In the early 1900s Nomigawa Ryokudo was a simple river in the Setagaya district of Tokyo leading to Tokyo Bay. Today the river is partly covered by a road where more than 300 sakura trees are spread all along its path. Nomigawa Ryokudo has a charming suburb or countryside […]
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Just an hour away from the center of Tokyo in the Fuchu district, you will find the beautiful temple of Togo-ji (Togoji - 東郷寺). It was built to commemorate fleet Admiral Heihachiro Togo, who distinguished himself in the Russo-Japanese War […]
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Located in the center of Tokyo in the Nishi Shinjuku district, hidden among Tokyo’s famous skyscrapers, Joenji Temple, a Temple of Nichiren-shu, was moved to its current location in 1585. It is one of the many still active cemeteries in the heart of Tokyo [...]
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Goshogake Onsen is located on the slopes of Mount Hachimantai in Akita prefecture, at Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Goshogake Onsen is a simple ryokan with an onsen open to all, guest or not. What is by far the most interesting around Goshogake Onsen is the shear beauty of the […]
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Having been a port since the medieval times, Shukunegi went through a prosperous 17th century brought about by the Sado Kinzan Gold Mine. It was developed as a kitamaebune (a famous shipping route from the Edo period) port of call for the merchant shipping industry. [...]
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Having been a port since the medieval times, Shukunegi went through a prosperous 17th century brought about by the Sado Kinzan Gold Mine. It was developed as a kitamaebune (a famous shipping route from the Edo period) port of call for the merchant shipping industry. [...]
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Every second Sunday in March, the Takaosan Yakuoin Buddhist temple holds a unique fire-walking festival known as the Hiwatari-Sai Matsuri where Yamabushi monks display the depth of their faith and asceticism by walking barefoot over smoldering coals, the remains of the matsuri sacred fire.
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Founded in 1349 as the first Jishu School temple in Sado, Shokoji is a small little temple tucked away in the back of the little Shukunegi village south of Sado Island. Shokoji has been enshrining the Tokai Benzaiten or the sea-crossing goddess, since its inception and has continuously […]
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Used for centuries by local fisherman living on the Ogi Peninsula, Hangiri are simple washtub boats made of cedar and bamboo grown on Sado Island. While Hangiri are no longer used by fisherman, it is still possible to enjoy a little “Hangiri” ride at different locations around Sado Island! [..]
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One of many Sado Island’s hidden scenic wonders is Onogame a 167-meter high monolith projecting into the sea. A true natural wonder who actually, believe it or not, won two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. But maybe one of Onogame’s most interesting things, […]
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Chokokuji Temple was founded in 807 by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) on the picturesque island of Sado in Niigata prefecture. Chokokuji features a unique design imitating the famous Hasedera Temple in Yamato prefecture. It goes to the extent to even use Hasedera Temple Kanji : 長谷寺. [...]
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Stretching over 350m high in Sado’s beautiful mountains, Iwakubi Shoryu Tanada (rice terraces) has been passed down from generations to generations of farmers since around the Edo Period with over 460 paddies still used today. [...]
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