When I reached the entrance of Inuyama Castle, a National Treasure, the wind carried the dry chill of winter. Looking up at this famous wooden castle, home to the oldest surviving castle keep in Japan, its weathered wood grain and solid stone walls truly conveyed the weight of history.
Holding the ticket I had just bought, I took a commemorative photo in front of the old castle, then climbed the wooden stairs step by step. The solid sound of wood beneath my feet made me feel as though I had stepped back into the Sengoku period.
After some effort, I reached the wooden veranda on the top floor of the castle keep. Leaning against the low railing and looking out, I saw an endless cityscape beneath the gray-white sky and the Kiso River flowing below the castle. Feeling the breeze brush against my face was truly breathtaking.
Actually standing inside this centuries-old castle and seeing with my own eyes the scenery once viewed by Sengoku-era warriors created such a vivid sense of being there that I couldn't bring myself to leave.
I highly recommend going all the way to the top of Inuyama Castle to experience it for yourself. Whether touching the weathered traces left by history up close or standing outside the castle keep and taking in the sweeping view of the Kiso River, it will leave you with incomparably vivid memories of your trip!
Inuyama Castle | Review by Jk
Other Reviews by Jk
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Kushida Shrine
This head shrine is said to have been built in the 8th century. Residents in Hakata call it “Okushida san.” Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival declares the arrival of summer to the City of Hakata in July, and is dedicated to this shrine.
At Kushida Shrine in downtown Hakata, Fukuoka, you’ll immediately be captivated by the strong traditional atmosphere of Hakata’s old downtown! Affectionately called “Okushida-san” by locals, it is Hakata’s oldest and most revered guardian shrine, as well as the central starting point of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, which electrifies all of Japan every summer. The most eye-catching sight is definitely the enormous decorative yamakasa float permanently displayed on the shrine grounds! Standing a full two or three stories tall, this colorful float is densely covered on both sides with intricately crafted, lifelike historical warriors and figures from mythology. The colors are vibrant and the details are incredible. Standing underneath and looking up, its bold visual impact will have you snapping photos nonstop!
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Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street
The most vibrant street on the island, the "Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street" is lined with stores showcasing Miyajima's specialties. Spanning approximately 350 meters, this arcade street leading up to the grand torii gate of "Itsukushima Shrine" is packed with souvenir shops, stores offering local crafts, and eateries serving Miyajima gourmet delights. With a dense collection of stores offering souvenirs and local foods emblematic of Miyajima, it's recommended to stroll this shopping street first when you visit the island.
Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street—the aroma of sizzling grilled oysters and the huge crowds completely overwhelm you! This covered arcade, stretching more than 300 meters, is the main hub for sampling great food and buying souvenirs on Miyajima. The roof protects you from both the sun and rain, while dozens of long-established local businesses and specialty shops line both sides. The air is filled with the aroma of charcoal-grilled seafood and the sweet scent of freshly baked momiji manju. As you stroll along and watch the shopkeepers enthusiastically call out to customers, you just can't stop eating!
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Mt. Showa-Shinzan
Showa Shinzan, in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, was once a wheat field that was uplifted by Mount Usu's volcanic eruption in 1943. Showa Shinzan is a volcano that has received worldwide attention for its status as a national special natural monument, one of Japan's top 100 geological sites, a Japanese Geopark, and a UNESCO World Geopark, among other things.
Even from far away, you can see a bare, dark red peak suddenly rising out of the vast green forest, with thick white steam constantly billowing from all around its slopes. This is the incredibly impressive Mt. Showa-Shinzan! The story behind this mountain is unbelievable. This area was originally just a flat wheat field, but during the Showa era, a series of powerful earthquakes and volcanic crustal activity caused magma underground to forcefully push up the surface. In just two years, it grew into an active volcanic lava dome nearly 400 meters tall. Looking up from the trail at the foot of the mountain, the rough reddish-brown rock face is completely barren. Up close, you can see white steam continuously hissing out from cracks in the rocks and even smell a faint hint of sulfur. Seeing the powerful vitality of the earth pulsing from within with your own eyes feels just like witnessing a miracle of nature!
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