Landmarks of Japan. The most important and interesting sights of the cities of Japan: photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, sites.
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Nijo Castle
Kyoto, Nakagyo-ku, Nijo-dori Horikawa Nishi iru, Nijojo-cho, 41
The National Treasure of Japan, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the most beautiful castle complexes in the "Land of the Rising Sun" - all this is about the surprisingly powerful and at the same time elegant Nijo Castle (Nijō-jō), located in the very "heart" of the city of Kyoto.
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Imperial Palace in Tokyo
Tokyo, 1-1 Chiyoda
In the center of Tokyo, in the dense greenery of trees, the palace of the emperor of Japan is hidden surrounded by canals, moats and ancient walls. Whole palace complex spread over an area of almost 7.5 square meters. km. Access to it is limited, but since 1968 its East Park has been open to the public on certain days.
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Shinjuku
Tokyo, Shinjuku
One of the most popular and lively areas of Tokyo is Shinjuku. Once a small town near the post station, today Shinjuku is teeming with black suits of disciplined office workers during the daytime, and at night it burns with billions of lights that literally ripple in the eyes of vacationers.
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Kabuki-za theater
Tokyo, Chuo-ku, Ginza, 4-12-15
Kabuki-za, located in the "heart" of Ginza, the main theater in Tokyo. This is not just one of the most unusual temples of Melpomene in the world; for the Japanese, it is an object of national pride and reckless adoration. It's hard to say what is so catchy for an extremely smart nation: rich costumes or crazy makeup.
The sights of Japan are also diverse, so everyone will find something of their own in the Land of the Rising Sun and take away only the best memories.
Temples of Japan
First of all, Japan is known for its unique temples, some of them literally amaze with their beauty even those who are not very fond of temple architecture. The city of Kyoto was especially distinguished in this regard, where only about 1600 Buddhist temples that survived the Second World War remained. Of course, it is unlikely that there will be an opportunity to explore everything in one visit; so it makes sense to first of all see those temples, the external decoration of which is legendary. For example, Ginkaku-ji (another unofficial name is "Silver Pavilion"). At first it was assumed that the whole of it would be covered with silver in honor of the goddess Kannon, but the outbreak of war prevented this plan. The pavilion was conceived for the rest of the shogun. This is a quiet, unusually harmonious place, and in its present form the temple is beautiful without any silver.
When visiting temples in Japan, you should follow the rules of decency: do not speak loudly either in the temple building or on its territory, take off your shoes at the entrance (sometimes temples give out special slippers), and also pay attention to prohibition signs. As a rule, you can take pictures, but it is better to check with the ministers.
But if you happen to visit Osaka, then remember: south of this city is the Koya-san shrine. It was built in the 9th century BC, and from the temple itself to the foot of the mountain departs the famous pilgrimage trail, which is already many hundreds of years old.
However, it is not necessary to carry out the entire ascent on your own two feet - you can climb the mountain by cable road in a few minutes. The views are worth it!
Castles of Japan
In addition to shrines, numerous Japanese castles are also open to tourists. In total, about 50 ancient castles; some of them, such as the castle in Hiroshima, were destroyed during World War II and subsequently rebuilt. Others have been preserved since the 17th century in their original form. These include, in particular, the legendary Kochi Castle, which is located in the prefecture of the same name. It cannot be said that any high-profile military dates are associated with the castle: Koti is known for being the only intact inner ring of fortifications preserved in it.
Japanese architecture
In modern Japan, there are many buildings erected in a variety of eras - from temples that were created long before the advent of our era, to "high-tech" skyscrapers. Cities are therefore very eclectic, but something always subtly connects new and old buildings. A distinctive feature of Japan is that here, in the most outwardly incongruous things, inner harmony is almost always felt.
If there is a desire to see Japan through the eyes of the captain of the first Russian who visited it in 1804-1805 world travel Ivan Kruzenshtern, it is worth going to the countryside: real traditional Japanese houses - “minka” - have been preserved in the form of continuous buildings only there.
Monuments of Japan
Japanese monuments are not at all like the large-scale sculptures we are accustomed to that adorn squares and parks in the CIS. Some of them are about a thousand years old or more; this is a unique cultural heritage that has come down to the present from the ancient representatives of Buddhism. In Nara Prefecture, in the well-known Horyu-ji area, for example, you can see Buddhist statues that have survived many centuries. Believers still come to them to pray and ask for help in enlightenment.
In the same prefecture ancient city with the same name - Nara, also full of wonderful ancient monuments. In particular, there are many examples of such art in magnificent palace Heijo.
In Japan, there are many monuments related to wartime, but they do not really resemble our stelae of military glory. In Hiroshima, there is a monument in the form of the skeleton of a stone house destroyed by bombing, and higher, on the mountain, there is a sculpture depicting the bomb itself dropped on the city. In the city of Urawa, there is a monument to pumpkin and sweet potato - despite all its outward comicality, it reminds the Japanese of how hard life was during the years of wars and disasters and that they were saved from inevitable death. In Tokyo, tourists are attracted by a monument to the Akito dog breed, much loved by the Japanese, as well as one of the actors of the famous kabuki theater, who played countless samurai during his career.
Theater of Japan
Having seen enough of the static objects of art and culture, you will probably want to observe something in dynamics. Well, then it will be a high time to visit the classical Japanese theater. Of course, in this context, the kabuki tradition comes to mind first: all those rich costumes, bright makeup, unearthly fantasy wigs and exaggerated, exaggerated behavior of the actors on stage. The stage itself in such a theater is usually dynamic, with many rotating platforms and secret hatches. All this allows you to quickly change the scenery, the actors are able to disappear and appear almost instantly in these conditions. Dramatic and vibrant.
But, of course, Japanese theatrical art is known not only for kabuki. The cultural importance of the puppet show tradition, bunraku, should not be underestimated. "Puppets" in such a theater are about half the height of a person, each is controlled by three: the main puppeteer and two assistants. The puppets have all the possibilities for rich facial expressions, so they give a very realistic impression.
And another important trend in the theatrical life of Japan is the Noh tradition, which is very ancient: it first appeared somewhere in the 14th century. Actors play a variety of roles, using large painted masks instead of make-up, which can change during the course of the performance. Talking and singing proceed at a very monotonous even pace, accompanied by a choir and traditional orchestral instruments for this country. The stage for plays performed in the Noh style is usually located on a piece of land under open sky.
Islands of Japan
Hokkaido is the northernmost and second largest island in Japan, one third of which is covered with forests. Once upon a time, the island was inhabited by the Ainu tribes - judging by the descriptions of travelers, immigrants from Eastern Siberia. Later, when the Japanese began to move north, the Ainu suffered the same fate as the American Indians. However, like the Indians, the Ainu partially survived. Now there are several Ainu settlements in Hokkaido, which are supported by the Japanese authorities - both for scientific purposes and to attract tourists.
But Hokkaido is interesting not only for its anthropological features. Unique nature preserved in 6 national parks, which are also reserves. There are also about 10 lakes with hot mineral springs volcanic origin.
Many sights of Japan are well known abroad: the Tokyo Tower, the Golden Temple, the park at the site of the fall of the nuclear bomb in Hiroshima. Before going on a trip, travelers plan to rub Hachiko's nose in the Shibuya quarter, buy anime goods at Akihabara, and get acquainted with the life of geishas in Kyoto. In Japan, however, there are many very unhackneyed cool places a little off the standard routes, but easily accessible even for an inexperienced tourist. I collected ten such points that I visited myself and sorted them by distance from Tokyo.
Ramen Museum in Yokohama
Japan is an ideal country for gastronomic tourism, and you should definitely try ramen noodles. In any institution. It will be delicious everywhere. But the most chic is to go to Yokohama (half an hour or an hour from Tokyo) to the ramen museum. Like any food museum in Japan, this is primarily a place where you can eat very tasty, authentic and inexpensive. But the charm of this particular museum is that it reproduces the design and life of a Japanese street in the middle of the 20th century indoors. Signs, posters, telephone booths, bicycles - all this can be looked at and photographed for at least an hour. And then - dinner!
Hot springs in Kusatsu
Relaxing in the hot springs in a traditional ryokan inn is a thing that any tourist must try at least once. The coolest place you can easily get from Tokyo is Kusatsu-onsen, three hours by train or bus. First, I recommend walking through the park, where water from hot springs comes to the surface in emerald lakes of boiling water. Then - a bite to eat street food (grilled river fish or boiled eggs in a hot spring). In the evening, enjoy a traditional ten-course kaiseki dinner and relax in a beautiful hot spring for ryokan guests. Before returning in Tokyo you can climb the hill where the haiku of the great Japanese poet Matsuo Basho is carved in stone and enjoy a pleasant view of the city.
Kegon Falls in Nikko
There are a lot of waterfalls in Japan, but one of the largest and most picturesque is the hundred-meter Kegon in Nikko. You will go to this city anyway, because guidebooks recommend looking at Tokugawa's grave and the temple with three monkeys. Do not be too lazy to spend an hour on the bus to climb further into the mountains, to Lake Chuzenji, the water from which falls down the Kegon Falls. Physical training is not needed: the caring Japanese have built an elevator that brings tourists down almost to the foot, to the very convenient place for photographs. If you want to show off your muscles, it is better to rent a boat on the lake and slowly sail along the coast with Shinto shrines, a giant Buddha statue and heartbreaking mountain views.
Jugosaki coast on the Izu Peninsula
Residents of Tokyo travel to the Izu Peninsula when they want to take a break from both the big cities and the mountain scenery. Jugosaki is the place where lava from ancient volcanoes met the sea and solidified into huge black rocks. Now they are overgrown with pines, and people have laid comfortable hiking trails, fencing the most dangerous places. Jugosaki is a leisurely stroll for hours, stopping to take photos or buy green tea flavored ice cream. Citrus fruits grow well on the volcanic soil, and on the way back to the ryokan, you can buy delicious tangerines or oranges from the farmers directly from the branch.
Post towns in the Kiso Valley
During the era of the shogunate, all feudal rulers were required to regularly ride to tokyo bow to the true ruler of the country. To make it comfortable for them to overcome the path, so-called “post towns” appeared in Japan, in which the lords and their retinue could spend the night, dine and have fun. In the twentieth century, several of these cities on the Nakasendo Road (between Nagoya and Tokyo) were turned into a real open-air museum of ancient Japan. The coolest thing to do in the Kiso Valley is to walk along Nakasendo the way real samurai did just one hundred and fifty years ago, since the journey from one city to another takes only an hour. In spring, everything around blooms, in autumn you can admire the red momiji maples. For the night, of course, you should stay in an old Japanese minshuku guesthouse with a real hearth in the middle of the house, and the owner will cook you something simple and traditional for dinner.
Ninja Museum in Iga
Several hundred years ago, the Iga ninja made an important contribution to the unification of Japan, and now their village has been turned into a huge museum. You can see how the ninja lived, how they hid equipment and pretended to be ordinary peasants, how they ran on water and hid from enemies in clouds of smoke. Specially trained actors will show ninja techniques, and children can change into costumes and leave real star-shurikens around the same place where the legendary Hattori Hanzo once trained. You can get to Iga from Nagoya or Kyoto with a couple of transfers, but it's worth it. How else do you know that the ninja costumes were actually blue instead of black? 
Moss garden at Kokedera Temple, Kyoto
Guidebooks usually recommend visiting the Golden Temple of Kinkakuji and the Fifteen Rock Garden at Ryoanji Temple, but be sure to check out nearby Kokedera as well. Japanese temples and shrines are usually interesting primarily for gardens - with all those lovely ponds, streams, bridges and flowering trees. They are all arranged similarly, but never get bored and look great in any season. In Kokedera, all surfaces in the garden, including the bridges and stone buddhas, are covered with moss, making the landscape completely alien. The downside, however, is that some of the routes are closed for tourists - so that the moss is not spoiled.
Kaiyukan Aquarium in Osaka
Japan is full of large and small aquariums, but the best one is in Osaka. On eight floors there are samples of flora and fauna from all over Pacific Ocean: river fish of Ecuador, chinstrap penguins, gigantic Japanese salamanders, a school of fat tuna and a huge whale shark. Jellyfish, corals, seabirds, seals - each species has a cool-looking exposition, and you will first learn about the existence of many species of marine reptiles in Kayukan. You can personally take part in feeding dolphins or other peaceful animals, or you can touch a real sticky stingray or a real live shark with your hand. True, not a whale, but a very small one, but it is also considered.
Naoshima Island near Hiroshima
Connoisseurs of contemporary art are required to get to the island of Naoshima in Japan's inland Seto Sea, there is often a ferry from Hiroshima. On the one hand, there you will see traditional rural Japan, where grannies on the street still bow and greet everyone who comes to meet them. On the other hand, ultra-modern art installations about the play of colors, shapes and sounds are scattered all over the island, which foreigners come to admire first of all. The experience will go something like this: we looked at a pond with alarm clocks and red laser beams - we went to a family restaurant and ate a bowl of buckwheat noodles - we took out a map and went by bus to a giant spotted pumpkin.
Mount Fuji is a volcano located on the border of Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures. This highest point Japan, the height of the mountain is 3776 meters.
The sight of Mount Fuji towering against the backdrop of a bright blue sky inspires and fills the heart of any Japanese. In 2013, Mount Fuji was named the site world heritage which confirms its global value. In summer, many people climb Mount Fuji to enjoy the views from its summit, especially the beautiful sunrise.
On lakes Yamanaka and Kawaguchi at the foot of Mount Fuji, there are campsites and cottages for everyone who wants to spend time in the fresh air. In addition, it is worth seeing the waters from the melting snow that pass through the lava. Osino-Hakkai Springs, Fugasu Wind Cave, and Fuji Springs Aquarium are just a few other interesting places to visit.
2. Miyajima
Miyajima is an island owned by the city of Hatsukaiti in Hiroshima Prefecture. The area of the island is 30.2 sq. km and its population is less than 2000 people.
Miyajima's most famous landmark is the Itsukushima Jinja Shrine. This elaborate shrine, which the temple is today, was built in the 12th century by the ruler of this region, whose name was Taira-no-Kiyomori. At high tide, the temple seems to be floating in the sea - such beauty is not to be missed.
The nearby Treasure Room of the Itsukushima Shrine contains about 4,500 valuable pieces of art that were dedicated to the Heike Shrine and people in power. Part of this collection is available to all visitors, and these historical materials, which are several hundred years old, are worth a look.
The street between the ferry pier and Itsukushima-jinja Temple is full of restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and hotels. Particularly attractive are the rice paddles that are used to serve rice - they can be found in almost every souvenir shop. This is due to the fact that Miyajima is the birthplace of rice paddles, which are called "shamoji" in Japanese.
3. Shirakawa-go
At any time of the year, Shirakawa-go offers many classic Japanese landscapes: rice planting in spring, fresh summer foliage, bright fall foliage, and snowy scenery in winter. When you find yourself in the village, walking will be the main way to get around. Walking around the village you will find many souvenir shops, hotels, cafes and bars, as well as onsen. Despite the numerous tourist attractions, you should remember that many houses remain private and inhabited by people, so do not go inside the houses without permission. It is worth noting that several houses here have been named important cultural values of Japan - they are open to the public. Among them are the house of Wada-ke and the house of Kanda-ke. If you are interested in gassho-style houses, we recommend that you visit Shirakawago Open-Air Gassho House Museum. In this museum, you can see about 20 different gassho style houses and learn a lot of interesting things about how they were built and how they lived.
4. Matsuyama
Matsuyama is an area in Ehime Prefecture that includes the cities of Matsuyama and Iyo. Matsuyama City is the capital of Ehime Prefecture and is the most populated city to Shikoku.
The main tourist attraction is hot spring Dogo Onsen. It is believed that Dolgo is the oldest onsen in Japan, which was used even by the imperial family. This place is also associated with Soseki Natsume, a Japanese writer who wrote Yours truly the cat (Wagahai wa neodearu). Soseki Natsume worked as an English teacher in Matsuyama, and later wrote the novel "The Boy" (Botchan), the events of which unfold in this city.
A tram runs around the city, which is called the Botchan train. He received this name thanks to the work of Soseki Natsume. The tram runs from Matsuyama Station to Dogo Onsen Station. From one of the stops you can take a cable car to Matsuyama Castle. Near the exit from the station "Ookaido" is a large shopping arcade. You can enjoy walking along it all the way to Matsuyama-shi Station.
5. Izumo
Izumo is an area covering the city of Izumo and its surrounding lands in Shimane Prefecture.
One of Japan's main temples, Izumo-taisha Shrine, is located in Izumo. The main deity here is Okuninushi no Okami. According to the historical writings "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki", in Japanese mythology"Kuniyuzuri Shinwa", Okuninushi no Okami made Japan habitable and gave it to Amaterasu Omikami (Goddess of the Sun).
Here, many places are associated with these myths, including Inasa Beach, Susa-jinja Temple, and Hinomisaki-jinja. There are also other places related to the history of Izumo, such as the Izumo Cultural Heritage Museum, the Izumo Shimane Museum of Antiquities - we recommend visiting them for all lovers of history and culture.
6. Shiretoko
Shiretoko is an area located in the eastern part of Hokkaido Prefecture. This is a peninsula that protrudes into the territory of Hokkaido in the shape of a horn. average temperature in winter it drops below zero, and drifting ice floes appear in the sea. Although the air temperature can exceed 30℃ in summer, it is perceived as comfortable due to the low humidity.
The Shiretoko Peninsula was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Its natural diversity is the main feature that attracts tourists. Shiretoko Nature Cruise and Shiretoko Landmarks Cruise are especially popular. There are also various cruises that allow tourists to watch wild animals, or visit an onsen - hot waterfall Kamuywakka falling from a height of 130 m.
7. Zao
Dzao is a region that includes mountain range Zao, located between Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures. It is known in Japan as an excellent ski resort.
As for the tourist sites in the region, the Zao cable car deserves special attention, where you can enjoy the view of the icy Zao trees in winter. There is also a wide variety of popular skiing destinations. If you are interested natural objects, be sure to visit Okama Crater Zao Onsen hot spring, a major outdoor spa resort and Kotori House, a wild bird study center in nature reserve where you can find out about natural conditions and wild birds of Zao. One more popular place- the village of Kitsune Miyagi-Zao, where you can see over 100 foxes of 6 different breeds living in freedom.
8. Hiraizumi
Hiraizumi is located in the southwestern part of Iwate Prefecture. Hiraizumi has rich history and a deep connection with the Ōshū-Fujiwara (Northern Fujiwara) family who ruled the entire Tohoku region. The story begins in the second half of the 11th century, when Fujiwara no Kiyohira moved his base from Esashi, in the southwestern part of Iwate Prefecture, to Hiraizumi, because that city had better transport links.
In numerous battles, Kiyohira lost many relatives, which is why, in the hope of peace, he built the Chuson-ji Temple, which is today a World Heritage Site. The golden hall "Konjiki-do", which was built in 1124, has a sophisticated interior created by the best craftsmen of that time. Inside and outside the temple is decorated with golden leaves. The concept of Chuson-ji is based on Kiyohira's idea of a peaceful Buddhist community, an idea that has evolved into Hiraizumi's modern philosophy.
Motsu-ji Temple, located a 25-minute walk from Chuson-ji, is also a World Heritage Site. The Fujiwara Festival is held here every May, where people dress up as members of the Ōshū Fujiwara clan and parade from Motsu-ji Temple to Chūson-ji Temple. The Kyokusui-no-Utage Water Song Festival in Motsu-ji is also very popular, with people dressed in aristocratic Heian period costumes, reciting poetry and performing traditional dances.
9. Hakone
Hakone is a hot spring area located in Kanagawa Prefecture. This tourist place, popular for its proximity to downtown Tokyo.
Hakone is located in national park Fuji-Hakone-Izu, rich in nature. The most popular among tourists is the Owakudani Valley, which was formed during a volcanic eruption about 3,000 years ago. Anyone can take the Hakone cable car and go up to a height of 1044 meters, from where you can watch the volcanic activity. A popular souvenir are black eggs - these are ordinary eggs that have reacted with volcanic gas.
Lake Ashinoko is also calling card Hakone. You can go sightseeing on the lake or visit Hakone-jinja Shrine, known as a place of power. In the summer there is a fireworks festival.
If you want to enjoy the hot springs, we recommend going to Hakone Yumoto Onsen, which is very close to JR Hakone Yumoto Station. There are many hotels and hotels here, so you can easily find where to spend the night. However, you can visit the hot springs during the day without staying at the hotel. Hakone-Yumoto is full of souvenir shops and cafes, so you can take a pleasant and rewarding walk through the onsen.
10. Beppu
Beppu has many unique hot springs that are worth a separate mention and tour of them. For example, one such place where you can see the hot springs is Jigoku, which means "hell" in Japanese. There are 9 hot springs, including Umi-Jigoku ("sea hell"), whose water is cobalt blue, Kamado-Jigoku ("hellish furnace"), Chi-no-ike Jigoku ("bloody hell"), whose water is red colors, because they are rich in iron, Oniishi-Bozu Jigoku ("mud hell") and Tatsumaki Jigoku ("hell tornado"), which hits from the ground.
Due to the large elevation differences in this region, we recommend getting here by bus or car. You can buy a one-day ticket from the Beppu Tourism Association at Beppu Station. The closest airport to Beppu is Oita Airport, from there you can get to Beppu in 50 minutes. From downtown Fukuoka, Kyushu can be reached in about 2.5 hours by train or bus.
But the opportunity didn't come up. Tourists were asked to find a guarantor from the Japanese side, and I had no friends there, or to issue documents through a travel agency, which resulted in cosmic sums. Since 2017 visa regime simplified, and the guarantor was not needed. I rushed to collect documents.
It seemed to me that the trip would succeed if I caught cherry blossoms. In fact, I saw so much that the impressions still do not fit in my head.
When to go
Hanami - the season of admiring flowers - lasts only 7-10 days. Dates depend on which of the islands and which part of them to go to. I followed the news of the Japan Meteorological Company and learned the cherry blossom forecast from there.
Senso-ji Temple and Tokyo Skytree
In mid-January, meteorologists predicted that flowers would bloom in Tokyo in early April. I did not wait for more accurate forecasts, so as not to delay the purchase of an air ticket. I always buy tickets a couple of months before my trips - they usually come out cheaper that way. I found an option for 30,000 rubles with a daily transfer in Singapore so that I could visit a local friend and walk around the city on the way back.
Where to stay
In addition to air tickets, the main item of expenditure is housing. Hotels in Tokyo are expensive, and renting an apartment on Airbnb cost the same amount. Therefore, I booked a cell in a capsule hotel for a week for 27,000 rubles.
Imagine a corridor, and on both sides - small bedrooms, located close, like a honeycomb. No windows - just a bed, a plasma TV and a luggage safe hidden under the bed. For those who are accustomed to staying in hotels or rented apartments, such housing will seem too spartan. But if you like hostels and do not suffer from claustrophobia, it will be easier to get used to. I decided that I would calmly survive all this, and I was not mistaken.
Capsule Hotel MyCUBE by Mystays Asakusa Kuramae
Toilets and a bathroom were located on the floor, as in a regular hostel. In addition to bathrobes, which were offered to each guest instead of pajamas, I got hold of free earplugs, disposable toothbrushes, hair ties, face creams and other girlish joys. I don't know what they offered men, because our floor was completely female.
What you need to know before the trip
I studied the guidebooks and sketched out the program for my stay in Japan - they asked me to show it for a visa. I collected the remaining documents and four days later received a visa, which is now free for Russians.
Friends who have already been to Japan warned of two things. First, even among Japanese youth, few people speak English. I didn’t particularly worry about this - I decided that sign language would always come to the rescue. Secondly, cashless payments are not very common in Japan. I took dollars from the card and put them with me to exchange them for yen upon arrival. I pledged $500 for the subway, food and souvenirs.
A couple of weeks before departure, I downloaded a map of Japan from the maps.me app. You can navigate it when there is no Internet at hand, and mark the right places - cafes, bars, temples or parks. I also took the course “How to understand Japan” by Japanese historian Alexander Raevsky. I learned about samurai, traditions and Japanese mentality. On the trip, knowledge came in handy - even without a guide, I understood why the Japanese garden looks like this and not otherwise, or why talking on a mobile phone in the subway is considered indecent.
First day in Tokyo: sakura
There is no center in Tokyo, and attractions are scattered across different districts and quarters. In Ginza, for example, there are many designer shops, art galleries and restaurants, and you can catch fashionistas and representatives of different subcultures in the camera lens in Shibuya. The place as a whole will appeal to fans nightlife, while there is where to hide from noisy parties - for example, in the Meiji Shrine or Yoyogi Park.
My hotel was in Asakusa/Ueno. This area suffered less than others during the bombing of World War II and retained the atmosphere of the past. There is the ancient Buddhist temple of Senso-ji and the 50-hectare Ueno Park, popular during hanami. I chose to live here to be within walking distance of the cherry blossom park and the local temple. In addition, housing prices were lower than in the same Ginza.
Cherry blossom viewing at the University of Tokyo
The first thing I went to was Ueno Park. Most parks are free to enter, including Ueno. Google maps suggested that there is just the peak of flowering.
Previously, it seemed to me that plants cannot cause tears of delight. And already wiping my eyes with a handkerchief, I realized that nature has its own opinion on this matter.
It seemed to me that Japanese sakura would be similar to our spring cherry. I was wrong. Now I perfectly understand the expression "sea of flowers". In the course about Japan, we were told that walking in line is a typical Japanese scene during hanami. Locals gather with families, groups of friends and colleagues, mix with numerous tourists and walk along the paths of the parks in a loud crowd. I found myself in the very center of such a procession - as if they picked me up and carried me deep into the park. Previously, it seemed to me that plants cannot cause tears of delight - okay, there are mountains or an ocean. And already wiping my eyes with a handkerchief, I realized that nature has its own opinion on this matter.
Cherry blossom season is open!
When choosing a park for viewing sakura, I advise you to check with Google Maps - the maps will tell you whether the blossoming has begun or the flowers have just begun to bloom. In Chidorigafuchi near the Imperial Palace, for example, you can rent a boat and ride under the cherry blossoms. Half an hour of skiing will cost about 500 rubles. On the campus of the University of Tokyo - watch the students spreading mats under the trees, or even get to know them and join the picnic. In the evening - take a walk along the banks of the Meguro River, which is illuminated by colored lights.
Second day: temples and museums
The main attraction of the Asakusa area is the Buddhist temple Senso-ji. The first time I was there at night: rare tourists wandered around the territory, and photographers set up their tripods. In the lights, the temple really looked like a postcard.
Overnight at Senso-ji
boxes of predictions
On the way I came across a stand where there were boxes with fortune telling. I lowered a coin (about 60 rubles) and pulled out a wand with a hieroglyph. Further, the task turned out to be not easy: to find the same hieroglyph on one of the boxes. Some differed only in a few strokes. When I checked myself five times and made sure that my eyes did not deceive me, from desired box I pulled out a prediction. “Your life will bloom like cherry blossoms in spring,” the prediction read. Satisfied, I promised myself to return to the temple the next day, but in the afternoon.
Japanese beauties at Senso-ji Temple
Lunch with the Japanese
Once I bought a bento - lunch in a box (it cost about 900 rubles). Inside were veal in sweet soy sauce, herbs, and a rolled omelet. The bento is popular with office workers who make their lunch breaks from their skyscrapers to the nearby park for a bite to eat. Even ready-made food in boxes in Japan - you will lick your fingers!
In Kyoto, I remember dumplings from Sukemasa - I tried such delicious dumplings only in Istanbul.
Water or matcha tea is always brought with the order. Coffee lovers are also lucky - the Japanese occupy the third place in the world in terms of coffee consumption, which means that there are plenty of coffee houses in the country. But, oddly enough, I didn’t feel like coffee - I got hooked on matcha and soy milk, which is sold with various additives.
I travel a lot, but I rarely want to go back to where I've been for a second time. Japan was an exception: as soon as I got off the plane in Moscow, I knew that japanese history for me is just beginning. The next destination is to go to Momiji, the red maple season in autumn. To begin with, I want to look at different seasons in order to see the diversity of Japanese nature in all its glory. And then to come to Japan without any particular reference to time.
Friendly people who will do anything to help you, even if they don't fully understand your question or request due to not knowing English. parks, thermal springs and bamboo gardens, which the Japanese cherish like the apple of their eye. Temples and restaurants, driverless trains and geishas, androids and skyscrapers - Japan will find something to surprise you with.
The editors of Ostrovok.ru would like to thank Elena Kiselyova for the photos.
Today we will go to the Land of the Rising Sun! But not to meet the dawn, but to look at the strangest places and sights you have ever seen. If you still thought that Japan is only megacities with skyscrapers and imperial palaces, then you are in for a lot of surprises.
10. Cat Island
Let's start with one of the most unusual places. Located on the island of Tashiro (), Cat Island, as the name suggests, is inhabited by a huge number of cats! No cat lover should miss a trip to Cat Island during their trip to Japan!
9. Yoro Park
Created by New York-based artist, designer and architect Shusaku Arakawa, who calls his brainchild "The Place of Reversible Fate", this park will bring you the most unexpected!
8. Okunoshima Island
We have already visited the island of cats, and now it's time to visit! Home to over 300 adorable creatures!
7. Nagoro Village
Nagoro Village was once home to thousands of people, but over time, more and more residents left the area in search of a better life, making the village a quiet and creepy place.
So some locals have decided to turn the empty village into a popular tourist attraction by replacing empty spaces and houses with hundreds of stuffed animals. Because so far, this place hasn't been weird and scary enough!
6. Hitachi Seaside Park
This 1.9 km², located in the city of Hitachinaka in Ibaraki Prefecture, is one of the largest flower gardens in the world, with literally millions of flowers of all kinds and colors.
5. Fox Village
Just if you thought that you had already visited all the strange places in Japan where animals live, then go ahead - to the Fox Village, where you can feed these animals from your hands and stroke them!
4. Robot Gundam (Gundam Robot)
And what else did you want from a tour of the strangest places in Japan, if not a giant weighing 35 tons?!
3. Lake Yamanaka
If a trip on a swan-shaped steamboat with an observation tower in its "head" is exactly what you like, then this post is definitely for you!
2. Tokyo Anti-Flood Collector (G-CANS)
There are only a few "sewer tours" around the world. But the special feature of the G-Cans project is almost 65-meter tanks and a huge underground system with powerful hydraulic pumps capable of pumping 200 m³ of water per second!
1 Ice Aquarium (Kori no Suizokukan)
Are you aware of the problem of blurry shots when trying to photograph fish and other underwater creatures swimming in aquariums? The Japanese seem to have solved this little problem by freezing them and immobilizing them.
