As soon as you walk in, it really doesn't feel like Japan at all. It's even a bit colder, and you actually get that British vibe (haha).
British Hills | Review by Ivy Lee
Other Reviews by Ivy Lee
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Sumida Heritage Museum
Sumida Ward, a key hub in the Sumida River basin since ancient times and a flourishing center of commoner culture during the Edo period, is now known for the TOKYO SKYTREE. The Sumida Heritage Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting materials related to the history, traditions, and local culture of Sumida Ward.
The exhibition covers the history of Sumida Ward, including sumo and downtown culture. If you're interested in Tokyo's older neighborhoods, you'll find it pretty interesting.
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Niu Kanshobu Shrine (Niukanshobu Jinja)
A historic shrine whose three main sanctuary buildings are registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It began in 816, when Kobo Daishi, Kukai, enshrined two deities: Niutsuhime (Niutsuhime) and Takanomiko (Takanomiko). Since then, it has protected the surrounding area as the gateway to pilgrimages to Mount Koya, weaving a long history. It is the 11th pilgrimage temple in Wakayama on the Shinto and Buddhist Sacred Sites Pilgrimage, and is a classic spot for locals to visit for Hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the New Year).
The moment you step into this shrine, you can tell it’s not just a typical city shrine. It feels deeply historic, with a calm, quiet energy.
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Former Muroran Station Building
Built in 1912, this station building is the oldest wooden station structure in Hokkaido. It stands as a symbol of Muroran’s history as a former hub for coal transport. The building served as the third Muroran Station building until 1997, and was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan in 1999. Its architectural style features a hipped roof sloping on all four sides, with a roofline and white exterior walls that retain the look of Western-style architecture from the Meiji era.
This old station has such a great vibe. The wooden structure really gives you a strong sense of history, almost like stepping back into the Meiji era!