La Vista Hakodate Bay
Located in the exotic city of Hakodate, the La Vista Hakodate Bay is a Taisho Romantic-inspired hotel. The classical design of the hotel, from the interior to the guest rooms, creates an elegant and relaxing atmosphere befitting Hakodate.
The location is fantastic—really close to Meijikan and the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses. I actually came here just for the hotel breakfast, and it was super impressive with lots of options.
Oga Peninsula
In northwestern Akita, a peninsula rich in nature sticks out into the Japan Sea. It is known nationally for Namahage of Oga which was registered as an UNESCO iIntangible Cultural Heritage in 2018. Namahage of Oga is a traditional event that takes place in over 80 areas of Oga Peninsula on the new year’s eve.
The stone-cooked dish here is a local specialty of the Oga Peninsula. They toss piping hot stones into the pot to quickly bring it to a boil, so all the fresh flavors stay in the soup. Definitely worth trying!
Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
With 26 courses and 34 lifts, this is the largest snow resort in Japan. The big slope is made up of 6 areas with an array of courses for beginners and the advanced. The quality of snow is so good that skiers and snowboarders flock here seeking for the fluffy powder snow.
The area near the cable car station at the bottom of the ski resort is marked as a beginner green run on the map, but it's actually pretty steep—feels more like an intermediate course. It's a bit confusing.
Gotokuji Temple
A Soto school temple situated in Setagaya ward and the birthplace of Manekineko. In 1480, Masatada Kira, a lord of Setagaya, established a temple called Kotokuin, in 1659, the temple’s name was changed to Gotokuji.
This is said to be the birthplace of the Maneki-neko (lucky cat). There are countless lucky cat figurines here, and you can even buy one to take home for good luck.
Shosenkyo Gorge
Shosenkyo is located in the northern part of Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, and is called "the most beautiful gorge in Japan". You can see granite cliffs, strange rocks and stones carved out over a long period of time, and clear and abundant water flowing.
The scenery here is absolutely stunning. Walking along the path, I couldn't help but be amazed by the beautiful views.
Kawazu-zakura blossoms along the Kawazu River
It is known that early blooming cherry blossoms, which begin to bloom in the beginning of February, along the Kawazu River. These cherry blossoms were discovered in Kawazu-cho in 1955 and are called "Kawazu Zakura" now. It is considered as a natural hybrid species between the winter cherry (Kanhizakura) group, which blooms starting from around January, mainly in warm regions, and the wild cherry (Oshima zakura) group, which is a wild species in Japan.
The cherry blossoms are super lush and pink—absolutely gorgeous! The weather was great, too, so it was really nice just strolling around!
Hottarakashi Onsen ( Hot spring )
A popular natural hot spring with a superb view from the top of the mountain at the altitude of 700m. Opened in 1999, "Kocchi-no-yu (this bath)" is a hot spring with a simple and calm atmosphere and is popular among the local people. Within this place, there are indoor and outdoor baths, and you are able to enjoy a superb view of Mt. Fuji and the Kofu Basin while soaking in the hot springs.
The view is really wide and open—you can see Mt. Fuji from the outdoor hot spring! Plus, the simple and tasty food made it a super enjoyable experience!
Nara Park
Nara Park is a scenic area surrounded by historical and cultural treasures, including Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kohfukuji Temple, Todaiji Temple, the Nara National Museum, and Shoso-in. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of its expansive greenery while exploring these iconic landmarks. The park is located in the center of the city, making it easily accessible to various tourist spots.
There are so many deer here, and they're not shy at all. Each one comes up to greet visitors so enthusiastically!
Kobe Kitano Ijinkan (Former Foreign Residences)
When the port of Kobe opened in 1868, the "Kobe Kitano Ijin-gai (foreign city)" developed as a land of foreign settlement. Located on a hill overlooking the ocean, the town has a unique mix of Western and Japanese style buildings. About 30 Western-style buildings have been preserved in their original state, and 16 are open to the public.
The streets are beautiful. I went into a vintage European-style café, and the atmosphere was fantastic.