Iwakuni Castle is located in Yamaguchi Prefecture. To get to the castle site, you can either hike or take the ropeway from the base of the mountain (200-meter-high Shiroyama). Once at the top you have a splendid view of the town of Iwakuni. You’ll be able to see the entire city stretching out into the tranquil inland sea of Japan. Inside the castle you will find three floors of historical artifacts from Iwakuni’s past, swords, samurai armor and art work.

Castle History

Explore the different levels of the castle to learn more about the history of Iwakuni

Originally constructed in 1601 by the Daimyo (fuedal lord) Kikkawa Hiroie, the castle was supposed to cement his power across the region. For years, the daimyo used his castle to rule over Iwakuni, instructing his subjects to construct elaborate grounds around the mountain it sits atop.

Once the ruling Shogunate found out about the castle’s construction they ordered its destruction fearing it would take power away from Hiroshima castle. The castle was partially deconstructed and became the Daimyo’s private residence until the 1960’s when it was refurbished and turned into a museum. The grounds later became Kikko park, and are now open to the public. The park is wonderful, filled with statues, water features and gorgeous pathways that lead to a sombre yet beautiful cemetery.

White Snakes

Photo by: Redlegsfan21 Take the ropeway up the mountain to get to the castle.

There are two museums next to the ropeway station in the old castle grounds. One, The Iwakuni Art Museum, focuses on showing Iwakuni-based artists and how the area has developed through history.

The other museum focuses on the fabled white snakes of the area. It is said that white snakes would come into locals’ houses, eat all of the rats and pests then give good luck to the occupants. These snakes are an albino form of the common Japanese rat-snake, and for some reason, albinos are very common in the area. Inside the museum there is a display case full of white snakes, as well as various interactive displays and games that tell the history of the area.

Love Japan’s castles? Go see more!

Some places have ghost towns. Nagasaki has a ghost island—the uninhabited Hashima Island.

It’s referred to by locals as Gunkanjima, or Battleship Island, for its similar appearance to a warship when seen from a distance. Since 2009, tours have been running to the deserted mining island, undisturbed since residents abandoned their homes leaving everything from shoes to electronics to lesson-filled blackboards.

Battleship Island

The island is a reminder of its dark history as a site of forced labor prior to and during the Second World War.

Walking around the crumbling grocery stores and peeking into children’s bedrooms covered with rust and weeds, it’s an eerie glimpse of the imprint of human life on our environment.
Begun as a coal mining operation in 1887, the Mitsubishi Company purchased Hashima Island in 1890. Mitsubishi enhanced the island’s mining facilities while increasing its landmass to 16 acres. It then built concrete, high-storied apartment complexes to house its employees and their families, as well as an outer sea wall. At its peak in 1959, Gunkanjima was home to 5,259 people, making it at one time the most densely populated place ever recorded.

By 1974 the mines under Gunkanjima had dried up and Mitsubishi announced it was ending operations. Residents began departing in haste to seek new jobs. Within a few months, the island was completely deserted.

Tourists wishing to get a closer look at the island can easily book a day trip.

The early 2000s saw a renewed interest in Gunkanjima, with a number of different companies in Nagasaki vying to offer tours. It’s the only way to access the island and the whole operation is tightly controlled – just three ferry companies are permitted to run tours – with visitors limited to a walking path that makes up part of the island’s perimeter due to safety concerns. Tours take approximately three hours and are offered in morning and afternoon sessions. Typical programs include ferry rides to and from Nagasaki port to the island and one­ hour walking on land.

In July 2015, Gunkanjima became a UNESCO World Heritage site. This was despite complaints made by South Korea, later withdrawn, regarding Mitsubishi’s use of Koreans and Chinese for hard labor on the island during World War II. Tour guides are normally reluctant to address this issue so it’s best not to push it. You can (and should) find out more about the history of Gunkanjima online.

Tohoku is the northernmost region of Japan’s main island of Honshu. It’s famous for some of the country’s most gorgeous natural scenery, fresh vegetables and seafood, plus its deep culture. Famous Japanese poet Matsuo Bassho was inspired to write a collection of prose and poems called Narrow Road to the Deep North based on his travels in Tohoku, and it’s sure to be inspiring to everyone who visits to this day.

Just a quick 90-minute bullet train ticket from Tokyo (around ¥10,000), Tohoku is a part of Japan you can visit again and again. Different prefectures in different seasons will provide an unforgettable experience each time.

A quaint coastal town on the tip of the Kii peninsula in Mie Prefecture, Ise has been welcoming pilgrims to pay their respects at Japan’s holiest shrine for centuries.

Local culture is characterized by a deep sense of empathy and respect, from the easily digestible udon catering to weary pilgrims to the heavy shimenawa ropes that hang in front of doorways marking each home as a sacred space.

Ise Shrine

The Uji-bashi leading to the Naiku is said to be the bridge between the material and spirit worlds.

Ise shrine is the geographical and spiritual heart of Ise, making up around a fifth of its total area. It’s the most sacred Shinto site in Japan and is considered a spiritual place. Walking in silence beneath the sunlight filtering through thousand-year-old fragrant cypress trees, you can’t help but feel something special about Ise.

There are 125 shrine buildings spread across the temple grounds. It’s split into two parts: the Geku (outer shrine) and Naiku (inner shrine), so you’ll need to dedicate at least a half, if not full, day to exploring the area.

Entrance to both sections is well-signposted, and you can pick up a map at the stands outside the main entrance gates. Be sure to be respectful. The shrine’s sanctity is strictly observed.

Every 20 years, the shrine buildings of the Ise Jingu are taken down and rebuilt in a tradition known as Sengu no-gi.

Don’t expect to find any vending machines or food stalls once you’re inside, turn off your phone and use your indoor voice wherever possible – the atmosphere is so tranquil and contemplative you’ll find yourself whispering anyway.

Before you enter the shrine, you should cleanse yourself at the purification fountain near the entrance.

There are wooden ladles lined up; take one and fill with water, rinsing your left hand, then your right, followed by your mouth (sipping water from your hand, not the ladle, and spitting as delicately as you can into the drains at the bottom). At the Naiku, many pilgrims choose to wash in the Isuzu River’s crystal clear flow just over the other side of the Uji-bashi bridge.

Oharai Machi Street

Sample the local delicacies along the shopping street.

Spend some time exploring Oharai machi street, the original pilgrim’s pathway lined with traditional shops selling local specialties of akafuku mochi, panju and Ise udon. Stop at the Akafukumochi Main Store at the top of the street for some pre-shrine tea and sweets. 

The store starts lighting its ovens at 4 a.m. to serve early visitors to the shrine. Nearby is the Okage Yokocho, a bustling Edo-style market that recaptures the golden age of pilgrim culture in Ise.

Meoto Iwa

Pray for love at the ‘husband and wife’ rocks of the Meoto Iwa.

The Meoto Iwa, also known as “Wedded Rocks,” are two holy rocks just offshore connected by a thick shimenawa (sacred rope). Couples come here to pray for luck in love at the adjacent Futami Okitama shrine. Visit early if you’re visiting from May to July to view the sunrise exactly midway between the rocks.

Japanese history buffs can visit the Ise Azuchi Momayama Cultural Village close by for a chance to experience Edo life through ninja shows, rides and architecture. You can spy the gilded roof of the reconstructed Azuchi Castle from the road heading to the Meoto-Iwa.

Ise’s Historical Landmarks

Try to spot the gilded roof of the reconstructed Azuchi castle as you make your way around the area.

Along the seaside promenade leading to Futami, there are a couple of interesting sights. The Hinjitsukan is a former holiday home for the Imperial Family that has been turned into a cultural museum.

Next door the Iwatokan Hotel is also a salt plant, where you can watch artisans make pure salt to be offered at the shrine (or at your tempura plate.)

Dedicated shuttle buses ferry tourists to and from the major sites. You can also rent a bicycle for more freedom. Walking between points of interest is ambitious but doable. You can more access information at the Tourist Information Center just in front of Ise-shi station.

Close your eyes and picture a gilded pavilion pasted entirely in gold leaf, framed by pine trees, its reflection glistening in a pristine pond. You probably know the image already.

As the global poster child for Kyoto’s many World Heritage Sites, Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) runs the real risk of being disappointing in real life. But despite the crowds all jostling for the same selfie, and the fact that you can’t actually go inside the temple building, Kinkaku-ji is truly, madly and deeply spectacular.

A temple with two names

Photo by: Gilbert Sopakuwa The temple of the Golden Pavilion, or Rokuon-ji, Deer Garden Temple, in the north of Kyoto.

While the three-story Golden Pavilion is known as Kinkaku, it is technically located on the grounds of the Rokuon-ji Temple (the temple’s official name) complex. With construction dating to the late 14th century, Kinkaku originally served as a retirement villa for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, a shogun (top military commander) and prominent patron of the arts.

After Yoshimitsu’s death in 1408, the golden pavilion was converted into a Zen temple, and since become known as Kinkaku-ji despite the official name.

The temple’s brilliant exterior gives the impression of fire on the water but Kinkaku-ji has actually been on fire more than once. The first blaze occurred back in the Onin War (1467-77) while the second happened in 1950 when a distraught novice monk attempted to die among the golden flames.

The bronze phoenix

Photo by: Stefan Lins Kinkakuji Temple was fully restored in 1955.

After the vision of gold— with a phoenix perched upon the temple’s peak—was resurrected from the ashes and restored to its present-day glory in 1955.

As though floating upon a pond dotted with tiny islands of twisted pine trees, Kinkaku-ji’s grandeur can also be seen as beautifully muted. While days of warm weather enhance the temple’s glow with the sun’s rays, Kinkaku-ji can be equally breathtaking on rainy days when the golden hues are subdued and more wabi-sabi-esque like its brother temple, Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion).

Beyond the bustling shops, through the statuesque main gate, and past the veil of fragrant incense, Zenko-ji Temple is a major attraction in Nagano Prefecture.

The first Buddha Statue in Japan

Is Japan’s first Buddha statue in Zenko-ji?

Within this national treasure, carefully hidden from sight, an invaluable artifact awaits. The rare hibutsu (secret Buddha) is believed to be the first Buddha statue to have entered Japan. From generations of high priests to the Emperor himself, no one has looked at the hibutsu for centuries and that strict tradition continues even today.

Explore Nagano

The tunnel becomes entirely devoid of light and the oppressive darkness is suffocating. Instantly losing your sense of sight and relying solely on touch to find the key, you become disoriented and the passage seems endless. During high traffic hours and weekends, the passageway becomes humid as visitors steadily stack against one another and slowly inch through their journey. If this thought is frightening, be sure to visit early in the day!

Zenko-ji in Bloom

Cherry blossoms in full bloom at Zenko-ji Temple

Outside the main hall, Zenko-ji has many other sights within its picturesque grounds. One of which is a beautiful pagoda behind the main hall which is a sight in itself with the lush hydrangea flowers surrounding it in summer and cherry blossoms in the spring. This pagoda also houses the Zeko-ji History Museum where you can see a collection of elaborately carved Buddha and Bodhisattva statues, as well as an additional 100 statues of Buddha’s disciples.

If you’re traveling in Nagano Prefecture, a couple of other attractions are Matsumoto Castle and the historical woodblock prints at the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum.

Discover the hidden gems of all 47 prefectures in Japan.

About less than an hour away from the capital of Yamagata Prefecture by bus, Zao Onsen is a ski resort and hot spring town with a long history. While the most popular season to come visit is undoubtedly in the winter to take full advantage of the quality of snow, there’s still so many things to do and see regardless of the season.

Skiing and Ice Monsters

Carve through ice monsters at Zao ski resort.

There are multiple ski equipment rental shops available as well as several ski and snowboarding schools in town. Lift tickets are valid on all of the lifts throughout the resort, ranging from a 4-hour ticket for ¥4000 to a 7-day ticket for ¥21,600. There are also season ticket options. Suffice it to say, you have no excuse not to spend your day zipping down the scenic mountain slopes. With 15 slopes and 12 courses, there is enough of a range to satisfy complete beginners as well as seasoned pros.

Take a cable-car to the top of Mount Zao to get an aerial view of the juhyo or ice monsters – rows of snow-covered trees that look like gnarled creatures out of a dreamscape which you’ll have skied or boarded through earlier. Temperatures can go as low as -20C so make sure to bundle up.

Zao Onsen Outdoor Hot Springs

Photo by: Zao Onsen Dairotenburo The epic waters of the Zao Onsen Dai Rotenburo.

Once you’ve tired yourself out, wind down in one of the many onsen (hot springs) that give the town its name. Supposedly discovered in 110 A.D., Zao’s hot springs are the oldest in the Tohoku region. The waters are renowned for their high-acidity which helps heal skin conditions and gastrointestinal disorders – whatever the benefits, this is bath time at its most epic.

There are three public bathhouses and each hotel has its own fully fitted onsen too. However, it’s the three open-air onsen you should make time for. Sitting in a hot bath while looking out into the forest at any time of the year is an unforgettable experience.

The Dai Rotenburo (Big Outdoor Spring) sits deep in a mountain ravine. With views that overlook the surrounding snow-coated mountains and forests, it makes stripping off in front of strangers totally worth it. Plus, this particular onsen is one of our Top 30 Tattoo-friendly onsen in Japan.

Hiking Mount Zao

Most famous for having the shape of a pot, Okama crater can only be seen at a distance.

If you miss the winter season, Zao Onsen is a hiker’s paradise during the rest of the year. Mountain guides can be hired to show you around or simply choose one of its many courses and explore by yourself. Most routes lead to the enormous Okama crater, or the Five Color Lake, in the middle of volcanic Mount Zao.

Take the Zao Echo Line trail to Kattadake, from where you can get a view of the crater from a picture-perfect distance.

Zao is a magical place, filled with natural elegance no matter the season.

Connoisseurs of Japanese noodles must head north to the capital of Iwate Prefecture, home of the “Three Great Noodles of Morioka.”

Criss-crossed by rivers and hemmed in by mountains, Morioka has been nicknamed “the capital of forest and water” for its natural beauty. A generous array of festivals truly makes this city come alive with color and excitement.

Morioka cherry blossoms

Cherry Blossoms in Morioka.

The Ishiwarizakura, or rock-splitting cherry tree, is Morioka’s most intriguingly unique attraction, and a national treasure of Japan. Located on the grounds of the district courthouse, it’s a beautiful 400-year-old cherry tree growing mysteriously through two broken halves of a granite boulder.

The beloved tree is an inspiring sight, especially when change-heralding sakura bloom in the spring.

Three Great Noodles

Famous wanka soba.

With Morioka’s three types of famous noodles, you could eat a different bowl for every meal of the day.

Reimen and jajamen have worldly influences: potato-starch based ramen noodles are based on a Korean dish and often served with kimchi and even a slice of fruit, while tasty jajamen is the local version of Chinese black bean noodles.

But the most interesting dish of all is wanko soba, arguably the most fun and game-like noodle-eating experience you could have.

The thin buckwheat noodles are served in bite-size portions in tiny bowls, but every time you slurp a bowl down, an attentive server will immediately replace it. The noodles are all-you-can-eat, and customers typically compete with each other to see who can stack up the most empty dishes.

Seasonal festivals

The Morioka Sansa Odori Festival.

For a small city, Morioka hosts some spectacularly vibrant and popular festivals.

Chagu Chagu Umakko Festival

On the second Saturday of June, the adorably named Chagu Chagu Umakko Festival sees 100 horses paraded through the streets and hills. Chagu chagu is an onomatopoeia for the sound of tinkling bells, and it’s fitting because the horses are decked out in beautiful traditional decorations.

Morioka Sansa Festival

August 1 to 4 brings the Morioka Sansa Festival, the largest taiko parade in the world. In the pulsing heat of summer, teams of dancers twirl energetically through the streets to the sound of taiko drums and flutes.

Morioka Fall Festival

The Morioka Fall Festival is a shrine festival held annually from September 14 to 16. Floats are paraded through the streets, and a traditional Yabusame ceremony is held at Hachimangu Shrine, where archers shoot targets from the backs of galloping horses.

The parade starts from the shrine at 1 p.m. on the first day of the festival, and at 6 p.m. from Morioka Castle Ruins Park on the second day. The exciting horseback archery kicks off at Hachimangu Shrine at 1 p.m. on the last day of the festival.

Iwate Prefecture hosted two matches during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in nearby city Kamaishi. Check out our Kamishi travel guide to plan your trip! 

It’s been a scary year, and everyone is looking for an escape. We asked our readers to vote for their top 10 travel destinations in Japan for 2021 (once travel is safe again), and these are their picks.

Each destination highlights an escape from busy tourist spots and everyday life for a chance to reflect and get back in touch with nature or even discover the heart of communities in rural and small-town Japan.

If you’re traveling to one of these destinations, we want to hear about it. Tag us on social media with #GaijinPotTravel.

Tofuku-ji Temple is arguably the spot for viewing the changing colors of the autumn leaves.

The main garden’s path takes you through a forest of maple trees and then up above it – via the famous Tsuten-kyo Bridge – so that you peer down on a blanket of red. It’s a breathtaking experience that draws equally breathtaking crowds during the high season. Yet, the various gardens of what is Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple are a delight all year round.

Bright red leaves blanket the grounds surrounding the temple.

Tofuku-ji was founded in 1236 by statesman Kujo Michiie, who wanted to establish in Kyoto a site comparable to the Nara temples Kofuku-ji and Todai-ji, which houses Japan’s biggest statue of the Buddha. Its name was taken from those. It is the head temple of the Tofuku-ji school of the Rinzai Sect of Zen Buddhism and took 19 years to complete. The spacious complex includes many sub-temples and is Kyoto’s largest Zen site.

Photo by: Kirsty Kawano Tofukuji Temple in autumn.

The Zen Hasso Gardens that surround the Abbot’s Hall were crafted in 1939. They include two pebble-and-rock dry gardens and two smaller ones that feature a delightful checkerboard design – one made of moss, the other of azalea shrubs. This area requires an entrance fee. The maple garden requires an admission fee of its own, and includes entrance to the garden of the attractive Kaisan-do Hall. Late November is the reddest season. Although they don’t attract the same crowds, the fresh green leaves of May are also beautiful.

Photo by: Kirsty Kawano The moss garden.

Although war and fires have led to the rebuilding of Tofuku-ji’s temple buildings over the years, survivors from the 14th century Muromachi period include the Zen-do meditation hall and the highly ecological lavatory block and bathing room, which once served more than a hundred priests.

Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts

Lastly, the temple’s exquisite 22-meter-high Sanmon gate is the oldest Zen main gate in Japan and is a designated national treasure.

For other autumn foliage hotspots within Kyoto, click here.