Towada Shrine
Located on Nakayama Peninsula, which juts into Lake Towada, this ancient shrine is said to have been founded in 807 by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, a shogun who enshrined Prince Yamato Takeru as a warrior deity. During the Edo period, Towada Shrine was revered alongside Mount Osore as one of the two great sacred sites of the region, flourishing as a place of ascetic practice.
The shrine is pretty small, but the atmosphere is super spiritual. You can really feel it!
Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
This shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, known as the god of learning. The shrine has been known as "Tenjin-san of Tenma" by the people of Osaka since ancient times, and since its establishment in 949, people have entrusted it with all kinds of wishes, including those for plague, learning, and entertainment. During the exam season, the shrine is crowded with students preparing for exams.
The garden inside the shrine and the surrounding area are really beautiful. You can enjoy different scenery in every season.
Arashiyama Onsen Saishiki no Yado Hanaikada
Located at the foot of the Togetsukyo Bridge spanning the Oi River, this hot spring inn is extremely convenient as a base for sightseeing in Arashiyama and Sagano. It boasts the only observation open-air bath in Arashiyama, where guests can bathe while enjoying the seasonal scenery of Arashiyama and the distant sacred mountain, Mt. Atago. Additionally, there are two types of indoor baths: one made of Japanese cypress and the other made of stone, as well as a reservable private open-air bath.
You can easily enjoy views of Togetsukyo Bridge and the natural beauty of Arashiyama right from the inn.
Jozankei Onsen (Hot Springs)
A historical hot spring resort located in Minami-Ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, also known as the inner city of the large Sapporo metropolis. It has been designated as Shikotsu-Toya National Park for more than 150 years since the hot spring opened. The hot spring resort extends along the riverbanks carved by the Shirai River and the Toyohira River.
The whole hot spring area is built along the Toyohira River. Most rooms let you hear the sound of the stream and see the mountains. The quality of the hot springs is pretty good too.
Hokkaido Shrine
Hokkaido Shrine, one of the most prominent shrines in Hokkaido, is located in Chuo District, Sapporo City. Its history is long, which began in 1869, when the Emperor Meiji directed to enshrine “Kaitaku Sanshin (Developing Three Deities)” here as a place of faith for pioneers.
It used to be called Sapporo Shrine, but after they started enshrining Emperor Meiji, who contributed to Hokkaido's development, it was renamed Hokkaido Shrine. The security staff here are really diligent—when our group was taking photos and talking loudly, they immediately asked us to quiet down.
Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER
The tower is Nagoya’s symbol, built as Nagoya TV Tower for tourism and TV broadcast and completed in 1954. In 2011, TV signals were switched from analog to digital and its function as a consolidated radio tower was ended.
It's right above Hisaya Odori Park. The tower really stands out at night when it's all lit up.
Osaka Castle Park
Nationally designated special historical site, Osaka Castle Ruin, and the surrounding area were renovated into an urban park. 13 buildings of important cultural properties including Osaka Castle Main Tower, watchtowers and gates dot the vast 261-acre premises.
The park is huge and there's no entrance fee. There are lots of cherry blossom trees, and the main tower of Osaka Castle is definitely the highlight.