Alex Wu's Reviews Page 6/8

Naha City Traditional Crafts Center

This facility celebrates the traditional crafts of Naha, which originated in the Ryukyu Kingdom era and have been passed down to the present day. The crafts featured include Tsuboya pottery, Ryukyu Bingata (dyed fabric), Shuri weaving, Ryukyu lacquerware, and Ryukyu glass. In the permanent exhibition room, notable works by Living National Treasures and historical pieces are displayed for each of the five crafts, with explanatory monitors detailing the production processes.

• Naha, Shuri, Itoman, Nanjo
• Experiences Facilities

Morioka Hachimangu Shrine

It is said to have been built in Enpo 8 (1680) by Shigenobu Nanbu, the third lord of the Mutsu Morioka Domain. It is the prefecture's largest shrine, with 12 deities residing within its precincts.　Each shrine enshrines a deity closely related to daily life, such as agriculture, commerce, academics, food, clothing, and shelter.

• Iwate
• Shrines & Temples

Spring Valley Sendai-Izumi Ski Resort

A resort facility utilizes the nature of Izumigatake. The ski slopes in winter and the green season are crowded with many leisure visitors throughout the four seasons as a spot where visitors can enjoy attractions, barbecues, IMONI (potato stew) parties, etc.

• Sendai
• Outdoors

Spring Valley Sendai-Izumi Ski Resort

A resort facility utilizes the nature of Izumigatake. The ski slopes in winter and the green season are crowded with many leisure visitors throughout the four seasons as a spot where visitors can enjoy attractions, barbecues, IMONI (potato stew) parties, etc.

• Sendai
• Outdoors

Former Hokkaido Government Office Building

This government building served as the base and center of Hokkaido’s politics for almost 80 years until the current municipal office was built. Commonly-known as the Red Brick Building, this architecture was made of 2,500,000 bricks. The window glasses with distortion and American Neo Baroque style architecture radiate the history and nostalgia.

• Sapporo Station, Odori, Susukino
• Museums

Asahikawa Kitasaito Garden

Connected to Asahikawa Station, Asahikawa Kitasaito Garden is placed in a rare location - in the middle of a city. Passing the west concourse of the station and reaching the “Shopping Park” in the city, you can appreciate the grand Chubetsu River and the rich nature in the northern land.

• Asahikawa and Sounkyo
• Parks & Gardens

The Ueno Royal Museum

This private art museum was opened in Ueno Park in 1972. It does not have a permanent exhibition, but holds special exhibitions and public entry exhibitions along with artwork from oversea museums and important cultural properties on a regular basis. In 1994, VOCA Exhibition started sharing new work by young artists 40 and younger.

• Ueno, Nippori
• Museums

Suzumoto Engeijo

Suzumoto Engeijo is one of Tokyo's historic rakugo theaters, originating in 1857 (the Ansei Era) as a storytelling venue known as "Gundanzeki Honmokutei." Today, it continues its tradition by regularly showcasing diverse performances centered around rakugo (traditional Japanese comedic storytelling), alongside other varieties of entertainment including manzai (comedy duos), juggling, paper-cutting, magic shows, impressions, spinning tops, and musical comedy. Programs rotate every ten days: the first ten days of the month (Kamiseki), the middle ten (Nakaseki), and the final ten (Shimoseki). On months with 31 days, special performances such as solo shows are held.

• Ueno, Nippori
• Museums

Gangoji Temple

Its predecessor was Asukadera Temple, the oldest full-fledged Buddhist temple in Japan, which was opened in Asuka Village by Soga Umako at the end of the 6th century. Later, with the relocation of the capital to Heijo-kyo, it was moved within the Heijo-kyo Capital and its name was changed to Gangoji Temple. During the Nara period (710-794), the temple developed to the extent that it was counted as one of the seven major temples in the southern capital, but it gradually declined from the mid-Heian period (794-1185).

• Nara
• Shrines & Temples

Hinode Park Lavender Garden

The park is renowned for its lavender fields, which span approximately 4.2 hectares. From late June to late July, the entire hilly area is covered with lavender, offering visitors a chance to enjoy the vibrant purple flowers swaying in the wind and their refreshing scent. A late-blooming variety called "Okamurasaki" is mainly planted, making it possible to appreciate the lavender even if you visit towards the end of the season. In addition to lavender, the park is also adorned with a variety of seasonal flowers such as catmint and marigold.

• Furano and Biei
• Tourist Attractions