Culture & History

A sutra library donated to Shuzen-ji Temple by Masako Hojo, the mother of Yoriie Minamoto, who had been assassinated. The library was built so that Hojo could pray for the repose of her son’s soul

A full lineup of Usaburo kokeshi dolls, a handicraft from the rich and warm forests of Gunma Prefecture

The head shrine of the Oki Islands which has been designated nationally as an Important Cultural Property

The tall pagoda at the ancient temple which was constructed in the 16th century has been called the most beautiful of the Tohoku area

The castle has a surviving keep with clever construction techniques devised by a master castle builder, Takatora.

An ancient temple in Kawagoe that has been called Koedo (Little Edo) because the beautiful building was moved from Edo Castle

A famous castle relating the 250-year history of the Shimabara clan which still has magnificent vestiges of its Azuchi-Momoyama style

A temple town with a shitamachi atmosphere that became the setting for the “Otoko wa Tsurai yo”(It’s Tough Being a Man) movies

A shrine with Sado Island’s oldest Noh stage enshrined in the middle of a tranquil countryside setting

A former farming estate transformed into a luxurious “ryokan”. Relax in the humble hospitality from the olden days

Sado Island’s first Nichiren Buddhist temple with its simple appearance and a beautiful garden throughout all four seasons

The chalk-white statue of Kannon soaring into the sky over the city is a scenic symbol of Takasaki

The oldest shrine on the Oki Islands situated by a cavern is a power spot

Beautiful scenes cut out from paper, kirie is a traditional art of Hida-Furukawa

A small shrine placed on an ancient road for Kumano visitors to give thanks or pray for safety

The main street going through the Gion district with that distinct air of Kyoto