川越氷川神社
約1,500年前に創建された、長い歴史と高い格式のある神社だ。 主祭神は素戔嗚尊で、他に素戔嗚尊の妻と子供、妻の両親という合計五柱の神々が祀られている。 これらの神々は一つの家族で、そのうち夫婦が二組であることから、川越氷川神社は「家族円満・夫婦円満・縁結び」に大いにご利益があるとして人々から信仰されている。 特に縁結びが非常に有名で、多くの女性たちが良縁祈願に訪れる。 また、370年以上の歴史があり、毎年10月中旬に約1,000,000人もの観客が集まるほど人気がある川越氷川祭はこの神社の例大祭だ。 1849年に竣工した現在の本殿の建物には、全面に精巧で素晴らしい彫刻が施されている。 また鳥居は高さ約15mと木製の鳥居としては日本最大級の大きさで、扁額の文字は、日本人の間では非常に有名で人気のある幕末の武士、勝海舟(1823〜1899年)によるものだ。 川越氷川神社がユニークなのは、歴史と格式のある神社であるにもかかわらず、絶えず新しい取り組みを行なっているところだ。 メインの参拝客である女性たちが喜びそうな、楽しくてフォトジェニックな企画やイベントを多数打ち出し続けている。 参拝客に喜んでもらい、より信仰心や親しみを持ってもらうとともに、コツコツとお金を稼いで、神社の維持/発展にそのお金を使おうとする前向きな姿勢と努力には感心してしまう。 新しい取り組みに関しては、具体的には以下だ。 <絵馬トンネル> 参拝客の願いが込められた絵馬が約20mに渡って吊り下げられ、まるでトンネルのような形となっている。 本殿の脇にあり、フォトジェニックだ。 <鯛みくじ> 日本では縁起が良い魚である鯛をモチーフにしたおみくじを、小さな釣り竿を使って釣り上げるのが楽しい。 <縁結び風鈴> 「天の川に恋の願いが届くように」というロマンティックなテーマで、夏季(7月上旬〜9月上旬)限定で行われる祭事。 この時期、たくさんの参拝客たちが(主に恋の)願い事を書いた短冊を風鈴にかけて祈る。 色鮮やかなガラスで出来た2,000個の風鈴が、涼やかな音を立てながら風に揺れる様子は、綺麗で心が洗われる。 君がすれっからしだったとしてもきっと恋をしたくなる。
Ohatsu Tenjin Dori Street
The local pub district in Osaka. The Ohatsutenjin Shopping Area has 80 restaurants of bountiful variety, the narrow roads lined by long-established shops with good reputations. Known as the “bar street,” the 20 or so restaurants are well-known amongst the locals.
- Area
- Osaka North and 大阪府
Uranamba Torameyokocho
Nine stores in a retro-style alley that sell kushi-katsu, okonomiyaki, grilled meat and fried chicken. All of the shops have delivery systems. It is also a good option for pub crawls.
Children’s Peace Monument
The monument was built through charity from all over Japan in 1958 as a cenotaph for Ms. Sadako Sasaki, a girl who passed away at a young age of 12 years old due to leukemia, the after effect of the atomic bomb, and for the children who became victims of the atomic bomb. In the […]
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 […]
Yanagawa moat tour
This is a leisurely boat ride on a donko boat operated by a boatman from the boarding area near Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station to the “Yanagawa Domain Lord Tachibana’s Residence Ohana,” a distance of less than 4 km. The boat ride takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes, and boat riders get to enjoy the scenery […]
Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Kitahiroshima
As mentioned above, a large selection of luxury brands, and a total of 180 shops at the outlet mall. The food court area seats 650 shoppers. The menu consists of dishes you will definitely enjoy, such as: seafood bowls, hamburgers made from Hokkaido beef (wagyu), and various other dishes made with local meat and produce. […]
- Area
- Hokkaido and New Chitose Airport
Hozenji Yokocho Alley
Located on the north side of Hozenji, Hozenji Yokocho Alley is enclosed by two 80 meter-long, 3-meter wide stone-paved paths. Close to the likely Dotonbori area, the temple has a quiet historic atmosphere; it’s also been featured in many famous novels, songs, movies and dramas, and is very well-known throughout Japan. There is a long-established […]
Mojiko Station
Mojiko Station opened in 1891 and was the “gateway” to Kyushu’s railroad network until 1942, when the undersea Kanmon Tunnel was opened to traffic. The current station building was constructed in 1914, and in 1988 it became the first railroad station in Japan to be designated as an Important Cultural Property. * Mojiko Station and […]
Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street
A roughly 160m-long shopping arcade lined with 50 or so stores that sell kitchen utilities, machines and tools targeted at professional chefs and cooks. Of course, you don’t have to be a professional to shop here, so if you’re interested in cooking, it may be worth having a look for new kitchen utensils here. The […]
たこつぼ
- Activities
- グルメ and お好み焼き/たこ焼き
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 […]
Kaigan Street
Kaigan-dori is a seaside street running parallel to the south side of Onomichi Hon-dori shopping street. Stylish restaurants, cafes, and stores line the street.
Ekibenya Matsuri
From Tokyo Station limited edition bentos to famous bento boxes from all over Japan, over 200 different kinds are supplied daily, the largest ekiben shop in Japan. It is bento theme park. Find the shop within the ticket gates. The popular bento boxes are placed around the front of the shop, while ones to the […]
- Area
- Tokyo Station Area and Tokyo
UMEKITA FLOOR
An upmarket eating space with 16 shops that sell various cuisines, located on the 6th floor of the Grand Front Osaka north building. Opening hours are from 11am to 4am which make it a very convenient option for dinner. You can eat in at a single restaurant, or order from multiple restaurants and eat in […]
- Area
- Osaka North and 大阪府
Wakamatsuya
Founded in 1860, this long-established eel restaurant was loved by many famous Japanese writers, including Kitahara Hakushu (1885-1942). The most popular menu item is “Unagi Seiro-mushi (eel steamed in a pbamboo steamer over charcoal).” The broiled eel is grilled over high heat using oak charcoal, dipped in a secret sauce, and quickly steamed on a […]
Machida Shuzo
Located in the town of Tatsugo in northern area.
オモニ
- Activities
- グルメ and お好み焼き/たこ焼き
Urban Dock LaLaport Toyosu
Formerly a shipbuilding dock, the multicomplex shopping area is a motif of 4 ships. Because it faces Tokyo Bay, presenting a beautiful view, visitors get a sense of openness or spaciousness. Over 180 shops are located inside including restaurants and cinema.
Kouzan-ji museum
Established over 30 years ago, the museum showcases famous Japanese temples and the Yomeimon Gate of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, with recreations of Buddhist architecture.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
This museum was established in 1955 to pass on the horrors of the atomic bomb to the generations in the future, and the architecture was designed by the worldly famous architect, Kenzo Tange. In the museum are exhibits (videos・photos・models etc.) and belongings left behind by the victims presenting the effects of the atomic bomb visually. […]
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
Abeno Harukas Kintetsu Department Store Main Branch
From level 2 of the basement floor to the 14th floor, the 16 floor department store is the largest of department stores in Japan. As for shops there is something for everyone, fro the world’s most luxurious brands to casual clothing, and product selection that will not disappoint. With all that shopping, you need a […]
Murakami House
A Four-story gassho-zukuri built around 1660. It is a valuable building that conveys the architectural style of approximately 360 years ago. Inside, several thousand items are on display, including materials related to the manufacture of gunpowder and Japanese paper. You can sit around the fireplace and listen to the head of the house explain about […]
329 Takahata, Mitsuhashi-cho, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka
3-7-6, Omagawarisaiwai, Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido
- Area
- Hokkaido, New Chitose Airport
- Activities
- アウトレットモール
1-11-1, Yuurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Area
- Ginza / Yurakucho, Tokyo
- Activities
- 家電量販店
1-5-31 Nishikaigan, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka
1506-15, Setoda-machi Tarumi, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima
Nanbasennichimae Chuo-ku ,Osaka
1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Area
- Tokyo Station Area, Tokyo
- Activities
- テイクアウト/弁当
Grand Front Osaka North Building 6F, 3-1 Oofakachou Kita-ku, Osaka
- Area
- Osaka North, 大阪府
- Activities
- レストラン街
Abeno Harukas 1-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka
- Activities
- 百貨店
