Alex Wu's Reviews Page 2/8

Chihiro Art Museum Tokyo

Painter and picture book author Chihiro Iwasaki, known for her gentle watercolor paintings of children, spent the last 22 years of her life in her home and studio, which is now the site of this museum. Established in 1977 as the world's first picture book museum, "Iwasaki Chihiro Picture Book Museum," it was expanded and reopened in 2002 as an entirely barrier-free facility.

• Nakano, Koenji, Ogikubo, Nerima
• Museums

Ashigezaki Observation Deck

Located on a cape in front of the Samekado Lighthouse, this observation deck offers expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. Jutting out from the sheer cliff, the observation deck provides unobstructed vistas of the endless coastline of the Pacific Ocean.

• Aomori
• Observatories

Houzan Sake Brewery

Houzan Sake Brewery, established in the 18th year of the Meiji era (1885), is known for its "Daiginjo Houzan", which won the Gold Prize at the "Spring National Variety Appraisal Meeting". The brewery is located along the route connecting Iwamuro Onsen, known as the "back parlor of Niigata", and Yahiko Shrine, proud of its status as "Echigo Ichinomiya". The brewery is known for its innovative approach to sake brewing, not only using popular Yamada Nishiki rice and locally grown Niigata rice "Koshi Tanrei", but also taking on the challenge of making sake with Koshihikari, a type of rice usually considered unsuitable for sake brewing.

• Niigata
• Experiences Facilities

Chobo no Sato (Scenic Village)

This 1000m-high lookout spot offers a spectacular view of the Northern Alps as they tower from south to north. Feast your eyes in a grand panorama from Jigadake in Ono City, Nagano Prefecture in the south, to Myojosan in Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture in the north. If the weather is just right, a sea of clouds will roll in the valleys below, billowing at your feet like a mystic landscape. Around the area you’ll even find gorgeous blooms all year around, like cherry blossoms and daffodils in spring.

• Nagano
• Nature Spots

Mt. Takao Monkey Park and Wildflower Garden

The Mt. Takao Monkey Park and Wildflower Garden is located in the midst of nature on the middle slopes of Mount Takao. The monkey park houses about 90 monkeys that form an orderly society, headed by the boss monkey. You can observe their lively lifestyles up close, including mutual grooming and huddling together for warmth on cold days. The commentary provided by the keepers is also popular. The adorable baby monkeys born from early April to early August each year are also a must-see.

• Tachikawa, Hachioji, Machida
• Zoos & Aquariums

Minobusan Kuonji Temple

Kuonji is a historic temple standing atop Mount Minobu, a peak rising 1153 meters above sea level. Saint Nichiren, the founder of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism, is enshrined here.

• Yamanashi
• Shrines & Temples

Ozawa Sake Brewery

Ozawa Sake Brewery, established in 1702, is located in Ome City, Tokyo. Known for its sake brand "Sawanoi," the brewery is nestled in the upper reaches of the Tama River near the Ontake Gorge, a region renowned for its deep mountain canyons and rich natural beauty. The Sawanoi area, where the brewery originated, is named after its clear and abundant water, making it a famous water-rich region. The sake brand derives its name from this locale.

• Okutama, Ome
• Experiences Facilities

Space LABO ANNEX

This museum was opened in April 2022 as a branch of Kitakyushu City Science Museum ”Space LABO.” Science classes and shows are mainly held on weekends (basically with reservation).

• Yahata, Wakamatsu, Tobata
• Museums

Takachiho Kagura

Takachiho Kagura is a folk performance passed down in Takachiho Town, Miyazaki Prefecture. It's known as the "Night Kagura of Takachiho" and is dedicated in hopes for a bountiful harvest. Established from the late Heian period to the Kamakura period, it was performed and dedicated by the priests of the Takachiho Shrine until the end of the Edo period. It was then organized into 33 Kagura performances and has been passed down from one community to the next.

• Miyazaki
• Shrines & Temples

Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery

Founded in 1934 (Showa 9) by Masataka Taketsuru, often referred to as the father of Japanese whisky, this distillery is the origin and cornerstone of Nikka Whisky. After studying the art of whisky-making in its homeland of Scotland, Taketsuru sought to recreate that authentic taste in Japan, leading him to establish this very distillery. With its rich atmosphere reminiscent of Scotland, the distillery compound boasts a variety of storage houses and distillation buildings, some of which have been designated as Important Cultural Properties.

• Otaru and Niseko
• Experiences Facilities