Scenery Photography Sites
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Omihachiman – Planning Your Complete Daytrip to the Venice of Japan
If there is a historical town to look out for its scenery, its Omihachiman (近江八幡) and it is one of the most well-preserved merchant towns in Japan. Omihachiman differentiates itself from other historical town with its unique townscape containing a canal that passes through the town; earning it the nickname as the ‘Venice of Japan’. With that said, let’s explore what the canal town has to offer! Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The History of Omihachiman Read More About The Town’s Inception HERE Omihachiman is located…
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Uji – How to Plan Your Ultimate Daytrip to the Matcha Capital
When it comes to day trip destinations from Kyoto (京都), Uji (宇治) is undeniably one of the best destinations to consider. Just 30 minutes away by train and a city that is known for its unique green tea matcha (抹茶) products. And yet, it is surprising how many tourists who visit Kyoto and Nara have not heard of it. With that said, let’s explore Uji and how to plan a day trip from Kyoto. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The History of Uji The city of…
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Daimonzaka Chaya – The Ultimate Costume Experience in Japan
Have you ever dreamt of travelling back in time to travel to Kumano Nachi Taisha (熊野那智大社) from Daimonzaka (大門坂) as an aristocrat? Look no further than Daimonzaka Chaya (大門坂茶屋) or Daimonzaka Teahouse; a shop where you can rent Heian period costumes and explore Nachi Taisha and its surrounding. Today, I will be sharing the overall experience and how it adds a unique flair to your travel experience at Nachi Taisha. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. About Daimonzaka Daimonzaka (大門坂) or ‘large gate slope’ is a path…
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Kumano Nachi Taisha – A Complete Guide to Japan’s Stunningly Beautiful Mountain Shrine
Nestled deep inside the secluded Kii Peninsula (紀伊半島) is the scenic and majestic Kumano Nachi Taisha (熊野那智大社) shrine. Kumano Nachi Taisha is one of those destinations that has been a poster boy for many Japan travel promotional materials; and for a right reason. This is the shrine that features the iconic vermillion pagoda with a majestic waterfall in the background. And, it also happens to be one of the major spiritual sites for the renowned Kumano Kodo hiking trail. With that in mind, let’s explore what this iconic shrine has to offer. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then I…
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Shirarahama – The Guide to the Ultimate Japan Beach Experience
There are certainly no shortages of coastal gems in Japan; one of them being the beautiful Shirarahama Beach (白良浜). This scenic beach located at the town of Shirahama (白浜) in Wakayama Prefecture (和歌山県) is renowned for its pristine white sand and is acclaimed to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the Kansai region (関西). Let’s dwell into the beauty of Shirarahama Beach in this article. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Background Shirarahama Beach did not start off as a resort; but rather as a…
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Hotel Urashima – The Ultimate Onsen Experience in Wakayama
If there is an onsen (温泉)/hot spring experience not to be missed in Japan, Hotel Urashima (浦島ホテル) would be one such candidate. This resort is located at the sleepy town of Nachi-Katsuura (那智勝浦) in Wakayama Prefecture (和歌山県) which is known for its oranges and the scenic Nachi Taisha (那智大社). Wanna know more about this unique onsen experience? Stick around then as I will cover our stay at Hotel Urashima. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Background A Little Info About Nachi-Katsuura Nachi-Katsuura (那智勝浦) is a small coastal…
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5 Free Kyoto Activities You Must Do in Japan
Kyoto free activities? You must be wondering if I am joking about this statement. Kyoto is often seen as an expensive city to visit with the sheer number of renowned attractions & high-end accommodations; but did you know there ARE free activities? Your travel budget will thank you for reading this blog! As a matter of fact, some of these activities involve exploring some of the major sites in the ancient capital. With that in mind, here are the top wonderful Kyoto free activities not to be missed! Here is the Google Map location for each point of interests: Trip map created using Wanderlog, for making itineraries on iOS and…
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Kibune – A Complete Travel Guide to Kyoto’s Mystical Village
At the north of Kyoto’s majestic mountains lies the quaint village of Kibune (貴船). Since the ancient times, Kibune has been long associated with spirituality and tranquility; attracting many local visitors throughout the centuries who are seeking a retreat from the bustling city life. Let’s find out what makes this hidden village so attractive. Introducing Kibune & Its Surrounding Myths Kibune’s founding mainly stemmed from the legendary founding of Kifune Shrine (貴船神社). The shrine itself is one of the oldest in Japan when the goddess, Tamayori-hime (玉依姫) ordered the construction of the shrine as she was impressed with the purity of the water and the spirituality of the area. For…
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Kifune Shrine – A Complete Guide to Kyoto’s Mystical Shrine
Amidst the lush forest and tranquil mountains of Kyoto (京都) lies the mystical Kifune Shrine (貴船神社) in the village of Kibune (貴船). Among all the shrines that are located within the mountains of Kyoto, Kifune Shrine is undisputedly the most famous of them all among the local community. Yet, it’s presence remains relatively low among international tourists. In this round, let’s explore the enchanting Kifune Shrine. Introducing Kifune Shrine The Legend Behind Its Founding Kifune Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Japan; with the shrine records detailing its reconstruction around 1,300 years ago. This means that it is as old; if not older than the ancient capital Kyoto…
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Ukimido – A Complete Guide to Lake Biwa’s Iconic Scenery
Ukimido (浮御堂) is recognised one of the Eight Great Views of Omi (近江八景; pronounced Oumi Hakkei) and is easily the poster boy of the group. Ask any local who stay around Lake Biwa (琵琶湖 or Biwa-ko) to recommend a photogenic spot around the lake and most likely their answer is Ukimido. Despite locating in the city of Otsu (大津) and its close proximity to Kyoto, this little temple is still relatively unknown among the tourist radar. This is a blessing in disguise however, as this makes it an ideal spot for those looking to enjoy a lake scenery in peaceful state of mind. Now what makes this little temple so…
