List View
Map View
しまなみ海道
Takamiyama observation tower

Standing at approximately 300-meters high, the mountain peak offers a full view of the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. It is a popular place in spring for cherry blossom viewing and during autumn for its autumn colors.

Area
しまなみ海道 and Hiroshima
Activities
観光 and 峠 / 展望台
ベイエリア(神戸)
Meriken Park

Area
ベイエリア(神戸) and Hyogo
Activities
観光 and 公園
金沢駅
金沢フォーラス

金沢駅から徒歩1分のところにある大規模商業施設。 1〜5Fにはファッション店舗、1Fの一部と6Fにはスイーツ店・カフェ・レストラン、7Fに映画館が入っている。

Area
金沢駅 and Ishikawa
Activities
ショッピング and ショッピングモール
Onomichi
Hanu-tei

Renovated from an old traditional building is this Japanese style café. Inside, a 150-year-old tea house still remains. Partake in delicious sweets, tea, or coffee in the elegant garden with beautiful seasonal flowers and plants such as cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, or enjoy them in the tatami room. From the window seats in the […]

Area
Onomichi and Hiroshima
Activities
グルメ and 喫茶店/カフェ
Shirakawago
Masuen Bunsuke

A local restaurant in a gassho-style building. River fish such as char and rainbow trout are raised in a fish-pond on the premises using high-quality spring water. The fresh fish are taken out of the pond after an order is placed, and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways: sashimi, grilled with salt, and […]

Area
Shirakawago and Gifu
Activities
日本料理 and グルメ
ミナミ
Misono Universe Building

Established in 1956, the Misono Universe Building is a large leisure building in “Uranamba” which contains an entrance with neon-lit waterfalls on either side, and a luxurious retro style. On the second floor there is are several unique bars, suitable for spending a long night drinking.

Area
ミナミ and 大阪府
Activities
グルメ and バー
Osaka North
UMEDA FOOD HALL

Seating approximately a thousand people, the Umeda Food Hall is a large-scale food court in the heart of Osaka, with 18 popular shops including sushi, kushi-katsu, noodles, cafés and sweets. Unlike your typical food court, there are five different areas each with their own atmosphere so that you can relax and appreciate the high-quality food.

Area
Osaka North and 大阪府
Activities
グルメ and フードコート
Odaiba
AQUA CiTY ODAIBA

With over 120 shops and restaurants AQUA CiTY ODAIBA is a large-scale shopping complex. In addition, the largest movie theater in Tokyo, United Cinemas Aquacity – 13 screens and 3,000 total seats – and an area called Tokyo Ramen Kokugikan mai – a collection of popular ramen shops across Japan on one floor – are […]

Area
Odaiba and Tokyo
Activities
グルメ, ラーメン, ショッピング, ショッピングモール, and レストラン街
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Memorial Cenotaph for the Atomic Bomb Victims

The monument was constructed by Kenzo Tange, a worldly famous architect, in hopes to reconstruct Hiroshima City, destroyed by the world’s first atomic bomb, into a City of Peace, Heiwa Toshi. The memorial cenotaph also reposes the souls of the dead from the atomic bomb, and in the stone chamber in the center is a […]

Area
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima City Central Area, and Hiroshima
Activities
観光 and 史跡
Hokkaido
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, […]

Area
Hokkaido and Biei
Activities
観光, 自然, 湖 / 川/ 滝, and 景色
Tenjin
Yatai Mami-chan

In addition to the standard menu items such as oden and tonkotsu ramen, the restaurant offers a wide variety of a la carte dishes that can be served as snacks for alcoholic beverages. The most popular menu item is the “Mentaiko Tamago”, a tender omelette with Japanese soup stock, filled with mentaiko and green onions. […]

Area
Tenjin and Fukuoka
Activities
グルメ, ラーメン, and 屋台
Ginza / Yurakucho
Ginza Mitsukoshi

Standing Tall at Ginza 4-chome crossing, it is one of the pillars of department stores in Japan, carrying the best quality of products from fashion wear to food items. The basement floor food gallery in particular is excellent. Famous among the Japanese, and popular as a meeting spot, are the lion statues at the front […]

Area
Ginza / Yurakucho and Tokyo
Activities
ショッピング and 百貨店
Hokkaido
Hilton Niseko Village

This spacious, beautiful, and resort-like onsen facility is located in the large-scale luxury hotel, Hilton Niseko Village. The open-air baths offer an outstanding view of Mt. Yotei, the symbol of Niseko. It also faces a large pond with many colorful carp swimming in it, giving the baths a spacious feel. The water flowing directly from […]

Area
Hokkaido and Niseko
Activities
観光 and 温泉
Hokkaido
Tokachi Obihiro Airport

Serves Tokyo (Haneda) only, but also serves Nagoya and Osaka (Itami) in summer only.

Area
Hokkaido
Activities
飛行機 and 交通
ミナミ
Namba Parks

Directly connected to Nankai Dentetsu Namba Station, Namba Parks is a huge, multi-building landmark. In the commercial tower, there is high quality clothes and other various goods, with over 250 shops and restaurants in total. It contains the largest cinema complex in Osaka, as well as a verdant rooftop park.

Area
ミナミ and 大阪府
Activities
ショッピング
Hokkaido
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 […]

Area
Hokkaido and Biei
Activities
景色, 観光, and 自然
Hokkaido
Motomachi Roman Catholic Church

This Catholic Church was built in 1859, but after a fire it was rebuilt – to what you see today – in 1924 as a gothic church. The gorgeous altar in the cathedral was a gift from the Pope himself.

Area
Hokkaido and Hakodate
Activities
観光 and 神社仏閣
Osaka North
Whity Umeda

Whity Umeda forms a large part of the underground shopping center below Osaka Station. The shopping center is visited by around 600,000 people per day – the most visitors out of any shopping center in Japan. There are over 70 restaurants rich in variety, with reasonable prices in comparison to the pricey food stores inside […]

Area
Osaka North and 大阪府
Activities
グルメ and フードコート
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
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 […]

Area
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima City Central Area, and Hiroshima
Activities
観光 and 史跡
21st Century Museum
Fusion21

Located near the east entrance, this stylish café-restaurant with white as its base color. In the open, glass-enclosed space, you can enjoy a menu that incorporates Kaga vegetables and other local ingredients, as well as sweets. The “Fusion Lunch,” which includes a main dish and an appetizer buffet for 1,500 yen, is especially recommended.

Area
21st Century Museum and Ishikawa
Activities
グルメ, 喫茶店/カフェ, and 洋食
Gokayama
Gokayama Gassho Minshuku Yusuke

It is the largest gassho-zukuri building used as a lodge in the Ainokura village of Gokayama. Only one party per day is allowed, so you can relax and unwind. The owner’s wife is known for her delicious cooking. Visitors are welcome to tour the building from 10:00 to 15:00, even if they are not staying […]

Area
Gokayama and Toyama
Activities
宿泊施設 and 旅館
Kawagoe
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。

Area
Kawagoe and Saitama
Activities
神社仏閣 and 観光
Hokkaido
Ramen Yotsuba

Opened in December 2015, the restaurant is relatively new, but quickly gained popularity and has been awarded the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand. The owner is very particular about his dried sardine ramen (niboshi ramen). No MSG is used, instead, several kinds of Japanese dried sardines, kelp, and dried bonito are used to create a deep […]

Area
Hokkaido and Asahikawa
Activities
グルメ and ラーメン
Osaka Castle
Houkoku Shrine(Osaka)

Visiting this shrine will supposedly bring you success and good luck in the future. It is a 5-minute walk from the south side of the castle tower and was where Toyotomi Hideyoshi was deified. A 5.2-meter tall statue of this commander stands just right past the torii gate of the shrine.

Area
Osaka Castle and 大阪府
Activities
観光, 神社仏閣, and 史跡
阿倍野/天王寺
Sōhonzan Shitennōji

A temple with a long history, a rarity in Osaka. It is the first ever state-sponsored temple in Japan built by order of Prince Shotoku (574-622) in 593. He was also a magnificent statesman who is revered by Japanese even today. Shitennōji has been destroyed countless times by fire caused by wars, lightening, and typhoons, […]

Area
阿倍野/天王寺 and 大阪府
Activities
観光 and 神社仏閣
Hokkaido
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 […]

Area
Hokkaido and Hakodate
Activities
観光 and 庭園
Onomichi
Senkō-ji (temple)

Senkoji Temple, founded in 806, is a Shingon sect of Buddhism and a symbol of Onomichi. The founder was the most famous monk in Japan, Kōbō Daishi (saint) or Kūkai (monk). Midway up the mountain on a cliff top, the vermilion-lacquered main hall constructed using the overhang method, or butaizukuri, and the same vermilion-lacquered dragon […]

Area
Onomichi and Hiroshima
Activities
観光 and 神社仏閣
Kawagoe
川越大師 喜多院

喜多院は、慈覚大師(794〜864年)という非常に位の高い僧によって830年に創建された天台宗の名刹。 歴史的に価値のある建物や美術・工芸品を数多く有し、また素晴らしい庭があることで有名だ。 桜と紅葉の名所でもある。   少し喜多院の歴史について語る。 創建から長らくは無量寿寺という名前の寺であったが、1612年に高僧の天海僧正が住職となった際、喜多院と寺名が改められた。 天海僧正は、徳川幕府の創始者で絶大な権力を持っていた徳川家康(1543〜1616年)から大きな信任を得ていたため、喜多院は徳川幕府にとって特別な存在となった。 1638年に起きた川越エリアの大火で喜多院の建物はほぼ全てが焼失してしまうが、当時の将軍であった徳川家光(1604〜1651年)はすぐさま喜多院の再建にとりかかり、そして江戸城にあった別殿を移築して、喜多院の客殿と書院等としたほどの厚遇を見せた。 なお、この客殿と書院は、江戸城にあった際は、それぞれ「徳川家光の誕生の間」であり、女性の権力者として日本人の間では有名な「春日局の化粧の間」であった。 ※1657年に江戸城が焼失したため、この喜多院の客殿と書院が、創建時の江戸城の唯一の遺構となっている。   境内にある五百羅漢は、1782年から約50年間にわたり建立されたもので、表情の豊かな石の仏像が538体も鎮座している。

Area
Kawagoe and Saitama
Activities
観光 and 神社仏閣
Tokyo Station Area
Imperial Palace East Gardens (Observation of Inner Palace Grounds)

Part of the Edo Castle was turned into the Imperial Palace East Gardens when constructing the palace for the Emperor. It is necessary to register at Otemon (gate), but reservations in advance is not necessary and it’s free! *The inner grounds is massive, use the map below to get your bearings. Below are the main […]

Area
Tokyo Station Area and Tokyo
Activities
観光, 庭園, and 史跡
Nagamachibukeyashikiato
旧加賀藩士高田家跡

江戸時代に加賀藩に仕えた中級武士、高田家の屋敷跡で、当時の武士の生活を垣間見ることが出来る施設だ。 中級武士以上が設置することができた長屋門や奉公人が暮らした仲間部屋、馬屋などがあるが、屋敷自体は残っていないのが残念。 池泉回遊式庭園は綺麗でなかなか良い感じだ。 なお、高田家の禄高は550石で、現在価値に直すと約1,100万円。 加賀藩という大組織の中では課長くらいのランクだったと思われる。 入場料金は無料、金沢市は太っ腹だ!

Area
Nagamachibukeyashikiato and Ishikawa
Activities
観光, 庭園, and 史跡
Takamiyama observation tower

Tachibana, Mukaishima-cho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima

Area
,
Activities
峠 / 展望台
Meriken Park

5-2, Hatoba-chou, Chou-ku, Kobe, Hyogo

Area
,
Activities
公園
金沢フォーラス

石川県金沢市堀川新町3-1

Area
,
Activities
ショッピングモール
Hanu-tei

11-30 Higashitsuchidocho, Onomichi, Hiroshima

Area
,
Activities
喫茶店/カフェ
Masuen Bunsuke

1915 Ogi-machi, Shirakawa Village, Ono-gun, Gifu

Area
,
Activities
日本料理
Misono Universe Building

2-3-9 Sennichimae Chuo-ku , Osaka

Area
,
Activities
バー
UMEDA FOOD HALL

Hankyu Sanbangai Kita-kan B2F, 1-1-3 Shibata Kita-ku, Osaka

Area
,
Activities
フードコート
Shirahige Waterfall

Shirogane Biei, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido

Area
,
Activities
自然湖 / 川/ 滝景色
Yatai Mami-chan

On the side of Fukuoka Bank Head Office on Showa-dori, 2 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka

Area
,
Activities
ラーメン屋台
Ginza Mitsukoshi

4-6-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Area
,
Activities
百貨店
Hilton Niseko Village

Higashiyama Onsen, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido

Area
,
Activities
温泉
Tokachi Obihiro Airport

8-41, West 9-sen, Izumimachi, Obihiro, Hokkaido

Area
Activities
飛行機
Namba Parks

2-10-70 Nanbanaka Naniwa-ku, Osaka

Area
,
Activities
Tree of Ken and Mary

Okubo Kyosei, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido

Area
,
Activities
景色自然
Motomachi Roman Catholic Church

15-30 Motomachi, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido

Area
,
Activities
神社仏閣
Whity Umeda

Umeda Chikagai, Komatsubarachou Kita-ku, Osaka

Area
,
Activities
フードコート
Children’s Peace Monument

1 Nakajimacho, Nakaku Hiroshiamshi, Hiroshima Prefecture

Area
, ,
Activities
史跡
Fusion21

1-2-1, Hirosaka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa

Area
,
Activities
喫茶店/カフェ洋食
Gokayama Gassho Minshuku Yusuke

591, Ainokura, Nanto City, Toyama

Area
,
Activities
旅館
川越氷川神社

埼玉県川越市宮下町2-11-3

Area
,
Activities
神社仏閣
Ramen Yotsuba

6-7-17 Toyooka 12 Jō, Asahikawa, Hokkaido

Area
,
Activities
ラーメン
Houkoku Shrine(Osaka)

2-1 Osaka Castle, Chuo-ku, Osaka City

Area
,
Activities
神社仏閣史跡
Sōhonzan Shitennōji

1-11-18 Shitenoji, Tennoji-ku, Osaka

Area
,
Activities
神社仏閣
Goryōkaku Park

44 Goryōkakuchō, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido

Area
,
Activities
庭園
Senkō-ji (temple)

15-1 Higashitsuchidōchō, Onomichi, Hiroshima

Area
,
Activities
神社仏閣
川越大師 喜多院

埼玉県川越市小仙波町1-20-1

Area
,
Activities
神社仏閣
旧加賀藩士高田家跡

石川県金沢市長町2-6-1

Area
,
Activities
庭園史跡