A 2-hour 15-minute JR bus ride from Hachinohe Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen line brings you to Lake Towada — a double caldera lake straddling Aomori and Akita Prefectures. At 326.8 meters deep, Japan’s third-deepest lake shifts between sapphire, cerulean, and emerald with the seasons, earning its centuries-old reputation as “the lake where the dragon […]
Just 30 minutes from Sendai by JR Senseki Line, Shiogama Shrine stands atop a hill in Shiogama City as the Ichinomiya (highest-ranking shrine) of the former Mutsu Province — a guardian of the entire Tohoku region for over 1,200 years. Climb the iconic 202 stone steps of the front approach and you’ll emerge into a
Rising on the border between Akita and Yamagata Prefectures, Mount Chokai stands at 2,236 meters as Tohoku’s second-highest peak. Its beautiful conical shape has earned it the name “Dewa Fuji,” and it has been revered as a sacred site of mountain worship since ancient times. At the summit sits the main hall of Omonoimi Shrine,
Step off the shuttle bus at Tatamidaira (2,702m) and the world transforms: a sea of clouds stretches to the horizon, 3,000-meter peaks pierce the sky, and the air carries a purity that only exists above the treeline. This is Mount Norikura—a massive volcanic complex of 23 peaks, 7 lakes, and 8 plateaus at the southern
Todai-ji Temple, located in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, is the head temple of the Kegon school of Buddhism, established in the Nara period (8th century) by imperial decree of Emperor Shomu. Home to the beloved “Great Buddha of Nara” (Daibutsu), the Vairocana Buddha statue stands approximately 15 meters tall and weighs about 250 tons—an overwhelming
Ise Jingu shrine grounds (image) Quick Access Summary | From | To | Method | Time | Cost | |——|—–|——–|——|——| | Ujiyamada Stn | Naiku | Bus 51/55 | 16-22 min | ¥520 | | Iseshi Stn | Naiku | Bus 51/55 | 15-20 min | ¥430 | | Iseshi Stn | Geku | Walk
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The sacred approach to Tosa Shrine (image) Tosa Shrine, located in Ichinomiya, Kochi City, is a sacred sanctuary with over 1,400 years of history as the Ichinomiya (first-ranked shrine) of Tosa Province. Affectionately called “Shinane-sama” by locals, this shrine attracts numerous visitors during the annual “Shinane Festival” held every August. The moment you step into
Located on the shores of Lake Ashi in Hakone Town, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture, Hakone Shrine is one of the Kanto region’s premier power spots with approximately 1,250 years of history. Founded in 757 (Tenpyo-hoji 1) by the monk Mangan Shonin, it has long been revered as the “Guardian of All Kanto” by samurai warriors
Located in Fujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture, Lake Kawaguchi is a beautiful lake with the longest shoreline among the Fuji Five Lakes. At approximately 830 meters elevation, with a circumference of about 21 kilometers and maximum depth of about 15 meters, the “Inverted Fuji” (Sakasa Fuji) reflected on the lake surface is an iconic
Located at the western edge of Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, where the Ishikari River winds through the mountains, lies Kamui Kotan. In the Ainu language, “Kamui Kotan” means “the place where gods dwell,” and this land has been revered as a sacred site by the Ainu people since ancient times. The Ishikari River flows as rapids