-
Ameya
Step into this alley paralleling the JR Yamanote line tracks, and ritzy, glitzy Tokyo feels like a distant memory. This open-air market got its start as a black market, post WWII, when American goods were sold here. Today, its filled with vendors selling everything from fresh seafo
-
Midland Square
Nagoyas tallest building (247m) houses Toyotas corporate HQ and showroom, boutique shopping on the lower floors and a beehive of offices in the middle. On levels 44 to 46 Sky Promenade features Japans tallest open-air observation deck and a handful of high altitude, high priced eat
-
Kōbe Harbor Land Umie
Five minutes walk southeast of Kōbe Station or west of the Maritime Museum, Umie is a busy, multilevel, contemporary megamall with a colourful collection of some 235 big-name retailers and speciality shops, in three separate sections. Even if shopping doesnt appeal, there are awe-i
-
Kami
One of the few survivors of the Taira clan, Taira Tokitada was exiled to this region in 1185. His ancestors eventually divided and established separate family residences here, both now Important Cultural Properties. Kami-tokikuni-ke has an impressive thatched roof and elegant inter
-
JCII Camera Museum
Among the hundreds of vintage cameras on display here is a 1839 Giroux daguerreotype, the worlds first camera. Japan wasnt far behind: the ornate Tsui-kin, Japans first camera, came out 1854; its also on display here. Behind the museum, in a separate building, is the JCII Photo Sal
-
Ōsu Kannon
The much-visited Ōsu Kannon temple traces its roots back to 1333. The temple, devoted to the Buddha of Compassion was moved to its present location by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1610, although the present buildings date from 1970. The library inside holds the oldest known handwritten copy
-
Ōkura Museum of Art
On the grounds of the venerable Ōkura Hotel, this two-storey museum displays a rotating collection of sculpture, hand-painted dishware, lacquer writing boxes and no fewer than three national treasures, all surrounded by a small but well-populated sculpture garden. Its free for hote
-
Nikkō Woodcarving Center
Youve seen Nikkō-bori, the traditional local woodcraft, all over temples and gift shops. Here you can try your hand at making your own hand mirrors, plates and other crafts, daily from 9am to 11am and 1pm to 3pm (from ¥900 depending on your choice of craft). Theres also a shop and
-
Takayama Shōwa
This nostalgia bonanza from the Shōwa period (1926–1989) concentrates on the years between 1955 and 1965, a time of great optimism between Japans postwar malaise and pre-Titan boom. Lose yourself among the delightful mishmash of endless objects, from movie posters to cars and every
-
Tokyo City View
Admission to the Mori Art Museum includes access to this observatory, which wraps itself around the 52nd floor of Mori Tower. From this 250m-high vantage point you can see 360-degree views of the seemingly never-ending city. Weather permitting you can also pop out to the rooftop Sk
-
26 Martyrs Memorial
This is a memorial wall with reliefs of the 26 Christians crucified in 1597, commemorating a harsh crackdown when six Spanish friars and 20 Japanese were killed. The youngest killed were boys aged 12 and 13. Behind the memorial is a simple museum with Christianity-related displays.
-
Ryūga
This limestone cave has some interesting stalactites and stalagmites, and traces of prehistoric habitation. Visitors on a standard ticket will see about 1km of the 4km cave. Advance reservations and an additional ¥1000 are required for the bōken kōsu (adventure course; 冒険コース), for
-
Uraku
Within the pretty garden of Uraku-en in the grounds of the Meitetsu Inuyama Hotel, youll find Jo-an, one of the finest teahouses in Japan. Another of Inuyamas National Treasures, Jo-an was built in 1618 in Kyoto by Oda Urakusai, younger brother of Oda Nobunaga, and relocated here i
-
Usui Tōge Railway Village
Kids, adults and trainspotters alike will love, love, love this rail graveyard-cum-beloved museum of the holy locomotive, with rolling stock, stations, carriages, simulators and years of Japanese rail history in a wonderful rural setting. Take the train from Takasaki to Yokokawa st
-
RiSūPia
At the Panasonic showroom, this museum has hands-on exhibits illustrating maths and science principles. The 1st-floor Quest Gallery is free but the 3rd-floor Discovery Field, which charges admission, is more fun. Look out for the ‘prime number’ air-hockey game that uses numbers ins
-
Chidō Museum
Founded in 1950 by the former Lord Shōnai in order to preserve local culture, this museum features Sakai-family artefacts, two Meiji-era buildings, a traditional storehouse and a kabuto-zukuri (farmhouse with a thatched roof shaped like a samurai helmet). The museum is on the south
-
Kei Hiraga Museum
Dedicated to the sometimes sexually explicit, Pigalle-inspired paintings of Kei Hiraga (1936–2000), this museum is run by the late artists wife in their old-style villa. Combine admiring the art with a soak in the villas onsen for an extra fee of ¥500. Cross the Haya-kawa at Yumot
-
Kaminari
The Sensō-ji temple precinct begins at this majestic gate, from which hangs an enormous chōchin (lantern). On either side are a pair of ferocious protective deities: Fūjin, the god of wind, on the right; and Raijin, the god of thunder, on the left. Kaminari-mon has burnt down count
-
Ide Sake Brewery
Using the spring waters from Mt Fuji, this small-scale sake brewery has been producing Japans favourite tipple for over 150 years, and its tours (around 40 minutes) provide a fascinating insight into the production process and include tasting of various sakes and a souvenir glass.
-
Twenty
Just north of Sakate is the turn-off to the picturesque fishing village of Tanoura (田ノ浦), site of the village school that featured in the film Twenty-Four Eyes . The film was based on a novel by local writer Tsuboi Sakae and was a huge hit in postwar Japan. At this movie village yo
Total
1725 -travel
FirstPage PreviousPage NextPage LastPage CurrentPage:
56/87 20-travel/Page GoTo Page:
