Climbing Mt. Nantai, a Sacred Site in Nikko The Tohai Kosha Taisai is the largest festival of Futarasan Jinja Shrine Chugushi, and has been held continuously for over 1,200 years since the late Nara period. Deeply rooted in the worship of Mt. Nantai, the festival takes place annually from July 31 to August 7. During this period, many visitors climb Mt. Nantai to pay their respects. In addition, pilgrims can climb Mt. Nantai at night during the festival. This allows climbers to reach the summit and witness the sunrise. At the shrine office, participants can receive items such as amulets, climbing certificates, sacred water, and coffee. Every year, around 2,000 climbers gather at night for this event. Before dawn, they set out, reaching the summit at around 4:40 a.m. to witness the rising sun. The sight of the glowing sun emerging from behind the sea of clouds is a truly awe-inspiring spectacle. The festival continues with rituals and ceremonies at the mountaintop.

Overview of the Furukawa Ashio History Museum Ashio Copper Mine is one of the most important copper-producing sites in Japanese history. Discovered during the Sengoku period (1550), it was later mined under the direct control of the Edo shogunate. It once served as an essential source of material for Kan’ei Tsūhō, the currency of the time. As output later declined, the mine was taken over by the Furukawa family during the Meiji period. Due to advances in technology, new ore veins were found, and under the then national policy of enriching the country and strengthening the military, the mine prospered, making the Furukawa family magnates of the mining industry.   The Furukawa Ashio History Museum tells the stirring story of that industrial dawn. In addition to models of the Ashio Mining Office and stories of successive managers, it also exhibits the various tools used by miners in those days, recounting the history of the Ashio area.

The town of Nogi is a popular tourist spot thanks to its beautiful flowers and the Nogi-machi Brick Kiln. The town hosts a summer “Sunflower Festival” in late July. Visitors can enjoy walking through 4.3 hectares of fields where two hundred thousand sunflowers are in full bloom.

The area around the Hatsuyama district of Ikuta Ryokuchi, Tonmori Tanito, where you can enjoy the scenery of the satoyama, which includes the Tonmori river and its fireflies, rice and other farming fields.

This unique institute is located in the plate-collision area, rarely found in the world. Here, research is done on geology, hot springs, groundwater, earthquakes, and volcanos. Visitors can see the displays of research results on the first floor.

Experience the secrets behind the delicious taste of Kirin Afternoon Tea, the flagship brand of Kirin Beverage. This tour features immersive visuals and first-hand experiences for both adults and children to enjoy. *Please note the Shonan Factory tour does not include factory production line viewings.

A long standing dye shop established in 1833, where craftsmen of the Edo Bakufu worked. The Tairyo-bata of Misaki is one of the Top 100 Picks of Kanagawa’s Local Specialties. Each and every one of the flags are handmade with traditional techniques passed down from the Edo Period and is used not only to celebrate a new ship, but other happy events such as marriage, childbirth, children’s festivals, and one’s 60th birthday. How about making your very own?

This is a temple of the Tendai sect located in Tsuchiya, Hiratsuka City. The temple has a Benten Hall Hoshuden where the eight-armed Uga Benzaiten is enshrined, and a cave Iwaya Reinan that represents the womb of Benzaiten, where Ugajin-o, a snake, is enshrined. In Iwaya Rein-ana, there is a pond for washing money, and it is popularly known as Tsuchiya Senarai Benzaiten.

Yokohama is full of stylish photospots for hakama outfits. In just 1-10 minutes, you can walk from our shop to Yokohama tourist attractions like the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, Yamashita Park, Yokohama Chinatown, and Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal. We offer approximately 80 hakama-specific kimonos in various colors and patterns for you to choose from. Hakama come in five classic colors (crimson, purple, green, navy, black), plus embroidered, pastel, and gradient designs. Lace-up boots, bags, and frilled parasols are also available for free rental.

This is a nature-rich managed fishing and barbecue area located in Tanzawa Oyama National Park. Visitors can enjoy mountain stream fishing in a natural setting and barbecue along the river while fishing. There is also a fishing pond for children and beginners, and trout catching can also be enjoyed in summer. Only 10 minutes from the Isehara-Oyama Interchange on the Second Tomei Expressway, it is easily accessible from the city center, making it an easy place to enjoy outdoor recreation.

Across from Yamashita Park is the historical Hotel New Grand. This was the first western-style hotel in Japan . You will want to visit the café that serves treats using the same recipes from opening day. Try the very tasty rum ball with your tea.

The fifth of the Five Great Mountains(temples) of Kamakura, Jpmyoji temple is a Buddhism temple belonging to the Kenchoji school of Rinzai Zen. There is a beautiful rock garden with a Japanese atmosphere. At the Kama Garden Terrace, you can enjoy the view of the garden while enjoying a cup of tea.

The Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art features works by the late Mr. Shoji Hamada， who was a designated Living National Treasure， as well as works by other ceramists associated with the town of Mashiko. On the same site， there are also the Sasajima Kihei Hall， which has permanent exhibitions of works by the printmaker Kihei Sasajima， who studied under Shiko Munakata， and the Mashiko Arts & Crafts Residence， which hosts artists-in-residence from all over the world as part of an international exchange program. Shoji Hamada's House， which has been designated as a Cultural Property by the town of Mashiko， includes a reconstruction of the climbing kiln that Mr. Hamada used. You can also pick a cup you like and enjoy tea or coffee at salon located on the premises of the museum. There is also a museum shop in the salon where you can buy Mashiko pottery and more."

Ippeizuka Inari Shrine was historically the "souja" shrine of Sano City. The main shrine is vermillion painted in an avatar style， and the copper torii gate within the grounds is designated as a National Art Treasure. The hatsu uma matsuri (first horse day in March) has long been celebrated by large numbers of people in the past. The "shinkomanjyu" dumplings are especially popular."

It is said that over 3,000 students studied at the school during the disturbances of the 10-year civil war (Onin War) starting in the 15th century.   When the Catholic missionary Francis Xavier came to the country in 1549, he described it as “Japan’s largest and most famous school” in his correspondence. Ashikaga thus became widely known overseas as well.   Today buildings have been restored，and visitors can view classrooms in their original historic form and join a program reading The Analects of Confucius on Sundays.

Reservation Required:The predecessor of the Tanaka family is depicted in Utagawa Hiroshige's ukiyo-e. Tanakaya has been loved by many celebrities including Hirofumi Ito, Soseki Natsume, and statesman of the Meiji period, Soseki Natsume. Being introduced by Katsu Kaishu, Ryoma Sakamoto's wife, Oryo, worked here.

This hall was built in 1932 as the main building of Okura Mental and Cultural Laboratory, by a business-man Okura Kunihiko, who bacame the dean of Toyo University. The hall was donated to Yokohama City in 1981, and after a major renovation to preserve the building, the hall was transformed into Okurayama Memorial Hall in 1984.The hall was designated as a tangible cultural property of Yokohama City in 1991, as the hall occupies an important place in the modern architechtural market. You cannot view the hall and the meeting room as the building is usually used as a local facility, but you can see the common space such as the entrance. The building is famous for being the site of filming, and over 30 films are shot in a year.

A 24.6 hectares park known for its natural landscapes and scenic beauty. Every year, the sakura (Somei Yoshino) blooming in late March is a sight not to be missed.