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Shukkei
Modelled after West Lake in Hangzhou, China, Shukkei-en was built in 1620 for daimyō (domain lord) Asano Nagaakira. The gardens name means contracted view, and it attempts to recreate grand vistas in miniature. Pathways lead through a series of landscapes and views around an island
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Bridgestone Museum of Art
Amassed by Bridgestone founder Ishibashi Shōjiro, this is one of the best French impressionist collections you will find in Asia. Though European painting is undoubtedly the main attraction (think Renoir, Ingres, Monet, Corot, Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky et al), the museum also exh
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Ryōsen
A 15-minute walk south of Shimoda Station is Ryōsen-ji (了仙寺), site of the treaty that opened Shimoda, signed by Commodore Perry and representatives of the Tokugawa shogunate. The temples Black Ship Art Gallery displays artefacts relating to Perry, the Black Ships, and Japan as seen
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Himeyuri Peace Museum
Located above a cave that served as an emergency field hospital during the closing days of the Battle of Okinawa. Here, 240 female high-school students were pressed into service as nurses for Japanese military wounded. As American forces closed in, the students were summarily dismi
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Kōbe City Museum
Ground yourself in Kōbes history as a trading port and east–west meeting place, via art and artifacts with decent English signage. Items show foreign influence from clocks and oil lamps to hairstyles. Its pricey during special exhibits but worth it especially when they include the
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Bashō Museum (Bashō Kinenkan)
Fukagawa was considered a very remote area of Edo in 1680 when the revered haiku poet Matsuo Bashō arrived here. At this small, plain museum, you can see some scrolls of poetry written by Bashō and those inspired by him, as well as souvenirs of his journeys. There’s no English sign
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Shizuki
Within this park, theres not much of the old Hagi-jō to see, apart from the typically imposing outer walls and the surrounding carp-filled moat. The castle was built in 1604 and dismantled in 1874 following the Meiji Restoration. But the inner grounds are a pleasant park, with spri
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Toranomon Hills
Opened in June 2014, the 52-storey, 247m Toranomon Hills complex, topped by the Andaz Hotel, is Mori Buildings latest modification of Tokyos cityscape. Apart from the hotel, there are pleasant places to eat and drink and a small public garden. The complex sits at the head of the ne
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Tagata
Izanagi, the male counterpart of female deity Izanami, is commemorated at this shrine, with countless wooden and stone phalluses to celebrate. You can buy souvenirs from ¥500. The Tagata Hōnen-sai Matsuri takes place on 15 March at Tagata-jinja, when the highly photogenic, 2m-long,
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Tsurugaoka Hachiman
Kamakuras most important shrine is, naturally, dedicated to Hachiman, the god of war. Minamoto Yoritomo himself ordered its construction in 1191 and designed the pine-flanked central promenade that leads to the coast. The sprawling grounds are ripe with historical symbolism: the Ge
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MOA Museum of Art
Atamis hilltop MOA Museum of Art sports an excellent collection of Japanese and Chinese pottery and paintings, spanning more than 1000 years and including national treasures. It also has a serene tea garden set among Japanese maple and bubbling brooks. Almost stealing the show is M
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Kikkō
What remains of the old samurai quarter in Iwakuni now forms pleasant Kikkō-kōen, accessed via Kintai-kyō bridge. Within the park are old residences, a pavillion, a couple of museums, ice cream vendors, and spots for picnicking. Worth a look is the Mekata Family Residence , the for
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Hakodate
Mention youve been to Hakodate and every Japanese person you know will ask if you took in the night view from atop Hakodate-yama – its that famous! Take the ropeway (gondola) to the top for amazing views over the city. Take tram 2 or 5 to the Jūjigai stop, and walk uphill to the ro
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Kōshi
The jauntily painted Kōshi-byō shrine claims to be the only Confucian shrine built by and for Chinese outside China, and the statues of sages in its courtyard certainly make you feel like youve journeyed across the sea. The original 1893 building was destroyed by fire following the
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Takao
Takao is a secluded mountain village tucked far away in the northwestern part of Kyoto. It is famed for autumn foliage and the temples of Jingo-ji, Saimyō-ji and Kōzan-ji.There are two options for buses to Takao: an hourly JR bus that leaves from Kyoto Station, which takes about an
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Kagurazaka
Kagurazaka is old geisha quarter that’s worth a visit more for an atmospheric stroll than for any particular sights. Its quaint backstreet alleys are lined with ryōtei (upscale, traditional restaurants) and recall bygone days of Edo, or parts of modern Kyoto. They also have some gr
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Jōmyō
This Tokasan temple of the Rinzaishu Kenchō-ji sect was originally a tantric Buddhist temple and converted to a Zen temple. The main reason to visit is for its atmospheric rock garden and teahouse where you can sip on matcha (green) tea in a traditional tea ceremony (¥600). To get
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Seahorse House
This seahorse hatchery is totally unique, offering closeup looks at thousands of hatchling seahorses, plus information, videos, souvenirs and a small cafe. One of the exhibits is the only two-headed seahorse ever seen (preserved, as it did not live long). Plans for expansion may me
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Sakamoto Ryōma Memorial Museum
The Sakamoto Ryōma Memorial Museum tells the life story of this local hero in miniature dioramas. Although it was the progressive samurai class of Kagoshima and Hagi that played a major part in the dramatic events of the Meiji Restoration, the citizens of Kōchi claim it was their
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Koishikawa Kōrakuen
Established in the mid-17th century as the property of the Tokugawa clan, this formal strolling garden incorporates elements of Chinese and Japanese landscaping. Its among Tokyos most attractive gardens, although nowadays the shakkei (borrowed scenery) also includes the other-world
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