History / Culture / Tour Spots in Japan

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Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Higashi Honganji Temple

4.0

769 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Shimogyo-ku Karasuma-dori Seven Rises

Higashi Honganji Temple is the head temple of the Otani sect of Shinshu Buddhism. The “Goeido” housing an image of sect founder Shinran is said to be one of the world’s largest wooden buildings with dimensions north-south of 76 meters, east-west of 58 meters, and a height of 38 meters. It was occasionally devastated by fire, and the current building is a reconstruction from the Meiji period. The gate outside Goeido, “Goeidomon,” is one of Kyoto’s three large gates.

Our taxi driver dropped us off here while he waited. It was near closing time so we had to rush. The massive scale of this temple is quite impressive. The decor is beautiful and you really have a...
Hoshuyama Risshakuji Temple

4.5

903 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Yamagatashi Yamadera 4456-1

A temple of the Tendai sect, Hoshuyama Risshakuji is located across the Tachiya River from JR Yamadera Station on the Senzan Line. Normally called “Yamadera”, it was opened by Ennin in 860 by decree of Emperor Seiwa. Currently, it is designated a Zao Quasi-National Park, with 1,090,000 square meters green lot with about 30 towers—the most historic holy mountain in the Tohoku region. A famous haiku poet Matsuo Basho wrote “Shizukasa ya iwa ni shimiiru semi no koe (Such stillness / The cries of the cicadas / Sink into the rocks)” here. Its remnants remain as “semi-zuka,” and many poets like Mokichi Saito have poems inscribed here.

The pictures you find on the internet from this place looks better than the actual place. Most of the climb is just stairs with a few small statues along the way. Most of the path is covered in...
Abashiri Prison Museum

4.5

792 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Abashirishi Yobito 1-1

This historic museum has preserved the former Abashiri Prison barracks as an outdoor museum. It was completely renovated in 2010. The virtual prison movie titled ''Forests Where Inmates in a Red Prison Uniform Worked'' is a must-see digital stereophonic theater experience focusing on the harsh working conditions of the erstwhile prisoners captured with the latest technology. One can explore the facility on a Guided Prison Tour, or actually eat the food the prisoners were given with the Experience Prison Food encounter. Two of the structures, 8 wards, transferred here are treasured as Japan's Important Cultural Properties.

An interesting visit especially the main prison building! We spent about an hour here but too bad the restaurant was already closed or would have loved to try the prisoner meal set!
Hōkokuji Temple

4.5

706 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kanagawa Pref. Kamakurashi Joumyouji 2-7-4

The Hōkokuji Temple (famous in Japan as the “Bamboo Temple”) was founded in 1334 on the orders of Ashikaga Ietoki, the grandfather of Ashikaga Takauji (the first Shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate). Visitors can drink tea in the Kyuko-an teahouse while viewing the bamboo grove. The writing table that the literary giant Kawabata Yasunari used while writing “The Sound of the Mountain” is preserved in the Hon-do (Main Hall). Zazen meditation sessions are held in the Kasho-do hall on Sundays; beginners are welcome.

Beautiful temple and shuttle this visit between the big Buddha and walking street will be perfect for a full day outing. We drove and lucky to get car park. Parking is limited and stroller friendly.
Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum

4.0

603 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Yamanashi Minamitsuru-gun Fujikawaguchikomachi Kawaguchi 3077-20

This music box museum is located at Kawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru County, Yamanashi Prefecture. In addition to music boxes playing, there are live concerts too, so you can enjoy historical works and performances of the music box. Inside is a flower garden, with flowers in each season decorated the garden, so, in conjunction with the surrounding buildings, you can feel as though you are in a different country. There is also a museum shop where you can buy souvenirs, and a restaurant where you can get a meal.

Interesting place , many automatic organ from 1890-1905 , still working fine. Staff is very kind and willing to explain. They have some scheduled events to show “concerts” of some very ancient and...
Senso-ji Temple

Travel / Tourism

Tokyo Taito-ku Asakusa 2-3-1
Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse

4.0

863 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Aomori Pref. Aomorishi Yasukata 1-1-1

This museum in Aomori City’s Aomori Waterside Area opened in 2011 to introduce the history and charm of Aomori’s Nebuta Festival. Inside the building there is a hall containing four floats used in the festival and a “Nebuta Museum” corner where one can learn about the festival’s history. The food area where one can enjoy lunch while looking out over Aomori Harbor is also popular.

This is a terrific museum. It is filled with colorful and unusual 3D paper lanterns floats used in the Festival of Lanterns parade in Aomori each year in August. Some of the floats are huge - up to...
Ushiku Daibutsu

4.0

423 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ibaraki Pref. Ushikushi Kunochou 2083

World’s largest free-standing bronze statue—at 120 meters. The inner body is divided into five levels—one floor for trying sutras, one floor with 3,400 internal buddha statues, and an observatory deck where you can see Mt. Fuji and Tokyo Skytree from a height of 85 meters. There’s plenty to enjoy in the area too, from the small zoo where you can see monkey acrobatics or feed small animals to the Pure Land-style gardens with beautiful flowers in each season.

Walking around an hour to visit the temple and its beautiful gardens. We came right in the cherry blossom then we had opportunity to take many pictures Recommend this visit
Sengakuji

4.5

633 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tokyo Minato-ku Takanawa 2-11-1

This is a temple of the Soto sect known for containing the cemetery of Asano Naganori and the 47 Akoroshi (Akogishi) warriors famous for “Chushingura” the story of how they avenged the death of their master ending in their death. It is a temple built in 1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu in outer Sakurada to mourn for Imagawa Yoshimoto. After being destroyed by fire the temple was moved to Takanawa, Minato City in Tokyo. On the grounds there is Ako Gishi's Memorial Hall, a memorial hall for the Akogishi Warriors and many artefacts are on display. Many people visit the temple in the spring and winter when a festival for the warriors is held.

This shrine was on my B-list of sites to visit - SO thankful that the woman sitting next to my daughter on the flight to Japan insisted we visited it. Like so many other shrines, it has the peace...
Yokohama Arena

4.0

182 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kanagawa Pref. Yokohamashi Kouhoku-ku Shinyokohama 3-10

This multipurpose event arena, first opened in April 1989, can accommodate up to 17,000 people. Able to host concerts, ceremonies, and a variety of other events, Yokohama Arena has also been selected as one of the 100 best event halls in Japan. Yokohama Arena offers a full suite of features, including giant video monitor systems, sound systems suitable for a variety of events, and universally designed facilities. The surrounding area includes convenience stores, restaurants, and hotels as well.

コロナ非常事態宣言解除後感染対策をしっかりして催し物を再開し、以来一度も感染者を出していないと聞いており、こんなときだが安心して入場できた。当方コンサートで利用したが、室内だがグッズ売場が入場口の真裏でかなり離れており、利用者が隔離されるような格好になっていた。ホール内に入る際に検温があり消毒させられたが、グッズ売場までどこにも触る機会がないにも関わらずまた消毒させられ、さらに販売窓口で販売員...
Museum Meiji-Mura

4.5

501 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Aichi Pref. Inuyamashi Uchiyama 1

This outdoor museum is located in Inuyama City. It displays a number of buildings from the Meiji period, the era that created the foundation for modern Japan, that have been transplanted from across the country. Located on a large hilly area facing Lake Iruka, the museum's numerous exhibits include buildings designed as national important cultural properties such as the former residence of Saigo Judo and the St. John's Church from Kyoto, railway monuments, and modern industrial heritages. The museum also features a number of hands-on facilities including one where visitors can ride on steam locomotives or a Kyoto street car and another where visitors can take commemorative photos dressed in fashionable Meiji era-style garb. Fees are required for some activities. Groups of 20 or more can play a real-world ''Game of Life'' that takes place over the entire village (reservation required).

I had been there some times before. Every time I went there, it was an interesting experiences. Especially, you can see buildings of Meiji period. If you have any interest in architecture and design...
Kashima-jingu Shrine

4.5

355 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ibaraki Pref. Kashimashi Kyuchu 2306-1

Located in Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture, this old shrine is said to have been constructed in 600BC, during the inaugural year of Emperor Jinmu. It is the oldest in the Kanto region and the head shrine of the approximately 600 Kashima Shrines across the country. The grounds feature a main hall, one of Japan’s Top 3 Tower Gates, pebbles, and a treasure hall with a straight sword designated as a National Treasure. The “Great Imperial Ofuna Festival” held once every 12 years is famous.

The shrine is considered as one of the three most important shrines in the Kanto area and is said to have been founded in the 6th century B.C.in the era of the legendary emperor Jimmu. The forest is...
Osaka Museum of History

4.0

604 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Chuou-ku Otemae 4-1-32

This museum northwest of Naniwanomiyaato Park in Chuo Ward, Osaka City opened in 2001. A permanent exhibit entitled ''Toshi Osaka no Ayumi'' covering the history of Osaka from ancient times to today takes up the 7th to 10th floors. The top floor features a recreation of the council hall of the Nara-period Naniwa Palace complete with 70 cm-thick vermillion-lacquered pillars and life-sized figures of government officials. Each floor presents the history and culture of Osaka through recreations of buildings, miniature models, videos, and abundant artifacts. The remains of Naniwa Palace are preserved in the museum's basement. Tours are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

This is very interesting to learn about Osaka and its history. Located by the Castle and you can easily combine the two. Easy to navigate and well laid out. Highly recommend if you want to learn...
Zuihoden Mausoleum

4.0

617 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Miyagi Pref. Sendaishi Aoba-ku Otamayashita 23-2

Zuihoden, the mausoleum of Date Masamune who died in 1636 at the age of 70, was built at his request. It consists of the main shrine, hall of worship, place of mercy, and Nirvana gate, conveying to the present the characteristics of luxurious and elegant Momoyama culture. Although it was designated as a National Treasure in 1937, it was destroyed by fire during the war in 1945. It was rebuilt in 1979, and large renovation works were carried out in 2001, and the beautiful colors were restored.

Interesting architectural structure surrounded by a peaceful green surroundings. Very serene when I was there and there wasn’t a lot of people as well. This was where the late Date Masamune was...
Nomura Samurai Residence

4.0

876 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Nagamachi 1-3-32

A collection of buildings which once served as the residence of the Nomura samurai family during the era of Japan’s feudal domains. This popular tourist destination is located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa. Walking the stone paving and earthen walled alleys of the site, you’ll be able to get a taste of the life a samurai and his lady wife lived during the Edo period. The Nomura family served as regional administrators for generations; today, their home is open to the general public, and visitors can view fusuma screen paintings by the Kano school painter Sasaki Senkei, the interiors of buildings with glass and paper screen doors, tea rooms, and the family garden. Visited by great numbers of tourists from overseas as well, the residence is an internationally renowned sightseeing spot.

We really enjoyed our time here.. lot of history and was such a tranquil place..set aside an hour and make the trip here.. Samurai museum is 1 min up the road..
Hanazono Shinto Shrine

4.0

602 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tokyo Shinjuku-ku Shinjuku 5-17-3

This shrine located in a corner of the downtown Shinjuku district of Tokyo’s Shinjuku City has enshrined the sochinju (local Shinto deity) of Shinjuku since before the Edo Shogunate. Because it was constructed on a beautiful hanazono (“flower garden”) when it was moved in the late 1700s, it was called the Hanazono Inari Jinja, which is the origin of the current shrine name. On the premises are the Itoku Inari Jinja Shrine which is for prayers about prosperity in business, conception of children, and marriage, and the Geino Asama Jinja Shrine which enshrines the deity of performing arts, and the shrine is visited by many worshippers that are women or performers. Every year on the Tori-no-Hi (Bird Day) in November, a Tori-no-Ichi (Bird Day Fair) is held, and this is the shrine’s biggest event that draws a crowd of visitors.

Beautiful and peaceful shrine in the middle of Shinjuku Tokyo where it can get very hectic and busy. Great place to meditate and reflect.
Ise Jingu Naiku

Travel / Tourism

Mie Pref. Iseshi Ujitachichou 1

This is the other one of Ise Jingu’s shogu, officially called Kotaijingu. It is considered to have begun when the imperial princess Yamato-hime-no-miya determined that Amaterasu Omikami would be enshrined on the banks of the Isuzugawa River. Crossing over the Ujibashi Bridge and proceeding along the long gravel path that approaches the shrine over which Japanese cedar trees tower, one will arrive at the o-seiden (main building), which is enclosed by multiple layers of fencing. The vast grounds include a kagura hall, betsugu (an associated shrine), and free rest areas for worshippers, and the entire area is enveloped in a sacred atmosphere. Visitors can take a bus from Isuzugawa Station or Ujiyamada Station and get off at the Naiku-mae stop.
Gotoku-ji Temple

4.5

446 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tokyo Setagaya-ku Goutokuji 2-24-7

A Soto Buddhist temple located in 2 Chome Gotokuji, Setagaya City, Tokyo. The temple was built in 1480 by Kira Masatada, then lord of Setagaya Castle. According to a historical anecdote, a man named Ii Naotaka, the second lord of Hikone Domain (which also ruled Setagaya subsequently), escaped being struck by lightning after a cat beckoned him to enter the temple, and thus the temple is also said to be the origin of Japan's famed maneki-neko beckoning cat figures. Countless beckoning cat figures are arranged around the temple's grounds, and many tourists visit the temple to see this stunning sight.

To let others know incase you share my characteristics - I am queer/trans, overweight, tattooed, use a walking stick with limited mobility, white british. I was treated well and not required to cover...
Ohya History Museum

4.5

605 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Utsunomiyashi Oyamachi 909

This museum is at the site of a former quarry in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture. Apart from introducing guests to the history of Oya stone mining and its techniques, it displays tools used for hand excavation between Japan’s feudal era and the 1950s in its exhibition hall. At a depth of 30 meters, the quarry spans a vast 20 thousand square meters, producing a mysterious world like an underground temple or the inside of a pyramid. It is also used as a location for shooting films and television dramas, as well as a concert venue.

We decided to go here because it was very different from the normal touristy attractions. But let me tell you it didn’t disappoint the way it is set up is amazing. Lights set in such a way to enhance...
Kyoto International Manga Museum

4.0

609 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Karasuma-ku Ikegami Le, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

This manga museum in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto, is Japan's largest manga museum. It first opened in 2006. Including valuable works from the Meiji period and the post-WWII period as well as popular modern titles and foreign works, they have almost 300,000 pieces in their collection. One of their showcases is a ''Manga Wall'' with 50,000 volumes of manga arrayed on bookcases that visitors can freely read. The spacious building is the former Tatsuike Elementary School and people can be found everywhere inside or outside on the lawn reading manga. This is a popular location for foreign tourists and couples.

This is a museum just for manga, a must for lovers of manga and subcultures. As long as you pay the admission fee, you can immerse yourself in the world of manga all day long. The museum has a...