SPOTS

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine

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

Shimane

Castles & Historic Sites

Cultural Immersion & Activities

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

Okayama Korakuen Garden

Okayama

Gardens & Nature

Autumn view of Okayama Korakuen Garden's central pond, reflecting vibrant red maple leaves and a small teahouse, with Okayama Castle visible on the hill in the distance.

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

Okayama

Scenic Views & Townscapes

Cultural Immersion & Activities

A wide shot of the Kurashiki Canal (Kurashiki River) reflecting the white-walled historical houses and weeping willow trees under a partially cloudy sky.

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle

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.

Tomonoura

Hiroshima

Scenic Views & Townscapes

Fishing boats moored in the Tomonoura harbor in front of the historic stone Joyato (all-night lighthouse) and preserved Edo-period buildings.

Kintaikyo Bridge

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.

Hagi Castle Town

Yamaguchi

Scenic Views & Townscapes

Craft Making & Workshops

The preserved streetscape of Hagi Castle Town, featuring a large white earthen wall with a diamond-patterned namako-kabe base under a blue sky.

Ainoyakata Indigo Museum

Tokushima

Craft Making & Workshops

Visual & Performing Arts

Two women holding newly indigo-dyed cloth pieces standing in the courtyard in front of the traditional wooden Okumura Family Residence.

Ritsurin Garden

Kagawa

Gardens & Nature

Cultural Immersion & Activities

The Kikugetsutei teahouse complex on the edge of the pond, framed by a massive, sculpted pine tree and reflecting in the green water.

Kotohira-Gu Shrine

Kagawa

Visual & Performing Arts

Shrines & Temples

A wide view of the Sanuki Plain and surrounding hills, including Mt. Iino (Sanuki Fuji), seen from the upper level of Kotohira-gu Shrine.

Marugame Castle

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.