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Heiwa Kannon

Heiwa Kannon

This huge statue of the goddess Kannon was carved into the wall of a former Oya stone quarry and stands 27 meters tall. It was entirely hand carved as a prayer for those who have fallen in battle and as a hope for world peace. There are well maintained paths and stairs around the statue and from the top you can see all across Oya. If you are visiting Heiwa Kannon, you might also want to check out the Oyaji Temple and the local history museum that are nearby."

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Kirifuri Falls

Kirifuri Falls

Kirifuri Waterfall is an impressive, two-tiered waterfall located below the Kirifuri Highlands. The upper being 25 meters, and the lower being 26 meters with a total length of 75 meters. The waterfall is split into two upper and lower stages, it is called Kirifuri because of the fact that when the lower stage hits the rocks the water scatters into fog (the characters in the waterfall's name "kiri" means "fog" in Japanese and "furi" means to fall. ) The surrounding nature blends together with the scenery gracefully, and this magnificent view was captured by Katsushika Hokusai in a representative Edo-era ukiyo-e (wood block print). Upstream of Kirifuri Falls, there is a little-known spot known as "Kirifuri Kakure Santaki" or The Three Hidden Waterfalls of Kirifuri. It is about 10 meters high, but there is the powerful "Choji no Taki", and “Tamasudare no Taki”."

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Lake Ikari

Lake Ikari

Lake Ikari is a reservoir on the Ojikagawa River, downstream of Yunishigawa Dam.The lake's name, which means ""50 'ri' lake,"" is derived from the fact the lake is located 50 'ri' from Nihonbashi in Edo. During the fall foliage season from mid-October to early November, the lake and the fiery leaves of the trees on its shore create a beautiful contrast, attracting large numbers of visitors. Around May 5th each year, koinobori carp streamers can be seen ""swimming"" as they are flown from the top of Ikari Dam.""

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Wakayama Farm Bamboo Forest

Wakayama Farm Bamboo Forest

Wakayama Farm is a family farm that has been producing chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and bamboo seedlings over three generations. The spectacular bamboo forest that extends in the 24-hectare land is also popular as a filming location for movies and commercials. Farm visitors can try bamboo shoot harvest and bamboo craft creation in addition to a walk in the bamboo forest. On weekends and holidays, you can enjoy an out-of-ordinary experience including drinking matcha from a bowl made from bamboo and seeing the illuminated bamboo forest at night. The café offers meals that feature the flavor of ingredients grown by farmers in the neighborhood and drinks that are perfect to take on a walk. The farm also has a museum where visitors can learn about the ecology and use of bamboo and a gallery showcasing Japanese bamboo handicrafts. The shop sells agricultural products including bamboo shoots, chestnuts, and blueberries, and also the chestnuts sweet “Oh Kuri” made by thoroughly kneading the nuts of carefully grown chestnuts. You will also find the farm’s original bamboo shoot products such as jars of additive-free boiled bamboo shoots harvested in spring.  

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Meisui-no-Sato Nikko Okaki (rice cracker) Factory

Meisui-no-Sato Nikko Okaki (rice cracker) Factory

The Meisui-no-Sato Nikko Okaki Factory produces rice crackers utilising Nikko’s clear spring water and domestically grown rice. Choose savoury delights for yourself or the perfect gifts for your loved ones from over 50 varieties of products available at the on-site shop. Sample the range of flavours on offer based on the special family-secret recipes and traditional handcraft skills. Some products are only available at the factory shop such as the freshly fried “Age-mochi Okaki” rice crackers. Try your hand at baking rice crackers or making your own hand-illustrated rice crackers, a memorable travel experience! Enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and soft drinks at the lounge. You can also place an order online or by phone or fax.

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Itamuro Onsen

Itamuro Onsen

A peaceful Onsen resort in the mountain ravines located in the western Nasu mountains. The clear alkaline hot spring water is known for its health benefits and the Onsen was designated as a “National Health Spa” by the Ministry of the Environment in 1971. Nestling into a natural landscape and surrounded by a richly preserved environment, most visitors come here for in search of the renowned health effects. Long known as a rustic therapeutic spa, the Onsen maintains its distinctive atmosphere. The temperature of the source of spring water is from 38℃ to 45℃, and its lukewarm water is gentle to the body.

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Kanuma Autumn Festival

Kanuma Autumn Festival

The Kanuma Autumn Festival, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event, will be held in Kanuma, Japan, in grand style, bringing the tradition and elegance of the Edo Period festivals to the present day. The “Yatai Event of Kanuma Imamiya Shrine Festival,” the core of this festival, was designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in February 2003, and was also registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage on December 1, 2016 as one of the “Yama, Hoko, Yatai Event”.   For two days, 26 gorgeous yatai, which are also called “moving Yangmyongmon,” will parade through the streets of Kanuma in a heroic manner.   On the first day of the festival, “Nuriikomi” begins around noon, when 26 yatai pass through the torii gate and enter the precincts of Imamiya Shrine. At around 5:00 p.m., all the yatai will light lanterns and return to their respective neighborhoods with a musical accompaniment.   On the second day, after the “Citizens' Parade” of “marching bands” and “Mikoshi” in the morning, “Yatai Aligned Pulling (Yatai Parade)” will be held around 2:00 p.m., in which 26 yatai will simultaneously drive along the Kominehara Palace Road (commonly called “Festival Road”).   The highlight of the festival is a musical performance called “Buttsuke” in which three to seven yatai perform at a junction. The music of the festival is a spectacular sight to behold, and the sounds of the heroic “Buttsuke” music will echo through the night on both days of the festival.

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Kawaji Onsen

Kawaji Onsen

A tranquil Onsen-kyo nestled in the valley where the Kinugawa and Ojika Rivers meet. Since the 18th century when the spa was discovered, Kawaji has prospered as a post station and a therapeutic spa. The simple alkaline hot spring is an effective treatment for neuralgia, rheumatism and particularly for injuries. The nearby nature trail leading to the scenic “Ryuokyo gorge” offers a lovely way to take in the floral scents and the sounds of local streams.

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Nagamine Park

Nagamine Park

One of "Japanese city park best 100", the famous azalea viewing place in Kanto City, North Kanto City, about 5,000 azaleas in full bloom here, and every year in May will be held “azalea festival”, swarming with many people.   From early April to mid-May (the peak season for cherry blossoms and azaleas), the park is illuminated at night, and the dreamlike flower scene makes people linger.   There are also lawn parks and amusement facilities in the park, which are suitable for family picnics. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Takahara and Mt. Nikko from the observatory in the park.

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Yaitaonsen Makotonoyu

Yaitaonsen Makotonoyu

Yaita Onsen Makoto-no-Yu is a hot spring with abundance of top quality water flowing straight from the hot spring source. Every minute, approximately 370L of hot spring water gushes from 1,300m underground at a temperature of around 64℃. In addition to the selection of indoor and spacious outdoor baths, there is also a footbath, a restaurant, a cafe, barbecue facilities, and even a spot where you can make "onsen tamago", eggs boiled using hot spring water. The villas and newly opened mountain glamping facilities are the perfect place to escape the hectic fray of city life and relax in comfort while unwinding from the stresses of day-to-day life.

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Nikko Toshogu Shrine Annual Grand Spring Festival

Nikko Toshogu Shrine Annual Grand Spring Festival

This traditional and sacred festival is the biggest one of Nikko Toshogu Shrine. On May 17, the Shrine holds the yabusame ritual in which you can see archers’ arts of piloting the horses and shooting arrows on horsebacks.   On May 18, the city has the procession called Hyakumono-Zoroe Sennin Gyoretsu, in which some 1,000 men dressed in samurai warrior outfits march to reproduce the scene where Ieyasu’s grave was being transferred from distant Mount Kunousan in Shizuoka Prefecture to Nikko.

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Yunishikawa Onsen

Yunishikawa Onsen

Legend has it that Samurai refugees found these spring waters and settled down in the village to heal their wounds. Today a row of inns and local houses are located along the valley. In addition to the abundant hot spring water, you can also enjoy seasonal local cuisine served around a fireplace (irori), including simply grilled wild ingredients such as freshwater fish, Sansai (wild vegetables), venison, bear and other delicacies. Miso paste grilled on a spatula is also a local specialty. If you visit here in the winter, do not miss the fantastic “Yunishikawa-onsen KAMAKURA Snow House Festival” from late January to early March. About 800 small snow houses are illuminated from inside candles.

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