Aizu is the western region of Fukushima Prefecture. Aizu Wakamatsu City is a center of the region and as the city names themselves as "Samurai City", the area shows the samurai tradition at the landmarks such as Tsuruga Castle and Aizu Bukeyashiki (Samurai residence). It also has been a town of merchants with beautiful storehouses. Ouchi-juku is an old post town which is famous with its traditional thatched buildings that line its main street.
Seki City is located in Gifu Prefecture, in the center of Japan’s main island, Honshu. Seki is known for its master sword makers. Skilled craftsmen have been creating Japanese swords, knives, and tools of the highest quality here for over 800 years. At Hamonoya Sanshu / Seki Cutlery Museum you can learn about the process of forging blades and buy locally produced knives. To explore Seki’s beautiful natural surroundings, take a walk in the mountains outside Seki up to Nichiryubuji Temple. Or visit the Kabusugi Giant Cedar Forest with old trees that look like the enchanted world of Japanese anime.
Kyoto, Japan’s imperial capital from the 8th century until 1868, stands for history and culture. It is famous for its architecture, temples, shrines, gardens, geisha district, and fine cuisine. Kyoto’s large collection of World Heritage sites include Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. Also very famous are the bamboo grove of Arashiyama and the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine with its long rows of shrine gates. Throughout the year, various festivalsare held in Kyoto. The traditional that has maintained its place in modern city life here makes Kyoto one of the most popular destinations in Japan.