10 Culture Kamakura Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Josef Diermair Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine is a small shrine compared to Kyoto-size shrines, but charming and very alive.
Culture Nikko's Italian Villa Memorial Park Tomoko Kamishima The former Italian Embassy Villa in Nikko is now open to the public as a park. After Tochigi prefecture bought it quite recen...
9 Culture Fun at Odawara Castle Larry Knipfing Odawara is a rather sleepy town in Kanagawa except for its castle, which is beautiful in the spring around cherry blossom sea...
Culture Sake Tasting at Shimada Shoten Jeannie Gan At the ordinary-looking Shimada Shoten you can try an extraordinary variety of quality sake from all around Japan.
Culture Smiling Raccoon Dogs Akio Negishi Have you ever seen smiling raccoon dogs? They are very popular and familiar in Japanese culture from the ancient time, and yo...
Culture Sasago Beach, a Shimane Secret Judith Mikami You have to drive over a weirdly tall bridge and wind down this narrow road, straight in front you will see a pristine beach ...
Culture Hinomisaki Lighthouse in Izumo Adam Hacker The Hinomisaki Lighthouse in Izumo is one of the more unique spots in all of Shimane. This massive white structure towers in ...
Culture Zama's Hidden Gem - Yatoyama Park Carrie Jacobs If what your after is bird songs, blossoms and mountain views then spend a day in Zama Yatoyama Park (an ecology reserve).
Culture A Trip to Kagoshima City Aquarium Matthew Dobbins Kagoshima City Aquarium is a great way to learn about the area's rich marine heritage.
Culture Shinagawa’s Tozen-ji Temple Tomoko Kamishima Tozen-ji Temple has kept its refined appearance, in spite of two horrible incidents that occurred 150 years ago.