We have introduced goods that you can use during your trips, but we would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to some of Japan's most spectacular sights. In addition to the standard tourist attractions, there are still many beautiful landscapes in Japan that are not well known even among Japanese people.
It is probably not easy to travel to Japan for most of you as it is very far away, so please take a look at these photos and feel like you have traveled there. If you have never been to Japan, we hope to visit someday! Especially now that the Japanese yen is weak against the U.S. dollar, it is a great time to make a plan to visit from the U.S.A.
Hokkaido Prefecture, Shirogane Blue Pond (Aoiike)
During the 1988 eruption of Mt. Tokachi, a weir was built to prevent the mud flow into the Biei River. The river water accumulated there and formed this pond. The lake water appears blue because the components in the water give off a blue glow in the sunlight, which can turn the water emerald green on some days.
Toyama Prefecture, Yuki no Otani
You probably think this place can be visited during the winter, but that is not the case. It can only be seen for two months from mid-April to mid-June. While checking the location of the snow-covered road with a GPS, a bulldozer gradually digs through the snow-covered road. After that, a rotary snowplow specially designed for the Alpine Route, which has nearly twice the blowing capacity of a regular snowplow, is used to cut through the wall of snow.
Tochigi Prefecture, Oya History Museum - Subterranean Cave
At a depth of 30 meters, it looks like an underground temple that must remind you of the world of Indiana Jones or the ruins of ancient Rome. It has been used for concerts and filming. The town of Oya was nurtured and developed by Oya stone. Nowadays, Oya stone mining has changed from hand digging to mechanical digging, and has changed significantly from the past. You can learn about the changing state of Oya stone mining at this museum.
Nagano Prefecture, Takabotchi Highlands
Takabotchi Highlands, which spread over Mt. Takabocchi at an altitude of 1 mile/1665 m, is a truly amazing scenic spot where you can see Mt. Fuji, Mt. Yatsugatake, and the Northern and Southern Alps all at once.
The sight of Lake Suwa, the city surrounding it, and Mt. Fuji rising above the city lights all at once, is something you will not be able to see anywhere else. When a sea of clouds occurs, you can see Mt. Fuji and the Alps floating in the sea of clouds. If you take your time to look at it from dusk to night, you will notice the beauty of the changing scenery. The starry sky after the sun goes down will make you want to reach out and hug it .
Hyogo Prefecture, Takeda Castle Ruins
Takeda Castle Ruins are the ones with only stone walls that stand overlooking the surrounding area from the top of Mt. Kojo, which is 0.2 mile/353.7 m above sea level. It has been about 400 years since the castle was abandoned, but the stone walls remain almost intact, making it one of the only remaining mountain castles in existence. They are also called Japan's Machu Picchu. People also call them the castle in the sky because the sea of clouds that occurs early in the morning in late autumn makes the castle ruins appear as if they are floating in the clouds. The sight is fantastic, and the fact that only the castle ruins remain, rather than the castle, makes it even more mysterious. It is also so rare that that scenery can only be seen in the early morning hours from late September to early December.
Kagawa Prefecture (Shodoshima Island), Nakayama Terraced Rice Fields
Listed as one of Japan's top 100 rice terraces, their spectacular landscape with more than 800 rice fields and mountains creating an original Japanese landscape. You can see a variety of spectacular views throughout the year, such as the reflection of nature in the rice fields, the greenery, and the ripe golden ears of rice. The Mushi Okuri ritual is held on the 11th day after the summer solstice, and residents parade along the ridges carrying bamboo torches. The light from the swaying torches is magical, and it is a must-see sight when you visit here.
Kagawa Prefecture (Shodoshima Island), Nakayama Terraced Rice Fields
Listed as one of Japan's top 100 rice terraces, their spectacular landscape with more than 800 rice fields and mountains creating an original Japanese landscape. You can see a variety of spectacular views throughout the year, such as the reflection of nature in the rice fields, the greenery, and the ripe golden ears of rice. The Mushi Okuri ritual is held on the 11th day after the summer solstice, and residents parade along the ridges carrying bamboo torches. The light from the swaying torches is magical, and it is a must-see sight when you visit here.
Miyazaki Prefecture, Takachiho Gorge Footpath
Takachiho Gorge, known as the hometown of Japanese mythology, is a 4.3 miles/7 km stretch of spectacular scenery with sheer cliffs and beautiful valleys. The unique landscape created by the eruption and erosion of Mt. Aso is known as a columnar joint,' where the rocks of the cliff stand up like pillars. The beautiful waterfall called Manai Falls is the symbol of this place, and the deep green water that falls in the silence of the valley is mysteriously beautiful.
Kagoshima Prefecture, Yurigahama Beach
Okinawa’s sea is famous, but Yurigahama, a paradise on earth, exists on Yoron Island, the southernmost island of Kagoshima Prefecture and only 1.3 miles/22 km from the northernmost tip of Okinawa. It is a sandbar that appears only at low tide during the spring tide period from spring to summer, and when you cross it in a glass boat, you will find yourself in the middle of a spectacular view surrounded by emerald green sea. The sand on the sandbar is white, and you can sometimes see ripples created by the wind. The color of the waves crashing there becomes a blue gradation due to the wind ripples, creating a beach unlike any other. You will also be amazed at how transparent the sea is. You can even see fish swimming in the sea and, if you're lucky, sea turtles. The beach is mixed with star-shaped sand. It is said that if you can pick up as many as the number of years, you will be happy.
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There is a lot of food items, housewares, stationery, and gifts available at the store and our online store, Maido! Kairashi Shop, where you can place your order for shipping or store pickup! Happy shopping. :)
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