Shibamata Taishakuten Sando
Katsushika Shibamata has been chosen by the country itself as one of Japan’s iconic scenic spots. It’s also no exaggeration to say that Shibamata Taishakuten and its approach are iconic parts of Tokyo’s shitamachi (old town) areas that possess striking atmosphere and appearance.
Taishakuten Sando—you can't miss Takagiya, the long-established shop! Their famous Kusadango from Katsushika is just so delicious.
TENJIN CHIKAGAI
Tenjin area is located in Fukuoka City Chuo-ward, Kyushu’s largest downtown district. Going through the street is Watanabe Street, and to the north, Showa street. To the south is Tenjin Chikagai, an underground street, 600m in length running under Kokutai Street. There are 12 districts, with 150 shops such as apparel, gourmet food, sundries, and books.
Tenjin Chikagai has a kind of fake European design that makes you feel like you're in Europe~ It's really comfortable to walk around and shop here~ Highly recommend!
Tower of Osaka Castle
Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified the country during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600), began construction of the tower of Osaka Castle in 1583 and completed it in 1585. The castle was later destroyed during the Osaka Natsu no Jin（summer campaign of Osaka） in 1615, but was rebuilt by the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1626. However, the castle keep was destroyed by lightning in 1665. In 1931, the castle tower of the Toyotomi period was reconstructed with donations from Osaka citizens.
The exhibits and the way history is presented inside the castle tower are lively and engaging. The architecture of the tower itself is impressive from every angle~
Nikko Toshogu
Nikko Toshogu is a shrine dedicated to the Edo shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa. It is the most visited spot within the World Heritage Site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko,” and here you can see 55 exceptional buildings, including 8 that have been designated as national treasures and 34 that have been designated as Important Cultural Properties.
I've seen pictures of Nikko Toshogu's gorgeous buildings in travel guides. The shrine is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of Japan's most important heroes. This place holds a lot of significance for Japanese history and culture.
Ameyoko Shopping Street
The Ameyoko Shopping Street, affectionately known as "Ameyoko," stretches approximately 500m between JR Ueno Station and JR Okachimachi Station, with around 400 shops lining the street. It features a variety of businesses, including food and confectionery, clothing, general goods, and jewelry stores.
Ameyoko in Ueno is a great place to shop and there are so many delicious foods to try. It's lively even at night~ Every time I come to Japan, I can really feel the strong traditional Japanese vibe here.
Funaoka Castle Ruins Park
This large park was built on the "Funaoka Castle" ruins where Shibata Family used to live until the Meiji Revolution. It is famous nation-wide through NHK’s 1970 historical drama “Mominoki wa Nokotta” based on Shugoro Yamamoto’s book. The fir tree, which was used as the title of the drama, is still standing tall in the park.
At Funaoka Castle Ruins Park, you can capture beautiful shots of cherry blossoms and trains together. It's a popular spot for influencers and anyone chasing the beauty of cherry blossoms.
Yokohama Motomachi Shopping Street
It is a shopping street that developed from a collection of stores that served foreign customers at the time of the opening of the port of Yokohama, which dates back more than 150 years ago. The 600-meter-long main street with a sophisticated Western-style atmosphere is lined with a wide variety of highly-sensitive stores, including apparel, sundry, interior and accessory stores. There are also many sophisticated cafes and restaurants, so it is also attractive that you can enjoy shopping slowly while taking a break.
Motomachi Shopping Street is Yokohama's most stylish shopping area. You can find lots of limited-edition goods and souvenirs, plus so many different sweets and cakes. I always leave with so many great finds!
Yamato Museum (Kure Maritime Museum)
A museum introducing the Yamato, the world’s largest battleship during World War II. Visitors can also learn about Kure’s history and science and technology. The 1/10-scale battleship Yamato, the symbol of the Yamato Museum, has been recreated based on original blueprints, underwater survey footage, and crew testimony. It continues to share the importance of peace and the excellence of science and technology with future generations.
The Yamato Museum highlights how Kure became a major base for the Japanese navy in the late Meiji era, and a center for shipbuilding, steel, and machinery. Many warships, including the Yamato, were built here. It was even called the top naval port in the East! 😋
Yamanakadani
Yamanakadani is located near the border of Osaka and Wakayama prefectures. It was once a post town on the Kishu-kaido highway used by the Kishu Tokugawa family when they made the SANKIN KOUTAI (a system in which feudal lords travel back and forth between their fiefdom and Edo every other year).
Yamanaka Onsen is a famous tourist spot, especially for Kakusenkei Gorge. The scenic valley views here are really popular~
Befco Bakauke Observatory Room
The Befco Bakauke Observatory Room is located on the 31st floor of Toki Messe, which also houses the Convention Center and Hotel Nikko Niigata. Located approximately 125 meters above the ground, it is the tallest observatory on the Nihon-Kai coast, and is a popular spot for visitors to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of not only the Niigata city center below, but also the Sea of Japan, Sado Island, and the Gozu mountain range on clear days.
At the Befco Bakauke Observatory Room, you get a stunning 360-degree panoramic view. Besides the cityscape of Niigata, you can also see the Sea of Japan, Sado Island, and the Gozu mountain range in the distance. All the sights are right in front of you.