Otemachi, Tokyo Taira no Masakado was a military commander active in the mid-Heian period. He worked hard to reform politics in the Kanto region and is said to have earned the deep trust of the people. However, in an attempt to further reform politics, he rebelled against the Imperial Court of the time. He started a large-scale rebellion known as the Tengyo Rebellion (Taira no Masakado Rebellion), and was killed in battle in 940. Having lost the battle, Taira no Masakado was

Komagome, Tokyo Myogi Shrine in Komagome, Tokyo, was founded in 651 (the second year of the Hakuchi era). Considered one of the oldest shrines in Toshima Ward, Tokyo, legend holds that Yamato Takeru no Mikoto established his camp here during his eastern campaign in 651 and built a shrine, marking its origins. Originally named Shirotori Shrine, it appears that Shigeyoshi, a descendant of Nitta Yoshisada, later constructed it after inviting the deity from his ancestral home shr

Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Established in the 8th century, it is dedicated to the deity of the mountain, making it a spiritual focal point for pilgrims and tourists alike. Visitors can explore the beautiful grounds that feature traditional architecture, serene gardens, and seasonal flowers. Mihashira Torii (三柱鳥居・Three Pillared Gate) - At the top of the stairs, in the middle of the triangle created by the Three Pillared Gate there was a little platform you can stand on that cleans

Karuizawa, Nagano A shrine located on the border between prefectures, a rarity in Japan.Located 1,200 meters above sea level at the top of Usui Pass, this ancient shrine is called "Kumano Koutai Shrine" on the Nagano Prefecture side and "Kumano Shrine" on the Gunma Prefecture side, and was built by Yamatotakeru. It is designated as a special shrine in Shinano-kuni.The shina tree, more than 1,000 years old, has long been worshipped as a sacred tree for good luck and matchmakin

Suwa, Nagano The 800 meters of road that runs directly to the shrine was originally built specifically for access to the Harumiya. Many warriors competed here in contests of Yabusame, ritual competitions of horsemanship. The bridge that crosses the small river in front of the shrine is known as the "Dismounting Bridge" (Geba- bashi) because all visiting warriors and aristocrats had to dismount from their horses here before proceeding to the shrine. It was built in the Muromac

Suwa, Nagano The main shrine is located in Suwa City and has two entrances, the north and east approaches, the east being the main gate. The "Shikyakumon" donated by Ieyasu Tokugawa stands on the left side of the corridor, and the "Hoden" (treasure hall), which is rebuilt for each Gobashira Festival, and the "Yotsushimon" (four-legged gate) on the right side. The present building was rebuilt in the Edo period (1603-1868), and many of the pavilions on the shrine grounds are de

Chino, Nagano Kamisha Maemiya is considered the birthplace of the Suwa faith as it is where the deity (Suwa Myojin) first arrived. Suwa Myojin is widely worshipped as a guardian deity of agriculture, industry, victory, and military fortune.

Shimoda, Shizuoka Located within the grounds of Ryōsenji Temple is a cave tomb believed to be the burial site of a powerful local figure from the Kofun period, dating back over 1300 years. The cave is approximately 10 meters long, and due to erosion, it opens up to the other side.　In addition to human remains, artifacts such as magatama beads, faceted beads, gold rings, copper bracelets, Haji ware pottery, and Sue ware pottery were unearthed.

Shimoda, Shizuoka Ryosenji was the site of historic talks between the United States and the Tokugawa Shogunate in the mid-nineteenth century. The talks were part of larger negotiations which effectively ended Japan's policy of national seclusion, or sakoku. The talks at Ryosenji led to the Shimoda Treaty and were conducted between Commodore Perry and Hayashi Daigaku, the shogunate's chief negotiator. History remebers Hayashi as a skillful negotiator who concluded treaties wit

Kawazu, Shizuoka An ingenious solution to a tricky engineering problem, this spiraling bridge takes drivers for a dizzying spin.This corkscrew bridge drives locals loopy in the center of Japan ’s scenic Izu Peninsula. Completed in 1982 to cover terrain too steep for a conventional road, the bridge is an intriguing landmark on the route from Tokyo to the hot-spring resorts in the nearby city of Shimoda.

Izu, Shizuoka The Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace (韮山反射炉, Nirayama Hansharo) is a well preserved iron smelting facility. Built by the Tokugawa government in 1857, the furnace represents the start of modern iron production in Japan. Originally part of a larger factory complex, the furnace was constructed of local stones and bricks. It represented the most advanced technology of the time, and iron produced there was processed on site and cast into cannons, which were desperatel

Atami, Shizuoka Onsen manju, geyser, Yuzenn Jinja, ashi yu (outdoor public foot bath) cafe "Ki-ito" chestnut dessert https://www.waguri-kiito.com/ Japanese confectionery Tokiwagi Yokan ten https://tokiwagi-yohkanten.com/

Aomori Sannai Maruyama ( 三内丸山遺跡 ) in Aomori, Japan, is a significant archaeological site and UNESCO World Heritage location , showcasing the largest Jomon period settlement (c. 5900-4200 years ago) with reconstructed pit dwellings, large pillar structures, and extensive artifacts, offering deep insight into prehistoric Japanese life, trade, and culture. It features a museum with excavated items and hands-on activities, providing a unique glimpse into Japan's ancient past.

Sapporo, Hokkaido Hokkaido Jingu (Hokkaido Shrine) in Sapporo is Hokkaido's most important Shinto shrine , enshrining deities of land development, including Emperor Meiji, offering spiritual support, good fortune, and beautiful cherry blossoms in Maruyama Park, especially popular for New Year's and spring festivals. It's a significant cultural site with natural beauty, wildlife, traditional rituals, and opportunities to buy amulets, serving as a spiritual heart for the region

Kushiro, Hokkaido Sailors who traveled the world’s oceans created a top three list of places to watch the sunset. The first two locations are Bali in Indonesia, and Manila in the Philippines. The third is none other than Kushiro. Sunsets are most beautiful from autumn to winter when there is often clear skies and clean air. The number one spot in Kushiro to check out the sunset is Nusamai Bridge, which is considered to be one of the three most picturesque bridges in all of Ho

Hakodate, Hokkaido The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is a commercial complex consisting of four facilities, which were built after renovating an old red brick warehouse built in 1909.

Hokkaido, Hakodate 2/1/2024 Fort Goryokaku (五稜郭, Goryōkaku) is a massive, star-shaped, Western-style citadel, which was built in the last years of the Edo Period (1603-1868) for the defense of Hakodate against the imperialist threat posed by the Western powers. A few years later, the fort became the site of a civil war between an army of the shogunate and the superior troops of the newly established Meiji government . After the fort had lost its military importance, it was

Hakodate, Hokkaido My first visit to Hokkaido (2/1/2024) The northern peoples, rooted in the northern climate, have their own traditional and unique culture. Among the few northern people materials in the world, those formerly held at Hakodate Museum and those collected by Baba Osamu and Kodama Sakuzaemon, Hakodate-born authorities in anthropology, archaeology, and ethnology, are widely known both in Japan and abroad as masterpieces that tell the story of northern culture. Ba

Mie ken, Ise shi 古殿地（Kodenchi) さざれ石、たから石 (Sazare ishi, Takara ishi) 佐瑠女(さるめ)神社（Sarume jinja) Sarutahiko Shrine is dedicated to Sarutahiko...

Takihara, Mie ken January, 2024 This is one of the most impressive places I visited. Takiharamiya Shrine is an important shrine that...