Tag:Museum / Japan Travel Videos
Aomori trip
Aomori is the northernmost prefecture on the main island of Honshu but it takes about only three hours from Tokyo to Aomori City. The northern towns inherit traditional local culture such as Nebuta summer festival. You can experience the vibrant atmosphere of the festival all thought the year at Nebuta Museum WA RASSE near Aomori Station. Aomori Museum of Art and the Sannai-Maruyama Ruins are located in the walkable distance. The archaeological site is one of the 17 components of the UNESCO’S World Heritage Site “Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan“ designated by UNESCO in 2021 as the sites contain ruins from the prehistoric Jomon Period (14,000 - 300 BCE).
Eat Market Culture Museum Ruins History Onsen
Journey through Niigata
Only 70 minutes from Tokyo, after passing through a long tunnel, you will find another side of Japan different from Tokyo and Kyoto. Niigata Prefecture used to be a wealthy region that boosted its population to the largest number in Japan about 150 years ago. Due to the development of the national transportation networks, the economic center of the country shifted to the Pacific Coast side, leaving the region on the Sea of Japan side behind. However, the original culture, traditions, and sceneries preserved in the opposite side of Japan can be found in Niigata.
Museum History Culture Onsen Ryokan Sushi Gorge Observatory
Fukuyama City
Fukuyama City is located at the eastern end of Hiroshima Prefecture. Fukuyama Castle and Fukuyama Museum of Art stand in the park next to Fukuyama Station of the JR San-yo Shinkansen Line. Tomonoura is the picturesque port town along the coastline in the Seto Inland Sea National Park. The town flourished centuries ago when many merchants' boats sailing the Seto Inland Sea docked at the port. Myoo-in Temple is designated a national treasure popular with the five-tiered pagoda and the main hall. Its details feature a mixture of Chinese Buddhist and Zen style architecture.
Museum Castle Temple Shrine Port
Around the Airport in Narita
Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture is one of the two major gateways to Tokyo from overseas along with Haneda Airport. Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita City is one of the popular Buddhist temples in Japan where about 3 million people visit in three days for the first prayer worship of the year. Strolling Omotesando Street leading up to the temple is a fun browsing many traditional shops and restaurants along the street. There are more historical towns and landmarks located in the surrounding Cities such as Sakae, Sakura, Katori and Shibayama.
Museum Temple History
Hakone Day Trip
Hakone is a popular onsen hot spring resort where you can reach from Tokyo within two hours by train. After the suspension due to the massive typhoon in Oct. 2019, the Hakone Tozan Railways resumed operation in Jul. 2020 which connects Hakone Yumoto, the gateway of Hakone and Hakone Cable Car at Gora Station. The destination is still popular among domestic visitors despite of the pandemic since 2020 with a lot of attractions such museums, parks, shrines and a magnificent view from the Hakone Pirate Ship on Lake Ashi.
Park Shrine Museum Lake Ship
Nagasaki Vacation
Nagasaki played a very important role as the only port that permitted foreign trade from mid. 17th to 19th Century during the national isolation policy by the government. Many of the influences from international culture from the countries such as the Netherlands and Portugal can still be seen in the town. Nagasaki is also known as the atomic bombing after Hiroshima in World War II. You can visit memorial places in town that remind the tragedy.
Park Museum Island Street Eat History View
Saitama City
Saitama City is the center of Saitama Prefecture located just north of Tokyo. Omiya Station is about 30-minute ride from central Tokyo that several Shinkansen Lines stop at where is next to the Railway Museum. There are more museums in the city such as Bonsai Art Museum and Iwatsuki Ningyo Museum which display traditional items such as bonsai trees and Japanese dolls collections which are getting more popular among international tourists. Minuma Tambo is a green park covering a vast area of some 1,260 ha that is popular among the locals with its beautiful landscapes and the history.
Shrine Temple Bonsai Museum Train Railway Park Visit
Shimane’s Beautiful Scenery
Shimane Prefecture is located in the northern region of Western Japan, facing the Sea of Japan. Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine is famous as the place where myriads of Japanese gods gather to hold annual meetings. The Adachi Museum of Art with the majestic Japanese gardens is a Michelin Guide 3 stars winner. Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Ruins is the World Heritage Site designated in 2007. Matsue Castle is one of 12 castles in Japan with extant original donjons. Lake Shinji is popular with the beautiful sunset.
View Traditional performing art Shrine World heritage Castle Museum
Saitama, rugby legend's visit
Saitama Prefecture is located just north of Tokyo. Omiya in Saitama City is easily reached from major stations in the capital. Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine gives Omiya its name, literally meaning large shrine. The city is also known for bonsai. The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum showcases the Japanese art of cultivating small bonsai trees. Kawagoe is another popular day trip destination in Saitama. It is known as “Little Edo” because of its traditional architecture and old-fashioned streets and shops. Edo is the old name of Tokyo and here you experience a little bit of the Edo Period (1603-1867).
History Culture Bonsai Museum Shrine Eat
Fukuoka, rugby legend's visit
If you travel by Shinkansen train from Tokyo to Kyushu Island, you will first come to Fukuoka Prefecture. Its capital Fukuoka City is a former castle town and now the biggest city on Kyushu Island. Ohori Park is located on the old castle grounds. The Kyushu National Museum has an excellent collection showing Japanese art and history. It is located nearby in Dazaifu, the former governmental center of Kyushu. The Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is the national headquarter for all Tenmangu shrines. Also in the Fukuoka area is Munakata Taisha, UNESCO World Heritage and one of the oldest shrines in Japan.
Culture History Art Museum Shrine World heritage
Nagoya, rugby legend's visit
Nagoya is the third biggest cities in Japan and the capital of Aichi Prefecture. It is an excellent base for day trips and Japan travel, located between Tokyo and Osaka on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line. Nagoya played an important role in Japan’s history. Nagoya Castle was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Shogunate in the Edo Era (1603－1867). Today, Nagoya is an important industrial center and home to Toyota Motor Corporation. The Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology (Toyota Techno Museum) is one of several interesting museums here where you can learn about Japanese cars and manufacturing technology.
History Castle Museum Technology Cars
Tokyo, rugby legends' visit
Tokyo is a huge metropolis where old and new co-exist. It has many different areas. Roppongi Hills for example is the modern Tokyo, which you can see from Tokyo City View observation deck. In contrast, the Yanesen area is an old district with a retro feel that has escaped development. Tokyo has thousands of good places for eating and shopping and also excellent museums. The Samurai Museum is all about history, while a visit to the Mori Building Digital Art Museum: teamLab Borderless is like taking a trip to the future. Explore both sides of this fascinating city
View Museum History Samurai Culture Art Sushi
Central Tokyo, rugby legends' visit
Japan’s capital Tokyo is a city of contrasts where the old and new live side by side. Tokyo Tower has a great view, overlooking temples, old buildings, and modern architecture. Meiji Jingu Shrine for example is one of the quiet spots in Tokyo, but next to it is the kawaii, pop, and futuristic Harajuku district. A visit to Kawaii Monster Cafe Harajuku and Tea Ceremony Room Toko-an are worlds apart, but at both places you can experience Tokyo’s culture. The city is also changing for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 and now has the new Japan Olympic Museum.
View Culture Shrine Tea Kawaii Museum
Things to do in Nagoya
Nagoya is the capital of Aichi Prefecture, located in the center of Japan’s main island Honshu. In the past, Nagoya was an important castle town. On the castle grounds stand the reconstructed main keep and the palace of the ruling lords. Present day Nagoya is one of Japan’s industrial centers and home to both traditional and modern manufacturers like Toyota. Toyota’s museums focus on the development of automotive technology while the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park is all about Japan’s trains. Located on the Shinkansen Tokaido Line between Tokyo and Kyoto & Osaka, Nagoya is an excellent base for Japan travel.
History Castle Museum Cars Trains Fun
Discover Yokohama, Kanagawa
Tokyo’s neighbor Yokohama is Japan's second largest city and a great destination for a day trip. It has historic districts and modern ones like Minato Mirai 21. The large Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel here has an excellent view of the bay. Yokohama has long been an international trading port and its atmosphere sets it apart from Japan’s capital. If you are a foodie, visit Cup Noodle Museum Yokohama, Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum and Yokohama Chinatown’s approximately 500 restaurants and stores. Great with kids, Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is a whole island of fun including an aquarium and an amusement park.
Play Eat Ramen Museum View
Things to do in Hakone, Kanagawa
Hakone is a beautiful nature spot, close enough to the big cities for a day trip from Tokyo or Yokohama. The area is known for its views of Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi, and onsen hot springs. The Torii gate built in the water of the lake belongs to Hakone Shrine hidden in the forest. Hakone’s mountain scenery also serves as background for the art exhibited at the Hakone Open-Air Museum. And in Owakudani Valley volcanic activity brings hot springs, bubbling mud, and steam to the surface. Getting around is part of the fun. Catch different views from Hakone Ropeway or the boats crossing Lake Ashi.
Nature Shrine Lake Museum Art Mt. fuji View
Trip to Kanazawa, Ishikawa
Kanazawa boasts many historical attractions such as restored residences and districts is accessible in two and a half hours by the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train began operation in 2015. Kenrokuen Garden is the most famous attraction filled with a variety of trees, ponds, and flowers that is considered one of the "three great gardens of Japan". Kanazawa boasts numerous former geisha houses in the Higashi Geisha District. wonderful cuisine including some of Japan's highest-quality seafood also attracts many tourists.
Museum Castle Garden
All about Koyasan, Wakayama
Mount Koya or Koyasan is the center of a Buddhist sect. Shingon Buddhism was introduced to Japan by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) about 1200 years ago. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004 along with neighboring Kumano, Yoshino and Ominesan as the “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.” Visitors can experience an overnight stay at a temple lodging (shukubo), experience eating a vegetarian monk's cuisine (shojin ryori) and attend morning prayers that are offered at about 50 temples.
Wakayama Koya-san Mountain Temple Museum
All about Yokohama, Kanagawa
Yokohama was the first port opened up to foreign trade in the mid-19th century. It is located south of Tokyo and can be reached in about 30 minutes from Tokyo by train. The Minato Mirai 21 area was developed in the late 20th century and features many tourist attractions such as hotels, shopping complexes, and amusement parks. The traditional international town atmosphere is alive and well in Chinatown which is also popular among visitors to Yokohama.
Kanagawa Yokohama Port Amusement park Museum Ramen Park