Himeji is beautiful in autumn, particularly from late October to early December, when you can enjoy stunning fall foliage at Koko-en Garden, next to Himeji Castle, and at Shoshazan Engyoji Temple on Mount Shosha. The city offers mild weather, making it ideal for nature walks and viewing colorful landscapes, with illuminated Koko-en Garden events during the season
Kokoen Garden
好古園
Kokoen (好古園, Kōkoen) is a relatively recently constructed Japanese style garden, which was opened in 1992 on the former site of the feudal lord's west residence (Nishi-Oyashiki). It consists of nine separate, walled gardens designed in various styles of the Edo Period. Among the gardens are the garden of the lord's residence which features a pond with a waterfall, a tea garden where visitors can enjoy green tea, a pine tree garden, a bamboo garden and a flower garden.
Kokoen Garden is next to Himeji Castle, a short walk west of the castle's main gate (Otemon Gate). From Himeji Station, it can be reached in a 20 minute walk or five minute ride by bus(210 yen one way) or taxi (about 800 yen one way) along the broad Otemae-dori Street, which leads straight from the station to the castle and garden.
The design and supervision of Edo Period KOKO-EN was under the supervision of Professor Makoto Nakamura of Kyoto University. KOKO-EN's nine different size gardens are based on the original layout of historical residences and passage-ways.
The garden’s passage-ways are traditional mud walls, called “Tsuiji-bei”, with roof-tiles where you will see beautiful wooden gates like “Yashiki-mon” (gate to “The Lord's Residence”) and “Nagaya-mon”, a traditional style gate with two guard-rooms. Also, there is “Kassui-ken” Restaurant and “Cho-on-sai” (“The Guest House”) connected by a “Covered Corridor Bridge”, of traditional design, made of Japanese Cypress wood. You can visit “Tea Ceremony House” called “Souju-an”, which is a “sukiya-zukuri” style structure with design and construction supervised by “Sen Soshitsu”, The 15th Urasenke Grand Tea Master.
These various beautiful gardens are connected by flowing streams, waterfalls and ponds, with the grand UNESCO World Heritage HIMEJI CASTLE as a beautiful backdrop to KOKO-EN making an elegant view in harmony with Japanese History and Nature.
KOKO-EN was named after “Koko-do”, the name of the Provincial School for Literary and Military Training which was first established (1692) by the samurai “Sakai Clan”in current Maebashi City, Gumma Prefecture. This military-school was later moved to HIMEJI CASTLE by Lord Tadazumi Sakai when he was given command of “Himeji Feudal Domain” and HIMEJI CASTLE (1749).
During Lord Sakai's reign at HIMEJI CASTLE, he continued to support and expand “Koko-do” into an important military-school in Himeji, which had been located in 1842 at the area west of HIMEJI CASTLE of what is now KOKO-EN Garden.
The importance of Lord Sakai's contribution to the success of “Koko-do” at HIMEJI CASTLE is reflected in the name “KOKO-EN” as seen on the wooden sign shown at the entrance gate of KOKO-EN. These special Kanji Characters were written by the former Tokyo University Professor, Mr. Reimon Yuki, the son of Gimon Yuki, head of the tutoring school later opened by Mr. Atsunori Matsudaira a supervisor of “Koko-do” in Himeji.
The corridor in the “Oyashiki no Niwa” is also very tasteful. The traditional hinoki cypress construction provides a spectacular view of the waterfall from the corridor.
The “Oyashiki no Niwa” is the largest garden in KOKO-EN. In the “Oyashiki no Niwa” garden, about 250 colorful Nishikigoi* can be seen swimming in a large pond that is reminiscent of the Seto Inland Sea.
*Nishikigoi are popular in Europe, the U.S. as appreciation and in Asia as a good-luck charm for lovers. The colorful patterns of red and yellow Koi are said to be “swimming jewels.”
Autumn (October to December), when the leaves change color, is said to be one of the most beautiful times of the year and attracts many tourists. Some trees turn fiery red, while others turn yellow or orange depending on the sunlight and temperature. The beautiful gradation of autumn leaves is one of the most symbolic views of autumn in Japan. The view with the waterfall in the garden and through the corridor is also very picturesque and highly recommended.
Himeji Castle (姫路城, Himejijō), also known as White Heron Castle (Shirasagijo) due to its elegant, white appearance, is widely considered Japan's most spectacular castle for its imposing size and beauty and its well preserved, complex castle grounds. The castle is both a national treasure and a World Heritage Site. Unlike many other Japanese castles, it was never destroyed by war, earthquake or fire and survives to this day as one of the country's twelve original castles.
Himeji Castle lies at a strategic point along the western approach to the former capital city of Kyoto. The first fortifications built on the site were completed in the 1400s, and were gradually enlarged over the centuries by the various clans who ruled over the region. The castle complex as it survives today was completed in 1609. It is made up of over eighty buildings spread across multiple baileys, which are connected by a series of gates and winding paths.
The labyrinth-like approach from there to the main keep leads along walled paths and through multiple gates and baileys with the purpose to slow down and expose attacking forces. At the heart of the complex stands the main keep, a six story wooden structure. It is one of only a handful castle keeps in Japan that feature wing buildings, adding complexity to its appearance.
Himeji Castle is also a highly popular cherry blossom spot during the short and crowded blooming season which usually falls in early April. On busy days, such as during the cherry blossom season, Golden Week and the summer holidays, visitors may encounter considerable waiting times for entering the interior of the main keep. The number of visitors allowed to enter the main keep may be limited by the use of numbered tickets.
Kyoto京都市
Oigawa River
大堰川
Hozugawa River Cruise
保津川下り
Scenic boat ride down a river towards Arashiyama
Hozugawa River Cruises (Hozugawa Kudari) are sightseeing boat rides down the Hozugawa River from Kameoka to Arashiyama. The cruises utilize traditional style, flat-bottomed boats piloted by boatmen with oars and bamboo poles. The boats take about two hours to leisurely make their way down the river and are a relaxing way to see the natural scenery of the largely undeveloped ravine. The river cruises are often combined with a ride on the Sagano Scenic Railway.
Cruises are offered year round, but are particularly popular from mid November to early December when the leaves change color. The boats are heated in winter and operate during light rain (they will be covered in a plastic tent), but service is canceled in case of heavy rain or large changes in the water level.
The Hozugawa River was originally employed to transport logs that were used to build many of Kyoto and Osaka's famous temples and castles. During the Edo Period the river was cleared of obstructions so that boats carrying grain, firewood and other cargo could safely navigate it. Trains and trucks eventually made river transport obsolete, and operations ceased after several hundred years of use. However, the boats were brought back and eventually became popular as a sightseeing attraction.
The Kinugawa Line Kudari River Cruise (鬼怒川ライン下り) is a ride down Kinugawa River in flat bottomed, wooden boats. The cruises lasts about 40 minutes and travel through mostly undeveloped stretches of the river, passing rock formations along the way that resemble various animals and objects. Humorous explanations are provided by the boatmen in Japanese. Shoes are removed on board of the boats.
The river has three different names that denote its upper, middle, and lower stretches. It is called the Ōi River (大堰川, Ōi-gawa) in the upper course (not to be confused with the homophonously named Ōi River (大井川, Ōi-gawa), further to the east in Shizuoka Prefecture), the Hozu River (保津川, Hozu-gawa) in the middle course, and the Katsura River (桂川, Katsura-gawa) in the lower course.
The Hozugawa Kudari route was used for transporting lumber as far back as the 8thcentury, and after the river was widened by a wealthy merchant Suminokura Ryōi in the early 1600s, it served to ship rice and other goods all the way to the Port of Osaka. Even today you can see the remains of the paths along the river that the boatmen once had to trek every day, hauling their vessels back upstream by rope! Sightseeing took over the route once modern transportation dominated the shipping industry, and now approximately 300,000 tourists ride the Hozugawa Kudari every year.
A trip to Kyoto wouldn’t be complete without exploring the city’s gorgeous natural scenery, and one of the best ways to do this is to take a short train trip to the neighboring city of Kameoka and board the Hozugawa Kudari boat ride! This popular river route has a rich history dating back more than 400 years and offers visitors a chance to enjoy a leisurely and entertaining boat ride through one of Kyoto’s most beautiful areas.
Oigawa Railway is a railway company which operates steam locomotive(SL) trains almost every day. You can enjoy Japanese antique train trip and a beautiful view from the train.
Taking approximately two hours to travel 16 kilometers down the Hozugawa river between Kameoka and the well-known sightseeing area Arashiyama, the Hozugawa Kudari boat ride costs 4,100 yen for adults and 2,700 yen for children aged 4-12. Though most of the river provides a smooth, calming journey, there are a few rapids that supply some additional excitement along the way, and depending on the season you can enjoy cherry blossoms, vivid greenery, fall colors, and even snow! With the trip narrated by jaunty boatmen ready to point out local ravine wildlife, historical spots, comically shaped rocks, and good photograph spots, as well as to explain the finer points of boat steerage, you’ll be in good hands until you reach land once more.
Arashiyama Park (Nakanoshima area)
Arashiyama is one of the most famous sightseeing areas in Kyoto, and is home to many famous places of interest, including seasonal landscapes created by nature, such as mountains and rivers, and historic temples. We will introduce a course that you can fully enjoy, from must-visit royal roadside spots to talked-about restaurants and hole-in-the-wall spots. Take advantage of the trolley train and other local trains that are familiar to the town of Kyoto, and enjoy all that Arashiyama has to offer in terms of sightseeing and dining!
Nara奈良
Japan's first permanent capital was established in the year 710 at Heijo, the city now known as Nara (奈良). Prior to that, the capital was moved to a new location whenever a new emperor ascended to the throne.
However, as the influence and political ambitions of the city's powerful Buddhist monasteries grew to become a serious threat to the government, the capital was moved away from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 and a few years later to Kyoto.
Nara is located less than one hour from Kyoto and Osaka. Due to its historical importance, the city remains full of cultural treasures, including some of Japan's oldest and largest temples.
Nanto Rokushū
With the establishment of the new capital, Asuka-dera, the temple of the Soga clan, was relocated within Nara.The Emperor Shōmu ordered the construction of Tōdai-jiTemple (largest wooden building in the world) and the world's largest bronze Buddha statue.The temples of Nara, known collectively as the Nanto Shichi Daiji, remained spiritually significant even beyond the move of the political capital to Heian-kyō in 794, thus giving Nara a synonym of Nanto (南都 "the southern capital").
On 2 December 724 AD, in order to increase the visual "magnificence" of the city, an edict was ordered by the government for the noblemen and the wealthy to renovate the roofs, pillars, and walls of their homes, although at that time this was unfeasible. Sightseeing in Nara city became popular in the Edo period, during which several visitors' maps of Nara were widely published. During the Meiji Period, the Kofukuji Temple lost some land and its monks were converted into Shinto priests, due to Buddhism being associated with the old shogunate.
Todaiji Temple
Large temple with a big Buddha statue
東大寺
Todaiji (東大寺, Tōdaiji, "Great Eastern Temple") is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhisttemples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved away from Nara in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs.
A model inside the Daibutsuden Hall shows the structure as it originally stood. The first hall was considerably larger, soaring 100 meters into the air, and was flanked by two towering pagodas.
The hakkaku tōrō, a six-sided, 4.6-meter-tall bronze lantern that dates back to Tōdaiji’s founding
Until recently, Todaiji's main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall), held the record as the world's largest wooden building, despite the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall's size. The massive building houses one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu). The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas.
A full-scale replica of a lotus pedal from the pedestal of the Great Buddha. Displayed next to the dais in the Daibutsuden Hall, it provides visitors an up-close look at the lettering of the Flower Ornament Sutra decorating the statue’s base.
The Four Heavenly Kings of Buddhism (Tamonten, Komokuten, Zochoten, and Jikokuten) serve Shakra, who resides atop Mount Sumeru, and protect Buddhism from the Four Great Kings of Heaven (Shidaioushuten) located halfway up the mountain. Each deity is considered a guardian of the four directions: Jikokuten protects the east, Komokuten the west, Zochoten the south, and Tamonten the north, acting as military commanders who protect the nation.
Komokuten is considered a Buddhist deity. While Jikokuten, Zochoten, and Tamonten wield weapons such as swords, spears, and halberds, Komokuten holds a brush and a scroll instead of a weapon. The Sanskrit word for Komokuten is "Birvaksha," which means "one with many eyes" or "one with extraordinary eyes," and has been broadly interpreted as having the ability to see thousands of miles away. Unlike other warlords, Komokuten uses his clairvoyance to persuade evil spirits using a brush and scrolls, and fulfills his role as the guardian deity of the west, with his power to change their ways.
Wooden Standing Kongorikishi Statues (National Treasure): These gigantic wooden statues are 8.4 meters tall. They were carved in just 69 days in 1203 (the third year of the Kennin era). Facing the gate, the Ungyo (a statue with its mouth closed) is placed to the right, and the Agyo (a statue with its mouth open) is placed to the left. This is the opposite of the usual placement of Nio statues.
Along the approach to Todaiji stands the Nandaimon Gate, a large wooden gate watched over by two fierce looking statues. Representing the Nio Guardian Kings, the statues are designated national treasures together with the gate itself. Temple visitors will also encounter some deer from the adjacent Nara Park, begging for shika senbei, special crackers for deer that are sold for around 200 yen.
Deer in Nara
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According to the legendary history of Kasuga Shrine, the god Takemikazuchi arrived in Nara on a white deer to guard the newly built capital of Heijō-kyō. Since then, the deer have been regarded as heavenly animals, protecting the city and the country.
Tame sika deer (also known as spotted deer or Japanese deer) roam through the town, especially in Nara Park. In 2015, there were more than 1,200 sika deer in Nara. Snack vendors sell sika senbei (deer crackers) to visitors so they can feed the deer. Some deer have learned to bow in order to receive senbeifrom people.
A 2009 study by Harumi Torii, assistant professor of wildlife management at Nara University of Education, in which necropsies of deceased shika deer in Nara park were conducted, found that the deer in Nara park were malnourished from not having enough grass to eat, and eating too many rice crackers and other human food. The rice crackers commonly fed to the deer lack fiber and other nutrients deer require, so when the deer eat too many rice crackers it causes the gut microbiome in the deer to become unbalanced, among other problems. 7 out of 8 deer dissected had a “kidney fat index” (which measures how
much fat has attached to the kidneys) below 40%, which indicates malnutrition. And of those 7, some had kidney fat below 10%, which indicates starvation. Compared to male shika deer outside of Nara park, which weigh about 50 kilograms on average, the male shika deer in Nara park only weigh 30 kilograms on average. The color of the femoral marrow in Nara park’s deer was also abnormal, indicating malnourishment. When living deer in Nara park were observed during the study, it was discovered that rice crackers made up about one third of the average deer’s diet in Nara park, with grass making up about two thirds. The deer have become so excessively numerous in Nara park, that there isn’t enough grass in the park for all of them to live entirely on grass, creating a dependency on humans for rice crackers. This lack of grass also causes the deer to resort to eating garbage and plants that they would not normally eat.The deer in Nara park have become overpopulated due to being fed by people frequently, and having few predators and the deer have caused extensive damage to trees (by feeding on bark), bamboo (by eating their shoots), and other plants in the park. Additionally, the deer have become aggressive towards humans in their solicitation of food (which leads to people getting injured by deer), aggressive towards each other in competition for rice crackers, and have lost their fear of predators in general. For these reasons, tourists may want to consider not feeding the deer in Nara park, and simply observe them instead.
Kufuku-ji temple
興福寺
Five-storied Pagoda
Kohfukuji’s Five-storied Pagoda was originally erected in 730 by Empress Kōmyō (701–760), the daughter of Kohfukuji’s founding patron, Fujiwara no Fuhito (659–720). Over its long history, the pagoda burned down a total of five times, with the current reconstruction dating to 1426. At 50.1 meters, it is the second-tallest wooden pagoda in Japan today. Famous for its deep eaves, the structure successfully blends references to the architecture of the Nara Period (710–794) with the dynamic architectural style of the Muromachi Period (1136–1573) during which it was last rebuilt.
With a history of more than 1,300 years, Kohfukuji is one of Japan’s oldest and most famous Buddhist temples. Its story begins in 669, when Kagami no Ōkimi (d. 683) founded a Buddhist chapel, Yamashinadera, in modern-day Kyoto Prefecture to pray for the recovery of her husband Fujiwara no Kamatari (614–669) from illness. In the wake of the Jinshin Rebellion of 672, the temple was moved to Umayasaka in Nara Prefecture (where it was renamed Umayasakadera), and then relocated to its present site at the time of the establishment of the Heijō Capital (now the city of Nara) in 710. Under the patronage of Kamatari’s son, the great statesman Fujiwara no Fuhito (659–720), the temple was renamed Kohfukuji, “the Temple that Generates Blessings,” in reference to a Buddhist scripture called the Vimalakīrti Sutra.
Toji temple
Large temple with Japan’s tallest pagoda
東寺
Toji Temple (東寺, Tōji), literally "East Temple", was founded at the beginning of the Heian Period just after the capital was moved to Kyoto in the late 700s. The large temple, together with its now defunct sister temple Saiji ("West Temple"), flanked the south entrance to the city and served as the capital's guardian temples. Toji Temple is one of kyoto many UNESCO world heritage sites.
About thirty years after the temple's establishment, Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism, was appointed head priest of Toji, and the temple became one of the most important Shingon temples besides the sect's headquarters on Mount Koya. Kobo Daishi also added many of the large wooden buildings that stand on the grounds today.
The Kondo Hall, one of Toji's original structures, is the temple's main hall and largest building. Destroyed by a large fire in 1486, the building was reconstructed in the early Edo Period in a contemporary architecture style and houses Toji's main object of worship, a wooden statue of the Yakushi Buddha, flanked by his two attendants, the Nikko and Gakko Bodhisattvas.
Just next door stands the Kodo Hall, which was added in 825 by Kobo Daishi and served as the temple's lecture hall. It too burned down in the 1486 fire, and was subsequently rebuilt in its original architectural style. The Kodo Hall houses 19 statues imported by Kobo Daishi from China, which are arranged according to a mandala with Dainichi Buddha (Vairocana) at the center, surrounded by Buddhas, bodhisattvas and the fearful guardian kings.
Across from the Kondo and Kodo stands Toji's five storied pagoda, which was originally erected by Kobo Daishi in 826. It stands 57 meters tall, making it the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan, and has become a symbol of both the temple and Kyoto as it can be seen from many places across the city. The ground floor of the pagoda is occasionally opened to the public and houses four smaller Buddha statues.
Thankful for happy dinner with B&B owner at Hosononishi
Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
Temple building covered in gold
金閣寺
Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion) is a Zentemple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. Kinkakuji was the inspiration for the similarly named Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), built by Yoshimitsu's grandson, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, on the other side of the city a few decades later.
Kinkakuji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond, and is the only building left of Yoshimitsu's former retirement complex. It has burned down numerous times throughout its history including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that destroyed much of Kyoto; and once again more recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955.
Kinkakuji was built to echo the extravagant Kitayama culture that developed in the wealthy aristocratic circles of Kyoto during Yoshimitsu's times. Each floor represents a different style of architecture.
The first floor is built in the Shinden style used for palace buildings during the Heian Period, and with its natural wood pillars and white plaster walls contrasts yet complements the gilded upper stories of the pavilion. Statues of the Shaka Buddha (historical Buddha) and Yoshimitsu are stored in the first floor. Although it is not possible to enter the pavilion, the statues can be viewed from across the pond if you look closely, as the sliding doors are usually left open
The second floor is built in the Bukke style used in samurai residences, and has its exterior completely covered in gold leaf. Inside is a seated Kannon Bodhisattva surrounded by statues of the Four Heavenly Kings; however, the statues are not shown to the public. Finally, the third and uppermost floor is built in the style of a Chinese Zen Hall, is gilded inside and out, and is capped with a golden phoenix.
Continuing through the garden takes you to the Sekkatei Teahouse, added to Kinkakuji during the Edo Period, before you exit the paid temple area. Outside the exit are souvenir shops, a small tea garden, where you can have matcha tea and sweets, and Fudo Hall, a small temple hall which houses a statue of Fudo Myoo, one of the Five Wisdom Kings and protector of Buddhism. The statue is said to be carved by Kobo Daishi, one of the most important figures in Japanese religious history.
Kobe神戸市
Kobe is a city on Osaka Bay in central Japan. It is known for its signature marbled beef and scenic setting of mountains framing the harbor. The Ikuta Shrine, dating to the 3rd century, is among Japan's oldest Shinto shrines. Antique cable cars connect Kobe to Mt. Rokko, which offers panoramic views over the port. Beyond the Mount Rokko hills are the outdoor hot springs of Arima Onsen.
During the Nara and Heian periods, the port was known by the name Ōwada Anchorage (Ōwada-no-tomari) and was one of the ports from which imperial embassies to China were dispatched.The city was briefly the capital of Japan in 1180, when Taira no Kiyomorimoved his grandson Emperor Antoku to Fukuhara-kyō in present-day Hyōgo-ku.[10] The Emperor returned to Kyoto after about five months. Shortly thereafter in 1184, the Taira fortress in Hyōgo-ku and the nearby Ikuta Shrine became the sites of the Genpei Warbattle of Ichi-no-Tanibetween the Taira and Minamoto clans. The Minamoto prevailed, forcing Taira remnants to flee to Shikoku.
Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway
The elegant “walk-in-the-sky” ropeway offers a comfortable 10-minute ridewith panoramic views of all of the colors of the seasons while looking down upon Kobeas well as sweeping views of Kyoto and Osaka.
Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway (神戸布引ロープウェイ) is one of three services that lifts tourists up the southern slopes of the Rokko mountain chain. The ropeway departs from next to Shin-Kobe Station, Kobe's shinkansen station. As it ascends, it passes by the Nunobiki Waterfall and the Nunobiki Herb Garden, giving a nice aerial view of both. The highlight of the ride lies in the observation deck located just beside the top station, which offers spectacular views of Kobe and is a popular night view spot.
An alternative way to get to the top station is via a hiking trail from Shin-Kobe Station. It is somewhat surprising that only a few steps north of the station are forests shielded from the rumbles of the city. A 15-20 minute climb through the woods takes you to the 43 meter tall Nunobiki Waterfall, whose name comes from its draped cloth-like appearance. Five minutes east from here is the Miharashi Observatory, which offers decent views of the city.
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens🌿
A further 20 minute scale up the mountain takes you to the middle station of Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway and the lower entrance of Nunobiki Herb Garden, one of Japan's largest herb gardens with hundreds of herb species and seasonal flowers. A glasshouse in the garden makes growing flowers and fruits such as guavas and papayas possible throughout the year.
12spacious gardens for year-round beauty
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens are Japan’s largest herb gardens with around 75,000 herbs and flowers of about
200 kinds blooming throughout the year.
There are 12 extensive garden areas where visitors are welcomed by seasonal herbs and flowers arranged
according to different themes. The picturesque paths follow the flowerbeds resting on the side of the hill,
overflowing with the color and fragrance of that particular season.
Welcome Garden
(View Plaza)
It is surrounded by a castle gate and a rest house designed in the motif of Wartburg Castle, an ancient German castle. Herbs and flowers are in bloom throughout the four seasons.
It has approximately 60 types of fragrant roses.
Featuring mainly English roses, the garden beckons visitors
to enjoy roses of assorted colors and shapes that change according to each variety.
The Herb Dining
Each plate is created with beautiful colors personifying the Herb Garden and uses herbs and flowers taken directly form the gardens themselves. The herb cooking is sure to bring a smile, with special care taken to ensure satisfaction, from the color and aromas to the ingredients and flavors.
The spirit of elegance
THE VERANDA is located 400 meters above sea level, providing amazing views down to the Kobe streets as well as the lush greenery and sea. Visitors will be treated to a classic, luxurious space that fuses the image of western housing from days gone by in Kobe and a modern café setting.
The terrace seating on the first floor gives a wide, open feel with the expansive sky overhead and the surrounding stunning greenery. It’s here that guests can enjoy an original burger, sweets and soft serve ice cream while enjoying the gentle breeze.
Glasshouse Entrance
The beautiful Glasshouse features baskets hanging from the ceiling full of streptocarpus and fuchsia plants.
The “Statue of Love”
A sculpture entitled “Statue of Mother and Child” presented by the city of Terni in Italy, the home of St. Valentine, sits at the back of the Glasshouse. The status shows a mother warmly embracing her child and the spot has become a famous place for love that soothes the soul.
Kobe
Harbor city, recovered from 1995 earthquake
The Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum
Learn about Japan's Walt Disney, the creator of Astro Boy
The Tezuka Osamu Manga Museum is dedicated to the life and art of the famous manga artist and animator Osamu Tezuka, known as the Walt Disney of Japan.
Ozaka大阪市
Ōsaka means "large hill" or "large slope". It is unclear when this name gained prominence over Naniwa, but the oldest written evidence for the name dates back to 1496.
Osaka is a large port city and commercial center on the Japanese island of Honshu. It's known for its modern architecture, nightlife and hearty street food. The 16th-century shogunate Osaka Castle, which has undergone several restorations, is its main historical landmark. It's surrounded by a moat and park with plum, peach and cherry-blossom trees. Sumiyoshi-taisha is among Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines.
Midōsuji (御堂筋, Midō-suji) Avenue is the primary main street in central Osaka, Japan. It runs north-south, passing Umeda, Nakanoshima, Shinsaibashi, Dōtonbori, Ame-mura, and Namba districts. Underneath the street is the Midōsuji Linesubway. Especially in autumn when leaves of the ginkgo roadside trees turn yellow, a beautiful landscape can be seen.
Jusohonmachi, located in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Japan, is a residential district known for its classic Osaka cuisine and vibrant nightlife. It is home to the Juso Station, a major Hankyu terminal situated across the Yodo River from Umeda. Despite its convenient location, Jusohonmachi maintains a nostalgic backstreet atmosphere with traditional eateries and restaurants lining its shopping streets and alleys.
Kaigandori
Kaigandori is a bustling waterfront street in Kobe, Japan, known for its vibrant atmosphere and stunning views of the harbor. The area is lined with a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes, offering visitors a chance to indulge in local cuisine and pick up unique souvenirs. With its mix of modern architecture and historical buildings, Kaigandori provides a charming setting for leisurely strolls and exploration.
Tempozan Ferris Wheel opened to the public on July 12, 1997, and was then the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. During the 17-minute ride it offers a view of Osaka Bay and surrounding areas, including Mount Ikoma to the east, Akashi Kaikyō Bridge to the west, Kansai International Airport to the south, and the Rokko Mountains to the north.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (海遊館, Kaiyūkan; known as the Kaiyukan) is an aquarium located in the ward of Minato in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, near Osaka Bay. When it first opened, it was the largest public aquarium in the world.
The Nabana no Sato Flower Park is an impressive sight in all four seasons. Winter is particularly amazing because of the brilliant light installations throughout the whole village.
Illuminations in winter from mid-October to early May draw huge crowds to the park. In spring, Japanese plums and cherry blossoms bloom, and you can see tulips and nemophila in the flower area. In addition, seasonal flowers bloom in summer and autumn, and illuminations can be seen in winter, making this village beautiful all year round.
Enjoy different views of the village
The indoor Begonia Garden has a plethora of colorful flowers plus a cozy cafe inside, where you can take a break amid the vivid surroundings. The rose garden is also open in spring and autumn.
Gifu岐阜県
Gifu can refer to Gifu Prefecture or Gifu City, both located in central Japan's Chūbu region. The prefecture is known for its picturesque mountain villages like Shirakawa-gō, traditional towns like Takayama, and historic sites such as the Sekigahara battlefield. The capital city, Gifu, is famous for its cormorant fishing (ukaimo) on the Nagara River and the Gifu Castle atop Mount Kinka.
Hida Folk Village
(Hida no Sato)Wonderful open air museum
Hida Folk Village (飛騨の里, Hida no Sato) is an open air museum exhibiting over 30 traditional houses from the Hida region, the mountainous district of Gifu Prefecture around Takayama. The houses were built during the Edo Period (1603-1868) and were relocated from their original locations to create the museum in 1971.
a village-like atmosphere, the museum features buildings such as a former village head's house, logging huts, storehouses and a number of gassho-zukuri farmhouses, which are named after their steep thatched roofs resembling a pair of hands joined in prayer ("gassho"). They were moved here from nearby Shirakawago, where gassho-zukuri houses are the reason for the region's World Heritage status.
Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato) is an exciting outdoor museum in the Hida region of Japan's Gifu Prefecture. At the museum, you can see over 30 traditional houses, including an old village leader's house, huts used by loggers, storage buildings, and some special farmhouses called gassho-zukuri. Inside these buildings, you can explore the traditional architecture and see tools and utensils used in everyday life in the past. But the adventure doesn't stop there! Just a short walk from the Hida Folk Village is the Hida Takayama Crafts Experience Center. Here, you can try making traditional crafts like beaded keychains, sarubobo dolls, ceramic cups, or glass wind chimes. You can take these crafts home as special souvenirs! The beautiful mountain setting and traditional vibe make the Folk Village a must-visit spot for anyone traveling to Japan. It offers a great chance to enjoy historic buildings and breathtaking views. The village is easy to reach from JR Takayama Train Station, making it a fun day trip from Takayama City.
In a village-like atmosphere, the museum features buildings such as a former village head's house, logging huts, storehouses and a number of gassho-zukuri farmhouses, which are named after their steep thatched roofs resembling a pair of hands joined in prayer ("gassho"). They were moved here from nearby Shirakawago, where gassho-zukuri houses are the reason for the region's World Heritage status.
All exhibited buildings at the Hida Folk Village are carefully preserved and open for exploration. They have unique wooden architecture and exhibit tools and utensils used in everyday life in the past. Interestingly, the buildings' indoor fireplaces are lit every morning, making this outstanding open air museum a treat not only for the eyes but also for the nose.
Takayama old town
Takayama Morning Market, one of the three major morning markets in Japan
Takayama morning market is one of the biggest morning markets in Japan. It takes place at two locations: One is held in front of the Takayama Jinya, and the other at the Miyagawa River side. At the Miyagawa market, sixty shops and stalls are open in approximately 350 meters from Kaji bashi Bridge to Yayoi bashi Bridge along the Miyagawa River in the center of the town. The stalls on river side sell vegetables, fruits, pickles and spices while shops on the other side sell Japanese sweets and crafts.
The Jinya-mae market started more than 300 years ago. The origin of the market started with silk raising farmers who sold leaves of mulberry trees and even today only farmers are allowed to open stalls. Many stalls sell fresh green vegetables, dried foods, and homemade pickles, and they are happy to tell you how to eat and to preserve their foods. Unusual ingredients including stems of potato, carrot leaves and wild vegetables can be found.
Both markets are open until almost noon; however we recommend you arrive about 6:00 am when the markets start if you stay in Takayama. You will see energetic local people set up the stalls wearing traditional work clothes and Japanese cooking aprons with sleeves.
Some shops sell Japanese souvenirs such as chopsticks and small items in addition to Takayama local souvenirs including sarubobo dolls and Ichii Itto-bori wooden carvings. ※The number of stalls might decrease to about 10 when it rains or during winter.
Hida Kokubun-ji Temple
飛騨国分寺（Hida Kokubun-ji）
National Historical Site and Important Cultural Treasure
There is a huge ginko tree over 1200 years old and a ‘Triple Pagoda’ in the precincts, as well as Bell Tower Gates, said to have been moved from Takayama Castle and the cornerstone of the pagoda built over 1200 years ago. The main temple building is the oldest structure in the city, constructed in the Muromachi era (about 500 years ago). It has a style worthy of its reputation as Hida’s greatest ancient temple.
Hida Kokubun-ji temple features a magnificent, ancient 1,250-year-old ginkgo tree that is a designated natural monument and a significant landmark. This towering, 28-meter tall tree is celebrated for its vibrant golden leaves in late autumn, which create a stunning spectacle against the historic temple buildings, particularly its three-story pagoda. The tree is cherished by locals, has symbolic legends associated with it, and is considered a major draw for visitors to the Takayama area, especially for photography.
The Nara period seven-story pagoda burned down during the Ōei period, and was reconstructed again in 1585. It was burned down again in the battles between Kanemori Nagachika and Anegakoji Yoritsuna. A three-story pagoda was built in 1615. This structure also burned down in 1791 and was rebuilt in 1820. The central stone of the Nara period pagoda, roughly square in shape, with a cylindrical base on top and a circular hole in the centre, is located to the east of the main hall, and is thus no longer in situ. It has been designated a Takayama City Historic Site
The Hida Kokubun-ji is located in downtown Takayama, a short distance from Takayama Station. The exact date of construction is believed to be around 757, over 15 years from the foundation of the provincial temple system in 741. The temple claims that it was founded by the famed wandering prelate Gyōkiwithout any historical evidence. However, records indicate that the original temple burned down in 819 and was rebuilt in 855. The existing Hondōdates from the Muromachi period. It is a National Important Cultural Property
Shirakawa 白川郷
Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
Located in a mountainous region that was cut off from the rest of the world for a long period of time, these villages with their Gassho-style houses subsisted on the cultivation of mulberry trees and the rearing of silkworms. The large houses with their steeply pitched thatched roofs are the only examples of their kind in Japan. Despite economic upheavals, the villages of Ogimachi, Ainokura and Suganuma are outstanding examples of a traditional way of life perfectly adapted to the environment and people's social and economic circumstances.
Outstanding Universal Value
Brief synthesis
The Gassho-style houses found in the Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are rare examples of their kind in Japan. Located in a river valley surrounded by the rugged high-mountain Chubu region of central Japan, these three villages were remote and isolated, and access to the area was difficult for a long period of time. The inscribed property comprises the villages of “Ogimachi” in the Shirakawa-go region, and “Ainokura” and “Suganuma” in the Gokayama region, all situated along the Sho River in Gifu and Toyama Prefectures.
In response to the geographical and social background, a specific housing type evolved: rare examples of Gassho-style houses, a unique farmhouse style that makes use of highly rational structural systems evolved to adapt to the natural environment and site-specific social and economic circumstances in particular the cultivation of mulberry trees and the rearing of silkworms. The large houses have steeply-pitched thatched roofs and have been preserved in groups, many with their original outbuildings which permit the associated landscapes to remain intact.
Gassho-zukuri means "constructed like hands in prayer", as the farmhouses' steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. The architectural style developed over many generations and is designed to withstand the large amounts of heavy snow that falls in the region during winter. The roofs, made without nails, provided a large attic space used for cultivating silkworms.
Integrity
Ogimachi, Ainokura, and Suganuma are rare examples of villages in which Gassho-style houses are preserved at their original locations and in groups, as they developed in the area along the Sho River. Although since the Second World War there has been a reduction in the number of Gassho-style houses in each village, the inscribed property includes clusters of all the remaining Gassho-style houses which allows each village to retain its traditional appearance and character. Moreover, there has been no significant change to the system of roads and canals and traditional land-use patterns including trees and forest, and agricultural land.
The detrimental effects on the scenic landscape of a major highway construction less than one kilometre from Ogimachi and Suganuma has been reduced with plantings along the roadside and embankments, controls on bridge design and other protections for the view from Ogimachi Village.
The integrity of the property, therefore, is ensured in the contexts of both wholeness and intactness.
There are double buffer zones around each of the villages; an individual buffer zone surrounds each nominated property and a larger buffer zone that contains all three villages. Development pressures throughout the entire village of Ogimachi are controlled by the 2008 Shirakawa Village Landscape Ordinance, which was developed under the 2004 Landscape Law to reinforce the former 1973 Shirakawa Village Ordinance for the Natural Environment.
Shirakawa Village must be notified of any proposed large-scale project, in order to confirm that the proposed work will fit in with the character of the historic and natural environment. Under the same ordinance, stricter regulations are imposed on the area immediately surrounding the World Heritage property of Ogimachi (471.5 ha).
Direct management of individual buildings is the responsibility of their owners, and all work is supervised as prescribed in the Preservation Plans. Routine repair work has always been carried out by the owners, and often through conventional collaborative efforts by communities, using traditional techniques and materials. The local and national governments provide both financial assistance and technical guidance.
The buffer zones immediately surrounding Ainokura, and Suganuma are protected as Historic Sites as mentioned above and as Gokayama Prefectural Natural Park under the Toyama Prefectural Natural Parks Regulations. In addition, further protection is provided under municipal ordinances implemented by Nanto City. All of these regulations and ordinances impose considerable constraints on any kind of activity that might be deemed harmful.
Myozenji Temple Museum
Myozenji Temple is one of the most significant religious sites in Shirakawa-go and has been the main Buddhist sanctuary in the village of Ogimachi since its founding in 1748. A temple of the Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land) school, the dominant form of Buddhism in this area, Myozenji has a distinctive thatched main hall that dates to 1827. Next to the main hall is the kuri, or living quarters of the head priest and his family, occupying one of the largest gassho-style houses in the village. This structure was built in 1817 and is now a museum where visitors can learn about traditional life in Shirakawa-go.
The museum building is one of the few houses of its kind in the area with plastered earthen walls, which are more fire-resistant than wooden walls. Its 330-square-meter first floor houses the living quarters, including a large living room with an irori fireplace at the center. Above the fireplace hangs a hiama, a wooden board used to extinguish sparks rising from the fire, to dissipate smoke, and to prevent heat from dispersing throughout the house. The living room was where the family ate and spent time together sitting around the hearth in strictly prescribed seating order. The head of the household sat with his back against the thick post at the center of the building, symbolizing his role as the main breadwinner. His wife sat on the right-hand side and his firstborn son on the left, while the rest of the family had their places on the opposite side of the irori.
Upstairs in the four-level attic, which was used mainly for cultivating silkworms, visitors can view a variety of tools, kitchen utensils, ornaments, and other items that convey how the people of Shirakawa-go traditionally made a living. The attic also provides a look at the inside of the roof structure, which is secured by straw ropes and bindings (neso) made of witch hazel saplings. The foundation and first floor of a gassho-style house such as the Myozenji kuri were usually built by professional carpenters, whereas ordinary villagers would work together to assemble everything above the house’s lattice ceiling.
Myozenji Temple: Shoromon Gate
The Shoromon is the main gate of Myozenji Temple. Built in 1801, it is noted for its distinctive two-layered structure and high thatched roof. This design, invented by a local artisan, served as inspiration for the temple’s current main hall, which also features a thatched roof and was constructed 26 years after the gate. The Shoromon’s original temple bell was requisitioned for military use during World War II; its replacement, cast anew after the end of the war, hangs in the gate and is rung for ceremonies and on occasions such as New Year’s Eve. On the left side of the gate stands a yew tree (Taxus cuspidata), which was planted to mark the completion of the main hall in 1827 and is designated a Natural Monument of Gifu Prefecture, while on the right side grows a cherry tree whose pink blossoms signal the coming of spring in Shirakawa-go.
Ogimachi (荻町) is the largest village and main attraction of Shirakawa-go. The farmhouses are quite amazing structures, designed to withstand the harsh winters while providing a place to work and live, and are best seen either covered in snow or surrounded by green fields. Many of the farmhouses are now restaurants, museums or minshuku, where you can stay overnight, the ultimate way of experiencing Shirakawago.
