Dotonbori
Crab, octopus, cow, crane….these are just a few of the oversized 3D signboards that make up the look and feel of the bustling Dotonbori Area. Its packed with a number of eateries along the northern Dotonbori River and main street along its southern side.
Dotonbori is lively and bustling, with plenty of great food and shopping options. The famous Glico Running Man sign is a must-photo spot. At night, the neon lights shine bright, giving the area Osaka’s unique energy and charm.
Kobe Anpanman Children’s Museum & Mall
This is a spot for children to meet their hero, Anpanman. The building is divided into two floors, with the museum on the second floor (admission fee applies) and a shopping mall on the first floor (free to enter).
The Anpanman Museum is full of childlike charm and joy. There are plenty of exhibits inside, and you can even interact with the characters and take photos.
Whether you're visiting with kids or you're an Anpanman fan, it's a place where you can make wonderful memories.
Kobe Kitano Ijinkan (Former Foreign Residences)
When the port of Kobe opened in 1868, the "Kobe Kitano Ijin-gai (foreign city)" developed as a land of foreign settlement. Located on a hill overlooking the ocean, the town has a unique mix of Western and Japanese style buildings. About 30 Western-style buildings have been preserved in their original state, and 16 are open to the public.
Kobe Kitano is filled with a rich international atmosphere, with many historic Western-style residences still preserved. Walking along the sloped streets makes you feel like you're in a small European town.
Along the way, you can enjoy elegant architecture, as well as unique cafés, dessert shops, and creative boutiques. It's a very relaxing area to explore.
The overall environment is clean and comfortable, blending history, culture, and food. It's a popular spot you shouldn't miss when visiting Kobe.
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!
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium features a wide variety of marine life. The whale sharks and manta rays in the giant tank are truly stunning.
The park is well organized and both fun and educational. It's a must-visit popular attraction in Okinawa.
Kitano Tenman Shrine
A Tenmangu shrine standing on the hill along Kitanozaka, striking for its vermilion-lacquered shrine buildings. It is said to have been founded in 1180, in the late Heian period, when Taira no Kiyomori invited the spirit of Kyoto’s Kitano Tenmangu during the relocation of the capital to Fukuhara. Enshrining Sugawara no Michizane, known as the god of learning, it draws worshippers throughout the year praying for success in entrance exams and certification tests.
Kobe Kitano Tenman Shrine is built along the hillside, with a peaceful and quiet setting. While visiting the shrine, you can look out over the Kobe cityscape.
The shrine is solemn and elegant, with a strong sense of history and culture. It's a great place for prayers and scenic views.
Miyama Kayabuki no Sato
Miyama, Nantan City in Kyoto Prefecture, is home to a gathering of rare thatched-roof houses. The northern settlement is especially known for its preserved 39 thatched-roof houses, designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, beloved to this day as a nostalgic landscape of Japan that melts against the backdrop of picture-perfect seasons.
Miyama preserves a traditional thatched-roof village, with a simple, charming rural landscape full of Japanese countryside atmosphere. Strolling through the area, you can feel its relaxed and peaceful vibe. It’s a great place to unwind.
Ine no Funaya
Ine Bay is located in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture, where fishing has been thriving since ancient times. Along the coast, there is a row of buildings called "Funaya," whose first floor is connected to the sea as a storage area for boats used for fishing.
The Ine Funaya are built right along the sea, and this unique cluster of boat houses is full of fishing village charm. Whether you walk along the shore or take a boat to enjoy the coastal scenery, you can soak in the relaxed, peaceful atmosphere. It’s a hidden gem worth visiting.
Amanohashidate
Amanohashidate is one of Japan’s Top 3 Scenic Spots, along with the bay of Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture and Miyajima in Aki, Hiroshima Prefecture. Across the length of this 3.6km landbridge you’ll find 5000 pine trees planted across its 20m-170m wide shores.
Amanohashidate has magnificent scenery and is known as one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views. Taking in the view from above, or looking at the “Flying Dragon View” upside down, each offers something special. Together with the pine trees and ocean views, it leaves a lasting impression.
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
The traditional streets of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter feature white walled warehouses, grid pattern walls, Namako-kabe, and rows of weeping trees, creating a beautiful and charming townscape. This harmonious and historic scenery is very popular with tourists.
The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter preserves streetscapes from the Edo period, with white walls, black tiles, and the canal beautifully complementing each other. It has a wonderfully nostalgic atmosphere. Strolling the streets while enjoying the historic buildings and unique little shops makes it hard to leave.
Nagoya Castle
One of the largest castles in Japan, built in the early Edo period on the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate, the five-story castle tower is topped with shining two Kinshachi, one male and one female that has become a symbol of Nagoya.
Nagoya Castle is grand and impressive, and the golden shachihoko on the roof really stand out. It’s one of Nagoya’s iconic landmarks. Inside, there are plenty of historical artifacts on display, along with beautiful garden views. It’s worth taking your time to explore.