outdoors
Attracting thousands each year to its natural beauty and wildlife, Lake Hyoko in Niigata Prefecture makes for a great weekend getaway. From birds to cherry blossoms, not to mention the lake, this site has plenty to soak up all year round. Despite its name, Lake Hyoko is not a natural lake. The site was a key fixture in the agricultural production of the nearby area. In 1954, Lake Hyoko was designated as a national monument by the Japanese government for its history of attracting swans in the autumn and winter months. In recognition of its importance in preserving nature and wildlife, the lake ...
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Shukkeien Garden in Hiroshima Prefecture is a striking daimyo‘s (feudal lord) garden dating back to the early 17th century. It’s a historical site that offers visitors a glimpse into Japanese history. Unfortunately, during the atomic bombing of August 6, 1945, it was completely destroyed. However, the garden has been restored to its former glory. This garden is an exceptional example of a traditional Japanese garden that showcases the beauty and elegance of Japanese aesthetics. Miniaturized SceneriesOne of the most notable features of Shukkeien Garden is its miniaturized sceneries, designed to...
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Marathon running is an extremely popular sport in Japan. There are nearly 30 popular marathons planned throughout the year, and the largest, in Tokyo, is one of the World Marathon Majors. A championship-style competition for runners. It’s easy to see the appeal—the countdown at the start of the race over the loudspeakers, thousands of runners’ releasing stored-up energy and months of training coming to fruition. I ran theKyoto Marathon on Feb. 19, 2023. While the buildup for a marathon takes a lot of individual effort, there were around 16,000 runners taking part in the event! While it takes a...
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Hiruzen Kogen Highlands is located on a plateau more than 500 meters above sea level, on the border ofDaisen Oki National Park. Known for its natural beauty and delicious local foods, the area is a hidden gem often overlooked by foreign travelers. Exploring Hiruzen in winterSpring and summer are popular seasons for cyclists and hikers escaping the heat, but winter is also magical when the whole region is covered in a thick blanket of snow. The scenery is spectacular, with the view of the Hiruzen Sanza mountains (three peaks more than 1,000 meters in elevation) visible from nearly anywhere in t...
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When Kyoto was modernizing, one of the casualties of the rapid expansion was the Keage area in Higashiyama. Historically used for transporting everything from produce to ship-building materials between Shiga and Kyoto, the area has recently become more famous for Nanzen-ji Temple and its art museum than its transportation links. A cherry blossom hotspotThe remnants of its former days are all around the area on the train tracks that have now fallen into disrepair. What is left of the train lines has become a popular photography spot, especially during the hanami (cherry blossom viewing) period ...
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Backcountry skiing in Japan has blossomed in popularity over the past number of seasons. There are various options available here for those who are branching out and pushing their boundaries to the seasoned vets taking the sport to new limits. Most backcountry skiers and snowboarders progress from skiing on groomed runs at resorts to searching out tree runs and other sidecountry options. Eventually, they will gain the confidence and experience needed to leave the resorts at the established backcountry gates and further explore the possibilities. Welcome to AsahidakeDuring my first trip to Hokk...
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Towards the northern part of Awaji Island in southern Hyogo prefecture, there is a beautiful flower garden known as Awaji Hanasajiki or Awaji Flower Gallery. Seasonal bloomsThe area of flowers is substantially large, with 15 hectares of various colored flowers that differ depending on the season. Because of this, it’s a location that can be enjoyed year-round. On a sunny day, the view is spectacular. The flowers in season are abundantly scattered along the slope and are usually quite aromatic. Each season offers a highly contrasted landscape of flowers and colors, so every time you visit will ...
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Towards the northern part of Awaji Island, there is a special place called Awaji Yumebutai that is a captivating mix of architecture and nature. It has a banquet hall, an open-air amphitheater and a botanical garden. In a park-like setting, there are also flower fields, eateries, stores, walkways and eye-catching architecture. Plans for the Awaji YumebutaiJapanese architect Tadao Ando was the creator of the multipurpose complex of buildings in Awaji Yumebutai. The location was built upon what was left of a hilltop that had been destroyed by ongoing dirt extraction for major landfill operations...
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Summer in Japan is notorious for sweltering days and humid nights. This makes any activity outside of sitting at home blasting airconditioning a sweat-soaked affair. While it seems to go on forever, it’s finally October, so we’ve officially transitioned into cooler weather. It’s time to exchange our flip-flops for hiking boots and bid the beach farewell. Read on to learn about our top five recommendations for nature-themed autumn adventures in Kansai. 1. Hike Mount Rokko (Kobe)Mount Rokko looms over the entire city. Its grassy slopes and glades are home to various activities, from wine tasting...
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Shinrinyoku (forest bathing) is a part of Japanese culture and has become a relaxation and stress management activity in Japan. “Therapy Roads” are locations with forests experts have evaluated as physically and mentally beneficial for human health. They can be found all around Japan. They are perfect for hiking, whether you’re an expert or just a beginner. A city in the mid-western part of Hyogo Prefecture, Shiso was certified as the first forest therapy base in 2015 by the NPO Forest Therapy Society. The low population density makes Shiso a superb shelter for the prefecture’s three distingui...
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