Sarakurayama Observatory
It's an observatory from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Kitakyushu city area. To reach the observatory at the summit of the 622-meter-high mountain, visitors take a cable car and a slope car.
You take two cable cars to reach the top. As one of Japan's new top three night views, it's definitely worth a visit.
Himeji Castle Nishi-Oyashiki-ato Garden KOKO-EN
On the southwest side of Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site, Koko-en is a strolling-style garden around ponds and consists of nine different themed gardens, including the Garden of the Lord’s Residence, on a vast site of approx. 3,300 m2. The Edo period atmosphere draws visitors, and it’s also known as a popular filming location for movies and TV shows, including samurai dramas.
The garden is absolutely beautiful and has a great atmosphere. If you buy the combo ticket with Himeji Castle, it's only JPY 1,050.
Traditional Handicrafts Village Yunokuni no Mori
Eleven pavilions are scattered throughout the lush grounds, where visitors can experience the traditional crafts of Ishikawa Prefecture.
You need to buy a ticket to enter. Each craft workshop has its own theme, and you can try DIY experiences.
Hyoko Water Kin Park
Suibara in Agano City has an artificial lake famous as a resting place for migrating swans. The first flock migrate from Siberia in early October to over-winter and stay until late March. Around the peak in late November, over 5,000 swans can be seen.
This is a well-preserved bird sanctuary, but I was surprised by how few swans there were. Instead, there were mostly wild ducks.
Akihabara Electric Town
Large and small electronics shops cluster in this prominent shopping town in Japan. Nicknamed as Akiba, it is a popular spot not only domestically but also globally. Home appliances, PCs, smartphones, the latest digital devices, of course, but animations, games, figurines, model trains and other pop culture items are gathered here.
This famous electronics district sells all the latest gadgets and is also a paradise for anime fans. There are lots of maid cafes along the street—it's a favorite hangout for Japanese otaku.
Hotel New Grand
Hotel New Grand is one of the top classic hotels in Japan and a landmark of the Motomachi area in Yokohama, set directly across from Yamashita Park, the famous park that overlooks the ocean. The main building was opened in 1927 as a symbol of a new start after the Great Kanto Earthquake, but the hotel has also welcomed the addition of the 18-story tower building in 1991, with swooping views of the area below.
It's right across from Yamashita Park and the pier, and really close to shopping areas.
Nishijin Textile Center
This facility introduces and sells Nishijin textiles, a traditional industry of Kyoto. Nishijin Textile, a general term for Sakizome (prior dying of thread before the cloth is woven) for figured cloth produced in Kyoto (Nishijin). It is designated as a traditional national craft.
This place was pretty boring.
Hikone Castle Ruins (Special Historical Site)
This castle is one of the three most famous castles in Japan that was completed in 1622 and its castle tower is designated as a national treasure. This type of castle is called Hirayamajiro, which means a castle built on a mountain or hill in the middle of a plain.
Compared to other Japanese castles, getting to Shiga isn't that convenient, so there aren't as many tourists here.
Kokyo Gaien National Garden
This park is located in the area outside the Main Gate to Japan’s Imperial Palace. At the center is the Garden Plaza, where green lawns are dotted with about 2,000 black Kuromatsu pine trees.
The environment is really pleasant and green. Lots of people jog or exercise around the Imperial Palace.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shinjuku Gyoen once stood as an estate of the Naito family, the hereditary vassals of the Tokugawa family in the Edo period before being established as an imperial garden in 1906.
This garden is beautiful! There are different areas with various styles of flowers to enjoy. It's really spacious, so walking around is comfortable and relaxing.