Sakata, Japan, 2024-04-08

Detailed description of Sakate

Sakata is a charming city with a lot to offer visitors. It is a great place to learn about Japanese history and culture, enjoy the natural beauty of the area, and sample some of the delicious food. Some of the popular local dishes include harusame (thin noodles), kamo no mukko (grilled duck), and sake kasu jiru (miso soup made with sake).

  Homma Residence                                                              Homma Museum of Art

The Homma Historical Residence is a great place to see the difference between classes in Japan from the 1700s onwards in Sakata City. Originally built over 250 years ago in 1768 by the famous third generation of the family, Mitsuoka Homma, what became the Homma Historical Residence building was made in the samurai style to host visits from inspectors of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

 

If you’re wanting a taste of life for the elite in Japan from the 18th Century, the Homma Museum and adjacent Seienkaku Villa and accompanying Kakubuen Gardens are an excellent spot.

It is  also a garden art museum with the Kyoto-style pure Japanese architecture ``Seienkaku'' and the garden ``Tsurumai-en''. In a kiln in one corner of the garden, Honma ware, a folk craft, is made.

The collection mainly consists of fine arts and crafts that have been handed down from generation to generation by the Honma family. 

Detailed description of Sakate

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Hakodate, Japan 2024-04-11 and 2024-05-01

Detailed description of Hakodate

Hakodate 300 000 h., is a port city on the southern tip of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. It is known for its fresh seafood, its unique history and culture, and its beautiful scenery. Hakodate is surrounded by mountains and sea, and it offers stunning views of both. The city is also home to several parks and gardens, including Goryokaku Park, which is famous for its star-shaped design.

Hakodate was one of the first Japanese ports to open up to foreign trade in the 19th century. As a result, it has a rich and diverse history and culture, with influences from Japan, Europe, and Russia.

Hakodate is a major fishing port, and its seafood is some of the freshest in Japan. The city is known for its uni (sea urchin), squid, and crab. This bustling fish market is a great place to sample Hakodate's fresh seafood and other local delicacies.

The Hakodate Ropeway takes you to the top of Mount Hakodate observatory, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and the surrounding.

Mount Hakodate Observatory is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hakodate, Japan, known for its stunning panoramic views of the city, Tsugaru Strait, and surrounding mountains. The observatory is located on the summit of Mount Hakodate and is also home to a restaurant, gift shop, and event hall. Mount Hakodate is a 334-meter-high inactive volcanic mountain in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan.

 The Motomachi district is home to many Western-style buildings, including the Hakodate Orthodox Church and the Old British Consulate. It is designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government.

The church's exterior is made of red brick and has a distinctive green copper roof. The octagonal bell tower is topped by a golden cross.

Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward

The Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward is an important cultural property in Hakodate, Japan. It was completed in 1910 and is a stunning example of Giyōfū architecture, which combines Japanese and Western elements.

Detailed description of Hakodate

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Tokyo 東京 2024-04

Detailed description of Tokyo

Tokyo (東京 Tōkyō) is the enormous and wealthy capital of Japan, and also its main city, overflowing with culture, commerce, and most of all, people. As the most populated urban area in the world, Tokyo is a fascinating and dynamic metropolis that mixes foreign influences, consumer culture and global business along with remnants of the capital of old Japan. From modern electronics and gleaming skyscrapers to cherry blossoms and the Imperial Palace, this city represents the entire sweep of Japanese history and culture. Tokyo truly has something for every traveller.

Hachikō Square

Welcome to Hachiko, the famed intersection just outside of Tokyo’s Shibuya Station. Hachiko is a fascinating sightseeing spot in Japan for a number of reasons: the exciting crosswalk dance described above; its function as Tokyo’s most popular meeting spot and the entranceway into the trendy youth district of Shibuya.

Some of the interesting things in Tokyo:

Like an island of respite, the Tokyo Imperial Palace is surrounded by parks and gardens offering a getaway from the busy city streets. Surrounding the home of the Emperor, the grounds are painstakingly maintained and are one of the top destinations for visitors to the capital.

Aoyama Park Cemetery青山霊園

The cemetery is famous for its cherry blossoms, and at the season of hanami, which many people would visit.

The National** Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation

The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo (Miraikan) is dedicated to the future. It showcases the latest scientific and technological advances, and explores the social and ethical implications of these advances. Its focus on the future. 

It explores how new technologies could change our lives, and the challenges and opportunities that these changes present. Its interactive exhibits. Miraikan's exhibits are designed to be hands-on and interactive. Visitors can try out new technologies, learn about scientific principles, and explore the future for themselves

Asakusa Shrine

Asakusa Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Tokyo. It is dedicated to the three men who founded the Sensoji Temple, which is located nearby. The shrine is a beautiful example of traditional Japanese architecture, and it is a popular spot for both tourists and locals.

Detailed description of Tokyo

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YOKOHAMA (横浜) THURSDAY, 13-16 MARCH, 13-27 APRIL

Detailed description of Yokohama

Yokohama is a vibrant city located on the coast of Tokyo Bay, just south of Tokyo. It is the second-largest city in Japan (3,8 millions) and is known for its multicultural atmosphere, modern skyline, and delicious food.

Some of the interesting things in Yokohama:

·        Yokohama Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in Japan and one of the largest in the world. It is home to over 500 Chinese restaurants and shops, as well as several temples and cultural attractions.

·        Yokohama is a great city for foodies. The city is known for its fresh seafood, ramen, and Chinese cuisine. Visitors can also find a variety of international restaurants in Yokohama, from Italian to Indian to Mexican.

·        Yamashita Park: A waterfront park with gardens, fountains, and a monument to the victims of the Great Kanto Earthquake.

·        Yokohama Museum of Art: A museum with a collection of over 11,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and photography.

·        Sankeien Garden: A traditional Japanese garden with over 10,000 trees and shrubs, as well as several historical buildings. 

Detailed description of Yokohama

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2024-04-07 Toyama

Detailed description of the Toyama area

 The area near Fushiki-Toyama Port holds many famous sightseeing spots that have recently been attracting a large number of visitors, such as Takaoka, Kanazawa and shirakawa, World Heritage Sites. 

Toyama Bay is well known for its stunning panoramic view of the Tateyama Mountain Range seen from across the bay. This natural beauty, along with highly-praised environmental protection initiatives, have led to Toyama Bay's unanimous approval as a member of the "Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club".

Toyama Glass Art Museum

Takaoka

Takaoka is known for its metalworking, lacquerware, and glassmaking traditions. It is also home to a number of historical and cultural attractions, including the Zuiryuji Temple, the Takaoka Daibutsu, and the Takaoka Castle Park.

The Amaharashi Coast in Takaoka is a scenic stretch of coastline in the Noto Peninsula Quasi-National Park in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture, Japan. It is known for its dramatic cliffs, white sand beaches, and stunning views of the Tateyama Mountains.

The Amaharashi Coast is a popular spot for photographers and nature lovers alike. On clear days, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Tateyama Mountains, which are often snow-capped even in the summer. 

Kanazawa

Kanazawa, one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, is known for its well-preserved Edo-era (1603-1868) districts, art museums, and regional handicrafts. It was the seat of the powerful Maeda clan during the Edo period. The Maeda were patrons of the arts and culture, and their legacy can be seen in Kanazawa's many historical districts, temples, and shrines.

Kanazawa is home to Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens. Kenrokuen is a beautiful Japanese stroll garden with a variety of landscapes, including a pond, waterfalls, and teahouses.

Shirakawa*** and Gokayama***

Shirakawa-go is a village in the Gifu Prefecture that is best known for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses. These farmhouses are characterized by their steeply pitched thatched roofs, which are designed to withstand the heavy snowfall that the region receives in the winter. These farmhouses are over 250 years old and are still used as homes and businesses by the village residents. The gassho-zukuri farmhouses are also unique in that they are built without nails, using a traditional Japanese woodworking technique called mortise and tenon.

Shirakawa-go was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, and it is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. Visitors can tour the gassho-zukuri farmhouses, learn about the traditional way of life in the village, and enjoy the stunning natural scenery.

Detailed description of the Toyama area

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2024-04-10 Otaru and Sapporo

Detailed description of the Otaru area

Otaru

Otaru is known for its beautiful canal, which was built in the late 19th century. The canal is lined with old warehouses and merchant houses, which give the city a charming atmosphere. Otaru is also a good place to try Hokkaido's fresh seafood. Some of the local specialties include uni (sea urchin), ikura (salmon roe), and shirako (fish sperm). Otaru is a city also famous for its glass. There are a lot of glass factories.

Sapporo

Sapporo, Japan (2 million hab.) is the fifth-largest city in the country and the capital of Hokkaido, the northernmost island. It is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a lot to offer visitors.

Botanic Garden Hokkaidō University

Among the highlights of this meandering, 14-hectare outdoor garden maintained by Hokkaidō University, is a collection of 200 plants and herbs historically used by the Ainu as medicine, food and raw materials for clothing. There's also a landscaped section that evokes the alpine scenery of a mountain in Daisetsuzan, in northern Hokkaidō.

Detailed description of the Otaru area

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2024-03-25 Aburatsu port

Detailed description of the Aburatsu area

Aburatsu is a natural port and a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful scenery and ocean views. The port is located on the Nichinan Coast and was designated a Special Major Port in 1952.
Aburatsu is known for its fresh seafood market where visitors can buy fish, shellfish, and other seafood. The port also has souvenir shops where visitors can buy local crafts and snacks.You can download the Aburastsu Port tourist information, it’s full of well-presented information.

The Aoshima Jinja Shrine, 35 km from the port, is a Shinto shrine located on the small island of Aoshima. The shrine is dedicated to the deities Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess, and Himuka Hotode no Mikoto, the god of agriculture.

The shrine is said to have been founded over 1,500 years ago, and it is one of the most important Shinto shrines in Kyushu. 

Detailed description of the Aburatsu area

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