Miyakojima is the main island of the Miyako Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean about 300 kilometers southwest of Okinawa’s main island. The island is formed from uplifted coral reefs, so the entire land is relatively low-lying. With crystal-clear waters, it is ideal for various marine activities including scuba diving. An annual triathlon competition is held here in early summer, and the spring…
Okinawa Glass Village is the largest glass factory in Okinawa, producing traditional Ryukyu glassware and handicrafts using time-honored techniques. Visitors can not only witness the entire glassmaking process firsthand but also try their hand at crafting small items. The village’s attached art gallery displays masterpieces by several nationally renowned Japanese artists...
The Ocean Observatory Tower, located by the sea at Busena Golf Resort, is extremely popular for offering a 360-degree view of the coral reef seabed. Gazing out over the colorful ocean, you can see tropical fish such as clownfish and swallowtail fish gracefully swimming about. Even on rainy or windy days, the waters remain calm, …
Introduction This is the shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning and the arts. During exam season, many students visit to pray for success. On February 25th every year, the Plum Blossom Festival is held, when the plum garden is fragrant and beautiful geisha serve aromatic tea. The shrine is open to the public free of charge. Transportation City bus...
Sunset Beach As a public beach where locals often come to relax, Sunset Beach boasts stunning sunset views and makes for an ideal date spot. Nearby, you'll find the American Village, a favorite among young people, which many enjoy strolling around after shopping and dining...
Okinawa's Nago Pineapple Park is a theme park where you can not only admire pineapples but also taste and learn about them. The tropical botanical garden within the park is home to vast pineapple fields that perfume the air all year round. One of the highlights is a giant, automatically rotating pineapple shaped like a pine tree, which catches the eye. The park also houses Japan’s first pineapple wine brewery...
Kadena Air Base is the largest strategic U.S. Air Force base in the Far East. Located in the southwestern part of Okinawa Island, it covers an area of 19.976 square kilometers. It is the largest U.S. air force installation in the Far East, currently hosting over 9,000 military personnel. The base has comprehensive facilities, including barracks, communication equipment…
Naminoue Shrine is located about 1 kilometer northwest of Naha City Hall, built on a coral cliff offering views of the sea. As the name suggests, "Naminoue" (literally "above the waves") appears to be floating above the waves when viewed from afar during high surf. The year of its establishment is unknown. The shrine enshrines Kumano Gongen, with Sutoku Hiko no Mikoto (on the left shrine seat) and Sokotsutsu no Ono no Mikoto (on the right shrine seat)...
Morgan Hill Morgan Hill is a gently elevated small hill on Okinawa Island, offering the best vantage point to overlook the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa — the largest U.S. military base in the Asia-Pacific region. On the third floor of the Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Station) at Morgan Hill, you can watch U.S. military aircraft take off from the base’s 4,000-meter runway...
Taketomi Island is a gently sloping, coral reef-formed island covering an area of about 9 square kilometers. It once flourished as the center of the Yaeyama region. With minimal human alteration, the island has preserved its original architecture intact—red-tiled roofs surrounded by greenery, silver-shimmering roads, and spotlessly clean, fine sandy beaches. There are also many beautiful shells and star sand. You can freely explore the island using bicycles provided free of charge by local guesthouses. The island has been designated by the national government as a traditional buildings conservation area.
Introduction: Kinkaku-ji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, officially named Rokuon-ji. Built in 1379, it was originally the villa of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and later converted into a Zen temple. It is called Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) because the building is covered in gold leaf. It is a three-story pavilion: the first floor is the Hojo (Dharma Water Hall); the second floor is the Togudo (Sound of the Tide Cave), which enshrines a statue of Kannon;...
Introduction This is Kyoto’s first Zen temple, founded in 1202 by Zen master Eisai, who introduced tea to Japan. The temple houses a representative work of Cho Densu, the Wind and Thunder Gods painting. With numerous structures, it comprises 15 sub-temples. Every spring on the anniversary of Eisai’s birth, a grand tea ceremony is held, showcasing traditional Zen tea rituals. Transportation…
Introduction Katsura Imperial Villa is world-renowned for its gardens and traditional Japanese architecture. Construction began in 1615 under Prince Toshihito and took 35 years to complete, covering an area of 56,000 square meters. The villa mainly consists of the Old Shoin, Middle Shoin, and New Palace, with study pavilions and tea houses built around the pond, blending the garden and architectural structures in a masterful way…
Introduction Kōzan-ji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, founded in 774. The Shisui-in hall within the temple is a precious relic of the shinden-zukuri architectural style from the early Kamakura period. It houses treasures such as the four scrolls of Choju-jinbutsu-giga (National Treasure), making it a cultural treasure trove of western Kyoto. It is also a renowned spot for viewing autumn foliage. The temple possesses over 10,000 artifacts, including 7 National Treasures...
Introduction Nijo Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was originally built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The castle is surrounded by walls approximately 500 meters east-west and 400 meters north-south, along with a moat. The wooden floors in the corridors are designed to squeak like a nightingale when walked upon, serving as a security measure against intruders. In 1867, Tokugawa Yoshinobu...
Introduction To-ji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built shortly after the establishment of Heian-kyo (Kyoto) to protect the nation. In 823 AD, the temple was bestowed upon Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi), becoming a center for Shingon Buddhism. The lecture hall houses 21 Buddhist statues including the Five Great Wisdom Kings, with the Great Sun Buddha (Vairocana) at the center; the Hall of the Great Master was Kūkai’s residence during his lifetime…
Introduction This is the largest Zen temple in Kyoto and the head temple of the Tofuku-ji school of the Rinzai sect, covering an area of 200,000 square meters. Years of war and the fire in 1881 destroyed its Buddha halls, Dharma halls, kitchens, and living quarters, which were subsequently rebuilt one after another. The Tsutenkyo Bridge in the temple is a scenic spot for viewing autumn leaves. The temple has 25 pagodas, and the oldest surviving Sanmon (main gate) is a nationally designated important cultural property. The Toliet located to the east of the Sanmon is the only toilet in Japan designated as an important cultural property. The Hondo (main hall) of the Ryogin-an, a national treasure, is the oldest surviving hondo architecture.
Introduction The shrine was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital to Heian-kyo. Its design is based on an 8/5 scale model of the ancient capital of Heian-kyo. Behind the main hall, where green and red colors complement each other, there are three ponds and four gardens. The shrine enshrines Emperor Kanmu and Emperor Kōmei. The shrine garden within the main hall is a masterpiece representative of the Japanese stroll-style pond garden...
Introduction Myoshin-ji Temple was established in 1337 as the head temple of the Myoshin-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. Spanning 500 meters in length and 400 meters in width, it covers a vast area and was once the detached palace of Emperor Go-Kameyama. From the south, the Sanmon (main gate), Butsuden (Buddha Hall), Hatto (Dharma Hall), and Karamon (Chinese-style gate) stand in sequence. The temple grounds house 47 pagodas, three of which are open to the public. Transportation …
Introduction Manshu-in was built in 1656 as an imperial temple of the Tendai sect, and is one of the five imperial temples. The temple features a karesansui (dry landscape) garden design, using white sand to symbolize a fountain, and skillfully incorporates scenic elements from northern Kyoto, exuding elegance and refinement. It has been designated as a national scenic spot. The temple houses a collection of 1,200 treasured artifacts, among which the ancient and modern collection of Japanese waka poetry is considered a unique masterpiece. Transportation