Expo’70 Commemorative Park
Using the same site that once held the Japan World Exposition 1970, this sprawling public park is filled with green hills, trees and an open-armed welcome from the “Tower of the Sun” statue created by Taro Okamoto. You can make advanced reservations to secure your tour inside the tower, a steel “tree of life” that stretches as high as 41 meters tall.
It's a huge and peaceful park with lots of different flowers. The blooms inside are really beautiful.
Shitennoji Temple
Prince Shotoku, the father of Japan’s Buddhism, had this first Japanese Buddhism temple built in 593. In the 8th century, the respect for him has changed into a religion, which is still active to this day. Since the temple was built by Prince Shotoku, it was reestablished as Washu (Japanese religion) in 1949.
It's pretty amazing that such a complete temple has been preserved in a modern and bustling city like Osaka!
Shirakawa-go (Historic Village)
Shirakawa-go, a beautiful area where traditional Japanese scenery still exists, is home to the largest number of still-standing traditional “gassho-zukuri” Japanese homes. As of 2016, there are around 100 buildings still standing, both large and small. It is the largest remaining historic settlement in Japan, and it is preserved as a Group of Traditional Buildings in the register of Cultural Properties of Japan.
There are a lot of old houses in Shirakawa-go, and they still keep the traditional lifestyle items from the village. Honestly, most of the houses are pretty similar, so just picking one to check out is enough.
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
“Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium” is a popular tourist spot, located in Okinawa’s Kaiyohaku Park. If you take the building’s escalator down from the 4th floor to the 3rd, you’ll find yourself at the entrance to the aquarium. The aquarium is designed as a “deep dive” into the ocean as you go down to the 2nd and 1st floors, so as you descend, a magnificent world filled with mysterious Okinawan ocean creatures unfolds before you!
There are so many kinds of sea creatures here! Watching the whale sharks swim was super impressive. I spent about three or four hours here in total.
Bukkoji Temple
The head temple of the Bukko-ji sect of Shinshu Buddhism. The origin of the temple is the hermitage that Shinran Shonin, known as the founder of Jodo-Shinshu, built in Yamashina in 1212 after he was pardoned from exile in Echigo and returned to Kyoto.
My kid is a huge Detective Conan fan and insisted we visit. The temple itself is pretty small and there weren't many tourists—seems like mostly locals come here to pray.
UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE
As one of the most famous film theme parks in Japan, located in Uzumasa, Kyoto, the park is famous for its sets used in the filming of period dramas. You can enjoy the atmosphere of old Japan even more by walking in the park dressed up in historic costumes as a film character.
A lot of scenes from Japanese period dramas are filmed here. When I visited, they happened to be shooting a movie too. It's a theme park all about movies.
Kurodani, Konkai-Komyoji Temple
Often affectionately referred to as "Kurodani-san", this temple is the head temple of the Jodo Sect. In 1175, Honen Shonin, the founder of the Jodo Sect, descended from Mt. Hiei and first established this temple in Kurodani, marking it as the earliest temple of the sect. The temple also played a significant role during the end of the Tokugawa shogunate.
This place is perfect to visit in the fall. The classic Japanese garden scenery is really beautiful.
Kurama-dera
This shrine is the headquarters of Kurama Koukyou, a sect of Buddihsm. In 770 AD, saint monk, Gantei, who was also a disciple of Ganjin, the founder of Toshodaiji Temple, enshrined Bishamonten (guardian god of Buddhism), and this is the origin of this temple. In the golden head hall, statues of Bishamonten No, Senju-Kannon Bosatsu, and Goho Maoson are enshrined.
Famous for its tengu legends, this temple is known as the guardian temple of the city's demon gate.
Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan, nicknamed “USJ”, is a large-scale theme park with entertainment for everyone, both children and adults alike. The park is separated into different areas, each with a different theme from popular titles across the world.
I went in the summer and it was seriously hot! You get a lot of sun while waiting in line—I almost got heatstroke!