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National Museum of Art, Osaka
This impressive museum houses regularly changing exhibitions of modern (post-1945) Japanese and international art. Also arresting is its underground construction by architect Cesar Pelli; its like a submarine with walls over 3m thick with light that filters down through skylights a
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Buddhist Temple
To escape the tourist crowds, take time out amid the gleaming gold-leaf columns and screen paintings of this little visited Buddhist temple , headquarters of some 300 temples of the Higashi Hongan-ji sect of Jōdō (Pure Land) Buddhism. The present building dates from 1939 and was th
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Suginami Animation Museum
This small museum, designed mostly for kids, covers the history of animation in Japan and its digital future. Temporary exhibits sometimes show cell art from major animators; there are also light tables (where you can practise drawing) and a manga and anime library. Take any bus fr
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Ideha Cultural Museum
In Haguro village, this museum has exhibits covering the history of the mountain and yamabushi (mountain priest) culture. If you have strong Japanese ability, determination and an interest in yamabushi training, enquire here about the residential Aki-no-mine (Autumn Peak, men only,
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Tomioka Hachiman
Founded in 1627, this shrine is famous as the birthplace of the sumo tournament. Around the back of the main building is the yokozuna stone, carved with the names of each of these champion wrestlers. Near the entrance are the two gilded, jewel-studded mikoshi, used in the Fukagawa
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Kōbe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway
Escape the city on a 400m-high mountain ridge, with sweeping views across town to the bay. Access is via ropeway (cable car) departing from near Shin-Kōbe Station. Some twee shops and restaurants near the top station mark the entrance to the Herb Gardens , and a paved path leads do
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Kiyosumi
One of Tokyos most picturesque retreats, Kiyosumi-teien started out in 1721 as the villa of a daimyō (domain lord; regional lord under the shōguns). After the villa was destroyed in the 1923 earthquake, Iwasaki Yatarō, founder of the Mitsubishi Corporation, purchased the property.
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Chinatown
Always wanted to go to China? Yokohamas Chinatown has the sights, sounds, aromas of Hong Kong without the airfare, rivalling Minato Mirai in popularity. Within its 10 elaborately painted gates are all manner of Chinese specialty stores and some 500 food shops and (often expensive)
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Kuttara
If you have your own wheels, head up through town past Jigoku-dani and keep going on Route 350 as it becomes a narrow mountain road. Eventually, after about 8km, youll reach Kuttara-ko, a circular volcanic caldera lake which is remarkable for two things – theres not a single river
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Daikaku
A 25-minute walk northeast of Nison-in you will find Daikaku-ji, one of Kyoto’s less-commonly visited temples. It was built in the 9th century as a palace for Emperor Saga, who then converted it into a temple. The present buildings date from the 16th century and are palatial in sty
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Utsukushi
Atop Utsukushi-ga-hara-kōgen plateau youll find this seemingly random sculpture garden with some 350 pieces, mostly by Japanese sculptors. The surrounding countryside provides an inspiring backdrop. Nearby are pleasant walks and the opportunity to see cows in pasture (a constant so
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Senshū
Originally constructed in 1604, Akitas castle was destroyed with other feudal relics during the Meiji Restoration. The moat still guards the entrance to this leafy park; though hardly sinister, it becomes choked with giant waterlilies in summer. There are also a few pieces of the c
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Toyota Exhibition Hall
See up to 20 shiny examples of the latest automotive technology hot off the production line and witness first hand how theyre made here at Toyotas global HQ. Fascinating two-hour tours of Toyota Motor Corporations main factory are conducted Monday through Saturday at 11am, but, you
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Ōwakudani
The Great Boiling Valley was created 3000 years ago when Kami-yama erupted and collapsed, also forming Ashino-ko. Hydrogen sulfide steams from the ground here and the hot water is used to boil onsen tamago , eggs blackened in the sulphurous waters, which you can buy to eat (theyre
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National Museum of Emerging Science & Innovation (Miraikan)
Miraikan means ‘hall of the future’, and the fascinating exhibits here present the science and technology that will shape the years to come. Lots of hands-on displays make this a great place for kids and curious adults. There are several demonstrations, too, including the humanoid
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Adashino Nenbutsu
This rather unusual temple is where the abandoned bones of paupers without kin were gathered. More than 8000 stone images are crammed into the temple grounds, dedicated to the repose of their spirits. The abandoned souls are remembered with candles each year in the Sentō Kuyō cerem
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Advertising Museum Tokyo
This collection is run by Dentsu, Japan’s largest advertising agency. It covers everything from woodblock-printed handbills from the Edo period to sumptuous art nouveau and art deco Meiji- and Taisho-era works to the best of today. English signage is minimal, but the strong graphic
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Metro Museum
Under the tracks in the eastern suburb of Kasai, the Metro Museum chronicles the history of the Tokyo Metro from the first subway in 1927 (it connected Asakusa with Ueno) to the opening of the Fukutoshin Line in 2008. Visitors can pile into a couple of early Ginza and Marunouchi Li
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Kitamuki Kannon
The grounds of this Tendai temple have some impressive ancient trees and sweeping valley views. Once an awe-inspiring vista, theres no longer anything particularly contemplative about the valley development below. The temples name comes from the fact that this Kannon image faces no
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Kirishima
Picturesque, tangerine Kirishima-jingū has a good vantage point. Though the original dates from the 6th century, the present shrine was built in 1715. It is dedicated to Ninigi-no-mikoto, who, according to Kojiki (a book compiled in 712), led the gods from the heavens to the Takach
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