Sumida Aquarium
An aquarium located on the 5th and 6th floors of the West Yard in Tokyo Skytree Town. This fully indoor aquarium uses a proprietary artificial seawater production system to create clear, attractive tanks that provide a comfortable environment for the animals.
The aquarium isn't very big, but the design is really well done and feels high quality. The penguins are absolutely adorable, and you can get close enough to watch them play and interact with each other.
Chichu Art Museum
Across Naoshima you’ll find art installations that blur the line between art and nature. The island is also home to Chichu Art Museum, a gallery designed by world renowned architect Tadao Ando.
It really feels like stepping into an underground world. You have to walk through a grassy slope first, and the atmosphere is super mysterious.
Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum
A railway museum exhibiting historical railway artifacts out in the Otani, Tsuyama City area of northern Okayama Prefecture.
You can actually walk into the train shed and see the trains up close. It feels super immersive!
Kamenoi Hotel Nachikatsuura
Located in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, just a 10-minute walk from JR Kii-Katsuura Station, Kamenoi Hotel Nachikatsuura is an ideal base for exploring the World Heritage-listed Kumano Kodo. Book here for convenient access to iconic spots like Daimonzaka, the sacred Kumano Nachi Taisha, one of the Kumano Sanzan shrines, and Nachi Falls, one of Japan's three most famous waterfalls-all within an hour's reach.
The room had an amazing ocean view, which instantly put me in a great mood. Soaking in the hot spring while feeling connected to nature was just wonderful.
Kawaramachi OPA
Kyoto is the city of legends, known for its historic buildings, shrines, temples, and streets that breathe Japanese tradition, but it’s also home to shopping centers brimming with the latest trends. One name at the top is Kawaramachi OPA, a bustling landmark for Kyoto's youth since its opening in 1998 that sits steeped in the heart of Kyoto's busiest district, Kawaramachi.
This place isn't just packed with trendy clothing stores, beauty shops, and other retailers—there are also tons of restaurants and cafes. It's a fantastic spot for shopping and soaking up the city vibe.
Kabukicho
Kabukicho is the entertainment district that sits just steps from the east exit of Shinjuku Station. It’s a major hub for izakaya pubs, amusement centers and nightlife spots to enjoy after hours. With neon signs lit up through the entire night, it’s earned the nickname of “the city that never sleeps”.
Behind the Toho Cinema, there's Okubo Hospital—I've always wanted to take photos over there...😍
English Garden Rosa & Berry Tawada
English Garden Rosa & Berry is a 13,000 square meter garden surrounded by mountains. There are seven different types of gardens designed in harmony with nature, including the Rose and Perennials Garden and the Rose Garden. In addition, there is also the “Fairy Garden, a Village where Fairies Live," and a farm where you can interact with cute animals like sheep and ponies.
You can pick your own vegetables to use for BBQ, and they're super fresh and tasty.
Omi Merchant Townscape (Shinmachi Street)
Located about 2 km north of JR Omi-Hachiman Station, the well-preserved historic townscape around Shinmachi is designated as a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Merchant houses built from the late Edo period through the Meiji and Taisho periods have been carefully preserved to the present day.
It's really impressive how well these old wooden buildings have been preserved. Not an easy feat at all.
Minoo Falls
The name "Minoo Ohtaki" (Minoo Falls) comes from the resemblance of the cascading waterfall to the farming tool "Mi". The waterfall has been selected as “One of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan”, and the beautiful scenery can be enjoyed throughout the year. In 1986, Minoo Park, where Minoo Falls is located, was selected as “One of the 100 best Forests for Forest Relaxation Therapy”.
Other than the crowds during the fall foliage season, everything else was great.
Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Head Shrine of Sanno
Founded approximately 2,100 years ago at the foot of Mt. Hiei, Hiyoshi Taisha is the head shrine of the 3,800 Hiyoshi, Hie, and Sanno shrines throughout Japan. Because it lies northeast of the capital of the time, a direction traditionally associated with misfortune, it has long been revered as a shrine that protects the capital from evil and disaster. It is also worshipped as the guardian shrine of nearby Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei. Its blessings include protection from misfortune associated with inauspicious directions and protection from adversity in life.
This is a fantastic spot for autumn leaves, and it wasn't too crowded either.