trade, so you’ll find a lot of international influence in this area.
The Hakodate Morning Market (open from 5:00am until 3:00pm everyday), which is just a minute walk away from Hakodate Station is a great place to enjoy fresh seafood.
Major sightseeing spots are the Motomachi area, the Kanamori Red Brick Warehouses, and  Goryokaku park with its historic relics. 
At night, you can enjoy the amazing view. The night view here is considered one of the most beautiful in Japan along with Kobe and Nagasaki.

4.Niseko

This place is a very popular ski resort that attracts people from all over the world. The powder snow in this area is high in quality and there are a lot of hotels and Onsen spots. 
If you like outdoor activities like hiking or skiing, you should definitely check this are out!

niseko

5.Asahikawa

This is the 2nd largest city in Hokkaido after Sapporo. There is a popular Zoo called Asahiyama Zoo, which has a glass tunnel through the penguin pool. You can learn about wild animals in Hokkaido such as eagles, deer, wolves, cranes. polar bears, etc. 
Asahikawa ramen is a popular local food there. The broth is soy sauce based and a little more oily compared to most ramen in Japan.
Eating the ramen seeing the beautiful nature in Hokkaido will surely be a great experience!

asahikawa

6. Lake Toya

This lake is known for its spectacular view with the active volcano Mt. Usu and the nature around it. Lake Toya is one of the most popular hot spring areas in Hokkaido as well. In 2008, G8 summit was held here.

lake toya

7.Furano and Bie

Furano and Biei are best-known for their lavender fields. 
In Biei area, there is a popular blue pond called Shirogane blue pond and a spectacular waterfall called Shirahige Falls (it means “white beard waterfall”) , where you can see white curtains of water there and from November to April, light-up events take place from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. Biei Shirogane Onsen is another popular spot where you can relax taking a hot spring watching majestic nature around.

furano
blue pond

8.Noboribetsu Onsen

Located in south-western Hokkaido, it is the most popular hot spring town in Hokkaido.
There are 9 different kinds of hot-springs.
Among them, the most impressive one is Jigokudani, or Hell Valley.
The valley is 450 m wide, and 3,000 liters of hot water is produced per minute. In the north of the town, there are various hiking courses around.
Virgin forests in the area are designated as Japan’s natural monument.

9.Daisesuzan National Park

It is the largest national park in Japan (226,764 ha, more than 3 times bigger than Tokyo).
It is a great place for hikers. There are many different hiking courses, so any levels of hikers can enjoy walking in the beautiful nature seeing wild animals and flowers.
Asahi-Dake (2,291m) is the tallest mountain in the area, and there is a ropeway which goes up to 1,600m above the sea level.

daisetsuzan

10.Lake Mashu

This lake is considered as one of the clearest caldera lakes in the world.
Visitors are not allowed to go down to the lake, but there are two observation decks from which you can enjoy the views on a fine day. 
It is the best if you could rent a car to get there, but you could take infrequent buses that run between Mashu station and the Observation deck 1 (until November). 

lake mashu
http://photo.hokkaido-blog.com/html/03/mashuuko.html

11.Shiretoko National Park

This national park in the Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2005.
The nature there is unspoiled and it can be accessed only by foot or boat.
It is a home to many wild animals such as beers, foxes, deers, etc.
Just like in all national parks, you are not allowed to feed or throw away trash in the area so you need to follow the rules strictly if you are going.
In winter, drift ice can be seen in the Shiretoko Peninsula.

shiretoko

12.Shikaribetsu Kotan

During winter (from January to March only), there will be a snow village at the highest elevation lake in Hokkaido, which is 800 m above the sea level. This is called Shikaribetsu Kotan and it features numbers of attractions such as ice bars, ice hot springs, and ice concert halls.
At night, some buildings are lighten up.
If you would like to enjoy the winter in Hokkaido, make sure that you check Shikaribetsu Kotan!

kotan
http://photo.hokkaido-blog.com/

Popular cuisine in Hokkaido

・Ramen

There are basically four different kinds of ramen soup in Hokkaido: Miso (Sapporo), Soy-sauce (Asahikawa), Salt (Hakodate), and Curry (Muroran). 
You can enjoy locally grown, fresh vegetables with delicious soup and noodles. Eating ramen is great especially during cold winter!

ramen

・Milk and Cheese

Hokkaido is known for its daily product.
Cool summers and snowy winters in Hokkaido is great for farming and agriculture. The quality of milk and cheese produced there is very high and rich in taste.

hokkaido milk

・Seafood and vegetables

Thanks to the surrounding seas, there are a lot of tasty seafood in Hokkaido such as salmon roes, squids, sea urchins, shrimps, crabs, sea shells, and various Sashimis. All of them are very fresh and taste great!
Hokkaido’s huge land is great for making vegetables.
You can enjoy fresh vegetables throughout the year.

How to get to Hokkaido from Tokyo

The easiest way to go there is by an airplane. The price varies depending on the season and the airline you use, but it usually costs from around 10,560yen to 25,000yen for a round trip. It takes about 1 hour and a half. 
As an alternative way, you could take Hotoku Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo station to Shinhakodate Hokuto station. It takes about 4 hours and costs around 22,690yen for one way(reserved seat), but you can enjoy the beautiful view during the train ride.

Enjoy traveling there and embrace the nature!

If you need more info about Japan, give me a comment here or send me a message to[email protected]

See you next time,
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my album below.
Free Somebody
Skyhigh

6 things you should to do in Fukuoka

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Hi! How’s it going?
It got really cold the other day and snowed a bit but nice and warm these days in Japan.
This time, let me introduce Fukuoka prefecture.
It’s my first time to write about Kyushu area.

Fukuoka is a prefecture in Kyushu, which is located southwest of main island, or Honshu.
Kyushu is Japan’s third largest island.
Fukuoka city in Fukuoka prefecture is one of the largest cities in Japan, and Hakata area has been serving as an important port and commercial center.

Fukuoka is close to Korea and the airport is always busy with people traveling.
It is one of the most progressive cities in Japan and has a lot to offer!
Below are the popular things/places in Fukuoka prefecture.
Be sure to check them out!

    1. See Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival

      It is an annual festival held in July for 2 weeks and has the history of over 700 years.
      Two kinds of floats are used during the festival: Kazariyama floats and Kakiyama floats.
      Kazariyama floats are larger floats which are over 10 meters tall.
      During July 1st to 14th, 14 of them are displayed outside.
      Kakiyama floats are smaller and they are about 5 meters tall.
      In the morning of July 15th (at 4:59am, just before sunrise), the race of festival floats is held using them.
      There are 7 of them and each of them weights about 1 ton.
      Unlike floats in Takayama, they don’t have wheels and participants need to carry them in teams.
      It takes about 30 minutes to complete the course and floats run one by one in five minute intervals.
      Parades and practice runs for the race are held from July 10th to 14th and all floats are lined up in front of Kushida Shrine, where the start line is.
      Kushida Shrine is located about 15 to 20 minutes away from Hakata Station (five minutes walk away from Gion Subway station or Canal city Hakata).
      It gets really crowded during the event but it really is an exciting event!


      画像提供:ソザイング

    2. Eat at Yatai/Food Stalls

      If you want to eat out and try some local Japanese food, Nakasu is the place to go!
      There are a lot of Yatai/Food stalls along the Naka River.


      Hakata Ramen is a must-try Japanese food there.
      It has green onions and boiled or roasted pork (called Char Siu in Japanese) on top.
      Although the soup varies slightly from shop to shop, almost every soup of Hakata ramen is whitish and cloudy.
      Pork boned are boiled well until the soup gets white and cloudy and it is mixed with soy sauce.
      It tastes like milk, and goes well with thin noodles.
      If you are really hungry, leave the soup after finishing the first.
      You can order Kaedama, or extra noodle and put it in the same soup to keep enjoying the great taste of Hakata Ramen!
      As an option, you can add some toppings like half-boiled eggs, Takana( Pickled and mustard leaf with red peppers), or
      Beni Shoga (pickled ginger root).

      写真提供：福岡市

      Motsunabe is another popular food in Fukuoka.
      Motsu means offal or internal organs of cows and pigs, and Nabe means hot pot.
      So, Motsunabe is a hot pot with various offal and vegetables like leek, garlic, and cabbage.
      It might sound a little too exotic to people from western countries, but it really is tasty and people say it has good effects for beauty since it contains high amounts of collagen.

      Karashi Mentaiko(Pollock roe with red chili pepper spices) is also popular in Hakata area.

    3. Visit Kyushu National Museum

      Opened in 2005, it is Japan’s first new national museums in more than 100 years.
      The building is carefully designed, and contains large number of historically important artifacts including prehistoric relics that show the history of trading link among Japan, Korea, and China.

      Access: About 10 to 15 min walk away from Dazaifu Station.
      Hours: 9:30am to 5:00pm
      Price: 430yen to enter

    4. Relax at Sumiyoshi shrine

      It is one of the oldest shrines in Kyushu (about 1,800years old) and is surrounded by large Japanese cedars and camphor trees.
      The shrine is dedicated to safe travel by sea.
      Sailors would visit the shrine before leaving the port to pray for the safe trip.
      The main hall is rebuilt in 1623, but it still has the ancient architectural style.
      Inside, there is a Noh theater with a traditional style stage.

      Access: About 10 min walk away from JR Hakata station.
      Hours: 6:00am to 9:00pm
      Price: Free to enter

    5. Pray at Dazaifu Tenman-Gu

      It is a shine dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane, a scholar and politician of the Heian Period (750-1185), who is known as the god of learning.
      So, this shrine is busy with a lot of students praying for academic achievement and passing exams.
      About 6,000 plum trees are planted around and they bloom beautifully from early February to mid March.Hours: 6:30am to 7:00pm (closed from Dec 31st to Jan 3rd).


      Access: About 5 min walk away from Dazaifu station.

      Hours:
      6:00am to 7:00pm (April and May)
      6:00am to 7:30pm (June to August)
      6:00am to 7:00pm (Until mid September)
      6:30am to 7:00pm (late September to November)
      6:30am to 6:30pm (December to mid March)
      6:00am to 6:30pm (late March)
      ※Opens until 20:30 on Fridays and Saturdays
      Price: Free to enter

    6. Take pics at Fukuoka Castle

      It is a castle also known as Maizuru Castle or Seki Castle made in Edo period (1603 to 1868).
      The construction started in 1601 by the first lord of Fukuoka province, Kuroda Nagamasa, and it took 7 years to complete.
      There are more than 1,000 cherry blossoms around, and it is a very popular place for tourists visiting in Spring.
      Sadly, during the war period around 1873, most of it was destroyed in order to use the site for military and only ruined walls and a few turrets remain on the site now.
      Still, it is a great place to learn about history there and take great pictures!

      写真提供：福岡市

      Access: About 10 to 15 min walk away from Ohori Koen subway station.
      It is always open and the admission is free except during illumination events.

By the way, Fukuoka is known as the place where a lot of beautiful women are.
They are called “Hakata Bijin” (beautiful women in Hakata/around Fukuoka area).
Fukuoka has been an important place for import-export and many different kinds of races were mixed in the area.
It is believed that it contributed to the produce of somewhat exotic, beautiful look!

Access

From Tokyo

Take an airplane at Haneda Airport to Fukuoka Airport.
One way flight costs around 16,000yen to 41,390yen and it takes about 2 hours.

From Nagoya

Take an airplane at chubu centrair international airport to Fukuoka Airport.
One way flight costs around 6,000yen and it takes about 1 and a half hours.

From Osaka

You could either take Shinkansen (bullet train) or airplane.
By train, take Nozomi, Hikari, or Kodama train at Shin-Osaka station and it goes directly to Hakata station.
One way fare is 14,480yen for non-reserved seat and it takes about 2 and a half hours.

By airplane, take a flight at Osaka International Airport to Fukuoka Airport.
It takes about 1 hour and the fare ranges from 13,400 to 27,000yen.

As an alternative way, you could take Kansai International Airport to Fukuoka Airport.
They have LCC flights and the ticket price can be as low as 3,690yen for one way and it takes about 1 hour to get to Fukuoka.
However it has less daily flights so be sure to check the flight schedule!


Here’s today’s music!
This instrumental tune is called “Lotus”.

I came up with the main theme while I was walking through the garden in Kyoto (and also in Himeji).
Featuring Banjo by Ryosuke Toyomaki and Violin by Mori de Maigo (They are my friends).

I carefully constructed the beat for this tune.
If you listen carefully, you hear the hi-hats are beating slightly differently on left and right.
I did that purposely so that it would create more space and make the music alive.
And I played the bass, piano, synth, and guitar over it.
Hope you dig it!

See you next time!
Taka

 

※I’m a professional composer. My songs are available here: Skyhigh 
Or, you can click on the band camp link below to listen.

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

6 impressive areas to visit in Aomori

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Hi, everyone!
This time I wrote about Aomori prefecture.
Aomori is located at the northernmost part of Honshu (main island) of Japan.
Since it is located far away from major cities like Tokyo or Osaka, It is relatively unknown to visitors of Japan.
However, Aomori has a lot of things to see: gorgeous festivals, delicious food, and breathtaking nature.
Here are some of the must-visit areas/events in Aomori!

  1. Festivals

    Nebuta Festival

    It is a summer festival held every year from Aug 2 to 7.
    Floats resembling humans (some of them are characters from Kabuki/mythical stories) go around the city and large traditional drums are played during the parade.
    Floats are constructed of painted washi paper (traditional Japanese paper) and it takes a year to make them.
    Lanterns are placed inside the floats which bring out the beautiful colors of washi pater to viewers.
    It is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
    The origin of the festival is not known but it is believed that it started as a shinto festival blending Chinese influence.
    It gets more than 3 million visitors during the festival
    The parade of floats start from 7:00pm until 9:00pm and on the last day, you can watch great fireworks that close the festival.

    Hashinohe Sansha Taisai

    It is another famous festival in Aomori. The festival has a history of more than 290 years.
    It is believed that the sacred procession of mikoshi (portable shrine) held at Horyosan Ogami Shire is the origin of the festival.
    The event is held annually from July 31 to Aug 4.
    During the festival, more than 20 floats are displayed and  he parade of mikoshi and the dance performance called Toramai (tiger dance) is held.
    Is is designated as an Intangible cultural heritage.

  2. Museums/Historical ruin

    Wa-rasse

    It is a museum where you can learn the history and charms of Nebuta festival.
    4 full sized floats are on display and you get to play taiko drums inside.
    On weekends and holidays, Hanato festival dancers perform occasionally accompanied by live music.
    There are restaurants and stores where you can get some local souvenirs and food.

    Hours: 9:00 to 19:00 (9:00 to 18:00 from Sep to Apr)
    Closed from Dec 31 to Jan 1, Aug 9 to 10

    Price: 600 yen per a person

    Towada Art Center

    It is a contemporary art museum in Towada city.
    Opened on April 26 in 2008, it was built as an “open space for providing new experiences”.
    It has collections of modern artists from all over the world including Ron Muck, Jeong Hwa Choi, and Yoko Ono.
    Works are displayed indoors as well as outdoors. It also holds a gallery space and cafe. Free English audio guide is available.

    Hours:9:00 to 17:00
    Closed on Mondays and during the End of the year and New Year
    Price: 1,200yen to enter Collection and Exhibition

    Sannai Maruyama ruin

    It is a Jomon period (130,000 to 300BC) archaeological site.
    The large part of it was discovered in 1992 and was designated as a Special National Historical Site of Japan in 2000.
    Over 500 pit houses that were used by the settlers as well as a lot of artifacts have been found on the site.
    People living the area used to store food in underground pits until 2,900 BC.
    Later on, they started to store food above ground in houses as they became more sedentary.
    You can visit this site and see reconstructions and learn the history at Jomon Jiyukan, an exhibition hall of objects excavated from the area.
    Also, Aomori Museum of Art is located close to the ruin. It is another good place to check!

    Hours:
    9:00 to 17:00 (From Apr 1 to May 31, Oct 1 to Mar 31)
    9:00 to 18:00 (From Apr 28 to May 6, Jun 1 to Sep 30)
    Closed on Dec 31 and Jan 1

    Price:
    Free to enter

  3. Nature

    Lake Towada and Oirase River

    Lake Towada is a large caldera lake located on the border of Aomori and Akita prefectures.
    The lake is particularly beautiful during Autumn when you can enjoy Autumn colors. There is a river named Oirase River nearby.
    The sound of flowing water at this rive was chosen by the Ministry of the Environment as one of the 100 soundscapes of Japan.

    Lake Juniko

    It consists of 33 lakes and ponds in the western part of the World national Heritage Site, Shirakami-Sanshi.
    There is Aoike (Blue pond) in the area.
    The surface of it reflects the nature around and very photogenic.

    Shirakami Sanchi

    It is an extensive mountain at the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures and is designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    You can enjoy hiking and watching Anmon Falls (a set of 3 waterfalls) on the north eastern side.
    To access the heart of Shirakami Sanchi’s forest, you need to contact an office to get a permission at least 7 days prior to the visit.
    Shirakami Sanshi can be accessed from the north from Hirosaki.
    If you are going there from the south, you could go from Noshiro in Akita prefecture by taking one hour train ride.

    Choshi Otaki

    It is a waterfall that is 20 feet high and 66 feet wide.
    It flows in gentle slope and the waterfall makes beautiful mist.
    If you like taking pictures of beautiful nature, be sure to check this out!

    Zuirakuen

    It is a dry landscape garden in Hirosaki and is designated as a scenic spot by Japanese government.
    It was made by a great gardener, Teizan Takahashi and it took him 15 years to complete the garden.
    Hills, stone bridges, and plants are beautifully placed and you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

    Hours: 10:00 to 16:00
    (Closed every Monday and during Dec 1 to Mar 31)
    Price: Free to enter

  4. Castle

    Hirosaki Castle

    It is a three-store castle built in 1611.
    Originally, it was a five-story castle, but was burnet down by lightning in 1627 and was rebuilt in 1810.
    A lot of cherry trees are there around the castle, and Hirosaki Castle is one of the most popular destinations to enjoy Sakura in Spring.
    Annual festival is held from April 23 to May 5.
    It is really amazing watching the castle moat filled with petal of Sakura.

    Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (Open From Apr 1 to Nov 23)
    Price: 310 yen per a person

  5. Onsen (hot spring)

    Sukayu Onsen

    It is a large public bath (also called “Sennin Buro”, a large bath that can have 1,000 people) located in the snowiest place of Japan.
    It has been accessible for 300 years and has both gender mixed and separated baths.
    The baths are all natural with water coming directly from the source.

    Hours:
    Gender mixed From 7:00 to 18:00 (From 8:00 to 9:00, women only)
    Separated From 9:00 to 17:00

    Price: 600yen per a person

  6. Food and drink

    Aomori is famous for producing high quality apples and has the largest apple farming land in Japan.
    Apple production in Aomori is about 56% of the domestic market and over 446,000 tons of apples are sold every year.
    Another popular food is Tuna. The blue-fin tuna caught in Aomori is called “black diamond” for its highest quality in Japan.
    If you are into Sake, you can visit a Hachinohe brewery and try fresh sake.
    You can fully enjoy the taste of Japanese sake together with fresh seafood in Aomori.
    Miroku yokocho is a good place to try different kinds of local food and enjoy chatting with locals.

Access

From Tokyo

By Train

Take Tohoku Shinkansen (Hayabusa) from Tokyo to Shin Aomori, and then take JR Ohu honsen bound for Aomori station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 30 min. Price: 17,750 yen for one way)

By Train, Airplane, and Bus

Take JR Yamanote line to Hamamatsu Cho and then take Tokyo monorail to Haneda airport.
Take a flight to Aomori airport. Then, take JR bus Tohoku bound for Aomori ekimae station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 15 min. Price: 35,150yen for one way)

From Nagoya

By Airplane and Bus

Take a bus at Nagoya ekimae station bound for Aichi Kukou Museum.
Take an airplane at Nagoya airport(Komaki) to Aomori Airport.
Then, take JR bus Tohoku bound for Aomori ekimae station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 20 min. Price: 35,400yen for one way)
※If you are going by trains, it is the best to go to Tokyo first.

From Osaka

By Airplane and Bus

Take Hankyu Takarazuka Exp to Hotarugaike, and take an airplane at Osaka Itami to Aomori Airport.
Then, take JR bus Tohoku bound for Aomori ekimae station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 50 min. Price: 42,220yen for one way)
※If you are going by trains, it is the best to go to Tokyo first.

Aomori has both beautiful mountains and the view of the ocean.
It surely is a great place to visit!

Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

See you next time!

9 amazing places to visit in Nagano

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Nagano is located about 3 hours away from Tokyo and it is the fourth biggest prefecture in Japan.
It is rich in nature. Nine of the twelve highest mountains in Japan are in Nagano.
In 1998, Winter Olympics was held in this area.
Since then, Nagano has been a world-class winter sport destination.
Nagano is beautiful in other seasons as well: you can see beautiful flowers and Sakura in spring, enjoy hiking in the summer, and admire autumn leaves in fall.

  1. Zenkoji Temple

    Built in the 7th century and it is one of the most famous temples in Japan.
    The first Buddhist statue that was brought to Japan is stored here.
    The original statue is hidden but a replica is shown to the public every six years.
    Because the influence of the Buddhism was huge, Nagano grew up around this temple.
    There is Gokaidan meguri, or a pitch dark tunnel under the main hall of the temple.

    It is a place where there is no light and you walk through in it to find the hidden “Key to paradise”(Hidden lock of a door).

    You can experience how it is to be a Buddhist by going through the tunnel: try to reach the enlightenment just focusing on it.
    Like finding the lay of light inside of the darkness.

    There is also the Zenkoji History Museum where you can see hundreds of religious art works such as Buddhist statues and writings.

    Zenkoji Temple
    Price: 500yen per a person to enter the main hall.

  2. Togakushi Shrine

    Built about 2,000 years ago, Togakushi shrine is located in the northwest of the center of Nagano.
    This shrine consists of five shrines dedicated to different gods.
    The Hoko-Sea is to the goddess who protects maternity, sewing, and academic life.
    The Hino-miko-sha is to the god of fire and performing arts.
    The Chu-Sha is to the god of wisdom.
    The Oku-sha is to the god of fortune and harvest.
    The Kuzuryu-Sha is to the god of rain and good relationships.

    Going to Oku-Sha and then to Kuzuryu-Sha is a popular walking course.
    It is about 2 kilometer hike ,and along the way, you can enjoy watching beautiful cedar trees that are over 400 years old.

    Togakushi Shrine

  3. Matsumoto Castle

    It is one of the oldest Japanese castles in Matsumoto city, the place located in the center of Nagano prefecture.
    Among 12 castles existing from Edo period in Japan, only Matsumoto castle and Himeji castle are five floors (since there is a hidden floor, precisely speaking they have 6 floors though!).
    You can enjoy the view of the impressive landscape of this great, black and white castle with the Northern Alps behind.

    Inside of it, there are displays of weapons and armors from Sengoku period (Warring States Period. 15th to 16th century).
    In the moats just below the castle, koi carps and swans circle.

    Matsumoto Castle
    Time: 8:30 to 17:00
    (8:00 to 18:00 during Golden week holiday and Summer season and 10:00 to 15:30 from Jan 1st to 3rd)
    ※Closed on Dec 29th to 31st
    Price:610yen per a person to enter.

  4. Shiga Kogen

    It is a large ski resort that has 51 lifts and gondolas.
    The elevation range from 1,300 to 2,300meters above the sea level and it is the largest place for skiing.
    It has different kinds of terrain for any types of skiers and snowboarders.
    There are some hot springs and hotels in the area as well.

    Shiga Kogen

  5. Snow monkey park

    Also called Jigokutani Monkey Park.
    This park was made in 1964 to protect wild monkeys that faced threats because of the development of ski resorts.
    Around 160 monkeys are living in the area.
    Winter is the most popular time, but the park is open throughout the year and you can see monkeys everyday.
    There’s a pool around which the monkeys gather where you can observe the wild monkeys bathing in Onsen.
    It is prohibited to touch or feed the monkeys, so please follow the rules when you enter the park.

    Snow monkey park
    Time: 8:30 to 17:00 (From April to Oct)
    9:00 to 16:00 (From Nov to Mar)
    Price: 800yen per a person to enter

  6. Karuizawa

    It is a mountain resort just below the active volcano, Mt Asama.
    Karuizawa is famous as a summer resort as it offers pleasant escape from the heat of summer.
    It is a great place to enjoy outdoor activities like golfing, skiing, cycling, hiking, etc.
    So a lot of wealthy people buy a second home in the area.
    John Lennon stayed there with his family and Bill Gates rents holiday villas in Karuizawa.

    Karuizawa

  7. Kamikochi

    It is a narrow basin at 1,500 meters above sea level where you can enjoy great hiking!
    The area has amazing nature and is part of a national park in which private cars are not allowed to enter.
    Since it is surrounded by tall mountains, the temperature stays cool even in the summer (it rarely goes over 25 ℃).
    There are breathtaking lakes along the hiking course.
    The one I recommend that you go is Myoin Pond.
    It is a solemn pond in a virgin forest.
    You can never get bored watching photogenic view of it!


    Kamikochi
    Open from May until mid Nov every year

  8. Azumino

    Azumino is Located on the northern end of the Matsumoto and just below Hakuba, the place that had a lot of ski events during the 1998 Winter Olympic Games.
    There’s the largest wasabi farm in Japan called Daio Wasabi Farm with Water Mills.
    The quality of wasabi there is the highest in Japan and you will be amazed to taste it!
    You can not only try pasted wasabi, but also wasabi ice cream in Azumino (Surprisingly, it’s sweet and not spicy at all).
    I used to go to Azumino every year when I was an elementary school student for joining the training camp of a soccer team.
    I had so much wasabi ice cream with my teammates.
    Apples, grapes, pears, peaches, and buckwheat noodles are also made in the area and they are all great!

    Besides the wasabi farm, Hotaka Shrine, and Alps Azumino National Government Park are must-visit places!

    Daio Wasabi Farm
    Time: 9:00 to 17:20 (From Mar to Oct)
    9:00 to 16:30 (From Nov to Feb)

  9. Kiso

    It is located in the southeastern part of Nagano and 94% of its area is occupied by forest.
    It was a place where Yoshinaka Kiso, a warlord lived.
    Nakasendo, the road that connects Tokyo, Nagano, and Nagoya, runs in Kiso, so it is called Kiso-ji (Kiso road).
    The landscape of the past Edo era are preserved in Tsumago-juku and Narai-juku.
    Just walking Kiso-ji, you will get the feeling of Samurai period.
    Lacquer-ware, containers, and combs are popular products of Kiso.

    Kiso

There are also large lakes like Lake Suwa and Kizaki in Nagano, and a lot more great places for hiking.
If you are checking everything, you will need a few days of stay here but it really worth visiting the area!

Access

From Tokyo

Take JR Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Nagano
(Time:About 2 hours   Price: 8,000 yen for oneway)

From Nagoya

Take Chuo Main Line Wideview Shinano bound for Nagano
(Time:About 3 hours  Price: 6,810 yen for oneway)

Where do people do winter/summer sports in your country?

Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

See you next time!

5 things to do in a great Onsen area,Gero

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Japan has 10% of the world’s active volcanoes (over 100) and thanks to that,
we have a lot of high-quality Onsen, or hot springs.
Among a lot of great Onsen, Gero in Gifu, Arima in Hyogo,
and Kusatsu in Gunma are considered as 3 major Onsen areas.

This time I wrote about Gero, which is close to Takayama city where I live now.
The area has a lot of nature and a popular resort for both foreign and Japanese tourists.

Onsen has been used as a cure for disease and pain for over centuries in Japan.
It is said that various minerals penetrate the body and promote hormone selection resulting the restoration.

Gero’s Onsen is high in Alkaline (ph 9.2) and it makes your skin smooth and great for your relaxation and prevention of aging.

It is good for most people, but if you are a pregnant, have some kind of skin problem,
or heart disease, you should refrain from soaking.
Those who have sensitive body can still enjoy Ashiyu (foot bath) in Gero.
There are 8 free foot baths in the area.

It might be the best to use a car to get around in Gero because you need to walk up to visit some places, but Gero is a compact city and you can enjoy just by walking.
Here are 5 things to visit/try in Gero.

  1. Go to Onsen (Hot springs)

    Go to Onsen is of course the best thing to do in the area.
    There are a lot of places to enjoy Onsen.

    Funsen chi
    It is a free, open-air hot spring that is right next to the river.
    It is a gender mixed bath, and you need to wear bathing suits to enter the bath.

    Shirasagi no Yu
    You can enjoy the view of the river and mountains while enjoying the bath here.
    This place does not have an open-air bath, but one of the most visited and loved Onsen in the area.

    Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 (closed on Wed)
    Price: 370yen

    Ogawa Ya
    It is a popular Ryokan (Japanese Inn) with Onsen.
    It has a very nice atmosphere and what is unique about their bath is that there are tatami around the bath.

    Hours for visitors: 12:00 to 20:00 (13:00 to 20:00 on Wed and Thu)
    Price: 1,000yen

    Miyabitei
    It is a Ryokan that has an open air bath with a great view of the surrounding mountains.
    This place might be the best in terms of enjoying the view!

    Hours for visitors: 18:00 to 20:00
    Price: 1,000yen

    Yunoshima Kan
    This 4 star Ryokan has great open-air baths and the building itself is registered as an important cultural building of Japan.
    It is right behind Onsen ji and you need to walk up a bit to get there and a use of bath for a visitor is limited from 13:00 to 14:00 , but it really is worth visiting!

    Hours for visitors: 13:00 to 14:00
    Price: 1,000yen

    These are just major places and there are lot more Onsen to check!

    Gero Onsen Festival is held annually on August 1st to 4th.
    You can enjoy watching a sacred dragon dance performance called
    Ryujin-no-Mai during the festival.

    Yumeguri Tegata, or a wooden spa pass tablet is available at the tourist office, souvenir shops, convenience stores, and ryokan.
    It is 1,300 yen and can be used for 6 months.
    With it, you can visit any three of 30 participating ryokan.

  2. Pray at Onsen ji

    It is the most important temple for locals with a famous legend of a white heron.
    Up until 1265, Mt Yugamine(a mountain on the east of Gero) was active and people in Gero enjoyed Onsen.
    One day it suddenly stopped producing Onsen (probably due to the earthquake).
    People were very disappointed and lost what to do.
    Next year, a villager found a white heron came to the same place everyday.
    The villager wondered why.
    He went to see the bird and followed where it went.
    Then, the heron pointed out a place where new hot spring was.
    Villagers were very thankful and believed that Nyorai (a buddhist figure of the highest degree of respect) turned into the white heron to help villagers.
    Later, to worship Nyorai, Onsen ji Temple was built.

    Just in front of the temple, there is a statue called Yukake yakushi Nyorai.
    It is a statue of Nyorai, with hot spring around.
    It is believed that if you pour hot spring to the body of Nyorai where you (your body) need a healing, your pain and disease will go away.

    Near the Nyorai statue, there’s a small building where Saruya no ishi (Saruya’s stone) is enshrined.
    Saruya was a monkey that villagers petted to get mice away.
    When Saruya passed away, a round stone was found near its grave.
    People believe that still after its death, Saruya turned itself to a stone to protect the area.


    Onsen ji

  3. Learn at Gero Museum of Hot spring

    It is a museum near Onsen ji.
    You can learn about hot spring from the view of both science and history.
    It has a lot of information about Onsen in Gero and other hot springs in Japan.

    There are 5 sections inside: Welcome to Gero Onsen, Science of Hot spring, History of Hot spring, Libraly, and Onsen try out where you can try some experiments like checking the minerals inside of hot spring in a bottle.

    There’s a foot bath right in front of the museum where you can walk inside to relax.

    Gero Museum of Hot spring
    Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (closed on Thu)
    Price: 400yen

  4. Eat Onsen Tamago

    Onsen Tamago is a soft-boiled egg prepared in hot spring and it is a popular food in Gero Onsen area.
    There’s a store place called Ayumi-ya where you can try this egg while enjoying foot bath.
    They also sell Onsen Tamago ice cream and pudding!

  5. Visit Gero Onsen Gassho Mura

    This is an open-air museum of traditional style houses (called Gassho style. More about this, check Shirakawa-go).

    It also has a museum of Enku, a great carver who made more than ten thousand of wooden Buddhist statues.
    There are also souvenir stores as well as a place to try making potteries.

    Gero Onsen Gassho Mura
    Hours: 8:30 to 17:00
    Price: 800yen

In Gero, there are places called Onsen stands.
Just like a gas station, Gero citizens can bring their tanks and take Onsen from an Onsen stand for private use.
This city really is full of Onsen!

Access

From Tokyo

Take Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya, and then take Wide View Hida express to Gero.
(Time:About 3 to 4 hours   Price: 12,890 yen for oneway)

From Nagoya

Take Wide View Hida express to Gero
(Time:About 2 hours  Price: 4,100 yen for oneway)

What do people in your country do to relax/get rid of stress?

Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

See you next time!

What to do in Hakone? 5 popular places

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If you are looking for a place to enjoy the view of Mt.Fuji or a relaxing day at hot springs near Tokyo, Hakone is the place to go!
Because it is only a few hours away from Tokyo, it attracts a lot of tourists from overseas as well as residents of Tokyo.
Besides plentiful hot springs, it has a lot of museums and is rich in nature.
If you are visiting Tokyo, be sure to check Hakone and take a lot of beautiful pictures!

During the edo period(from 16th to late 18th century), Hakone was a station along the Tokaido Road, which was a way for Daimiyo(Powerful Japanese feudal loads at the time) to travel between Edo(the old of Tokyo area) to other places of Japan.
There was the system to control the rulers.
Daimiyo were required to visit Edo once a year and their families had to live there throughout the year.
Hakone was not only a station for people visiting Tokyo but also a security check point.
One of the biggest Sekisho (a gate/the facility for inspection) was in this area where governors inspected passengers to prevent weapons to be taken to Edo and also to check if any wives and children of Daimiyo were fleeing from Edo.

Hakone is also known for Hakone Ekiden running race.
It has its origins in the course that messengers took between Tokyo and Hakone.
Every year on Jan 2nd and 3rd, college students run the course and is is broad casted live on TV.

Here are the 5 must-visit spots of Hakone.

  1. Hakone Shrine

    It is a shrine on the shore of Ashinoko Lake.
    The original shrine was made on Mt.Hakone, and it was relocated to the current place in 1667.
    It was a popular place for Samurai worriers to pray for winning the battle and making their wishes come true.
    There’s another shrine called Kuzuryu(nine-headed dragon) shrine nearby.
    According to the legend, Priest Mangan pacified the nine-headed dragon that lived in the bottom of the Ashinoko Lake, and the shrine was made to worship the dragon.
    You can enjoy the view of Mt.Fuji together with Ashinoko Lake and the shrine.
    The main festival of the shrine is held every year on August 1st.

    Hakone Shrine

  2. Hakone Hot Springs

    To fully enjoy Japanese hot springs, it is the best to stay at a Ryokan (or Japanese inn) with hot springs.
    Among a lot of hot spring places in Hakone, Hakone-Yumoto, which is located near Odawara is the most famous kind.
    At Hakone-Yumoto, there are over 40 Ryokan with hot springs and you can enjoy your bath whole day.
    Even if you are not staying at a Ryokan, you can still enjoy hot spring as a visitor.
    Here are some of the popular places to enjoy bath.

    Hakone Yuryo
    It is a popular public bath that is 10-15 min away from Hakone Yumoto Station.
    (You can get there by shuttle bus)
    It has both indoor and outdoor baths and they are gender segregated.
    If you would like to share a bath, you can ask for a private baths with additional fee.
    Hours: 10:00 to 21:00
    Price: 1,400yen to enter

    Tenzan
    There are many kinds of baths inside including both outdoor and indoor.
    You can also enjoy sauna and private room and baths are available upon request.
    Hours: 9:00 to 23:00
    Price: 1,300yen to enter

    Hakone Kamon
    It has about 10 unique baths including a cave bath.
    Everything inside is decorated in Japanese style and it only takes 5 min by a shuttle bus from Hakone Yumoto Station.
    Hours: 10:30 to 17:00
    Price: 2,000yen

  3. Owakudani

    It is an area of volcanic valley with active vents(sulphur) and hot springs.
    It is a popular place for tourists and Kuro tamago(hard-boiled black eggs in the hot springs) is made there.
    To get to the place, it is the best to use the Hakone Ropeway.
    That way, you can enjoy the view of the mountains and the nature.
    As an alternative way to get there, you can use a bus line from Odawara or Hakone-Yumoto station.
    Anyone with asthma, heart disease, pacemakers, bronchitis and pregnant women are advised not to enter the valley because of high volcanic activity.


    Owakudani
    Hours: 9:00 to 17:00

  4. The Hakone Open Air Museum

    This museum was founded in 1969 to inspire people and to bring new energy to Japanese art scene.
    The museum has sculptures in a natural setting.
    Visitors can not only enjoy watching the art works but also admire the combination of the picturesque scenery of the Hakone mountains and the art.
    At The Picasso Exhibition Hall, paintings, sculptures and ceramic works are on display.


    The Hakone Open Air Museum
    Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
    Price: 1,600yen

  5. Amazake Chaya

    It is a traditional Japanese style cafe that has been running business for over 400 years.
    It was a place where people rest before entering Sekisho.
    Nowadays, a lot of hikers stop by to enjoy traditional sweets like Rice Cake and Amazake(sweet sake).
    What’s great about Amazake here is that no sugar is added to it.
    Instead, traditional way of brewing is used to add sweetness to the drink.
    Don’t miss this place if you are a sake lover!


    Amazake Chaya
    Hours: 7:00 to 17:30

Access

From Tokyo

Take Odakyu line from Shinjuku to Hakone Yumoto station.
(Time:About 2 hours Price: 1,190 yen for oneway)
※Hakone Free pass is also available at Shinjuku Station.
It only costs 5,140yen and you can ride on Odakyu express train, Tozan train, cable car, ropeway, pirate ship, and three other buses as many times as you like for 2 days.

From Kyoto

Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Kyoto station to Odawara station（either Hikari or Kodama) and then take Tozan Railway to Hakone Yumoto station.
(Time:About 5 hours and 30 min in total Price: 11,310 yen for oneway)

From Nagoya

Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen (Hikari) from Nagoya station to Hakone Yumoto Station.
(Time:About 2 hours and 30 min Price:8,730 yen for oneway)

Are there any hot springs in your country?

Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

See you next time!

Top 7 places to visit in Hiroshima

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Hiroshima is in the Chugoku Region of the main island of Japan and it has two world heritage sites: Itsukushima Shrine and Atomic bomb dome.
During WW2, an atomic bomb was dropped over this area on Aug 6 in 1945 and it wiped out nearly 90 percent of the area.
80,000 people were killed immediately, and tens of thousands more were dead because of the radiation exposure.
After the war, a lot of efforts were taken to rebuilt the city, and it is a popular sightseeing destination for tourists nowadays.

  1. Peace memorial park

    It is a memorial park located in the center of Hiroshima.
    It was built so that people won’t forget about the tragic history of atomic bomb and for the memories of direct and indirect victims.
    It was created on the field that was made by the explosion of the bomb.
    Every year on August 6th, Peace memorial ceremony is held here.
    There are also museums, monuments, and lecture halls around.


    Peace memorial park

  2. Itsukushima Shrine

    It is a shrine on the island of Itsukushima(also known as Miyajima) .
    It is said that a shrine was built here sometime in the 6th century and then it was rebuilt several times to this date.
    Retaining the purity of the shrine was(and still now is) so important that people were not allowed to set foot inside and since 1878, neither deaths nor births have been permitted near the shrine.

    There’s the torii gate, which is set away from the main buildings to welcome visitors.
    It is accessible from the island only during the low tide.


    Itsukushima Shrine
    Hours:
    <Jan 1st>0:00 to 18:30
    <Jan 2nd and 3rd> 6:30 to 18:30
    <Jan 4th till the end of Feb> 6:30 to 17:30
    <Mar 1st till Oct 14th> 6:30 to 18:00
    <Oct 15th till Nov 30th> 6:30 to 17:30
    <Dec 1st till Dec 31st> 6:30 to 17:00

  3. Atomic Bomb Dome

    This building was the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall.
    Atomic bomb exploded 600 meters above the ground of Hiroshima, 160 meters to the southeast side of this dome.
    Thick walls and the steel dome prevented the complete destruction of it(however people inside were killed instantly), and it was left there as a reminder of the suffering caused by the bomb.


    Atomic Bomb Dome

  4. Shukkei-en Garden

    It is one of the most popular gardens of Japan.
    The construction of the garden is said to be started in 1620 during the Edo period.
    It used to be served as the villa of the Asano family(a powerful feudal lord in Hiroshima), and it was opened to the public in 1940.
    It was badly damaged by the atomic bomb in 1945 but has been restored and reopened in 1951.


    Shukkei-en Garden

    Hours:
    <April ~ Sep> 9:00 to 18:00
    <Oct ~ Mar> 9:00 to 17:00

    Price: 260yen to enter

  5. Hiroshima castle

    Mori Terumoto (a powerful shogun who governed 9 provinces) built the Hiroshima castle between 1589 and 1599.
    It was destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945 and was rebuilt in 1958.
    It is a 26m-high building with 5 floors, and inside is a history museum of Samurai era.
    It is a great place to learn about Japanese history and samurai!


    Hiroshima castle

    Hours:
    <April ~ Sep> 9:00 to 17:30
    <Oct ~ Mar> 9:00 to 16:30

    Price: 370yen to enter

  6. Onomichi

    Onomichi is a town located in the east side of Hiroshima, between Hiroshima and Kyoto.
    There are a lot of temples and historical buildings and it is a popular spot for photographers.

    If you like cycling, you should try taking the Shimanami Kaido.
    It is a 70 kilometer long road for cycling that connects Japan’s main island(Onomichi) and Shikoku island.
    It takes about 3 hours to complete the course and you can enjoy the beautiful view of the sea along the way.


    Onomichi

  7. Rabbit island

    Ookunoshima, or Rabbit island is located in eastern Hiroshima.
    There are hundreds of wild rabbits living there and you can feed them.
    This island has a sad history of the war time.
    There used to be a poison gas factory and rabbits were used to test the chemicals.
    After the war, rabbits were set free and the Poison Gas Museum opened in 1988 to let people know about the dreadful research that was carried out.
    We should not forget about the past and live peacefully with these cute animals.


    Rabbit island
    (You can get the to the island from JR Tadanoumi Station by ferry.
    It costs 310yen and takes 12min)

In hiroshima, you can eat delicious Okonomiyaki.
This pancake like food with sweet sauce on top is one of the most popular foods in Hiroshima.
Okonomiyaki in Osaka is also popular, but Okonomiyaki in Hiroshima has a different style:Less flour is used(this is because flour was very expensive in Hiroshima), and ingredients are layered rather than mixed.
Also, fried egg and noodles are used for Hiroshima style.

If you have enough time, I recommend that you visit both Osaka and Hiroshima and try Okonomiyaki to see the differences!(to learn more about Osaka, please check the link:Osaka)
Most Okonomiyaki places have a huge hot griddle where the chefs cook right in front of you.

Access

From Tokyo

Take JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen (Nozomi)
(Time:About 4 hours Price: 18,040 yen for non-reserved seat)

From Nagoya

Take JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen (Nozomi)
(Time:About 2 hours and 17 min Price: 13,290 yen for non-reserved seat)

From Kyoto

Take JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen (Nozomi)
(Time:About 1 hour and 40 min Price: 10,570 yen for non-reserved seat)

From Osaka

Take JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen (Nozomi)
(Time:About 1 hour and 25 min Price: 9,710 yen for non-reserved seat)

I really hope that a lot of people will continue to visit Hiroshima, learn the history, and pray together for peace.

Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

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Visit Okinawa, amazing southern islands of Japan!

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Okinawa is in the southernmost prefecture of Japan,
and is the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful sea and delicious, exotic food.
It has a unique culture and full of beautiful nature.
Your visit to Okinawa will surely be relaxing and peaceful!

Okinawa(which means the rope in the open sea) is a chain of islands.
It consists of 49 inhabited islands and 111 uninhabited islands.

Okinawa used to be called “Ryukyu kingdom”.
In 1429, Shouhashi ruled the entire area,
and built Shuri castle as the center of Ryukyu Kingdom,
and it became more and more prosperous as they promoted foreign trades with China and Japan.
Thus, Ryukyu had both Chinese and Japanese cultural influences.

Later on in 1609, it was occupied by Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan,
but it still maintained the relationship with China.
In 1879, Japanese government at the time(Meiji government) ruled the Shuri Castle,
and changed the area from Ryukyu kingdom to Okinawa prefecture of Japan.
Okinawa has a tragic history of the horrible loss of WW2.
A lot of people were killed in the area.
After the WW2, Okinawa was governed by the U.S until 1972 (This added American cultural influence) and a lot of the U.S military bases are still remain in the area.

People use the Okinawan language, which is unique to the area.
Most people in Okinawa can communicate using regular Japanese,
but you might have hard time understanding what people are saying if you hear this type of distinctive language.
But you don’t need to worry too much about it.
People in Okinawa area are generally very friendly and open-minded,
so even if you can not say a single Japanese sentence(or Okinawan language),
you can somehow communicate with body language and smile.

To get to Okinawa, it is the most convenient to use an airplane.
There’s an airport in the main island(or Hontou) and you can go sightseeing there first.
Using ferries and airplanes, you can go to one island to another.

Here are some popular places and activities in the main island.

Main island

There are coral reefs around the island and view of the ocean is breathtaking.
Sand is white and sparkling.
Just relaxing on the beach will be very nice , but if you have enough time,
swimming in the sea with colorful marine life will surely be a memorable experience!

  • Snorkeling/Diving at Blue Cave

    It is the most popular place for visitors of main island.
    Blue Cave is a natural cave and you can swim inside.
    The view from the underwater is particularly beautiful when the ray of light go through the water.
    You do not need a license of diving to join the experience.
    There are varieties of programs and the price and the activities differs depending on the tour.

    In addition, there are some other marine tours that you can join such as,

    Swim with sea turtles (There’s Swim with Mantas tour in Ishigaki Island)
    Sail with whales

  • Chura Umi Aquarium

    It is one of the world’s largest Aquariums.
    This place has the gigantic tank with the windows that are 8.2m high, 22.5m wide and 60cm thick.
    You can enjoy watching sharks, mantas, many different kinds of fishes, coral reef as well as the deep sea creatures.
    Great place to learn about marine life in Okinawa and it is very relaxing watching them swim!

    Hours:
    8:30am to 17:30pm (Oct to Feb)
    8:30am to 19:00pm (Mar to Sep)
    *Closed on the first Wed and Thu of December

    Price:1,850yen (1,290yen for the entrance after 16:00) to enter

  • Shuri Castle

    It was the main castle of Ryukyu Kingdom and around it flourished with foreign affairs and trade.
    The design of the building shows the influence of China and Japan and it has the exceptional cultural and historical values.
    It was designated as a World Heritage Site in 2000.

    Hours:
    8:30 to 18:30 (April to June, Oct to Nov)
    8:30 to 19:30 (Jul to Sep)
    8:30 to 17:30 (Dec to Mar)
    *Closed on the first Wed and The of July.

    Price: 820yen to enter

  • Kokusui Douri

    Kokusui Douri is the main market area in the capital of okinawa, Naha city.
    This place (which is about a mile long) has been developing after the war,
    and is a great place to enjoy local food (Okinawa Soba,Umibudou,Champuru, and etc), drink(Awamori), and music.
    There are a lot of souvenir shops which sell glass crafts, potteries, and colorful clothes.
    Things are relatively low priced and the area is lively day and night.

Other islands

  • Ishigaki island

    It is one of the most popular islands near the main island of Okinawa.
    There are the finest beaches(it has both sandy and rocky beaches) and it is rich in nature.
    At Yurateiku Market, you can get some local fruits, vegitables, and souvenirs.
    There’s beautiful bay called Kabira Wan, and the lighthouse named Oganzaki light house.

    Access from the main island
    You can take an airplane to get there.
    It takes about 50 min and the price is 25,800yen for one way.

  • Taketomi island

    It is an island located close to Ishigaki island.
    Traditional Ryukyu style villages are preserved,
    and they can be observed well from Nagomi Tower.
    The island has a lot of beautiful flowers and there are some great places to stay like
    Hoshinoya Taketomi island and Hotel peace island Taketomi Island, and some guesthouses.

    Access from Ishigaki island
    You can take a ferry to get there.
    It takes about 15 min and the price is 690yen for one way.

I wrote just major places in Okinawa on this post, but there are are lot more to see!

You can enjoy relaxing on the beautiful beach and at night, you can see a lot of stars.
A lot of people visit there especially during winter to get away from the cold weather.（The temperature stays around 15℃ even in the coldest month)

That reminds me of my days in Florida. Many people from north part of the U.S came down to Miami and I saw them partying hard in the winter on the beaches haha

Access

From Tokyo

You can take an airplane to get to the main island.
(Time: About 2 and a half hours  Price:From around 6,160yen~ for one way)

From Nagoya

You can take an airplane to get to the main island.
(Time: About 2 hours  Price:From around 5,500yen~ for one way)

From Osaka

You can take an airplane to get to the main island.
(Time: About 2 hours  Price:From around 4,012yen~ for one way)

Where’s the best resort area in your country?

Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

See you next time!

Top things to do in Osaka, energetic Kansai city

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Osaka is Japan’s second largets area after Tokyo.
It is a very lively, energetic place.
It is famous for delicious food and entertainment like comedy shows.
People living there are generally open to foreigners and you will feel that you are welcomed.
Local people are called Kansai people, (people living in the west part of Japan),
and they are generally more friendly and open compared to Kantou people (people in the east part of Japan).
While Kantou people respect personal spaces and tend to have certain distance from others, Kansai people like to interact with others and talk about business.

It is very interesting to see people behave differently in different parts of Japan.
If you are visiting Tokyo(which is in Kantou), I highly recommend that you visit Osaka(Kansai) as well to see the differences.
Here are some of the best things to do in Osaka.

Visit Osaka Castle

In 1583, Toyotomi Hideyoshi started building the castle to be the center of Japan under his rule.
It is one of the most famous castles and was the largest castle during the sixteenth century.
The castle grounds cover about 60,000 square meters.
The main central tower is 55 meters high.
There is a museum inside and garden around it.
You can enjoy the panoramic view of Osaka city.

Osaka Castle
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
600yen to enter

2.Eat at Dotonbori

Dotonbori is the center of food culture of Osaka(The culture is called Kuidaore, meaning to eat yourself into bankruptcy).
People in Osaka are very passionate about food,
and serve a lot of delicious food that make you spend a lot!
This area has been a busy district with entertainment and food stores since the Edo period.
Below are some of the must-try food and famous restaurants.

•Kushikatsu
(Deep fried meat,seafood, or vegetables on a stick)

Restaurant: Kushikatsu Daruma
Hours: 11:30 to 22:30
Price range:Around 2,000yen per a person

•Okonomiyaki
(It is a pancake like food with fluffy batter and lots of ingredients such as vegitables, noodles, siced pork, and eggs. The taste varies depending on the restaurant.)

Restaurant: Mizuno
Hours: 11:00 to 22:00
Price range: Around 1,500yen

•Takoyaki
(They are ball shaped dumplings with batter or eggs and flour with sliced octopus, onions, and ginger. Usually some sweet source and mayonnaise are put on top with green onions and bonito flakes. They are VERY hot inside so becareful when you eat!)

Restaurant:Kururu
Hours: 12:00 to 23:00(Mon to Fri), 11:00 to 22:00(Sat, Sun)
Price range:1,000yen to 2,000yen

•Yakiniku
(It is barbecued beef. Usually customers cook themselves on a grill on the table. Osaka has the most Korean influence in Japan, and it is believed that this style is brought from Korean culture)

Restaurant:Sora
Hours:17:00 to 23:30(Mon to Fri), 16:00 to 23:30(Sat, Sun)
Price range:3,000yen to 4,000yen

•Fugu
(Blowfish that is eaten raw. It is poisonous to eat blowfish without a careful preparation, but fugu chefs are trained three years to get a license to serve at a restaurant so you don’t need to worry. Enjoy the rare opportunity to try fugu in Osaka!)

Restaurant:Zuboraya Doutonbori
Hours:11:00 to 23:00
Price range:2,000yen to 8,000yen

3.Go sightseeing around Tsutenkaku

It is a tower known as the Eiffel Tower of Osaka.
It is a symbol of Osaka, and it is in the district called Shinsekai(New world).
In the area, there are a lot of stores and huge bath complex as well as large pools.
You can go in side of the tower and enjoy the view from the 5th floor!

Tsutenkaku
Hours:9:00 to 21:00
700yen to enter the tower

4.Take pictures at Shitennoji

It is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan(founded in 593),
built to save the souls of people and bring peace to Japan.
Gates at Shitennoji temple are guarded by wooden statues,
or Niou(Benevolent Kings).
There is the Gokuraku-jodo Garden(Pure Land Garden, or Buddhist paradise) and the Treature House (Buddhist statues, paintings, various documents, and national treasures are stored inside)
The area is great for taking pictures.
Enjoy seeing this historical building and beautiful garden!

Shitennoji
Open 24 hours
300yen to enter the garden, 500yen to enter the Treasure House

Osaka is a perfect place to enjoy Japanese cuisine and the lively atmosphere talking over drinks.
Osaka never sleeps like other big cities of Japan, and you will never get bored shopping and checking restaurants that serve delicious meals.
Be prepared to Kuidaore there!

Access

From Tokyo

•By train: Take Nozomi Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka and take JR train to Osaka
(Time: About 2 hours an 45 min　Price:13,780yen)

•By bus: There are various buses go to directly to Osaka.
Please refer to the link Kosokubus
(Time: About 9 hours, Price: 3,000yen ~)

From Kyoto

Take JR Tokaido Sanyo Main Line New Rapid Bound for Himeji
(Time: About 29 min, Price: 560yen)

From Nagoya

Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi Bound for Shin-Osaka and then take JR train to Osaka
(Time:About 1 hour, Price 5,830yen)

Where’s the best place to eat in your country?
Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my album below.
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Shirakawa go and Hida furukawa: 2 beautiful places near Takayama

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I wrote about the areas near Takayama in Gifu prefecture this time!Shirakawa go and Hida Furukawa are very popular places for tourists these days.People all over the world(especially from Europe) come visit to enjoy historical places. These places are great for taking pictures and feel traditional Japan!

1.Shirakawa go

In the north part of Gifu, there’s an old village called Shirakwa-go.Forest area covers 95% it, and most of the nature around it has been undisturbed for ages. It snows a lot in winter there, so the iconic Gassho style houses (wooden houses with steeply sloped thatched roofs) were built. In 1995, Shirakawa-go was registered as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since then, it has been one of the most popular places for tourist visiting Japan. In January and February, night illumination events take place. It is particularly beautiful during the winter, seeing the houses covered in snow with illumination.


2.Hida Furukawa

Thanks to the big hit of the anime “Your Name”(some of the scenes are based on this place), Hida Furukawa is gaining popularity among anime fans all over the world.It is a small town near Takayama city. It is smaller and also quieter than Takayama and just like other areas in Gifu, old wooden houses are well preserved. Furukawa festival is held on April 19th and 20th.Festival floats are displayed from 6:00am and traditional drum performance takes place in the evening of the 19th.Santera-mairi(pilgrimage of three temples in the area) is held on January 15th. During Sandera-mairi, about 1,000 Japanese candles are lined up near the river.
Thousands of Koi fishes are swimming in the rivers of Hida Furukawa, and it is a perfect place to enjoy the scenery and beautiful traditional architecture of Japan.

Access

・Shirakawa-go

From Takayama to Shirakawa-go

Travel Time: About an hour
Price: 2,470yen (One way) 4,420yen (Round-trip)
Bus ticket reservation/Bus Schedule: Nohi Bus

・Hida Furukawa

From Takayama to Hida Furukawa

<By Train>
Travel Time: About 20min
Price: 240yen (One way)

<By Bus>
Travel Time: About one hour
Price: 370yen (One way)
Bus ticket reservation/Bus Schedule: Nohi Bus

What are traditional houses/areas in your country like?
See you next time!
Taka

※I’m a professional composer. My songs are available here: Skyhigh 
Or, you can click on the band camp link below to listen.

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

See you next time!