Todaiji Temple
In the Nara period (710-794), Emperor Shomu had the Rushana Daibutsu (Great Buddha) built at his request, and a memorial service was held in 752. This temple is one of the representative temples of Nara. It took nearly 40 years to build the temple complex.
You can experience the unique style of Japanese temples while appreciating the beauty of Buddhist art.
Hirome Market
46 restaurants and 7 local product stores are packed on this lively food-stand street. This street is at the foot of Kochi Castle. It is convenient to stop by before or after touring the area.
So many food stalls gathered in one place! The environment is really clean, and both the dumplings and bonito are delicious.
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
A national park located in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City. Surrounded by the sea, the vast 350-hectare site is rich, and seasonal flowers are in full bloom all year round. It has playground equipment that even young children can enjoy and an "animal forest" where they can interact with animals, making it a fun place for even small children. The park is also popular among families.
In autumn, you can see Kochia and cosmos flowers. The park is huge, and you can rent a bike to explore the area.
Senjojiki (Wakayama Prefecture)
Senjojiki is a large, tiered rock formation that appears as if a thousand tatami mats are spread out. Senjojiki was named because there is enough space for a thousand (sen in Japanese) of tatami mats (jo, a unit for tatami in Japanese).
The natural rock formations are truly a masterpiece of nature. The sunset here is absolutely beautiful.
Kuzuryu Shrine Hongu
This is a sacred place of worship for the dragon gods, where the legend of the nine-headed dragon of Lake Ashinoko has been passed down to this day. It was built as a shrine outside the precincts of Hakone Shrine, which is known as the main shrine of the Kanto region, and stands in the lush Hakone Kuzuryu forest by Lake Ashinoko.
Right next to Hakone Shrine, Kuzuryu Shrine has both a main and a new shrine. They both worship the same main deity.
Hakone Sightseeing Cruise
A sightseeing ship that operates on Lake Ashinoko, a scenic spot in Hakone. The three ships, Royale II, Victory, and Queen Ashinoko, are characterized by their colorful and luxurious decorations. Each of them has a capacity of about 500 passengers and takes 25 to 35 minutes each way between Togendai Port, Hakone-machi Port, and Moto-Hakone Port. On a sunny day, the open deck is a great place to enjoy the scenery. Enjoy the pleasant breeze and the seasonal views of nature and mountains.
I boarded at Hakone-machi Port and took the cruise to Togendai Port, which took about 30 minutes. You can transfer to the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani from there. Along the way, you get a great panoramic view of Lake Ashinoko.
Japan Mint Bureau Ministry of Finance (Mint Museum)
The Mint Museum converted a building originally built as a thermal power plant in 1911 (Meiji 44). The brick exterior was maintained throughout the transformation to this date. In 1969, the museum opened to the public to display valuable coins and other items stored by the Mint. Later, with the motto of "a people-friendly, environmentally friendly, and attractive museum," the museum introduced the latest techniques to its exhibits and facilities to make it more accessible. As a result, the museum underwent a major renovation and reopened in April 2009.
The Osaka Mint Bureau is a fantastic spot for cherry blossom viewing. There are over a hundred varieties of cherry trees, but the viewing period is pretty short. Every year, huge crowds come to see the blossoms.