-
Golden Gai
This warren of tiny alleys began as a black market following WWII. The narrow two-storey wooden buildings remain the same, though they’re now filled with over a hundred closet-sized bars. Each is as unique as the ‘master’ or ‘mama’ who runs it. That this prime real estate has so fa
-
Matsue History Museum
Matsues excellent modern museum gives a broad-ranging introduction to the history of the region clans, and development of local industry and crafts. Among the displays are old town maps, ceramics, letters and the local speciality Matsue wagashi (sweets) – you can taste modern versi
-
Hiroshima
Also known as Carp Castle (Rijō; 鯉城), Hiroshima-jō was originally constructed in 1589, but much of it was dismantled following the Meiji Restoration. What remained was totally destroyed by the bomb and rebuilt in 1958. Theres a small museum with historical items, but most impressiv
-
Fujifilm Square
This small gallery on the ground floor of the Tokyo Midtown West Tower is a fascinating look at the history of cameras, from 18th-century camera obscuras to zoetropes to the latest Fujifilm DSLRs. There are two galleries of photography, as well as a computer with a database of vint
-
Kizakura Kappa Country
A short walk from its competitor, Gekkeikan, Kizakura is another sake brewery worth a look while you’re in the neighbourhood. The vast complex houses both sake and beer breweries, courtyard gardens and a small gallery dedicated to the mythical (and sneaky) creature Kappa. The resta
-
Hakkōda Ropeway
For anyone who wants a taste of the alpine without having to brave the steep ascent, this scenic ropeway quickly whisks you up to the summit of Tamoyachi-dake (田茂萢岳; 1324m). From there, you can follow an elaborate network of hiking trails, although purists prefer the magnificent on
-
Sōgetsu Kaikan
Sōgetsu is one of Japan’s leading schools of avant-garde ikebana, offering classes in English. Even if you have no interest in flower arranging, it’s worth taking a peek in for the building (1977) designed by Tange Kenzō, and the giant, climbable piece of installation art by the re
-
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices
Tokyo’s seat of power, designed by Tange Kenzō, looms large and looks somewhat like a pixelated cathedral. Take an elevator from the ground floor of Building 1 to one of the twin 202m-high observatories for panoramic views over the never-ending cityscape (the views are virtually th
-
Dai
Rebuilt in 1934 after a fire, this pagoda is said to be the centre of the lotus-flower mandala formed by the eight mountains around Kōya-san. The main object of worship is the Dainichi-nyōrai (Cosmic Buddha) and his four attendant Buddhas, painted on pillars (originally, its said,
-
Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center
If you are at all intrigued by the yamaneko (Iriomotes endemic wildcat), its worth stopping by this natural-history centre. Though exhibits are all in Japanese, of interest is a short documentary film about the yamaneko and its declining population on an island with hazards like hu
-
Myth of Tomorrow
Okamoto Tarōs mural, Myth of Tomorrow (1967), was commissioned by a Mexican luxury hotel but went missing two years later. It finally turned up in 2003 and, in 2008, the haunting 30-metre-long work, which depicts the atomic bomb exploding over Hiroshima, was installed inside Shibuy
-
Toto Tokyo Center Showroom
Toto is a leading name in the toilet business and maker of the automated Washlet toilet seat/bidet. Check out their high-tech kitchen, plumbing and bathroom showcase for an idea of what a contemporary Japanese home looks like, if you can’t visit one yourself. There’s lots of automa
-
Science Museum, Tokyo
Featuring a wide selection of exhibits aimed primarily at children and teenagers, the Science Museum has little in the way of English explanations, but you can ask for a free English pamphlet guide. Even without this or an understanding of Japanese, you can still have fun standing
-
Senkō
Senkō-ji is the best known and most impressive of Onomichis temples. Among its features is the kyō-onrō , a bell tower whose bell always rings in the new year – the sound of this bell is registered as one of the 100 soundscapes of Japan. The temple is on the historic temple walk on
-
Sazae
Halfway up Iimori-yama, Sazae-dō is a weird and wonderful hidden gem in a Buddhist temple complex. Built in 1796, the 16.5m high hexagonal wooden structure houses 33 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Once inside you follow a fabulous spiral staircase that, Escher-es
-
Moerenuma
Completed in 2005, this former waste-treatment plant to the northeast of the central city is now an impressive reclaimed green belt full of modern sculptures, originally designed by the legendary Noguchi Isamu before his death in 1988. Taking pride of place is the Glass Pyramid . T
-
Genkyū
This exquisite, Chinese-influenced garden from 1679 is crisscrossed by waterways and wooden bridges. Tree-topped islands, peninsulas and interestingly-shaped rocks punctuate its pond. For ¥500 you get a cup of matcha and a sweet in the teahouse, to enjoy as you relax and gaze over
-
Haruna Jinja
Believed to be the home of the God of Water, Fire and Agriculture, there has been a shrine of some form here, amongst forested mountains, for almost 1400 years. It is said a visit brings good fortune for love and money. A 700m path to the shirne takes you to a tree that some date a
-
Yamatane Museum of Art
When Western ideas entered Japan following the Meiji Restoration (1868), many artists set out to master oil and canvas. Others poured new energy into nihonga – Japanese style painting, usually done with mineral pigments on silk or paper – and the masters are represented here. From
-
Shiori
Located in a large traditional merchant’s house, this kimono-shop-museum is a great place to learn about kimonos and the history of kimonos. You can also see the way part of the traditional building was converted into a Western-style building around the turn of last century (when J
Total
1725 -travel
FirstPage PreviousPage NextPage LastPage CurrentPage:
57/87 20-travel/Page GoTo Page:
