Places in Japan

A Modern Girl visits Takayama, a city in the mountainous Hida region of the Gifu Prefecture which has retained a traditional touch famous for its well-preserved quarter with Edo-style streets.

David recollects how the island of Ogijima was used as inspiration for Battle Royale, a novel by Kōshun Takami and later adapted into a feature film of the same name.

Todd Wassel unveils the sixteen World Heritage Sites in Japan inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. These are sites listed by the UNESCO as having outstanding cultural or natural importance.

Ashley explores the Izu Peninsula, a scenic region of Shizuoka prefecture in central Japan popular for its hot springs, beautiful coastlines and sunny seaside resorts.

angrygaijin tells of a fleeting encounter at Fukushima Airport amidst the crisis that crippled the Fukushima nuclear power plant following the devastating Tōhoku earthquake and ensuing tsunami.

Amanda reveals one of her favorite places to unwind in Tokyo. It is a loud, flashy and busy neighborhood yet intimate, trendy and charming too.

Muza-chan exhibits the enormous NI-TELE Really BIG Clock, located in Shiodome, in front of the Nippon Television Tower. A creation of the famous manga artist and anime director Hayao Miyazaki.

François presents Hamarikyu Gardens, one of Tokyo’s most attractive landscape gardens. It is located alongside Tokyo Bay on the edge of the Sumida River, next to the futuristic Shiodome district.

Haikugirl reminisces her stay in a temple on Kōya-san, a mountain in Wakayama prefecture south of Osaka, known as the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism.

AdelaideBen visits Takino Suzuran Hillside Park. Located in Sapporo, Hokkaido it is the only national government park in the northern island of Hokkaido.

The Soul of Japan treks a beautiful hiking trail in Karuizawa, the only city in the world to have hosted both Summer and Winter Olympic events.

Loco explains that when it comes to love hotels he takes his repeat business back to The Scene Hotel in Yokohama. Other love hotels are just overrated motel rooms in comparison.

Philip Seyfi takes us on a thrilling ride on some of Japan’s best roller coasters including ‘Takabisha’, from the Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park in Yamanashi, which is the world’s steepest roller coaster.

Darren channels Momofuku Ando, the inventor of instant noodles and the founder of Nissin Foods, as he hand-makes his own noodles at the Instant Ramen Museum in Osaka, the birthplace of cup noodles!

aame visits Lake Kawaguchi, the most popular of the Fuji Five Lakes that surround Mount Fuji. It is located in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, and is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

Gouka showcases the Toyota AMLUX, Japan’s largest automobile showroom located near Sunshine City in the Ikebukuro district of Tokyo.

The Envoy pays tribute to the famous bronze statue of Saigō Takamori in hunting attire with his dog that stands in Ueno Park, Tokyo. Saigō Takamori was one of the most influential samurai in Japanese history.

Kaley yearns to visit as many shrines and temples as she possibly can when she arrives in Japan and starts here by listing three that are on the top of her list.

Chris roams the grounds of Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine where the divine souls of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shōken are enshrined.

Allie searches Asakusa for a taiko shop stocking “miyake bachi”, a specific traditional taiko drumstick, and stumbles into the Tokyo Taikokan Drum Museum.

Jonathan explores one of the crown jewels of Japan, Miyajima, the popular name for the island of Itsukushima. The entire island, located off of the coast of Hiroshima, is designated as a historic site.

Chris B gets down and dirty in a classy love hotel and gives us the scenic tour. Love hotels are a short-stay hotel found in Japan that are designed for sex.

Julie H travels to Gotokuji, a Buddhist temple located in Setagaya said to be the birthplace of Maneki Neko or beckoning cat statuettes that bring good fortune to Japanese merchants the world over.

Kathryn photowalks the streets of her Nippori neighborhood and presents a hidden jewel of Tokyo. It may not be cool or fashionable, but it sure is awesome.

Lauren explores the Tsukiji Fish Market. Located in Tsukiji in central Tokyo, it is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world and also one of the largest wholesale food markets of any kind.

Andrea finds herself amidst eateries specializing in gyōza. Utsunomiya is Japan’s gyōza mecca and has a reputation for making Japan’s best dumplings.

Japan Australia recommends Kyōto, the former capital of Japan, famous worldwide for its temples and shrines it was the center of politics and culture for 1,100 years.

Jamaipanese dreams of visiting the Gundam Café in Akihabara. The café is owned by Bandai, a Japanese toy making company and video game company, and producer of plastic model kits.

Mischa unwinds after climbing the volcanic Mount Tsurumi by relaxing in the Umezono Onsen in Beppu, Japan’s hot spring capital, on the island of Kyushu.