Greater Tokyo

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Yokohama Customs (The Queen’s Tower)

Yokohama Customs (The Queen’s Tower)

A landmark dome built in the style of an Islamic mosque. Fondly known as the "Queen", this tower stands at 51 meters tall, making it the tallest of Yokohama's three towers. The current building is the third version (having been destroyed and reconstructed twice), and was completed in 1934. The customs materials exhibition room on the first floor, "Queen's Square," is packed with information on the history and role of Yokohama Customs, genuine and counterfeit goods, the Washington Convention, and smuggling methods. Look for Custom-kun (the customs mascot) at the entrance!

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Salon de Thé Rosage, a dessert restaurant at Odakyu Hotel de Yama

Salon de Thé Rosage, a dessert restaurant at Odakyu Hotel de Yama

Salon de Thé Rosage, located on the shores of Lake Ashi in Hakone, is a dessert restaurant serving delicious tea, sweets, and light meals. When the weather is good, you can enjoy an elegant tea time on terrace seating savoring tea and desserts alongside the breeze of Lake Ashi. Certified as a cafe with delicious tea by the Japan Tea Association, this restaurant offers over 15 varieties of tea leaves selected meticulously by the tea instructors. Pair your tea with traditional apple pie, seasonal limited-edition sweets, and light lunch plates during lunchtime. Come indulge yourself with a luxurious moment aside Lake Ashi!

Eat & Drink Koshu kaido Tokaido KANAGAWA
Hiking Trails in Hakone with a Volunteer Guide

Hiking Trails in Hakone with a Volunteer Guide

For those seeking solace in Hakone's nature, those fascinated by its terrain and history, and those eager to enjoy hiking—check out this course tailored to your personal preferences and fitness level, and adjust the course itself day-of according to weather and your physical condition.Come and experience Hakone's charm at a relaxed, leisurely pace, without overexertion. The following hiking course examples can be walked in either direction, or you can choose to walk all or just part of them.Easy:① Lake Ashi Lakeside Stroll (Hakone Checkpoint - Onshi Hakone Park - Hakone Shrine - Hakone-en Park - Kuzuryu no Mori Park - Kojiri)② Sengokuhara Grasslands Stroll (Hakone Visitor Center - Kojiri Water Gate - Former Farming and Grazing Site - Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands)③ Old Kamakura Road Stone Buddha Tour (Ashinoyu - Shojingaike Pond - Rokudo Jizo Statues)Moderate:④ Stone-paved Old Tokaido Road Stroll (Motohakone - Amazake Chaya - Hatajuku)⑤ Two Waterfall Tour (Hatajuku - Hiryu Falls - Yusaka Trail - Chisuji Falls - Kowakudani)Hard:⑥ Mt. Kintoki Climb (Popular among hikers)⑦ Mt. Kamiyama (Hakone's highest peak) and Mt. Komagatake Climb (Ropeway available)⑧ Mt. Myojingatake and Mt. Myojogatake Climb (The mountains for Gora's Daimonji-yaki - lighting torches to in the shape of the character Dai)

Experience & Activities Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Koboyama Park

Koboyama Park

This prefectural nature park consists of three low mountains, and hiking can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons. The view from the observatory extends from Sagami Bay to Mt. Fuji, and has been selected by the Kanto Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as one of the "100 Best Views of Fujimi in Kanto". In spring, the park is famous for its cherry blossoms, with over 1,400 cherry trees in bloom, and in 1994 it was selected as one of the "100 Best Places for Flowers in Kanagawa".

Nature & Views Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Hokoku-ji Temple

Hokoku-ji Temple

This ancient temple in Kamakura is known for the 1,000 moso bamboo trees on its grounds. Even in the present day, the solemn atmosphere of the temple conveys the tragedy of the Ashikaga clan. It also features a beautiful bamboo grove and garden. The “Sunday Zazen-kai” (Zen meditation), which has a reputation for being strict, is held every Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. and is open to everyone. Please wear comfortable clothes to participate.This is probably the most impressive bamboo grove you will ever see. Be sure to get tickets for the temple's tranquil teahouse experience before entering.A temple in Kamakura with a beautiful garden and bamboo grove. A Sunday Zen meditation session is held at 7:30 in the morning every Sunday and is open to everyone. The session is reputed to be very strict, and be sure to wear comfortable clothing if you would like to participate.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Lacquer Workshop, NAMIKI (PILOT)

Lacquer Workshop, NAMIKI (PILOT)

Pilot Corporation, known today for the pens, created a high-end fountain pen utilizing Maki-e lacquer techniques in 1926 (Taisho 15). Later, the Kokkokai (a group of Maki-e artisans) was founded with living national treasure Maki-e artisan, Gonroku Matsuda, as its center. As a result, the ancient Japanese art of Maki-e has been preserved for over 100 years. Today, the workshop is in a brick building in Hiratsuka, which previously housed the former Second Navy Ammunitions Arsenal. The history of Maki-e-lacquered fountain pens and lacquered pieces are part of the exhibit.

Experience & Activities Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Kita-kamakura Takaranoniwa

Kita-kamakura Takaranoniwa

Roughly a 10 minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station, this 85-year-old traditional Japanese house is surrounded by a spacious garden and lush greenery and offers reservation-based workshops, such as pottery experiences, cooking classes, dyeing workshops, and yoga. Pottery experiences are held daily. Experience fees are as follows: Leaf plate making: 3,400 yen, bowl making: 5,000 yen and up (shipping seperate). Private rentals are available depending on group size. Lunch boxes or meals can be provided alongside workshops. The attached gallery is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as well as holidays, from 11AM to 4PM (no reservation required). You can also enjoy drinks in the garden on sunny days. Check the website calendar for events, such as the monthly Handmade Market and Weekend Cafe.

Experience & Activities Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA