Rusutsu Resort
This expansive, all-season resort-one of the largest in Hokkaido-features ski areas, golf courses, an amusement park, hotels, and more across its vast grounds.
Came here with my family and everyone had a blast! Adults went skiing while the kids enjoyed the amusement park. There’s something fun for everyone.
BLUE NOTE TOKYO
A prestigious jazz club in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo, operating since 1988. Since opening in partnership with the renowned New York brand, top artists from Japan and abroad have been delivering powerhouse performances night after night. With Approx. 280 seats, the venue puts you close to the performers for an immersive, high-impact live experience. In September 2024, it introduced the cutting-edge L-Acoustics A15 system. With upgraded acoustics, the sense of unity with the stage is even stronger.
This is such an atmospheric live jazz dining spot. Walking in feels like stepping into a classic jazz bar in New York.
The dim lighting and romantic vibe make it perfect for a date or a special celebration.
The food and drinks are solid, but the real highlight is the performance. World-class musicians often play here, and hearing them live is seriously impressive.
It’s on the expensive side, but it feels well worth it for the experience.
Kinshachi Yokocho
A superb gourmet area in Nagoya Castle Town, Kinshachi Yokocho, is divided into two sections.
You can try authentic Japanese dishes like udon, miso stew, tempura, and chicken wings. There are also lots of local food stalls that look absolutely delicious.
Nagaoka Festival Fireworks Display
It is one of the three major fireworks festivals in Japan and a colorful summer tradition in Niigata.
The fireworks light up the sky over the Shinano River, and the reflections on the water make the view even more magical.
Yonago Castle Ruins
It was the first early modern castle in the San'in region, and construction began at the end of the Sengoku Period (Warring State Period, 1467-1615). It is also known as "Kume Castle." It is located on the summit of Mt. Minato, approximately 90 meters above sea level, approximately 1 km west of Yonago Station, and overlooks the Naka Sea.
As the name suggests, only the stone ruins remain. If you walk along the trail to the top, you can enjoy even more spectacular and beautiful views.
Nanzenji Temple
In the latter half of the 13th century, Emperor Kameyama, who had defeated the Mongols (Yuan) twice, became the Pope and made the temple the first imperial temple in Japan as a Zen temple. After the main temple complex was built by Norian Soen, it was succeeded by Issan Ichinei, a high priest who was dispatched to Japan as an envoy of the Gen.
The Japanese-style garden is exquisite, and the Suirokaku Aqueduct from Lake Biwa makes a great photo backdrop. You can also try Kyoto's famous Junsei yudofu at the entrance.
Hakone Venetian Glass Museum
The Hakone Venetian Glass Museum is located in the lush greenery of Hakone Sengokuhara. The compound consists of the Venetian Glass Museum, the Modern Glass Museum and the Glass Workshop. The garden overlooks Owakudani Valley. There is a lovely cafe/restaurant, and an interesting museum store.
The dreamy glass artworks blend beautifully with the garden. When the sun shines, everything looks stunning and it's such a pleasure to see.
Kuzuryu Shrine Hongu
This is a sacred place of worship for the dragon gods, where the legend of the nine-headed dragon of Lake Ashinoko has been passed down to this day. It was built as a shrine outside the precincts of Hakone Shrine, which is known as the main shrine of the Kanto region, and stands in the lush Hakone Kuzuryu forest by Lake Ashinoko.
There's spring water you can drink, and it's said to be very effective for wishes about money and relationships.
Awaji Island Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park
The Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park has two locations in Awaji Island and Kobe City. The concept of the Awaji District location is "an amusement park by the ocean." The park has three main zones: the observation zone on the green sloped land, the cultural exchange zone with beautiful flower fields and a playground, and the coastal zone by the ocean with an open atmosphere.
Even though it's a small park, you can see flowers here all year round. The tulips and sunflowers are especially famous.
Maiko Park
Maiko Park opened in 1900 as the first prefectural park in Hyogo Prefecture. This park also serves as a gate for Akashi Kaikyo Bridge or “Pearl Bridge,” the world’s longest suspension bridge, attracting many tourists from Japan and abroad.
It's located right under the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. There's also a Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, though I'm not sure how it's related. It's a nice place to enjoy views of the bridge and the sea.