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Kanazawa Castle Park
Originally built in 1580 this massive structure was called the castle of 1000 tatami and housed the Maeda clan for 14 generations until it was ultimately destroyed by fire in 1881. The elegant surviving gate Ishikawa-mon (built in 1788) provides a dramatic entry from Kenroku-en; ho
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Seafood Intermediate Wholesalers Area
This area of the Tsukiji market, which opens to the public from 9am, is where you can see all manner of sea creatures lain out in styrofoam crates. It’s a photographer’s paradise, but you need to exercise caution to avoid getting in the way. Handcarts and forklifts perform a perfec
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Yoyogi
If it’s a sunny and warm weekend afternoon you can count on there being a crowd lazing around the large grassy expanse that is Yoyogi-kōen. You can also usually find revellers and noisemakers of all stripes, from hula-hoopers to African drum circles to a group of retro greasers dan
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Kennin
Founded in 1202 by the monk Eisai, Kennin-ji is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. It is an island of peace and calm on the border of the boisterous Gion nightlife district and it makes a fine counterpoint to the worldly pleasures of that area. The highlight at Kennin-ji is the fine a
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Nokonoshima
A quick ferry ride from Fukuoka, pretty Nokonoshima (能古島) mixes natural and man-made parks. The latter, called Island Park , gets the most visitors, with a swimming beach, fields of seasonal wildflowers, huts selling crafts, and sweeping ocean views. Bicycle rental (per hour/day ¥3
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Ninen
Just downhill from and slightly to the north of Kiyomizu-dera, you will find one of Kyoto’s loveliest restored neighbourhoods, the Ninen-zaka–Sannen-zaka area. The name refers to the two main streets of the area: Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, literally ‘Two-Year Hill’ and ‘Three-Year
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Bujō
Bujō-ji is a shugendo (mountain asceticism) temple that is also called ‘the Northern Omine’, a reference to Mt Omine-san in Nara Prefecture, which is a centre for Japan’s yamabushi (mountain mystics). It’s a 430-step climb to the main hall. First, you surrender your bags and camer
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Museum of Maritime Science (Fune No Kagaku
This museum is shipshape, literally. From the outside it looms like an ocean liner by the water’s edge, and inside are four floors of excellent displays related to every aspect of ships; don’t miss the stunningly crafted replicas of Japanese ships, and try the navigation simulator.
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Chichū Art Museum
A short walk from Benesse House is this Andō Tadao creation. A work of art itself, the museum consists of a series of cool concrete-walled spaces sitting snugly underground. Lit by natural light, it provides a remarkable setting for several Monet water-lily paintings, some monument
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Sengaku
The story of the 47 rōnin (masterless samurai) who avenged their master, Lord Asano – put to death after being tricked into pulling a sword on a rival – is legend in Japan. They were condemned to commit seppuku (ritual disembowelment) and their remains were buried at this temple. I
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Momofuku Andō Instant Ramen Museum
From its humble invention in 1958 by Andō Momofuku, (1910-2007, later chair of Nissin Foods), instant rāmen has grown into a global business. Exhibits at this offbeat museum showcase its birthplace, instant noodles from around the world, and a tunnel of Nissin products. For many vi
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Shiroyama Elementary School
This was the closest school to the nuclear blast, up a hill a mere 500m away, where 1400 children were vaporised. Its hard not to be moved by the very ordinariness that exists here today. Except for one building that still stands as it did following the bombing (to the right at the
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Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
A rotating selection of four of the 23 multi-tiered yatai (floats) used in the Takayama Matsuri can be appreciated here. These spectacular creations, some dating from the 17th century, are prized for their flamboyant carvings, metalwork and lacquerwork. Some floats feature karakur
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Shin
A century ago, Shin-Sekai (new world) was home to an amusement park that defined cutting edge. Now this entertainment district mixes down-on-its-heels with retro cool. Its centred around the crusty, trusty, 103m-high steel-frame tower Tsūten-kaku – built 1912, rebuilt 1956 – surrou
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Nikolai Cathedral
This Russian Orthodox cathedral, complete with a distinctive Byzantine-style architecture, was first built in 1891 under the supervision of English architect Josiah Conder. The original copper dome was damaged in the 1923 earthquake, forcing the church to downsize to the (still eno
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Zuigan
Tōhoku’s finest Zen temple, Zuigan-ji was established in 828 AD. The present buildings were constructed in 1606 by Date Masamune to serve as a family temple. Zuigan-ji is undergoing a major restoration that will take until 2019 to complete. As a result, some buildings are closed an
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Miyazaki
This shrine honours the Emperor Jimmu, the semi-mythical first emperor of Japan and founder of the Yamato court. Spectacular centuries-old wisteria vines cover the thickly forested grounds, and bloom in April. Its a 500m walk from Miyazaki-jingū Station, one stop (¥160, three minut
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Megane
Meaning Eyeglass Bridge, this stone bridge, which can be viewed from the Imperial Palace Plaza, is so nicknamed because its support arches reflected in the water give off the appearance of spectacle. Its one of the most photographed images of the palace.
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Origami Kaikan
This exhibition centre and workshop is dedicated to the quintessential Japanese art of origami which you can learn to do yourself in classes here. Theres a shop/gallery on the 1st floor, a gallery on the 2nd, and a workshop on 4th where you can watch the process of making, dyeing a
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Shitennō
Founded 593, Shitennō-ji is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, although only the big stone torii (Shintō shrine gate) is original, the oldest of its kind in the country (1294). Shitennō-jis best visited for the lovely strolling garden, Honbō Teien , just northeast of the
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