Furukawacho Shopping Arcade
Located near Heian Shrine and Okazaki Park, this small shopping arcade is charmingly retro yet modern, adorned with about 1,000 colorful pastel lanterns hanging from its arcade. The blend of nostalgia and novelty creates a unique atmosphere that attracts both locals and tourists looking for Instagram-worthy spots.
This is a great place for a stroll and some sightseeing, and you can really get a feel for the local Japanese atmosphere.
Miyagi Prefecture Matsushima Rikyu
Matsushima Rikyu is a tourist commercial hub that opened in March 2020 in Matsushima, home to one of Japan's three most scenic views. There’s plenty to explore inside, including a Japanese garden, rooftop garden, restaurant museum and more.
The beautiful gardens and traditional architecture here make it a place you'll want to linger and explore.
Inuyama Festival (Inuyama Matsuri)
Inuyama Festival has been handed down at Haritsuna Shrine since 1635. 13 floats equipped with trick dolls are carried through the town showing off their trick dolls. This Inuyama Festival’s float event is designated as a national important intangible folk cultural property.
Besides the floats and taiko drum performances, the Inuyama Festival also features traditional music, dance, and all kinds of street performances. The whole town is filled with a festive and joyful atmosphere.
HUIS TEN BOSCH
This is the largest theme park in Japan, with beautiful European-like cityscapes and a canal that leads to the sea. The park is decorated with seasonal flowers and illuminations and has a wide range of the latest attractions. The park is also filled with excitement and a moving experience through a variety of events.
There are not only flower-lined paths, but also nearby cafes and fun attractions for kids.
Ueno Zoo
This is Japan’s first ever zoo, founded in 1882. Despite its urban setting in the heart of Tokyo, it still keeps a lush, natural environment as well as about 2,500 different animal friends of some 300 different species.
There are so many different animals inside. You could spend the whole day here and never get bored.
Ine no Funaya
Ine Bay is located in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture, where fishing has been thriving since ancient times. Along the coast, there is a row of buildings called "Funaya," whose first floor is connected to the sea as a storage area for boats used for fishing.
I took a sightseeing boat out to sea and fed the seagulls with shrimp chips. The environment is peaceful and relaxing.
Echizen Ono Castle Town
As if it’s covered, and floating atop the cloud, the Echizen Ono Castle was dubbed the “Sky Castle”. The castle town, was created 400 years ago, when Nobunaga Oda’s subordinate, the warlord Nagachika Kanamori entered Ono and pioneered a community. Going west from the eastern Teramachi Street (Shrine street), there are 5 different streets. Due to its unique aesthetic and townscape, it is dubbed the “Little Kyoto of the North”.
The Tamura family is known for their windmills, and the Uchiyama family is also definitely worth checking out.