Culture Narita-san Shingo-ji Temple Peter Sidell In the Shizuoka suburb of Fujieda in central Japan, Narita-san Shingo-ji is a Buddhist temple with a diverse collection of in...
Flowers on Rocky Cliffs of Tojinbo Takako Sakamoto Tojinbo Cliffs in Fukui: Under a harsh environment with jagged, rocky cliffs of Tojinbo, there are lives that thrive in stron...
Pretty in Pink at Sakaeno Shrine Takako Sakamoto Gorgeous weeping cherry trees at Sakaeno Yashiro Shrine in the center of Fukui City.
Deep-Fried Pork Diner, Katsudoki Takako Sakamoto 'Katsudoki' in Sabae city, Fukui prefecture, is a rare 'Tonkatsu (deep-fried pork)' restaurant where you can eat 'regular' de...
Food Heaven's Cafe Michael B If you're craving authentic, delicious American pizza while touring Japan's Snow Country, Heaven's Cafe is the place to go. A...
Food Ninjintei restaurant in Yuzawa Rufus Starbuck Tonkatsu restaurant in the main street of Yuzawa with huge portions of great quality, local food. Queues out the door are not...
Activities Takinozawa Park in Yuzawa Rufus Starbuck An easily accessible nature hike right off the main street of Yuzawa that takes you into the mountains to the base of two cra...
Shirahige Shrine, Fukui Takako Sakamoto Shirahige Shrine, Fukui: While driving home I spotted a beautiful wooden architecture. It was Shirahige Shrine, whose origin ...
Maki Shrine on Phoenix St. in Fukui Takako Sakamoto Driving back home, I spotted a tall white flag fluttering high in the wind. It was a flag of 'Maki Shrine', Phoenix Street, F...
Activities Canyoning Adventure in Yamanashi C. Rio Nishi Zawa Kei Koku just happens to be my favorite canyon in all of Japan. Beautiful Caribbean blue water collects in cascad...
Early Fall at Lake Kitagata, Fukui Takako Sakamoto Lake Kitagata in Awara, Fukui, is an idyllic playground. Ride a rental bike and enjoy cycling around the lake on the 'Humming...
Shotaiji, Lake Hamana Peter Sidell On the western shore of Lake Hamana in Japan's Shizuoka prefecture, Shotaiji is a Buddhist temple with 88 ancient statues hid...
Konpira Shrine at Kakyo Park Takako Sakamoto The view from the grounds of small Konpira Shrine in autumn will surely take your breath away! Located on the hilltop inside ...
Secret Sakura Viewing Spot in Fukui Takako Sakamoto A secret and beautiful cherry blossom viewing spot in the middle of nowhere in Sabae City, Fukui.
Spring at Lake Kitagata in Fukui Takako Sakamoto Refresh yourself at Lake Kitagata in Fukui. See the red Iris Bridge, pink cherry blossoms, swan and dolphin boats. Cycle alon...