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Hakodate Morning Market
Located just to the south of JR Hakodate Station, this market is a great place for hungry seafood lovers. Like tightly packed ammo, freshly caught squid glisten in ice-stuffed styrofoam. Most of the live commerce is over by 8am, but you can still pick up snacks and souvenirs later
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Nishibama Beach
There are great beaches on every side of the island, but for sheer postcard-perfect beauty, its hard to beat the 1km stretch of white sand on the northeast coast known as Nishibama Beach. It can be crowded in summer; if you want privacy, there are quieter beaches on the other sides
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Zuihō
The mausoleum of Date Masamune sits majestically atop the summit of a tree-covered hill by the Hirose-gawa. Built in 1637 but destroyed by Allied bombing during WWII, the current building, completed in 1979, is an exact replica of the original, faithful to the ornate and sumptuous
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Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
On the upper floors of the large Hakata Riverain Centre (博多リバレイン), this large museum houses the world-renowned Asia Gallery and additional galleries for special exhibits (admission fee varies) and artists in residence. Changing exhibits cover contemporary works from 23 countries, f
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Yakusugi Museum
In a forested spot with sea views, the Yakusugi Museum has informative, beautifully designed exhibits about yakusugi and the history of the islanders relationship to these magnificent trees. The museum offers an excellent audioguide in English. Its conveniently located on the road
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Usuki Stone Buddhas
Four clusters comprising 60-plus images (59 are designated national treasures) lie in a series of niches in a ravine. Some are complete statues, whereas others have only the heads remaining. Its truly a spiritual place if its uncrowded, although some of the magic can be lost in the
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Teshima Yokoo House
Here an old house has been converted into exhibition spaces, with a colourful take on a traditional Japanese rock garden outside (which locals helped create). Dont miss stepping inside the tower waterfall installation, which is lined with thousands of postcards of waterfalls and se
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Ōta Residence
On a lane leading back from the harbour area, the former Ōta residence is a fine collection of restored buildings from the mid-18th century. Guided tours (included in admission) take you through the impressive family home and workplace, where hōmēshu (sweet medicinal liquor) was on
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Fukukō
About a 10-minute walk south of JR Wakkanai Station, this complex houses everything from a food market to souvenir shops to restaurants to the Minato-no-yu Onsen . Its a bit like a living museum as fascinating historical corners show photos and videos of the history of Wakkanai and
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Kōzan
North of the town centre is Kōzan Park, where the five-storey pagoda of Rurikō-ji (瑠璃光寺), a National Treasure dating from 1404, is picturesquely situated beside a small lake. A small onsite museum displays miniatures of the 50-plus other five-storey pagodas in Japan. The park is al
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Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
Adjacent to the Atomic Bomb Museum and completed in 2003, this minimalist memorial by Kuryū Akira is a profoundly moving place. It is best approached by quietly reading the carved inscriptions and walking around the sculpted water basin. In the hall below, 12 glass pillars, contain
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Hirosaki
Perfect for picnicking, this enormous public park has been shaped over the centuries by three castle moats, and landscaped with overhanging cherry trees (more than 5000 in total!) that bloom in late April or early May. The remains of Hirosaki-jō lie at the heart of the park; the ca
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Yoron Minzoku
At the islands southeastern tip, the excellent Yoron Minzoku-mura is a collection of traditional thatch-roof island dwellings and storehouses that contain exhibits on the islands culture and history. If at all possible, bring along a Japanese speaker, as the owner is an incredible
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Nagasaki Museum of History & Culture
This large museum with attractive displays opened in 2005 to focus on Nagasakis proud history of international exchange. The main gallery is a fabulous reconstruction of a section of the Edo-period Nagasaki Magistrates Office, which controlled trade and diplomacy. Detailed English-
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Daishō
Just south of town at the foot of Misen, Daishō-in is a worthwhile stopping point on the way up or down the mountain. This Shingon temple is crowded with interesting things to look at: from Buddhist images and prayer wheels to sharp-beaked tengu (bird-like demons) and a cave contai
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Sand Museum
You came to see sand? Theyve got truckloads at this impressive museum of sand sculptures, where sand aficionados from all over the world are invited to created huge, amazingly detailed works based on a particular theme. The exhibition changes each year: check at the tourist office
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D.T. Suzuki Museum
This spiritual museum is a tribute to Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki, one of the foremost Buddhist philosophers of our time. Published in Japanese and English, Suzuki is largely credited with introducing Zen to the west. This stunning concrete complex embodies the heart of Zen. Come to le
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Myōjō
Founded in 1294 by Nichizō, a disciple of Nichiren, the imposing Myōjō-ji remains an important temple for the sect. The grounds comprise 10 Important Cultural Properties, most notably the strikingly elegant five-storey pagoda. The Togi-bound bus from JR Hakui Station can drop you a
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Ningle Terrace
Anyone into arts, crafts and shopping should not miss visiting Ningle Terrace at the New Furano Prince Hotel. With 15 log cabins all specialising in different crafts connected by boardwalks in the forest, there is everything from wooden toys to glass-blowing to candles to paper pro
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Taikodani
Just above the castle chairlift station, thriving Taikodani-Inari-jinja, built in 1773 by the seventh lord Kamei Norisada, is one of the five major Inari shrines in Japan. Walk up the hillside to it through a tunnel created by hundreds of torii, which are lit up at night, creating
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