Castles & Historic Sites

Nijo-jo Castle

SPOTS

Kyoto

Castles & Historic Sites

Gardens & Nature

The highly ornate and brightly colored Karamon Gate (Chinese Gate) of Nijo Castle's Ninomaru Palace.

Minamiza Theatre

SPOTS

Kyoto

Castles & Historic Sites

Visual & Performing Arts

Kyoto Imperial Palace

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Kyoto

Castles & Historic Sites

Gardens & Nature

The Oikeniwa Garden at Kyoto Imperial Palace, viewed over the pond with reflections of the traditional building and surrounding pine trees.

Osaka Castle

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Osaka

Castles & Historic Sites

Cultural Immersion & Activities

The majestic white and green-tiled main tower of Osaka Castle, sitting atop massive stone walls under a clear blue sky.

Himeji Castle

SPOTS

Hyogo

Castles & Historic Sites

The main keep of the white-walled Himeji Castle rising above its stone walls, framed by blooming cherry blossoms under a blue sky.

Wakayama Castle

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Wakayama

Castles & Historic Sites

Wakayama Castle keep seen through the blooming pink cherry blossoms of the surrounding park.

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine

SPOTS

Shimane

Castles & Historic Sites

Craft Making & Workshops

The interior of a dimly lit, hand-dug mine tunnel (mabu) at the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine.

Matsue Castle

SPOTS

Shimane

Castles & Historic Sites

Cultural Immersion & Activities

The Matsue Castle keep viewed through the foreground branches of pink cherry blossoms in spring.

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle

SPOTS

Okayama

Castles & Historic Sites

Close-up of one of the castle's turrets (yagura) with white walls and black wood, standing on a massive stone foundation.

Kintaikyo Bridge

SPOTS

Yamaguchi

Castles & Historic Sites

People walking across the historic wooden Kintai Bridge with its five distinct arches and stone piers, backed by a green, wooded hill.

Marugame Castle

SPOTS

Kagawa

Castles & Historic Sites

Cultural Immersion & Activities

Marugame Castle keep perched atop its stone walls, overlooking the city on a misty day, with the conical Mount Iino (Sanuki Fuji) in the distance.

Matsuyama castle

SPOTS

Ehime

Castles & Historic Sites

Cultural Immersion & Activities

The main keep and connected turrets of Matsuyama Castle, with white walls and dark roofs, standing on a large stone wall.