SPOTS

Sado Gold Mine

Niigata

Castles & Historic Sites

Gardens & Nature

The dark, overgrown entrance to the Otokiri Kō mining tunnel at Sado Gold Mine, marked by a wooden signpost under leafy trees.

Temples with Masterpieces by Ishikawa Uncho

Niigata

Visual & Performing Arts

Shrines & Temples

Intricate, colorful ceiling carving by Ishikawa Uncho in a temple interior, featuring dragons and elaborate cloud motifs above a richly carved altar.

Gokayama Villages

Toyama

Scenic Views & Townscapes

Craft Making & Workshops

View from above of the Gokayama Village and Gassho-zukuri houses surrounded by mountains that are covered in red and orange autumn foliage.

Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture: Kanaya-machi & Yamacho-suji

Toyama

Scenic Views & Townscapes

Craft Making & Workshops

Traditional Japanese wooden merchant houses lining a stone-paved street, with two women walking past a copper statue.

Kenroku-en Garden

Ishikawa

Gardens & Nature

Cultural Immersion & Activities

The S-shaped bridge and stone lantern (likely Kotoji Lantern) on Kasumigaike Pond in Kenroku-en Garden, surrounded by lush summer greenery.

Yamanaka Onsen

Ishikawa

Scenic Views & Townscapes

Cultural Immersion & Activities

Kumagawa-juku Historic Post Town

Fukui

Scenic Views & Townscapes

Cultural Immersion & Activities

A view down the street of Kumagawa-juku in the early morning, with traditional houses on both sides and foggy, tree-covered mountains in the distance.

Mikuni Minato Port Town

Fukui

Scenic Views & Townscapes

Craft Making & Workshops

Cultural Immersion & Activities

Giant warrior doll floats (dashi) parading through the crowded Mikuni Minato street during the Mikuni Festival.

Misaka Pass

Yamanashi

Scenic Views & Townscapes

Gardens & Nature

Wooden signpost for scenic spots on a mountain pass, surrounded by bare trees in late autumn or winter.

Matsumoto Castle

Nagano

Castles & Historic Sites

The main keep of Matsumoto Castle reflected in the surrounding moat under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Obuse: Hokusai’s Legacy

Nagano

Scenic Views & Townscapes

Visual & Performing Arts

Two ornate, large Japanese festival floats (dashi or yatai) with detailed carvings and painted roofs, displayed in a modern wooden museum room.

Zenko-ji Temple

Nagano

Shrines & Temples

A wide view of Zenko-ji's main hall (Hondo), a large, dark wooden building with a sweeping tiled roof, set against a blue sky with white clouds, with manicured pine trees in the courtyard.