Niseko Village Ski Resort

This ski resort is directly connected to two luxury resort hotels: “The Green Leaf” and “Hilton Niseko Village,” and is known for advanced skiers. *  The luxury hotel chain, Ritz-Carlton, is scheduled to open in the near future. The layout is vertically long, with steep slopes, and many of the courses are generally difficult. There […]

Shirahige Waterfall

The water gushing out and falling 30 meters comes from Mt. Tokachi’s underground water. If you want a great view of it all, head over to “Blue River Bridge”, the bridge standing over Biei River. In winter, the splashes of water and steam magically create silver frost on the trees, depicting a fantasy-like wonder. And, […]

Ariake Garden

The complex includes more than 200 stores and restaurants, the largest hot spring facility in Tokyo, and Japan’s largest theater-style event hall.

Genroku Sushi

Near the shop there is a hand holding sushi prominently sticking out from a wall, originally installed in 2010. The type of sushi being held is red-fleshed (lean) tuna. Size 2.4m tall, 2.4 wide  

Mount Io

Mount Io is a 512-meter-high active volcano located between Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo. Its other name is Atosanupuri, meaning “naked mountain” in Ainu. In the past, it was used as a mine to extract sulfur. With the blue sky in the background, the plumes of smoke and the sound of gurgling are quite impressive. […]

Tree of Ken and Mary

Standing straight and tall towards the sky is this poplar tree. It measures 31 meters tall, and because there are no other tall trees it clearly stands out from a long distance.   The tree became famous when it was introduced as part of a 1972 commercial for Nissan’s Skyline sports car. In the ad was […]

Niseko Ekimae Onsen Kiranoyu

This onsen facility is only a one-minute walk from JR Niseko Station, and the prices are very reasonable. It is one of the few hot spring spas in Niseko that can be reached without a car. There is a Western-style bathhouse with a granite open-air bath and Jacuzzi, and a Japanese-style bathhouse with a rock […]

Grand Hirafu

With 22 runs, this is the largest ski resort in the Niseko United ski area, and its facilities are state-of-the-art. It is adjacent to Niseko HANAZONO Resort, and lift tickets are shared, so you can use the slopes of both ski resorts — total of 30 courses that can be skied. n addition, there are […]

Jigokudani(Hell Valley)

Jigokudani is the aftermath of a volcanic repution that took place 10,0000 years ago. The crater you see today has diameter of 450 meters and an area of 11,000 square meters, and is the most popular tourist attraction in Noboribetsu Onsen. Located in the northeastern part of Noboribetsu Onsen, Jigokudani or “Hell’s Valley” gets its […]

Hello Kitty Happy Flight

This mini theme park is about catching a flight with the cabin attendant Hello Kitty and together flying all over the world on the Kitty Jet, visiting the Sanrio characters in different countries along the way. There is a shop and cafe too.

Old Moji Customs House

A stately red-brick building combining neo-renaissance and tiled roof styles. Built in 1912, it was used as a customs building until 1927. On the first floor, there is a rest area, an exhibition corner on customs work, and a café “Fruit Factory Moondeletro” where parfaits are popular. On the second floor, there is an observation […]

Senso-ji

The oldest temple in Tokyo.   Though the temple has the same characters as “Asakusa”, it is read “Senso-ji”, not “Asakusa-dera”. In the year 628, 2 fishermen (brothers), built Senso-ji to enshrine the the bodhisattva of mercy and salvation after going out to nearby Sumida River and catching a statue of the bodhisattva Kannon with […]

Hanazono Resort

There are eight courses, but since there are two beginner courses and one advanced course, we’ll call it a ski resort mainly targeting intermediate skiers. But because the resort faces northeast it doesn’t get much sunlight, and the slopes are always in good condition. Also, it is directly connected to the Park Hyatt, a top-class […]

Sarakurayama Observatory

Sarakurayama has long been famous for its excellent views. From the base of the mountain, take the cable car and slope car to the summit, which is 622 meters above sea level, in about 10 minutes. *The cable car and slope car run every 20 to 30 minutes. At the top of the mountain, there […]

The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living

This museum, located along the Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street, is a life-size replica of the streets of Osaka during the early 1830s of the Edo Period. Many tourists love to dress up in kimono here for just an extra 500 yen (in addition to the admission fee), then take many photos along the photogenic streets. It’s […]

Motomachi Park

A park – full of verdant greenery stylistically similar to a garden – which also offers an unobstructed view of Hakodate harbor. The building that stands on the site is the former Hokkaido Prefectural Office, built over 100 years ago.

Nakijin Castle Ruin

Goryōkaku Park

If you look at Fort Goryokaku from right above, you’ll see it is shaped like a pentagram. It is the first western style castle and where the last samurais fought the new government army 150 years ago. Today it exists as a park. It’s open from 5am and entrance is free (too generous)! When spring […]