Photos: Enjoy the Virtual Trips to Japan!

The samurai residences of Kakunodate, Akita Prefecture, are buried under snow in winter. Walking through this quiet, white world, you will feel as if you have been transported back to the time of the samurai. Here, I would like to introduce Kakunodate in winter. Photos of Kakunodate in winter Kakunodate in winter, Akita Prefecture = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in winter, Akita Prefecture = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in winter, Akita Prefecture = AdobeStock   Kakunodate in winter, Akita Prefecture = AdobeStock   Kakunodate in winter, Akita Prefecture = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in winter, Akita Prefecture = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in winter, Akita Prefecture = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in winter, Akita Prefecture = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in winter, Akita Prefecture = Shutterstock     Map of Kakunodate     I appreciate you reading to the end.   Back to "Best of Akita"    

In Kakunodate, Akita Prefecture, there are some very fine samurai residences that still remain. Especially in autumn, you can enjoy the amazing autumn colors in these samurai residences. In this page, I am going to introduce Kakunodate in autumn. Photos of Kakunodate in autumn Kakunodate in autumn, Akita Pfrefecture = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in autumn, Akita Pfrefecture = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in autumn, Akita Pfrefecture = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in autumn, Akita Pfrefecture = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in autumn, Akita Pfrefecture = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in autumn, Akita Pfrefecture = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in autumn, Akita Pfrefecture = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in autumn, Akita Pfrefecture = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in autumn, Akita Pfrefecture = Shutterstock     Map of Kakunodate     I appreciate you reading to the end.   Back to "Best of Akita"    

In Kakunodate, Akita Prefecture, there are some very fine samurai residences that still remain. The scenery of these samurai residences changes beautifully as the seasons change. In this page, I would like to introduce the scenery of spring and summer. Photos of Kakunodate in spring and summer Kakunodate in spring and summer = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in spring and summer = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in spring and summer = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in spring and summer = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in spring and summer = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in spring and summer = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in spring and summer = AdobeStock   Kakunodate in spring and summer = Shutterstock   Kakunodate in spring and summer = Shutterstock     Map of Kakunodate     I appreciate you reading to the end.   Back to "Best of Akita"    

One of the most popular tourist destinations on the eastern side of Hokkaido is the three mysterious lakes, Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, and Lake Kussharo. These lakes are located in the Akan-Mashu National Park, which extends inland in eastern Hokkaido. If you tour the lakes by bus or rental car, you can experience the beautiful pristine Hokkaido. Especially in winter, you can enjoy the pure white world! Photos of Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo in Hokkaido = Shutterstock   Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo in Hokkaido = AdobeStock   Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo in Hokkaido = Shutterstock   Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo in Hokkaido = Shutterstock   Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo in Hokkaido = Shutterstock   Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo in Hokkaido = Shutterstock   Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo in Hokkaido = Shutterstock   Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo in Hokkaido = Shutterstock   Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo in Hokkaido = Shutterstock     Map of Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo     I appreciate you reading to the end.     Back to "Best of Hokkaido"    

If you want an in-depth experience of Japan's "Zen" culture, you should visit Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture. Many monks practice Zen at this temple, and you can experience it too. There is also a beautiful traditional temple town around the temple. Eiheiji is located about 150 km northeast of Kyoto and is covered in snow in winter. If you're traveling to Kyoto or any other place in the winter, I'd recommend visiting Eiheiji as well! Photos of Eiheiji Temple Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture = AdobeStock   Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture = Shutterstock   Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture = Shutterstock   Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture = Shutterstock   Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture = Shutterstock   Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture = Shutterstock   Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture = Pixta   Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture = AdobeStock   Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture = Pixta     Map of Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture     I appreciate you reading to the end.   Back to "Best of Fukui"    

If you want to see the beautiful Japanese countryside, you should go to Tokamachi in Niigata Prefecture, about two hours north of Tokyo by Shinkansen. Tokamachi is home to beautiful terraced rice fields, forests and ravines. In the canyons, you can enjoy the amazing scene from inside the tunnel, as shown on this page. This region is also famous for its delicious rice and sake. Plus, in the winter you can experience heavy snowfall! Photos of Tokamachi in Nigata Prefecture Tokamachi in Nigata Prefecture = Shutterstock   Tokamachi in Nigata Prefecture = Shutterstock   Tokamachi in Nigata Prefecture = Shutterstock   Tokamachi in Nigata Prefecture = Shutterstock   Tokamachi in Nigata Prefecture = Shutterstock   Tokamachi in Nigata Prefecture = Shutterstock   Tokamachi in Nigata Prefecture = Shutterstock   Tokamachi in Nigata Prefecture = Shutterstock   Tokamachi in Nigata Prefecture = Shutterstock     Map of Tokamachi in Nigata Prefecture     I appreciate you reading to the end.   Back to "Best of Nigata"    

If you want to admire the cherry blossoms to your heart's content in a Japanese castle, I recommend Hirosaki Castle in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. This castle is not very big. If you only want to visit the castle, I'd recommend Himeji Castle or Matsumoto Castle. However, on a mild spring day, seeing the incredible number of cherry blossom petals falling on Hirosaki Castle will be one of the best memories you will ever have. Hirosaki Castle is covered in snow in the winter. It's another great time of year to visit! Photos of Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture = Shutterstock   Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture = Shutterstock   Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture = AdobeStock   Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture = Shutterstock   Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture = Shutterstock   Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture = Shutterstock   Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture   Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture = Shutterstock   Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture = Shutterstock     Map of Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture     I appreciate you reading to the end.   Back to "Best of Aomori"    

Dazaifu (Fukuoka Prefecture) in Kyushu is known for the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and the Kyushu National Museum. If you visit Dazaifu, I recommend stopping by Komyozen-ji Temple, which is right next to Tenmangu. Komyozen-ji Temple has two Japanese gardens designed by Mirei Shigemori, a famous 20th century landscape architect. The gardens are wonderful, especially during the foliage season in November. Photos of Komyozen-ji Temple Komyozen-ji Temple in Fukuoka Prefecture = Shutterstock   Komyozen-ji Temple in Fukuoka Prefecture = Shutterstock   Komyozen-ji Temple in Fukuoka Prefecture = Shutterstock   Komyozen-ji Temple in Fukuoka Prefecture = Shutterstock   Komyozen-ji Temple in Fukuoka Prefecture = Shutterstock   Komyozen-ji Temple in Fukuoka Prefecture = Shutterstock   Komyozen-ji Temple in Fukuoka Prefecture = Shutterstock   Komyozen-ji Temple in Fukuoka Prefecture = Shutterstock   Komyozen-ji Temple in Fukuoka Prefecture = Shutterstock     Map of Komyozen-ji Temple     I appreciate you reading to the end.     Back to "Best of Fukuoka"    

Hikone Castle is one of the five famous castles in Japan that have been designated as national treasures. It is located about 50 minutes east of Kyoto Station by rapid train. The castle was built in the first half of the 17th century by the Tokugawa shogunate to protect Kyoto. The view from the existing castle tower is spectacular. Photos of Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture = Shutterstock   Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture = Shutterstock   Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture = Shutterstock   Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture = Shutterstock   Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture = Shutterstock   Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture = Shutterstock   Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture = Shutterstock   Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture = Shutterstock   Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture = Shutterstock     Map of Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture     I appreciate you reading to the end.   Back to "Best of Shiga"    

Japan is a country with many forests, but there are exceptionally desert-like places. If you go to the Tottori Sand Dunes located on the Sea of Japan side of western Honshu, you will be overwhelmed by the vast landscape in front of you. The Tottori Sand Dunes are not only large but also have a large difference in elevation. So the scenery is full of ups and downs. The sea beyond that is also beautiful! Photos of Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Orefecture Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Orefecture = Shutterstock   Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Orefecture = Shutterstock   Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Orefecture = Shutterstock   Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Orefecture = Shutterstock   Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Orefecture = Shutterstock   Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Orefecture = Shutterstock   Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Orefecture = Shutterstock   Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Orefecture = Shutterstock   Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Orefecture = Shutterstock     Map of Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Orefecture     I appreciate you reading to the end.   Back to "Best of Tottori"    

In Japan, there are still many beautiful places that are not well known to overseas guests. Among them, Matsue, which is located on the Sea of Japan side in the western part of Honshu, has a very high reputation among the guests who actually went there. Matsue is an old city that retains many traditional Japanese events and customs. The castle tower that was built in the Edo period has been left in Matsue Castle and is designated as a national treasure. I recommend adding this wonderful city to your itinerary. Photos of Matsue Matuse in Shimane Prefecture   Matuse in Shimane Prefecture   Matuse in Shimane Prefecture   Matuse in Shimane Prefecture   Matuse in Shimane Prefecture   Matuse in Shimane Prefecture   Matuse in Shimane Prefecture   Matuse in Shimane Prefecture   Matuse in Shimane Prefecture     Map of Matsue     I appreciate you reading to the end. Back to "Best of Shimane"    

One of Japan's most popular tourist destinations among foreign tourists is Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture. In Miyajima, the Torii Gate on the sea is the most famous. However, on this small island, besides the torii gate, there are various beautiful sights throughout the four seasons. Especially from mid to late November, the entire island is covered with autumn leaves. Please enjoy this wonderful world someday! Photos of Miyajima in autumn Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture = Shutterstock   Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture = Shutterstock   Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture = Shutterstock   Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture   Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture = Shutterstock   Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture = Shutterstock   Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture = Shutterstock   Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture = Shutterstock   Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture = Shutterstock     Map of Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture     I appreciate you reading to the end.   Back to "Best of Hiroshima Pref."