Greater Tokyo

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Grand Mall Park

Grand Mall Park

As a park located on the waterfront, we developed a design based on the theme of "the sea" to create a facility that enhances the appeal of the Minato Mirai 21 district. Art furniture (benches) with a nautical motif were installed under a row of zelkova trees, where the sun shines through the trees. At night, a luminous sea pavement in front of the art square creates a new nightscape of Minato Mirai with illusory light reminiscent of luminous insects drifting among the waves of the sea.

Nature & Views Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Hakone Venetian Glass Museum

Hakone Venetian Glass Museum

An exhibition of Venetian glass masterpieces that fascinated European royal aristocrats during the Renaissance. There are various facilities in the museum, such as a cafe restaurant where you can enjoy Italian cuisine and original sweets made with seasonal ingredients, and a museum shop where you can find glass products directly imported from all over the world.Magical atmosphere for lovers of glass and Venice, but don't expect to see anything Japanese here. Good on both sunny and rainy days.

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Hakone-jinja Shrine

Hakone-jinja Shrine

Hakone Shrine is an ancient shrine celebrating its 1266th anniversary. Founded in 757, the first year of the Tenpyo-Hoji Era, at the beginning of the Nara Period (710-794), when Mamaki Shonin, who was in ascetic training on Mount Hakone, was entrusted by the Great God of Hakone to the shrine at its current location by Lake Ashi. During the Kamakura period, Minamoto no Yoritomo deeply worshipped Hakone Shrine, giving birth to the custom of nishomode (pilgrimage to two shrines). Since then, the shrine has flourished as a place of reverence for warriors such as the regent Hojo and the warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu, as well as a sacred place for Shugen (Japanese mountain asceticism). In modern times, with the construction of the Hakone Road, Hakone became a sacred place of worship for the common people, and belief in Mount Hakone as a deity highly virtuous for protecting against bad luck, fulfilling one's desire, and ensuring traffic safety became even more popular. The approach from the Heiwa-no-torii (peaceful gateway) by Lake Ashinoko to the main shrine is flanked by rows of cedar trees more than 600 years old, giving the shrine a majestic appearance, behind the vermilion-lacquered Gongen-zukuri main shrine building is a pure forest of himeshara, a natural treasure of Kanagawa Prefecture, and the Gongen Mitarashi pond and Lake Ashi below reflect the vermilion Peace Gate and the sacred Mount Fuji, surrounding the shrine with beautiful nature. Many visitors from around the world come to pay their respects at the Kuzuryu Shrine (Shingu and Hongu), which is a shrine revered not only for its good fortune and prosperity, but also for its protection of money, prosperity in business, and match-making, particularly during the Tsukinamisai held at the main shrine on the 13th of each month. [Divine virtues] Good luck repelling of bad luck, fulfillment of one’s desires (protection against bad luck), traffic safety, match-making, family safety, and business prosperity On July 31st, the shrine organizes the Ashinoko Kosui Matsuri Festival to celebrate a legendary dragon. Monks sail the lake on pirate ships offering red rice to the depths below. Floating lanterns illuminate the lake waters while fireworks light the skies above.Lake Ashinoko Summer Festival Week: Hakone Summer Festival offers a variety of events such as the biggest annual festival of Hakone Shrine with Shinto celebrations and rituals, fireworks, and more. Many fireworks will be launched at a total of six fireworks festivals, adding color to the summer Hakone sky.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Higeta Indigo Dyeing Workshop

Higeta Indigo Dyeing Workshop

Higeta Indigo Dyeing Workshop, established during the Kansei era (1789–1801), is a fabric-dyeing and weaving workshop. It is a rare workshop in Tochigi that inherited traditional indigo dyeing. It still uses the dyeing area created at the time of its establishment to dye the fabric in the traditional manner. Inside the 200-year-old building with a thatched roof, 72 earthenware indigo vats are neatly arranged. The building and the vat area are Tochigi Prefecture’s tangible cultural assets, and visitors can freely visit and see them. Indigo is a plant dye that has long colored ethnic costumes. Long ago in Japan, 80% of commoners’ cloths were dyed with indigo. The indigo color produced by the traditional Japanese indigo dyeing and plant dyeing methods is called Japan Blue and, together with the dyeing methods, is highly recognized around the world. The workshop engages not only in dyeing but also cotton cultivation, yarn-making, yarn dyeing, and handweaving in order to preserve the cotton tradition essential to the indigo dyeing culture. The workshop sells indigo-dyed cotton fabric, coasters, and tablecloths. Please come and see the traditional techniques and the beauty of indigo.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
British Embassy Villa Memorial Park

British Embassy Villa Memorial Park

After 120 years, the former British Embassy Villa opened its doors to the public as the British Embassy Villa Memorial Park on 1 July 2016. Ernest Satow, a British diplomat who contributed to Japan’s Meiji Restoration, built a private villa at the south bank of Lake Chuzenji in 1896. He loved Oku-Nikko, especially Lake Chuzenji as the area reminded him of the natural landscape of his home country. The villa was used as the British Embassy summer residence until 2008 before being donated to Tochigi prefecture in 2010 to be opened to the general public. In the early years of the villa, Satow’s friend Isabella Bird stayed here for a month and wrote of the impressive landscape of the villa. The British Embassy Villa Memorial Park presents exhibitions on British culture and the history of Oku-Nikko as an international summer resort. Visitors can immerse themselves in this historic setting while enjoying teatime in the villa (additional charges apply) and take in the picturesque view of Lake Chuzenji from the spacious veranda on the upper floor.

Oshu kaido Nikko kaido TOCHIGI
Tounodake

Tounodake

“Tonodake”, the most popular climbing spot in the Tanzawasan area, is known as the roof of Kanagawa Prefecture and boasts an elevation of 1,491 meters. Many climbers visit the mountain from early in the morning. There are a variety of routes that can be enjoyed by both beginners and advanced climbers. Once you reach the summit, a 360-degree panoramic view will refresh both your mind and body.Early morning trekking allows you to enjoy a special experience with fewer people and clear air.

Nature & Views Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise

Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise

Visitors do not have to pay an entrance fee for the island and are free to dine at the area’s restaurants, peruse its shops, and stroll through the grounds. However, tickets are required for the aquariums and amusement parks.With four themed aquariums, 16 attractions and lots of places to eat and shop, you can easily spend all day here at this amusement park. Don’t miss LIGHTIA, a show created by the strong bond between dolphins and humans, and the other night shows!

Experience & Activities Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Mount Nabewariyama

Mount Nabewariyama

Mt. Nabewari, or Nabewariyama, (1,273 meters above sea level), sits nestled within the Tanzawa mountains of Kanagawa Prefecture and is a popular climbing spot for its beautiful mountain views and local specialty, "nabeyaki" udon noodles. Many climbers aim for the summit in the clear morning air. The trail is diverse and offers spectacular seasonal views such as fresh greenery, autumn leaves, and icy mist in winter. From the summit, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Mount Fuji and Sagami Bay, giving you a great sense of accomplishment. The hot "nabeyaki" udon noodles served at the mountain lodge are a blissful treat that will relieve climbers of their fatigue. From beginners to experienced climbers, Mt. Nabewari offers something for everyone. Why not start your day with a refreshing early-morning climb?Trekking early in the morning, when the air is clearer and there are fewer people, is a special experience.

Nature & Views Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Jogashima

Jogashima

The island has been listed as a two-star destination in the revised third edition of Michelin Green Guide Japan. It has many scenic spots, with the southern hiking course offering views of the majestic Pacific Ocean and the strangely-shaped rock ‘Horseback Cave Mouth', while on the western part of the island, you can see views of Mt. Fuji over Sagami Bay. In addition, about 700,000 double-flowered daffodils planted all over the island are at their best from mid-January to early February.The southern part of Joagashima features untouched nature. Jagged cliffs hang over the white and blue waves, creating a remarkable landscape. It is also home to hiking trails and is a dream site for hikers and photographers alike. On the south side of the island you can find Jogashima Park. The park has an observatory, a picnic area, and a 16-meter-tall green lighthouse with a vegetable motif, the Awasaki Lighthouse. The gorgeous cliffs make a perfect place for hiking and resting.Jogashima is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year. In particular, from mid-January to mid-February, approximately 700,000 double-layered daffodils are in full bloom. You can also observe the Japanese cormorant, which is designated a protected species by Kanagawa Prefecture.

Nature & Views Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA