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Yunokawa Onsen Monkeys
While the onsen monkeys are outside on Monkey Mountain, the complex you are heading to is the indoor Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden at Yunokawa Onsen. While the garden is nice, the undoubted stars of the show, especially in winter, are the Japanese macaque monkeys who soak in t
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Itsukushima
With origins from as far back as the late 6th century, Itsukushima-jinja gives Miyajima its real name.The shrines pier-like construction is a result of the islands sacred status: commoners were not allowed to set foot on the island and had to approach by boat through the torii (shr
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Matsue
Dating from 1611, picturesque Matsue-jō has a wooden interior showcasing treasures belonging to the Matsudaira clan. Known as Plover Castle for the graceful shape of its gable ornaments, Matsue-jō is one of only 12 original keeps left in Japan, making it well worth having a look in
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Zentsū
If you only have time for one temple, then make it Zentsū-ji, number 75 of the 88 Temples and the place where Kōbō Daishi was born. The temple boasts a truly magnificent five-storey pagoda and giant camphor trees that are said to date back as far as Daishis childhood. Visitors can
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Tōdai
Naras star attraction is the famous Daibutsu (Great Buddha), housed in the Daibutsu-den Hall of this grand temple. Though Tōdai-ji is often packed with tour groups and schoolchildren from across the country, its big enough to absorb huge crowds and it belongs at the top of any Nara
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Kinkaku
Kyotos famed Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji is one of Japans best-known sights. The main hall, covered in brilliant gold leaf, shining above its reflecting pond is truly spectacular. Needless to say, due to its beauty, the temple can be packed any day of the year. Thus, we recommend g
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Nanzen
This is one of the most rewarding temples in Kyoto, with its expansive grounds and numerous subtemples. At its entrance stands the massive San-mon . Steps lead up to the 2nd storey, which has a fine view over the city. Beyond the gate is the main hall of the temple, above which you
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Ōhara Museum of Art
This is Kurashikis premier museum, housing the predominantly Western art collection amassed by local textile magnate Ōhara Magosaburō (1880–1943), with the help of artist Kojima Torajirō (1881–1929). The varied assemblage of paintings, prints and sculpture features works by Picasso
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Temple Walk
This trail takes in 25 old temples in the hills behind the town, following narrow lanes and steep stone stairways, where cats laze about here and there in the sunshine. Along the route is a ropeway to an observation tower and a park area (Senkō-ji-kōen), home to Senkō-ji , the best
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Intermediatheque
Dedicated to interdisciplinary experimentation, Intermediatheque cherry picks from the vast collection of the University of Tokyo (Tōdai) to craft a fascinating and wholly contemporary museum experience. Go from viewing the best ornithological taxidermy collection in Japan to a gia
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Haguro
The 2446 stone steps through ancient cedars to Haguro-sans summit (419m) have been smoothed by centuries of pilgrims. The climb, taking up to two hours, passes Gojū-no-tō (五重塔), a beautiful wooden five-storey pagoda dating from the 14th century. Further along, Ni-no-saka-chaya mark
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Osorezan
This holy shrine at Osore-zans summit is a moving, mesmerisingly atmospheric and beautiful place honouring Jizō Bosatsu, protector of children and a much-loved deity in Japanese mythology. Its also said to be located at the entrance to hell: a small brook which flows into the beaut
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Ginkaku
Home to a sumptuous garden and elegant structures, Ginkaku-ji is one of Kyotos premier sites. The temple started its life in 1482 as a retirement villa Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, who desired a place to retreat from the turmoil of a civil war. While the name Ginkaku-ji literally tra
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Miho Museum
Secluded amid hills and valleys near the village of Shigaraki, this knockout museum houses the Koyama family collection of Japanese, Middle Eastern, Chinese and South Asian art, and beautifully displayed special exhibits. The facility is at least as impressive as the collection. Th
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Aso
The Five Mountains of Aso are the smaller mountains within the outer rim: Eboshi-dake (1337m), Kijima-dake (1321m), Naka-dake (1506m), Neko-dake (1408m), furthest east, and the highest, Taka-dake (1592m).Naka-dake is the active volcano: very active in recent years, with fatal erupt
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Dejima
In 1641, the Tokugawa shōgunate banished all foreigners from Japan, with one exception: Dejima, a fan-shaped, artificial island 560m in circumference (15,000 sq m) in Nagasaki harbour. From then until the 1850s, this tiny Dutch trading post was the sole sanctioned foreign presence
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Ritsurin
One of the most beautiful gardens in the country, Ritsurin-kōen dates from the mid-1600s and took more than a century to complete. Designed as a walking garden for the daimyō s enjoyment, the park winds around a series of ponds, tearooms, bridges and islands. To the west, Shiun-zan
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Kōraku
Kōraku-en draws the crowds with its reputation as one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. It has expansive lawns broken up by ponds, teahouses and other Edo-period buildings, including a nō theatre stage, and even has a small tea plantation and rice field. In spring the g
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Daitoku
Daitoku-ji is a separate world within Kyoto – a world of Zen temples, perfectly raked gardens and wandering lanes. Its one of the most rewarding destinations in this part of the city, particularly for those with an interest in Japanese gardens. The temple serves as the headquarters
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Nijō
The military might of Japans great warlord generals, the Tokugawa shoguns, is amply demonstrated by the imposing stone walls and ramparts of their great castle, Nijō-jō, which dominates a large part of Northwest Kyoto. Hidden behind these you will find a superb palace surrounded by
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