Hyogo famous Hijemi Castle and Hotspring

Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県 Hyōgo-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kinki region on Honshū island. Hyogo is located in the Kansai Region, stretching from the Seto Inland Sea to the Sea of Japan. Its largest city and prefectural capital is Kobe, its most famous tourist attraction is Himeji Castle, and its best known hot spring resorts are Arima and Kinosaki.

Hyogo prefecture is famous for the city Kobe (the capital city), Himeji City, Kinosaki Onsen, and city of Takarazuka.

Hyōgo borders on Osaka Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Tottori Prefecture and Okayama Prefecture.


Hyogo Photos :


Akashi Bridge


Hijemi Casle in Hijemi City
Himeji is most famous for its magnificent castle, Himeji Castle, widely considered to be Japan's most beautiful surviving feudal castle. The castle is designated both a national treasure and a UNESCO world heritage site.



Kinosaki City
Kinosaki is located in northern Hyogo Prefecture on the coast of the Sea of Japan. This pleasant town, built along a willow lined river, is one of the top onsen destinations of the Kansai Region.



Kitano Sight seeing


Watch A Japanese Medieval Castle : Himeji Castle Video here

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Kanazawa Ishikawa Japan History City

Kanazawa (金沢市 Kanazawa-shi) is the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan. Kanazawa sits on the Sea of Japan, bordered by the Japan Alps, Hakusan National Park and Noto Peninsula National Park. The city sits between the Sai and Asano rivers. Its total area is 467.77 km². Kanazawa, located northwest of Tokyo along the Sea of Japan, rose in prominence during the 15th century, when the powerful and militant Ikko sect established new headquarters there after being chased out of Kyoto by the monks of Mount Hiei.

Kanazawa is one of the overlooked jewels of Japanese tourism, its offer really japanese history and culture such as the samurai, the merchants, the geisha, and the lords have all left their mark on Kanazawa in a compact, easily navigable central area.


Kanazawa attractions :
1. Kenrokuen : Japan's most celebrated landscape garden. The Garden of Six Attributes is considered one of Japan's Top 3 gardens.
2. Chaya Districts : District of teahouse where geisha perform.
3. Seisonkaku Villa : Beautiful Japanese villa in Kenrokuen.
4. Nagamachi : Kanazawa's former samurai district.
5. Ninjadera : Temple equipped with secret doors and traps.
6. 21st Century Museum : Spectacular contemporary art museum.
7. Omicho Market : Busy market near Kanazawa Station.
8. Oyama Shrine : Shrine dedicated to the former local lord.
9. Kanazawa Castle : Slowly being reconstructed.


Kanazawa Temples and shrines :
1. Ninja Temple (妙立寺 Myōryu-ji) : The tour guides insist there is no connection between the 'Ninja Temple' and actual ninja assassins.
2. Oyama Shrine (尾山神社) : on the other side of the castle. Built in the early Meiji period to honour the founding father of the Kaga Domain, Maeda Toshiie
3. Tentoku-in (天徳院) : the largest temple in Kanazawa during the Edo period, it stood at the eastern end of the city.
4. Daijōji Temple : is an old and active Zen Buddhist Temple set away from traffic on a hillside. The temple in its current location dates from 1697.
5. Shinmeiguu Shrine 神明宮 : this shrine is famous for the 900 year old plus Zelkova tree (keyaki) in its grounds.


Kanazawa nightlife

While in Kanazawa, don't miss the opportunity to sample tea ceremony tea (抹茶 matcha), served with either an incredibly dry and tasteless sweet (干菓子 higashi) or a rather more appetizing fresh one (生菓子 namagashi). Figure on ¥5000-1000 depending on where you try it; the Higashi-Chaya geisha district probably offers the nicest teahouses.

The Katamachi area in central Kanazawa is wall to wall with bars of all shapes and sizes. Some buildings such as the Elle Building are almost exclusively full of hostess bars (often referred to as lounge bars) which may not always be foreigner friendly. Many bars will hit you for a cover charge anywhere upwards of ¥500 per person stretching into thousands.

Best of Kanazawa nighlife bars and drinking beers place are listed here :

1. Apre : A mix of locals and gaijin fill this large two-storey bar near Kōrinbo 109. There's free internet, a pool table, plenty of food and beer selections and a lively crowd (at least on weekends).

2. Baby Rick : This classy little shot bar has a billiard table, jazz and whisky (the good kind), and you can get dishes like spaghetti carbonara and homemade pizzas. It's in the basement level beneath Shidax karaoke. If you enter after 22:00 there's a cover charge.

3. I no Ichiban : This slender izakaya serves plenty of cocktails and has ambience in spades - so much so that it's almost unrecognisable from the street; look for the wood-panel screen and tiny stand of bamboo

4. Ishikawa Prefectural Nō Theatre : Nō theatre is alive and well in Kanazawa, and performances are held once a week during summer at Ishikawa Prefectural Nō Theatre.
5. Pilsen : Two blocks from the Katamachi Scramble, this German-style place serves lots of beers and a fascinating hybrid menu: where else can you get a sausage plate and warm tofu-mushroom salad at the same meal?

6. Polé Polé : In the same building (and sharing the same owners) as Legian restaurant, this dark, grungy and friendly bar is an institution for decades of gaijin and locals - look for the signatures of foreign exchange students. The narrow floor is littered with peanut shells (proceeds from peanut sales go to charity), and the music (reggae) is loud.

7. Nyumba, JR Station area, 2-19-4 Hon-machi, 076-233-7405 open 11:30am - Midnight, closed on Sundays. A stylish, modern family run cafe/bar near Kanazawa station. They do lunch specials for around ¥900 (11:30 - 14:00). Draft beer goes for ¥500 and they have a range of teas and coffees from ¥300. Cocktails are in the ¥600 range.

8. Machrihanish, Katamachi Area, Kigura-machi, 076-233-0072 open 18:30 - 02:00, closed on Sundays. The best selection of Single Malts in Kanazawa bar none. The English speaking owner spent several years working at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and has visited every distillery in Scotland! If whisky is your thing this is the place to visit. Draft Kilkenny is ¥900 a pint, cocktails start at ¥750 and the vast whisky selection kicks off at ¥700. The fish and chips is recommended. It is on the 2nd floor next to a bar called Cadeau look for the large white sign.

9. Ozi, Tatemachi shopping street, open 11:00 - 23:00, closed on Mondays. A great place to sit and people watch while sipping a drink. Draft beer is ¥500 and soft drinks are ¥250. Kebabs, tortilla rolls and pizzas are on the menu and the friendly owner, who hails from Istanbul, speaks English, Persian and German. A popular spot with resident foreigners.


Kanazawa Photos :


Teahouses in Higashi-Chayamachi



Kanazawa Train Station in Kanazawa, Japan



Kanazawa Kenrokuen



Chayakanazawa, Higashi Geisha District



Kanazawa Castle, Ishikawa Gate (National Important Cultural Properties)


Watch Kanazawa Castle Video here



From 1583 to the end of the Edo Period, Kanazawa Castle was the seat of the powerful Maeda Clan, lords of Kaga, a feudal domain ranking second only to the Tokugawa possessions in terms of size and rice production.

The castle burnt down a few times throughout its history, and the most recent fires of 1881 were survived only by the castle's Ishikawa-mon Gate. The gate, which dates from 1788, is the main entrance to the park and faces Kenrokuen.

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Gifu Takayama history city in Chubu

Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県) is a region in the central Chubu region of the main Japanese island Honshu. Gifu city is near to Takayama, a beautiful town in the mountains, and Shirakawa-go, a collection of small villages even deeper in the mountains.

Gifu is easily accessible both domestically and for travellers coming from abroad. Gifu can be reached by train in 20 minutes from Nagoya, 1 hour from Central Japan International Airport (CENTRAIR), 2 hours from Tokyo, and 1 hour from Osaka.

Gifu City is well known as a historical city with UKAI (cormorant fishing) in the pristine Nagara River —a tradition with some 1300 years of history. It is also famous for Gifu Castle, a central landmark in the history of 16 century daimyō general ODA Nobunaga.

Gifu City was also approved as an international convention city in 1988, and has continued to grow in popularity as an international convention and tourism city ever since.


Gifu Tourism
Gifu has many popular tourist attractions, bringing visitors to all parts of the prefecture. The most popular places are Gifu, Gero, Shirakawa and Takayama. Gifu is famous for cormorant fishing, which has a history of over 1,300 years, as for being a long-term residence of both Oda Nobunaga and Saitō Dōsan. Gero is known for its relaxing hot springs, which attract visitors throughout the year. Shirakawa's historic villages are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Takayama is famous for retaining its original appearance and is often referred to as Little Kyoto.

In addition to international tourists, Gifu also plays host to many international events. The World Event and Convention Complex Gifu is available for many types of events. Other areas of Gifu, too, bring international events, such as in 2005 when the World Rowing Championships were held in the city of Kaizu.


Gifu Attractions :
1. Takayama : Preserves one of Japan's nicest old towns.
2. Shirakawa-go : Mountainous region, known for its farmhouses.
3. Furukawa : Small town 15 minutes north of Takayama.
4. Gujo-Hachiman : Small town in rural Japan with castle.
5. Gero Onsen : Famous hot spring resort south of Takayama


Gifu sightseeings :
1. Cormorant Fishing
Ukai is the fishing method to which a fisherman catches fish using a cormorant, and has performed for about 1300 years.

2. Gifu Castle
Come see a symbol of Gifu City at the summit of Mt. Kinka, featuring various displays inside and an observation gallery on top!

3. Gifu Park
With its spring cherry blossoms, refreshing summer greenery, beautiful autumn leaves, and winter snow, Gifu Park is a paradise of seasonal pleasures.

4. Mt. Kinka Ropeway
It takes you from Gifu Park to Mt. Kinka in 3 min. Enjoy the dynamic beauty of Nagara River and the cityscape!

5. Gifu City Museum of History
The history and culture of Gifu City are shown through the unique experience-based exhibition, focusing on Sengoku period.

6. Mt. Kinka
It's 329 meters high, in the center of Gifu City. Nature trails take you to the top with enjoyable natural scenery.

7. Nagara River
1300 years of historical UKAI runs in Nagara River. Its water has been protected and this river is rated as one of the 100 cleanest and of 88 best bathing places in Japan.

8. UKAI no Sato
See cormorants and traditional UKAI implements at the 6 Cormorant Fishing Masters' houses along the Nagara River!

9. Gifu Great Buddha
One of the 3 greatest Buddha statues in Japan, and the biggest (13.7 meters) constructed by the dry lacquer technique, The Gifu Great Buddha will soothe you with his graceful smile.

10. Sofuku-ji Temple
See the monument for Nobunaga and his son Nobutada's as well as historical materials related to Gifu Castle, nestled here among the beautiful Japanese enkianthus trees.

11. Kawara-machi area
Walk and see old-fashioned Japanese houses, and traditional confectioner's shops, along with restaurants and galleries converted from old townhouses!

12. Nagara River Hot Springs
Enjoy hot springs along the Nagara River. Why don't you relax in the russet brown water, experiencing the beauty of the changing seasons?

13. Bairin Park
About 1300 plum trees of some fifty different species are planted here. The Plum Festival is held in early March attracting many visitors every year.


Photos of Gifu city :


First built as a fortress on the top of Mt. Kinka in 1201, Gifu Castle has a history of about 800 years.



Gifu Village



Street at Gifu city



Together with Gifu Castle, the Nagara River that flows through the middle of Gifu City is a beloved symbol of Gifu City.\



Yanagase street in Gifu


Watch Japan Gifu Minokamo city street Video

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Nagano Zenkoji Temple and night bars

Nagano (長野市), the capital city of Nagano Prefecture, is located in the northern part of the prefecture near the confluence of the Chikuma and the Sai rivers, on the main Japanese island of Honshū. Nagano is famous for its Buddhis Temple Zenkoji, Nagano's most famous attraction and one of Japan's most popular temples.

In 1998, Nagano hosted the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, the second Winter Olympics ever held in Japan and the first since 1972 when the Winter Games were held in Sapporo, also the site of the first Winter Olympics ever held in Asia.

Visiting Nagano is full of historical sites sightseeing such as : The historic site of the Battles of Kawanakajima has been retained as parkland, with a municipal museum of the history of the Zenkoji plain.

Nagano Nightlife :

Nagano has a lot of historical places, temples, and also the nightclub and bars,clubs, pubs.
Some of Nagano Bars, pubs, clubs, and drinking places are listed here :

1. Bluebird: Darts, Pool & Pints
Theme: Eating and Drinking
Address: Daito Building 3
Phone: 0262263945
Directions: From Nagano Station: take right-side steps leaving the West Exit. Cross street near Starbucks and go up the small street. Bluebird is at the end - it overlooks the next "major" street.

2. NAGANO CLUB JUNK BOX
Theme: Nightclub
Phone: 026-267-9120
Directions: Again Building, 7F (look for Comme Ca du Mode).

3.Liberty: Bars, Pubs, Clubs
Theme: Eating and Drinking
Address: Downtown
Directions: Moved to a new location in Spring 2004. Not far from Nagano Station. Ask any foreigner and they'll know the way.


Nagano Photos


Nagano Matsumoto Castle



Nagano Downtown, full of skyscraper building



Nagano Zenkoji Castle, the most famous Buddhist Temple


Watch Zenkoji Castle at Nagano Video here

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Chiba City Tokyo drink bars address

Chiba (千葉市 Chiba-shi) is the capital city of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is located approximately 40 km east of the center of Tokyo on Tokyo Bay. Chiba City became a government designated city in 1992. Its population as of 2008 is approximately 960,000. A large part of the prefecture is the Bōsō Peninsula (房総半島 Bōsō-hantō), which shields Tokyo bay from the Pacific Ocean.

Chiba Nightlife and Clubs :

There are lots of clubs lined up in Chiba, mostly filled with Filipinas. The rates rise steeply after 10 pm. You'll see lots of people standing outside on the streets outside these clubs inviting you to visit their place.

You can drink together and chat up with these hostesses but be cautious about the bill. They add up lots of other things to the pre-decided rate like singing, dancing, etc.

But quite a nice experience. Not on my pocket though. Costed 6000 yens for an hour spent there!!

Some of best bars and nightclubs in Chiba are listed here including the address and brief information :

1. The Melting PotThe Melting Pot is an International Darts Bar. We have been around since 1999 and were the first soft-tip darts bar in Chiba prefecture.
Address #203 Town Aimi Bldg. 4-16-7 Ainokawa Ichikawa, Chiba Japan 272-0138

2. SalaLiterally this bar is one tent located on a side street outside of Tsudanuma station. Even in Japanese it is referred to as テントの居酒屋 which means "Tent Izakaya".
Address 千葉県船橋市前原西２-１３-１５

3. Rockwell's BarLocated in Chiba city on Fujimi Street next to the river, Rockwell's is a spacious western-style bar where one can sit and have a beer while chatting with the bartender or come with friends and just sit at a sofa and goof off.
Address 千葉県千葉市中央区富士見2-19-4

4. Outback SteakhouseA taste of home for just about any foreigner living in Japan. Forget about bite-size portions here because the dishes at Outback are large and plenty for foreigners of all size.
Address Messe Amuse Mall 1F 1-8, Hibino, Mihama-ku,Chiba-shi, Chiba 261-0021

5. Live House AngaA live house located in Chiba Chuo-ku. A great place to find local and upcoming bands.
Address 千葉市中央区富士見 2-16-4 B1F

6. Ocean DeepChiba's newest International Bar/Club & Cafe, Ocean Deep, has all you need for a great night out in Chiba. 1 minute from the west exit of Chiba station, ￥500 drinks & food with gaijin-sized portions, international beers, music you know & miss from home, videos on a huge 120inch projector screen.
Address Chiba Chuo-ku Shin-Chiba 2-1-5 Ogawa Daiichi Building 102

7. Raver's CafePsychedelic, trance and some of the biggest events in all of Chiba Prefecture! Raver's cafe is one of those treasures that is out in the middle of nowhere and only the locals know about it.
Address 千葉市緑区平山町1933

8. Balearic BarLocated Chiba city Chuo-ku on Chiba Ginza street next door to Stage 2, Balearic is a popular spot for clubbers to stop by before or after going to Stage 2 and well known among many of the foreigners in Chiba city.
Address 千葉市中央区中央3-17-2

9. Rob Roy speakeasyRob Roy speakeasy is your typical Japanese dining bar. Not too loud or rowdy with a touch of sophistication. However, drinks at such places are a bit more expensive than your average "gaijin hangouts" or Izakaya's so be careful.
Address 〒272-0023 千葉県市川市南八幡3-8-11　モンビラージュ2F

10. Breezy Cafe and BarLocated in Chiba City, Breezy Cafe offers a little bit of everything under one roof. They have a vast wine and cocktail list, private rooms for large parties, they carry Yebisu and Sapporo beers on tap, offer free board games.
Address 千葉県千葉市富士見 2-16-4

11. Hippy Dippy DooYou can come down for a beer, and a game of darts with your friends. Or just come down, hang out and meet new friends. We have delicious munchies too. Open Mic Night Hippy Dippy Doo has live music on Sundays once or twice a month.
Address "2-12-18 Gyotokuekimae, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba-ken 272-0133, Japan "

12. Uptown 125Uptown 125, "Chiba's No. 1 International Nightclub" is a recent addition to Chiba's night scene. Situated a 10 minute walk away from Funabashi JR station, the club boasts a vibrant mix of Japanese and foreign "beautiful people", live Reggae, Hip-Hop and other music.
Address Natsumi 1-10-31, Funabashi-shi, Chiba-ken, 273-0865

13. "Arrows" : British Pub and FoodArrows is yet another in a line of Disney-style faux-British pubs that has sprung up around Japan. Decked-out to look like an "authentic" British/Irish pub, the venue (one of three in the area) boasts draught-Guinness, Bodingtons ("The Cream of Manchester!") and Bass-Ale.
Address Funabashi-shi, Hon-cho, 4-39-6 2F

14. EURO HOUSE (Irish Pub)Located in Funabashi near the "My Thai Food" restaurant, Euro House offers what the faux-Brit Japanese run pub round the corner cannot...ATMOSPHERE. Run by a European and serving top Irish, British and European food as well as a great selection of draft foreign ales.
Address Kobeya Bldg. 3F, 4-40-3 Hon-cho, Funabashi-shi, Chiba

15. Upper Float Mexican Bar and GrillLocated in Chiba city, Upper float is a hot spot for foreigners in the Chiba area. Not only do they have great food that reminds you of home but the atmosphere is comfortable, friendly and fun.
Address 2-17-17 Chiba-shi Chuo-ku Fujimi Street


Chiba Photos :


Chiba Museum of Art



Chiba Nightlife view

Watch Hanami Festival in Chiba Video here

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Kyoto Hualin Luang Spa Sauna and Massage

Kyoto is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It is now the country's seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people and a modern face.

As a modern and metropolitan city, Kyoto grow as a dynamic and busy city. For everybody jailed in daily routine activity, a relaxtion may be needed.

What is Kyoto Massage?
The birth of Kyoto Massage began in 1999 while traveling the ancient city of temples amidst the towering bamboo trees and hundreds of stone steps. From sun- up til the sun-down, I left no temple undiscovered. I put prayers in the trees and kneeled to the alters. The mystery and wisdom of such a city led to the practice of energy exchange healing arts, Shiatsu. Three months later, back in America, I began to study and intergrate western massage to the modality. Clients that received my bodywork were amazed by my healing touch which gave me the inspiration to create my own moves, Kyoto Massage.


Kyoto has a lot of sauna, spa and massage. One of the service point is Huahin Luang. The salon is filled by an herbal fragrance and soft lights to make you perfectly relaxed. In this space, you can have a same experience which royalty of the ancient dynasty also had. When your mind and body need a luxury time, please recall that we are here waiting for you.

The service at Hualin Luang salon may include :

1.Tea service: before and after massage.
2.Foot bath with our originally brends of herbal essense.
3.Prepare comfortable clothes for you.
4.Check the condition of your health.

Please allow about extra 20-30 minutes except massage time.

If you come to Kyoto, and needs some relaxtion, don't forget to come to Huahin Luang Kyoto.

Huahin Luang [Kyoto] address :

Hirai building 502 hashibenkei 222-2 nakagyou Kyoto Japan
tel.075-212-8246 (open 11:00 - close 22:30)






Watch Kyoto Oil Massage Video here

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Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Transportation

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (立山黒部アルペンルート Tetayama Kurobe Arupen Rūto) is a famous mountain sightseeing route between Tateyama, Toyama and Ōmachi, Nagano, Japan.

The main attraction of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is the magnificent scenery of the Tateyama Mountain Range, part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park. An up to 20 meter high snow corridor is a highlight during spring, while summer and autumn attract visitors with beautiful hiking trails and alpine flowers.

Along with Mt.Fuji (Fujiyama) and Mt.Hakusan, Tateyama is one of Japan's Three Sacred Mountains and has been worshiped since ancient times. Tateyama Range is a spectacular and solemn display of peaks, soaring to an altitude of 3,000 meters. The variety of its topography creates a beauty of nature which has long been the love of many alpinists. With the completion of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, linking Toyama and Nagano Prefectures, Tateyama's heights have become accessible to us as an international alpine sightseeing area.

Tateyama, can be accessed through several ways such as Railway, Cablecar, bus and rope way.

Tateyama transportation and How To Get There :

1. Toyama Chiho Railway
2. Tateyama Cablecar
3. Highland Bus
4. Tateyama Snow Corridor
5. Murodo
6. Tateyama Trolley Bus
7. Daikanbo
8. Tateyama Ropeway
9. Korubedaira
10. Kurobe Cablecar
11. Kurobe Dam
12. Kanden Trolley Bus
13. Ogizawa-Omachi Bus

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Photos


Tateyama Kurobe Bus



Tateyama Kurobe Cable Car



This is an international mountain tourist route cutting through the Mt. Tateyama mountain range in the northern Japanese Alps



Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route


Watch Unazuki Onsen, Kurobe Gorge and Tateyama Alpine Route Video here

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