-
Karatsu
This 1608 castle (rebuilt 1966) is picturesquely perched on a hill overlooking the sea, and houses antique ceramics, samurai armour and archaeological displays. Its a formidable sight even from the outside. To avoid the climb through the park, Maizuru-kōen, take the outdoor elevato
-
Okazaki
Okazaki-kōen is an expanse of parks and canals that lies between Niōmon-dōri and Heian-jingū. Two of Kyoto’s significant museums can be found here, as well as two smaller museums. If you find yourself in Kyoto on a rainy day and need to do some indoor sightseeing, this area has eno
-
Yuzawa Town History Museum
This wonderful little museum displays memorabilia from the life of Kawabata Yasunari, the first Japanese recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature, in addition to interesting displays about life in snow country that bring his classic book to life. From the west exit of Echigo-Yuz
-
Awa Odori Kaikan
Awa Odori Kaikan features extensive exhibits relating to the Awa-odori Matsuri and dance. The dance is performed at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm daily (and at 11am as well on weekends), with a nightly performance at 8pm (afternoon/evening ¥600/800). From the 5th floor, a cable car whizzes you
-
Institute for Nature Study
What would Tokyo look like left to its own natural devices? Since 1949 this park, affiliated with the Tokyo National Museum, has let the local flora go wild. There are wonderful walks through its forests, marshes and ponds. No more than 300 people are allowed in at a time, which ma
-
Louis Vuitton Building
For several years running, the Japanese have had something of a love affair with Louis Vuitton , which is why this flagship store is usually packed wall-to-wall with shoppers. Meant to evoke a stack of clothes trunks, Aoki Jun’s design features offset panels of tinted glass behind
-
Rock
A few blocks north of Iwate-kōen, in front of the Morioka District Court, is this much-loved local attraction: a 300-year-old cherry tree, which sprouted from the crack in a huge granite boulder. Some claim that it has pushed its way through over time, and while that’s clearly an i
-
Shōko Shūseikan
The museum of Shōko Shūseikan, adjacent to Sengan-en, once housed Japans first factory, built in the 1850s. Exhibits relate to the Shimazu family – in fact most of the 10,000 items are precious heirlooms, including ancient scrolls, military goods and pottery. The art of kiriko (cut
-
Taihō Sumo Museum
Sumo fans will enjoy this museum in Kawayu Onsen township dedicated to legendary hometown hero, Taihō (大鵬; 1940–2013). He was born on Karafuto (Sakhalin) to a Ukrainian father and Japanese mother, brought up in Kawayu Onsen, and went on to become one of the greatest yokozuna (grand
-
Tokyo Ichiba Project
See models and plans of the new fish market at Toyosu, which will include a viewing area able to accommodate some 500 visitors, at this exhibition room located next to Uogashi-yokochō , a cluster of tiny restaurants, food and souvenir stalls within Tsukijis inner market. The market
-
Pola Museum of Art
Showcasing the top-drawer collection of the late Suzuki Tsuneshi, son of the founder of the Pola Group (cosmetics company) this quality museum is located in an equally impressive architecturally designed building. Artworks in the collection include those from such famous names as V
-
Laforet Museum Harajuku
This museum, on the 6th floor of the teenybopper fashionista mecca that is Laforet department store, is gallery or performance space depending on the event. Small film festivals, art installations and launch parties are held here regularly – after browsing the art-as-streetwear on
-
Nishijin
Nishijin is Kyoto’s traditional textile centre, the source of all those dazzling kimono fabrics and obi (kimono sashes) that you see being paraded about town. The area is famous for Nishijin-ori(Nishijin weaving). There are quite a few machiya (traditional Japanese town houses) in
-
Hirashimizu Pottery District
In the 19th century there were dozens of fiery kilns lining the Hazukashi-gawa turning out beautiful bluish-grey mottled pieces known as nashi-seiji (pear skin), but now only a few remain. Buses bound for Nishi-Zaō or Geikō-dai run hourly or half-hourly from stop 5 outside Yamagata
-
Fukuoka Tower
Standing above the Momochi district is the 234m-tall Fukuoka Tower, a symbol of the city and mostly hollow (its main purpose is as a broadcast tower). Theres an observation deck at 123m and a cafe for soaking up the views, especially at dusk. Ask for the foreigner discount. While y
-
Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum
How did baseball come to be a Japanese obsession? This museum chronicles baseball’s rise from a hobby imported by an American teacher in 1872 to the Japanese team winning the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics. Be sure to pick up the comprehensive English-language pamphlet. The entr
-
Teddy Bear Eco Village
Youll know if youre one of those people who have to see this collection of over 1000 little fluffy guys from around the world, some over 140 years old, housed in a building just a little bit older. The annexed cafe is a lovely spot to enjoy a healthy something in the outdoors. Ask
-
Takita Residence
The restored Takita Residence (circa 1850) was the home of a shipping magnate. Inside are replicas of bishu-kaisen (local trading ships) and displays of ceramics, lacquer and furniture. Look for the suikinkutsu , a ceramic jar buried in the ground so that it rings like a koto (Japa
-
Honji
Further into Tōshō-gūs precincts, to the left of the drum tower, is this hall known for the painting on its ceiling of the Nakiryū (Crying Dragon). Monks demonstrate the halls acoustical properties by clapping two sticks together. The dragon roars (a bit of a stretch) when the stic
-
Shinjuku I
An otherwise ordinary office complex, Shinjuku I-Land (1995) is home to more than a dozen public artworks, including one of Robert Indiana’s Love sculptures and two Tokyo Brushstroke sculptures by Roy Liechtenstein. The courtyard, with stonework by Giulio Paolini and a dozen restau
Total
1725 -travel
FirstPage PreviousPage NextPage LastPage CurrentPage:
54/87 20-travel/Page GoTo Page:
