The Jomon Prehistoric Sites are a collection of archaeological sites found in Hokkaido and the Northern Tohoku region (Akita, Aomori, and Iwate Prefectures) of Japan. There are 17 unique sites that make up the Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Settlements, earthen mounds, stone circles, intricate pottery and figurines, are all hidden treasures of the Jomon people, a hunter-gatherer culture that dates back over 10,000 years.  Learn more about the Jomon Prehistoric Sites, its people, and the locations I visited while touring specific sites in Northern Japan.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! UNESCO: Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan The Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was inscribed in 2021. According to UNESCO, there are 17 archaeological sites ranging from Southern Hokkaido to the Northern Tohoku region of Japan. The Northern Tohoku region includes the Japanese Prefectures of Akita, Aomori, and Iwate.  The Jomon Sites around Northern Japan and Hokkaido include settlements, burial mounds, ritual and ceremonial sites, stone circles, and many recovered artifacts like pottery and weapons.  Who Were the Jomon People? The Jomon people is a name given to the prehistoric inhabitants of Japan during the Jomon period, 14,000 BCE to 300 BCE.  The Jomon people were hunter-gatherers who lived a semi-sedentary lifestyle. This is known because of archaeological evidence found at many of the settlements. The Jomon people lived in settlements made of many pit dwellings. The structures varied in size from small rooms to huge longhouses like the one at Sannai Maruyama.  According to the museums visited, the Jomon people used stone tools, bone tools, and even fished using nets. They used weapons and had arrow and spearheads. Honestly, it reminded me of arrowheads like the Native Americans used. It’s crazy to me how close the tools and weapons were comparing two different cultures on opposite sides of the planet.  Jomon Pottery and Artifacts The Jomon people are most known for their pottery. The pottery was of course handmade and characterized by the patterns made by cord markings.  Cord markings is a technique used by the Jomon people where ropes or cords were pressed into the clay to make patterns.  The pottery was multi-functional and was used for cooking, decoration, and storage and came in all shapes and sizes.  The thing that fascinated me the most was the figurines or Dogu. They’ve uncovered many of these figurines which resemble humans. The Dogu are made from clay and are believed to be ritual objects and not children’s toys like I initially thought. The Google-Eyed Dogu are my favorite. The Google-eyed figurine from the Kamegaoka Burial Site is the most famous and is currently at the Tokyo National Museum.  Jomon Sites in Northern Japan The Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan are a must-visit for any traveler visiting Japan that is interested in history and looking to explore parts of Akita, Aomori, and Hokkaido.  Recognized as a UNESCO site in 2021, the Jomon Sites are are historically significant and well worth visiting. Although there are many more sites, 17 are listed and protected under UNESCO. I managed to visit 4 major Jomon Sites across Akita, Aomori, and Hokkaido Prefectures. Below you can find more information on the particular sites I visited.  Sannai Maruyama Site Located in Aomori Prefecture just outside the city of Aomori is the Sannai Maruyama Archaeological Site.  Sannai Maruyama was the most significant and largest of the Jomon sites I visited in Northern Japan. You could literally spend a whole day here between browsing the museum and walking the grounds.  Sannai Maruyama has it all: Mounds, remains of pathways, storage pits, burial areas, reconstructed dwellings and structures, and so much more!  There are multiple routes to walk on the grounds of Sannai Maruyama, We just took the standard route. There were many reconstructed dwellings, you can even access them to see what the inside most likely looked like.  Don’t forget to spend time in the museum to get a better understanding of the Jomon people and see many of their pottery and artifacts on display.  For more information on the  Sannai Maruyama Site to include opening hours and admission fees, view the official website.  Kamegaoka Archaeological Site Nearly an hour drive from Sannai Maruyama is the Kamegaoka Archaeological Site. Kamegaoka Archaeological Site is most famous because of the iconic Shakoki Dogu (Goggle-Eyed figurine) that was discovered at the site.  According to a sign posted at the site, the figurine found here named Shakoki Dogu gets its name because Shakoki means snow goggles and its eyes resemble snow goggles, I prefer Goggle-Eyed.  The Google-Eyed figurine, Shakoki Dogu was moved to the Tokyo National Museum.  Omori-Katsuyama Archaeological Site Omori Katsuyama Archaeological Site consisted of stone circles that date back to 1,000 BCE. The site was most likely a burial and ceremonial area.  According to signage at the site, there are no other stone circles in the surrounding areas. It is thought that several settlements jointly used Omori Katsuyama. We visited Omori-Katsuyama in the evening hours and it was so peaceful walking around. The trails were nicely maintained and well marked.   Goshono Archaeological Site Located in Iwate Prefecture just south of the town of Ichinohe is Goshono Archaeological Site.  Goshono Archaeological Site is a preserved Jomon site that dates back over 4,000 years ago. On the grounds here, you can find reconstructed pit dwellings, burial mounds, and a large museum.  The picture above is actually the covered walkway that acts as an entrance to the site. After the walkway, you enter the museum area where you can freely walk around before going outside to walk the grounds.  Conclusion Visiting the Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan is both a journey through Japan’s incredibly beautiful landscapes but it’s also a step back in time to one of the oldest known civilizations. I had no idea that the Jomon Period even existed until living in Japan. Come to learn that the Jomon people created highly intricate pottery and had semi-stationary settlements.  From viewing the pit-dwellings at Sannai Maruyama to the seeing the Google-Eyed Dogu at Kamegaoka Archeological Site, these UNESCO World Heritage Sites offer a glimpse into the lives, spiritual beliefs, and artistic abilities of the Jomon people.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇯🇵  Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖️🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars. Train Travel 🚂🚊  For the JR Pass, tickets can be purchased on the JR Pass site. 

If you are looking for an authenticate experience, then staying in a Ryokan Hotel in Japan is as genuine as it gets. Ryokan hotels are traditional Japanese hotels that offer a unique experience that will certainly be a highlight from your trip to Japan.  Staying at a Ryokan hotel in Japan is a cultural experience that typically includes meals, a Yukata to wear, hospitality, and an onsen (public bath). I’ve stayed at several Ryokan hotels throughout Japan and want to share my love of Ryokan hotels with you.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! What is a Ryokan Hotel Ryokan hotels come in all shapes and sizes and are found throughout Japan. The Ryokan is loosely defined as a traditional Japanese inn that offers its guests a unique experience, Japanese culture, omotenashi (hospitality), and a relaxing stay.  Ryokan hotels are found all throughout Japan and can be located anywhere from small mountain villages to large cities like Kyoto.  Ryokan hotels are much different then your typical western or business hotel that is popular in Japan like APA or Toyoko Inn, which I love. Apart from the experience itself and exceptional hospitality, some key features that separate a Ryokan from a business hotel are the full tatami rooms where you sleep on a futon on the floor, onsens, Kaiseki meals, and the provided yukatas.  Reasons you Should Stay at a Ryokan Hotel in Japan For that quintessential Japanese experience, I recommend staying at a Ryokan hotel while visiting Japan. If anything, stay at least one night at a Ryokan during your visit to Japan just to say you’ve done it.  Ryokans come in all forms and at a variety of price ranges but no matter what, I promise you it will be a unique experience.  If you want to experience culture, onsens, taking photos in a yukata, or just want to relax, then staying at a Ryokan hotel in Japan is a must, below are a few reasons why staying in a Ryokan offer a better experience then a regular hotel in Japan.  Cultural Experience Most people book a Ryokan for the cultural and unique experience. A Ryokan hotel is something unique to Japan and you can’t really find this style of inn anywhere else.  Staying at a Ryokan is much more then just staying overnight at a hotel in Japan. It’s more of an immersive experience into Japanese culture and hospitality.  Most Ryokans will have traditional decor, tatami-matted rooms, shoji screens, and comfortable futons to sleep on.  Meals As someone who loves food, of course the meals, both breakfast and dinners served at Ryokan hotels are always a highlight. The meals served at Ryokan hotels are known as Kaiseki. Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course meal that is usually served in your room, a private dining area, or a communal space.  The Kaiseki comes in many different ways. It is popular to have a whole table spread of small dishes that include an appetizer, sashimi, fermented vegetables, grilled fish, steamed rice, miso soup, and a dessert.  A few Ryokans I’ve stayed at, include a buffet option. The buffets are always outstanding with a huge variety.  So far, Nikko Tokanso in Nikko has had my favorite Kaiseki while Yukai Resort Koshinoyu in Wakayama Prefecture has had the most outstanding dinner buffet.  Onsen (Public bath) Another big draw to staying at a Ryokan is the onsen or public baths. An onsen is a Japanese hot spring and are found all around the country.  Natural onsens are rich in minerals and heated by volcanic activity. Sometimes the onsens are so hot it’s almost unbearable. But it’s all about relaxation and healing.  Most of the Ryokans I’ve stayed at have both public and private onsens. Private onsens are great if you want to enjoy the experience with your partner or have tattoos and cannot go to the public onsen.  Typically, private onsens, you have to pay extra and need to check the times at the frond desk of the Ryokan.  Depending on the Ryokan, some have onsens on site, in the room, or public baths around town. Wearing a Yukata If you are visiting Japan, I am sure wearing a kimono crossed your mind.  How about a Yukata? A yukata is basically a casual kimono and most Ryokan hotels come equipped with them. The yukata will be placed in your room or can be found at the front desk. It’s perfectly acceptable to wear your yukata while dining in the Ryokan, walking to and from the onsen, or just lounging in your room.  If you are staying in an onsen town, you can even wear your yukata out and about.  Relaxation Besides the meals, I love staying at a Ryokan hotel in Japan because it is a relaxing and peaceful experience.  Ryokans are meant to have a relaxing ambience and are generally set in natural locations whether it is in a mountainous area or quiet street set back a few blocks from the busy city districts.  It doesn’t get more relaxing then slipping into a yukata, enjoying the onsen, or just spending time in your room.  Conclusion Staying at a Ryokan hotel in Japan combines culture, food, and atmosphere. I promise you will get a one of a kind and memorable experience staying at a Ryokan. Some of my best and most memorable overnight stays in Japan have all been at a Ryokan. While visiting Japan, even if it is just for one night, ditch that generic hotel room and book a Ryokan hotel, you won’t regret it.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇯🇵  Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖️🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars. Train Travel 🚂🚊  For the JR Pass, tickets can be purchased on the JR Pass site. 

Ishigaki is the second largest of the Yaeyama Islands, after Iriomote and is easily accessible via flight from Naha, Okinawa. Ishigaki is known for its world-class diving, beautiful beaches, and Ishigaki Beef. Renting a car is the best way to explore the island and view everything at your own pace. If you have plans to travel to Ishigaki, this post covers all the basics of getting to Ishigaki from Naha, places to stay, and must see attractions and sites for your perfect Ishigaki itinerary.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Summary Why Visit Ishigaki: Ishigaki is known for its diving and water activities. But there is so much more to see and do like try Ishigaki beef or visit Taketomi Island.   Top Things to do in Ishigaki: Take the ferry to Taketomi Island. Find a local restaurant and try Ishigaki Beef. Diving and Snorkeling.  Where to Stay in Ishigaki: I booked a few nights at the Comfort Hotel. The location was ideal and there were many restaurants nearby. For a more resort type stay, consider staying at the ANA InterContinental Resort. If you are looking to snorkel in Ishigaki, check out the Blue Cave Snorkeling Tour or explore the island on this Ishigaki Island Private Tour.  Flying to Ishigaki Island The best way to get to Ishigaki is by flying. I don’t even think there are boats or ferries that go to Ishigaki from mainland Okinawa. In 2013, Ishigaki got a new airport, Painushima Ishigaki Airport and there are multiple flights to Ishigaki from Naha a day.  There are international flights to and from Ishigaki from Hong Kong and Taipei. Most flight are domestic within Japan. Outside of Naha, there are flights to Ishigaki from Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Miyakojima, Yonaguni, Hateruma, and Tarama.  Getting Around Ishigaki If traveling to Ishigaki and you really want to explore around the island, I recommend renting a vehicle and driving at your own pace.  There are many car rental companies just around the airport. We booked our car through Rentalcars.com. The rental car companies will have shuttles between their business and the airport.  There is a bus network on the island but it can be slower and infrequent but it does work. So if you are low on cash, taking the bus might be a good alternative. Our first time visiting Ishigaki Island, we took a bus from the airport to the ferry port.  There are taxi services available on Ishigaki.  Truly the best way to experience Ishigaki is just renting a car. The roads were all well maintained, parking was easy at all attractions I visited, and the rental prices were very affordable.  Where to Stay There is a wide range of places to stay in Ishigaki from high end resorts to camp sites and they are scattered all over the island.  My travel style is somewhere in the middle, I do like resorts but it really depends on the cost and location. In Bali sure, but a quick getaway in Ishigaki, I just booked a standard room at the Comfort Hotel Ishigaki Island.  The Comfort Hotel Ishigaki Island was under $70 a night, had spacious rooms, a great view, breakfast, and bike rentals. For a three night stay we were completely satisfied. Plus it was a short walk to Maesato Beach.  If you are looking for more of a popular resort hotel, check out the ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort. In the off season, this resort runs about $150 a night.  Things to Do and See Ishigaki being the size that it is offers a lot of activities both on land and in the water. Of course, people from around the world travel to Ishigaki for it’s amazing dive sites and beautiful beaches to snorkel at but there are a lot of activities on land that are worthwhile too. Ishigaki definitely deserves a minimum of two days to explore. Here are some of my recommended things to do while staying in Ishigaki.  Take a Ferry to Taketomi Island A popular half day or day trip from Ishigaki is Taketomi Island. Hop on a 10-minute ferry ride to Taketomi Island from Ishigaki Port, rent a bike, and explore the traditional Ryukyu Village and its beautiful beaches.  For more information on Taketomi Island, I have a dedicated post on how to get to Taketomi Island and what to do there.  Ishigaki Yaima Village Visit this open air museum and visit the squirrel monkeys. Ishigaki Yaima Village is a fun attraction in Ishigaki that is well worth at least an hour of your time.  Here you can find a traditional Ryukyu village and even walk inside many of the residences and buildings. During the day there might be shows and other displays. The highlight for me was definitely the wildlife and especially the Squirrel Monkeys. No, these monkeys are not from here, but they have an enclosure with a ton of these little guys. You can freely walk amongst them.  There is also a chance to see a water buffalo here and a mangrove nature trail to spot other local wildlife.  Ishigaki Stalactite Cave If you are looking for something to do on a rainy day or a place to go to and escape the brutal summer heat, check out the Ishigaki Stalactite Cave.  As of now, the cave is about 3.2 km long but only 660m is open to the public. Even then, this cave was much larger then I expected.  Check out the many stalactite formations and the illuminations. There is even a decent restaurant on the cave grounds and souvenir shop for after.  Snorkel one of the many beaches If you have plans to travel to Ishigaki, then snorkeling is a must! There are so many great beaches to snorkel at here but one of our favorites was Yonehara Beach. There was a paid parking lot here, but the trail lead straight to the beach. The water was beautiful and the surrounding mountains was just epic.  You have to swim out a bit to start seeing beautiful coral, but it is well worth it. I saw a lot of the usual suspects, sea snakes, parrot fish, trigger fish, and lots of smaller tropical fish.  I also saw snorkelers at Hirano Beach way up in northern Ishigaki. I recommend bringing your snorkel gear to Ishigaki and if any beach looks like a good spot, test it out. You never know what beautiful coral and marine life you will see.   Diving Many visitors come to Ishigaki for diving. It’s one of the prime diving locations in the world and one of the best places to see Mantas.  From May until about October, especially late September and early October is the time to dive in Ishigaki in hopes to see the Manta rays.  There are several dive sites all around the island and for any difficulty level. I recommend checking with some of the dive shops on the island prior to visiting and book a dive tour.  Yoneko Yaki Kobo Shisa Farm A unique and fun attraction in Ishigaki was the Yoneko Yaki Shisa Farm.  The Yoneko Yaki Shisa Farm is both a gift shop, tourist attraction, and has a lovely Shisa Garden with a bunch of fun Shisa sculptures.  Curious what a Shisa is? Learn more about the Shisa, here.  Tamatorizaki Observation Platform For one of the best views on Ishigaki, head to the Tamatorizaki Observation Platform. From the airport it is less then a 20-minute drive.  Look north and you can see beautiful waters surrounding the northern coast of Ishigaki and some of the hills on the northern part of the island. It really is a breathtaking view.  Walk Around Ishigaki City Ishigaki does have a decent sized downtown area with a lot of great places to shop, dining experience, and bars. There are even a few covered pedestrian roads here and a fresh market.  You can find great souvenir shops here and stores selling local quality goods.  Restaurant wise, you can find everything from high end steak restaurants to local Shokudo restaurants.  Ishigaki does have a decent night life with a lot of bars and even a nice brewery, Against the Grain.  Recommended Places to Eat on Ishigaki Ishigaki has a lot of great restaurants, bars, and dining experiences. You can find fine dining restaurants, sushi go-rounds, izakaya’s, hamburger restaurants, steak houses, and so much more here. Most people that travel to Ishigaki come to try Ishigaki Beef. Ishigaki Beef is wagyu and is of high class that just melts in your mouth. We tried Ishigaki Beef but also went to other places around the island, for a nice variety of restaurants, here are some of our favorites.  Native Deli If you are looking to try authentic Ishigaki Beef, I recommend going to Native Deli. This restaurant is located downtown Ishigaki and the owner is a German gentleman that has been here for decades. He’s interesting but is great to talk to and of course a great cook. We ordered the Rump Steak and Chuck Steak and they were cooked to perfection. The flavor was on point and the texture was melt in your mouth.  I recommend coming here for lunch, he had a great lunch special going where the steaks were discounted.  居酒屋かぁらや – Izakaya Izakaya’s are one of the best places to go to and try local food. I came to this Izakaya because it was within walking distance from my hotel and it was fantastic! I didn’t make reservations and was quickly seated, right away I ordered a refreshing Orion Beer and a few dishes to try.  Their menu is all Japanese, Google Translate will be your best friend here, or have fun with it and randomly point at stuff! Of the 6 or so dishes I tried, all were great!  鮨人（すしんちゅ）Conveyer Belt Sushi Seriously, one of the best conveyer belt sushi restaurants I’ve eaten at in Japan is this one in Ishigaki.  It is a bit more expensive then sushi go-rounds like Kura Sushi or Sushiro. But the quality of the fish was evident. Everything we had here was delicious!  Transit Ishigaki Base Another great restaurant to check out is Transit Ishigaki Base. This is a mom and pop shop with a local feel and friendly people. I had a garlic beef dish here that was amazing. It came as a set meal and every dish was enjoyable.  茶房 うふた – Soba If driving around Ishigaki, stop at this soba restaurant for lunch. It’s popular, especially with tourists so you might have to wait a bit for a table. It’s worth it. The soba was full of meat, the noodles complimented the broth well, and the flavors were what you would expect with a good bowl of soba. The staff was great as well!  Ice Cream at Cacao Market For dessert, stop by Cacao Market in downtown Ishigaki. This chocolate shop has great sweet treats including ice cream and ice coffee drinks.  Cacao Market does take out but they also have a relaxing upstairs area.  Conclusion If you have plans to travel to Ishigaki, I recommend spending a minimum of two days if not three days, especially if you plan on diving. Ishigaki is not a small island and has a lot of great attractions, water activities, and delicious restaurants. If visiting Ishigaki, do yourself a favor and rent a car and slowly explore the island.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇯🇵  Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖️🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day

If you are curious what a traditional Ryukyu Village used to look like then visiting Taketomi Island might be one of the best preserved villages in the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa, Japan. A quick 10-minute ferry ride from the Island of Ishigaki, is the small island of Taketomi. Rent a bicycle and explore the islands beautiful beaches, traditional houses, and enjoy the relaxed island atmosphere.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Getting to Taketomi Island from Ishigaki Assuming you are already on the island of Ishigaki or have plans to travel to Ishigaki, then getting to Taketomi Island is easy and straight forward.  Taketomi Island is only accessible by boat and there are two ferry services that run to Taketomi Island from Ishigaki Port: Anei Kanko and Yaeyama Sightseeing Ferry, YKF. I recommend viewing each ferry service for up to date pricing and times.  Reservations are not required, I simply went to Ishigaki Port in the morning, went to the ticket counter and picked a ferry time that worked best for my schedule. I would recommend to go earlier then planned on holidays or busy times of the year to secure your spot on the ferry. Generally, ferries go about every 30 minutes from Ishigaki Port to Taketomi Island. I recommend purchasing roundtrip tickets at Ishigaki Port.  For updated ferry times and prices, visit the websites for Anei Kanko or Yaeyama Sightseeing Ferry, YKF.  Getting Around Taketomi Island Taketomi Island is not that big and can be explored in many different ways. Private vehicles are not allowed on the island, but you can rent bicycles, rely on the bus, walk, or get a glimpse of the island on the back of a cart being pulled by a water buffalo.  Taketomi Island is big enough where walking would be strenuous, especially if wanting to visit multiple attractions.  The water buffalo ride is touristy and I don’t really support putting an animal through the stress, especially during the hot summer months.  The bus does take visitors to the village from the ferry port and can make stops at some of the more popular beaches. The most popular means of getting around Taketomi Island and my recommended method is by bicycle.  If planning on renting a bike, there are tours that wait at the ferry port with their fans. Simply sign up and they bus you to and from the bike shop and the ferry.  You can get a variety of bikes from cruises to E-bikes. We opted for the cheaper cruiser and enjoyed every minute of it. Prices change, so I recommend double checking with the tour operator at the ferry port for costs per hour, half day, or full day. In general, the paths around the island were safe and maintained. There was quite a bit of loose gravel in the village, so be careful. Once outside the village, there was a paved road that led to some of the popular beaches.  Spending Your Time Here: Things to Do A half day at Taketomi Island is plenty of time to relax at one of the beaches, explore the village, and grab lunch. After all, the island is not that big and you want to make sure to get back to the ferry port at a reasonable time. Here are some of the things to do on Taketomi Island that I recommend to make the most out of your time here.  Wander the Traditional Ryukyu Village Besides the beautiful beaches, Taketomi is most known for its preserved Ryukyu Village. Here, you get to see traditional homes, their lands, and the gravel roads networks linking the island together.  Every alley you wander down will be unique. Pay attention to the red clay roofs, the Shisa statues (Guardian Lions), protective walls, and the beautiful flowers that grow here.  Try Local Food and Drinks While exploring the village, why not stop at a local cafe or restaurant to try local Okinawan cuisine.  There is a restaurant called Kanifu that serves Okinawan Soba, taco rice, and many other local dishes.  I actually stopped at a restaurant called Grill Garden Taruriya. At the time, I was more thirsty and hot then hungry so I ordered a fresh Shikuwasa juice and mango shaved ice. Both super flavorful and refrehing.  Beaches Other then exploring the village on Taketomi Island, it is recommended to visit some of the beaches, especially on the western side of the island.  The beaches are easily accessible by bikes. Most the beaches we visited had bike parking. It’s Japan, so your bike is safe here. Kondoi Beach is popular, especially during low tide when you can walk to the sandbars. Not a whole lot to see for snorkelers as the bottom is primarily sandy, but it’s nice to dip your toes in the water.  Kaiji Beach is another one that is worth stopping at. I came here mostly for the views. There were a few others here but no one was in the water.  There were other secluded beaches on Taketomi Island. Some, we had the whole beach to ourselves.  Nishi Pier Nishi Pier is best accessed by bicycle as it is on the western side of the island just outside of the village.  Nishi Pier is a popular tourist attraction. It’s just a pier that extends into the beautiful waters off the coast of Taketomi Island.  The highlights here are the views of Iriomote Island  off in the distance, the beautiful crystal clear water, and the tropical fish and other marine wildlife that can be seen in the water.  Conclusion If visiting Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture, especially for multiple days, it’s highly recommended to take the 10-minute ferry ride to Taketomi Island. Taketomi Island is a great opportunity for visitors to see what traditional Ryukyu villages used to look like across the prefecture. Rent a bike to explore the island and see a few of the gorgeous beaches and other attractions.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇯🇵  Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖️🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars. Train Travel 🚂🚊  For the JR Pass, tickets can be purchased on the JR Pass site. 

On the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan is the famous and highly visited district of Arashiyama. Arashiyama is a beautiful part of Kyoto renowned for the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Tenryu-ji Temple, Monkey Park, and streets lined with traditional shops and restaurants. This charming district of Kyoto offers visitors a little bit of everything when it comes to traditional Japan and is a perfect blend of culture, nature, and history. My Arashiyama itinerary hits all the must see highlights so you can make the most out of your full day in Arashiyama.  ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Summary Why Visit Arashiyama: Arashiyama is one of Kyoto’s most popular districts. Arashiyama is home to the famous Bamboo Forest and UNESCO World Heritage temples.  Top Things to do in Arashiyama: Walk the Bamboo Forest. Visit Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama. Discover lesser-known temples in Kyoto.   Take the hassle out of figuring everything out on your own and consider booking a Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour  or try a Rickshaw Tour through the Bamboo Forest. Information About Arashiyama Arashiyama is a district in Kyoto located in the north western portion of the city. Arashiyama is wedged at the base of the mountains and the Katsura River.  Arashiyama was a popular destination during Japan’s Heian Period (794 – 1185) and to this day remains one of Kyoto’s most visited destinations.  Most visitors plan to come to Arashiyama for the famous bamboo forest but then realize there is so much more to do and see in Arashiyama.  How to Get to Arashiyama There are many ways to get to Arashiyama. You can take a taxi, get here by bike (which I’ve done before from Kyoto Station), hop on a local bus, or take the recommended trains.   If visiting Arashiyama by train, there are various lines that stop at different stations in and around Arashiyama.  If departing from Kyoto Station, take the San’in Line. It’s direct and takes nearly 20 minutes. The fare is ¥240. If departing from Shijoomiya Station, take the Randen Arashiyama Line directly to Arashiyama Station. The fare is ¥250. From central Kyoto, say Karasuma Station, you can take the Hankyu Line to Katsura Station and then to Arashiyama Station. I prefer this route if staying in central Kyoto or if visiting Kyoto’s Monkey Park. 📸 Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Arashiyama Tours If visiting Kyoto and the Arashiyama area for the first time, I think tours can be a great way to experience and learn more about the area. Sometimes, I like to book tours that way I don’t have to do the planning and I usually learn a lot more from a legit tour guide then if I were to go alone. I like to book in advance through either Get Your Guide or Viator.  Here is a list of some of the tours offered for the Arashiyama area.  Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Matcha, Monkeys, & secrets Kyoto: Arashiyama Customized Rickshaw Tour & Bamboo Forest Kyoto Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour Arashiyama Itinerary – Must Visit Places and Things to Do The Arashiyama District is a must when visiting Kyoto. Many visitors come for a half day to check off the bamboo forest and maybe do some shopping. But if you really want to see what Arashiyama has to offer, I recommend spending a full day in Arashiyama. I’ve been to Arashiyama at least three times now. I hope this Arashiyama itinerary is helpful to make the most out of your trip. Below are my recommendations and places to see during your visit to Arashiyama. Grab a Snack or Ice Cream at Arashiyama Station Arashiyama Station is always a popular place. Every time I am here, it is crowded. For good reason, there are shops here, food stalls, clean toilets, and places to rest.  If you don’t want to sit down at a restaurant, I recommend grabbing a snack here from one of the food vendors. You can find matcha related items or savory treats like delicious pork buns. My biggest recommendation here is to try the Cremia ice cream. It’s sold at the same stand that sells pork buns and is literally some of the best and richest ice cream I’ve ever had.  Souvenir Shopping on the Main Street Some of Kyoto’s best souvenir shops are found in Arashiyama along the main shopping street between Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Forest.  You can find everything along this strip of road from custom chopsticks and touristy knick-knacks to food items and stuff worthy enough to send home.  There is this amazing store in Arashiyama that sells a special furikake. Furikake is a mix in for rice. Furikake makes for a great gift!  Cross the Togetsukyo Bridge for Beautiful Views Crossing the Togetsukyo Bridge is a must, if anything just to get great views of the Arashiyama area. Be warned, Togetsukyo Bridge can be very crowded and vehicles do drive on it.  See and Feed Japanese Macaques at Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama If you are interested in wildlife and nature then I highly recommend visiting  Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama. It is recommended to visit the monkey park in the morning as it can get quite hot and crowds can be overwhelming. Thankfully, the park opens at 9:00 am.  Kyoto’s monkey park is at the top of the hill, it takes about 20-30 minutes to walk. Once at the top, you will be greeted by cute and curious Japanese Macaques.  There is a facility here that sells food to fee the monkeys, visitors can feed them from within the building. Otherwise, the park is small, so you can just walk around and take photos of the monkeys and enjoy their company. For more information and to learn about the macaques, I have a post on Visiting Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama.  📸 Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Visit Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Tenryu-ji is the main temple in Arashiyama and is a must when in the area. Tenryu-ji is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.  According to information at the temple, Tenryu-ji was originally built in the year 1255 and converted to a Zen temple in 1339.  The temple itself is a masterpiece, but there is a spectacular garden that wraps around the temple. The garden has a large pond, rock formations, and a dry landscape.  The exit to the garden links directly to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.  Walk Arashiyama Bamboo Forest The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is easily the most popular attraction in Arashiyama and one of Kyoto’s most popular attractions. Although I don’t like crowds, I still have to include the Bamboo Forest to my Arashiyama itinerary, because it is a site to see.  The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is not that big and can be seen in 30 minutes or less. Most people come here for photos, you can even rent a kimono for photos at Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. I can’t lie, the bamboo forest is amazing and well kept. Depending on the time of day, it gets painfully crowded. But if you go early in the day or later the crowds tend to be minimal.  Don’t Miss Out on Okochi Sanso, A Beautiful Mountain Retreat At the end of the bamboo forest is the entrance to Okochi Sanso. It took me two times of visiting the bamboo forest to convince myself to visit Okochi Sanso, but I am glad I visited this attractions and wish I went sooner. Okochi Sanso is a mountainous area that used to be the estate of Okochi Denjiro who was a famous actor.  The reason I recommend visiting Okochi Sanso is because of the sheer beauty of this place. It’s more of a Japanese-style garden with traditional structures and a tea house. You can take your time here, relax, go on a leisure stroll, and enjoy green tea.  Stop at a Traditional Restaurant for a True Japanese Meal The main shopping street in Arashiyama is lined with great restaurants. Just because it is a touristy area does not mean you get the tourist prices and food. You can find cheap and authentic meals here.  You can find all your favorite Japanese meals here from soba noodles to tonkatsu. Not to mention there are cute cafes tucked away all over Arashiyama.  Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple, Secret Bamboo Forest I have a post dedicated to lesser known temples in Kyoto and Adashino Nenbutsu-ji is one of them.  Within walking distance from Kyoto’s bamboo forest is one of the most surprising temples in Kyoto, Adashino Nembutsu-ji.  Two reasons why I highly recommend visiting this temple. One, there are 8,000 Buddha statues and two there is a bamboo forest here that is in my opinion superior to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest mainly because it is less crowded and has a similar atmosphere.  See the 1,200 Stone Statues at Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple One of the more unique temples in Kyoto and not a far walk from Adashino Nenbutsu-ji temple is Otagi Nenbutsu-ji temple. This temple is also included in my  lesser known temples in Kyoto post, in case you are interested in learning more. What makes Otagi Nenbutsu-ji unique and a must visit are the 1,200 rakan moss covered stone statues. Each rakan has a different expression, some are serious while others are more comical.  Conclusion My full day Arashiyama itinerary covers the must do sites and attractions in this district of Kyoto. Obviously, pick and choose what sites and temples you want to see based on your schedule and time. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and a visit to Tenryu-ji are a must if you are on a tight schedule but it is recommended to spend a day in Arashiyama to fully explore the area.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇯🇵  Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖️🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars. Train Travel 🚂🚊  For the JR Pass, tickets can be purchased on the JR Pass site. 

Nara Park is a unique city park located in the city of Nara, Japan. This picturesque park offers visitors an opportunity to get close to and see the famous bowing deer while immersing themselves in the rich history of ancient Nara. Nara Park is home to thousands of deer as well as shrines and temples that date back hundreds of years. A day in Nara is a must, especially if staying in nearby Kyoto or Osaka. This post is ideal for those wanting to spend a day in Nara and highlights all my recommended places to see and how to make the most out of your visit to Nara Park.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! About Nara Park Nara Park is by far the most popular attraction and most visited area in Nara. For good reason, Nara Park is home to the famous bowing deer as well as many of the shrines and temples to include Tōdai-ji. If you only have a day in Nara, I highly recommend making Nara Park your main attraction. You can spend all day here, but for those traveling from places like Kyoto, a half day is sufficient enough to see some temples and feed crackers to the deer.  Nara Park covers about 66 hectares or 1,600 acres and was established in 1880. There are a total of 8 sites within Nara Park that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.  Nara Park is free to enter, but many some of the temples and museums do charge an entrance fee.  Getting to Nara Park from Nara Station In my Travel to Nara post, I detailed information on getting to Nara from Kyoto or Osaka by train.  Once you arrive at Nara Station, Nara Park is still about a 15-20 minute walk away or a 5 minute bus ride.  The few times I’ve traveled to Nara, I opted to walk directly to Nara Park from Nara Station. Walk down the main road (Sanjo Dori St) in the opposite direction of Nara Station toward Nara Park. Sanjo Dori St is a hopping place full of fun shops and restaurants. I do recommend browsing the shops and taking your time along this road and the covered pedestrian streets, but first, Nara Park.  Following Sanjo Dori St will lead you directly into Nara Park. From here, you can walk around or relax at Sarusawa-ike Pond, continue straight, or take a left up the stairs and visit Kofu-ji Nan-endo and the Kofuku-ji Pagoda.  The Deer at Nara Park The deer at Nara Park are one of the main attractions. Every tourist that visits Nara Park always talks about the deer, they are definitely the stars of the show here. Within Nara Park, there are around 1,400 wild deer that roam the grounds. These deer although cute are still wild and deserve respect. They are sacred after all and considered a national treasure. The deer are scattered all throughout Nara Park, so don’t let the first few deer fool you into thinking you need to capture photos or feed them right away. Trust me, they are everywhere. The deer in Nara Park can freely walk the park and are often times unfazed by us humans or even traffic going through Nara Park.  There are opportunities to feed the deer. Please only feed them with crackers sold throughout the park. Shika Senbei is a type of rice bran cracker sold within Nara Park.  Besides being a national treasure and if the deer in Nara couldn’t be any cooler, they are known to politely bow for their treats. So next time, you visit Nara and want to feed the deer, make sure they lower their heads and bow to you in order to receive that delicious treat.  Must Visit Sites in Nara Park If you only have a day in Nara Park, I recommend at least visiting the sites below. These are my favorite recommendations and sites I take victors to every time for a great experience.  Srusawa-ike Pond If you decide to walk Sanjo Dori St from Nara Station to Nara Park, you will find yourself at Sarusawa-ike Pond.  I recommend Sarusawa-ike Pond just to take a quick breather, figure out how you want to tackle Nara Park, and take in the beautiful scenery of the pond surrounded by historical buildings.  Kofuku-ji Complex After visiting Srusawa-ike Pond, I recommend going left up the stairs to the Kofuku-ji Complex which is home to a beautiful Five-storied Pagoda, Kofuku-ji Nan-endo, and Kofuku-ji Chukondo.  Tōdai-ji Tōdai-ji is the most famous Buddhist temple in Nara and one of Japan’s grandest. Tōdai-ji is home to the Daibutsuden or Great Buddha Hall.  The Great Buddha Hall in Nara houses the Great Buddha Vairocana Buddha. Vairocana Buddha is 15 meters tall. The Great Buddha Hall in Nara is considered to be the largest wooden structure in the world, it is a site to see!  For more information about Tōdai-ji, I have a whole post dedicated to visiting Tōdai-ji. Kasuga-Taisha Another important shrine in Nara is Kasuga-Taisha. This shrine is dedicated to the deity that is responsible for Nara’s protection. Visiting Kasuga-Taisha does take some walking as it is the furthest shrine from the park entrance. But the walk is gorgeous and well worth the effort.  The moss covered Toro or lanterns line the path leading to the shrine. Kasuga-Taisha is beautifully painted white and orange and is full of hundreds of golden lanterns.  Ukimido My day in Nara Park starts at Sarusawa-Ike Pond and kind of ends at another pond, but the main attraction here is Ukimido, a beautiful gazebo.  Ukimido sits beautifully above the water. There are benches inside the gazebo, so it makes for a perfect place to rest.  There is a boat rental here in case you want to do more then just relax and take in the beautiful sites.  Conclusion Nara and especially Nara Park is one of my favorite places to visit in Japan. Nara Park is a unique and beautiful destination that offers visitors a chance to interact with the famous bowing deer, explore the ancient temples and shrines, and see beautiful nature. If you want that Instagram photos with the deer in Nara or are a history buff and want to see Todai-ji and the Great Buddha then a day in Nara Park will definitely leave a lasting impression.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇯🇵  Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖️🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars. Train Travel 🚂🚊  For the JR Pass, tickets can be purchased on the JR Pass site. 

Do you have a long layover at Narita Airport? Or have a hotel near Narita Airport and want to experience a historical and authentic temple in Japan? I recommend a visit Naritasan Shinshō-ji. Naritasan Shinshō-ji is a stunning temple complex with a beautiful garden and the perfect destination for those that are passing through Narita. Forget staying at Narita Airport during a long layover. Head out to Naritasan Shinshō-ji for a peaceful respite.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Long Layover at Narita Airport If you have a long layover at Narita Airport and want to get out and explore some of what Japan has to offer, then I recommend taking the JR Line to Narita Station or Keisei Main Line Express to Keisei-Narita to visit Naritasan Shinshō-ji and Omote-sando.  It’s about a 12 – 15 minute train ride from Narita Airport to Narita Station. From Narita Station it is about a 15 minute walk to Naritasan Shinshō-ji. Prior to reaching Naritasan Shinshō-ji, there is a shopping street called Omote-sando. This shopping street is lined with souvenir shops, restaurants, and other shops selling local goods and Japanese items.  It is only recommended to leave Narita Airport during a long layover if you have at least 3 – 4 hours. Take into account, the time it takes to leave the airport, purchase train tickets, finding the correct platform, and getting back to the airport and security in time.  Getting to Naritasan Shinshō-ji Temple from Narita Airport Getting to Naritasan Shinshō-ji and Omote-sando from Narita Airport is fairly easy and stress free.  Taking a train from Narita Airport is the cheapest way to get to Naritasan Shinshō-ji. But visitors can also take a taxi if you feel it’s necessary.  From Terminal 1, 2, or 3, you can take the JR Narita Line Rapid. This train ride is roughly 12 minutes to Narita Station.  Visitors can also take the Keisei Main Line Express to Keisei-Narita. This train takes about 10 – 12 minutes.  Both stations are located in Narita City and are across from one another, so it really does not matter which station you end up on. I’d recommend going with either option that works best for your schedule.  From either Narita Station or Keisei-Narita it is about a 15 – 20 minute walk to Naritasan Shinshō-ji.  Omote-sando One of the benefits of visiting Naritasan Shinshō-ji during a long layover from Narita Airport is shopping for souvenirs and trying local Japanese food at Omote-sando.  This 800-meter long road is a historical road that dates back to the Edo period and connects Narita Station to Naritasan Shinshō-ji.  Earlier in the day when the shops begin to open Omote-sando is not as touristy but as the day progresses, it gets crowded, just keep that in mind. Many of the shops sell local goods like chop sticks, masks, and antiques. This is a perfect place to come to if you are just passing through Narita or staying nearby to catch an early flight. You can get all your souvenirs here.  Another item on the list for visiting Omote-sando is trying fresh unagi or grilled eel. Unagi is a specialty in the area. You can’t leave without trying unagi at one of the local restaurants.  Naritasan Shinshō-ji Naritasan Shinshō-ji or just Narita Temple is the largest and most beautiful temple that is within a quick train ride from Narita Airport. Naritasan Shinshō-ji has a history dating back to over 1,000 years. Today there are buildings around the temple complex that vary in age dating back a couple hundred years.  You could spend hours walking Naritasan Shinshō-ji. There is a beautiful Main Gate, decorative three-story pagoda, and main hall. Don’t forget to walk around the back to see the impressive Great Pagoda of Peace.  One of the hidden gems of Naritasan Shinshō-ji is Naritasan Park. This park, like the temple is free to visit and is a beautiful Japanese and Western style garden.  Naritasan Park is made up of several walking trails, ponds, and beautiful structures. If you really want to escape Narita Airport and relax, then Naritasan Park is the best place for a peaceful respite.  Conclusion A visit to Naritasan Shinshō-ji from Narita Airport or Narita City is as easy as a quick train ride away. If you have a longer layover at Narita and are itching to escape the airport to see a truly beautiful temple and area in Japan, then making your way to Naritasan Shinshō-ji is the perfect opportunity. The historical Omote-sando street is filled with shops to buy fun Japanese souvenirs. Then head over to Naritasan Shinshō-ji which is a massive temple complex with a beautiful garden. You could spend hours here. Just make sure you leave yourself with plenty of time to make it back to Narita Airport.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇯🇵  Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖️🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars. Train Travel 🚂🚊  For the JR Pass, tickets can be purchased on the JR Pass site. 

Located in the mountainous Prefecture of Tochigi, Nikko is a picturesque town known for it’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shinkyo, Nikko National Park, and authentic Ryokan hotels. For a town of its size, there is no shortage of things to do in Nikko. Nikko is a popular day trip from  Tokyo, but it is recommended to stay at least two days to get a feel for the town and take in the sites. This post shares my recommended things to do in Nikko to include where I stayed and can’t miss attractions.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Where is Nikko and How to Get Here Nikko is in Tochigi Prefecture, just to the north of Tokyo. Tochigi is a landlocked and mountainous prefecture known for Nikko National Park and Tosho-gu, the famous golden shrine.  A Nikko day trip from Tokyo or other northern cities is possible although not highly recommended, at least by me. I feel Nikko has plenty of things to do and see to keep anyone busy for a few days.  There are many train options to get to Nikko from Tokyo. Train travel to Nikko is possible by The Tobu Nikko Line, JR trains, or a combination of the two.  There are three passes, the All Area Nikko Pass, World Heritage Area Nikko Pass, and Kinugawa Theme park Pass, that allow unlimited access to trains to Shimo-Imaichi to Tobu-Nikko and Kinugawa Station from Tobu-Asakusa.  The three passes can be purchased at the Tourist Information Center at Asakusa Station.  Of course if you have the Japan Rail Pass, you need to take the JR lines.  Instead of taking the train to Nikko, I actually rented a car through Rentalcars.com and picked up and dropped off the car near Narita Airport.  The drive time from Narita to Nikko was about 2.5 hours. Of course, I turned it into a road trip and stopped at other recommended attractions like the Ushiku Daibutsu (Japan’s tallest Buddha statue) and Kairaku-en, one of Japan’s top three gardens. Top Things to do in Nikko If you are traveling to Nikko from Tokyo or any other place really, it will be a jam packed day. Although Nikko is a smaller mountain town, there is an abundance of things to do and see in and around Nikko. I spent almost three days in Nikko and already have plans to go back. I hear the fall season in Nikko is spectacular.  I visited Nikko in late March and Early April. I didn’t know what to expect but I was surprised there was still snow in Nikko at the time.  After spending nearly three days in Nikko, I managed to hit all the main attractions and scoped out places I think others would really enjoy. Here is a list of my recommendations and top things to do and see in Nikko.  1. Drive Around Nikko National Park Most people who visit Nikko probably visit Nikko’s temple area for the day before heading back to the train station.  One of the highlights and reasons for visiting Nikko at least for me, was to drive through Nikko National Park.  From Nikko, take Route 120 directly to the park passing by very curvy and steep mountain roads.  While in Nikko National Park, you can drive by the beautiful Lake Chunzenji and get incredible views of Mt. Nantai.  Depending on the type of adventure you are looking for while in Nikko, I’d recommend at least a brief stop at Senjogahara Grassy Plain. This is a scenic march area that has observation decks, boardwalks, and kilometers of trails. The day I visited, the ground was snow covered, so I didn’t get a chance to hike here much.  I’d also recommend stopping by at least one waterfall in Nikko National Park. A few of the famous waterfalls within the park include Kegon Falls, Ryuzu Falls, and Yudaki Falls. Yudaki Falls was definitely my favorite. One of the most memorable experiences while driving through Nikko National Park was seeing the wild Japanese Macaques. Especially close to the evening hours, they seemed to be everywhere, from parks to parking lots.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   2. Explore the Temple Area: Toshogu, Rinnoji, and Futarasan Besides the beautiful nature in Tochigi Prefecture, Nikko’s Temple Area is what puts Nikko on the map and the reason why this area gets so many visitors.  The temple area in Nikko consists of three temple complexes, all within walking distance from one another. The three temples include Toshogu, Rinnoji, and Futarasan.  Unfortunately, all three temples charge an admission price so you have to pay to visit each one. Toshogu Shrine Easily one of the most beautiful shrines in Japan is Toshogu. The shrine was constructed as a memorial to the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu.  The dozens of buildings at Toshogu Shrine were constructed in 1634 by Tokugawa Ieyasu’s grandson.  Many of the buildings within Toshogu Shrine are covered in gold leaf.  When walking around Toshogu Shrine, visitors will notice the five story pagoda near the entrance and ticket booth.  Don’t miss the famous Three Wise Monkeys who “hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil.” You can’t miss it, just look for the crowd of people standing in front of the famous monkey carvings.  Like the Three Wise Monkeys, you have to see the “Sleeping Cat.” The Sleeping Cat is located on the gate that leads to the Tokugawa Ieyasu Mausoleum.  Admission and Hours AdmissionAdults – ¥1300Children – ¥450 Hours9:00 – 17:00 (April to October) and 9:00 – 16:00 (November to March) Rinnoji Rinnoji Temple, was just as impressive as Toshogu Shrine but in a completely different way. The complex was smaller but visitors can access the interior of Rinnoji to see the three Buddha statues here.  According to the Nikko Official Guide, the three Buddha statues include the eight meter tall thousand armed Buddha of Mt. Nantai, the Amida Buddha of Mt. Nyoho, and the Horse headed Buddha of Mt. Taro.  Photos are not allowed inside Rinnoji Temple.  Included with Rinnoji is Shoyoen Garden, a peaceful Japanese Garden with a pond, walking paths, and seasonal plants and trees.  Admission and Hours AdmissionSanbutsudo Hall – ¥400Treasure House and Shoyoen Garden – ¥300 Hours8:00 – 17:00 Futarasan Shrine Futarasan Shrine, is the oldest shrine in Nikko. It was founded in 766 by the Buddhist monk Shodo Shonin and is dedicated to Mt. Nantai, Mt. Nyoho, and Mt. Taro.  Admission and Hours Admission¥300 Hours8:00 – 17:00 (April to October)9:00 – 16:00 (November to March) 3. Don’t forget to visit the Other Shrines and Temples There are more shrines in Nikko that have nothing to do with the Temple Area yet are well worth a quick visit.  Across the street from shinkyō bridge, up a few stone stairs, hidden in the woods, is Hongu Shrine. Considered to be one of the oldest shrines in Nikko, Hongu Shrine was also founded by the Buddhist monk Shodo Shonin.  If you walk around Nikko, you will spot other temples along the hillside.  4. Take Photos of the Shinkyō Bridge (Red Bridge) A Symbol of Nikko, the Shinkyō Bridge, is a red bridge beautifully constructed over the Daiya River. This highly photographed bridge in Nikko is iconic and a must visit attraction. Visitors can get photos of the Shinkyō Bridge from the sidewalk at no cost. But if you wish to get closer and even walk on the bridge, there is a ¥350 charge. I don’t think it’s necessary. Photos from the sidewalk should suffice.  5. Visit the Tamozawa Imperial Villa A surprising attraction in Nikko was visiting the Tamozawa Imperial Villa and Gardens.  According to information at the villa, the Tamozawa Imperial Villa was built in 1899 for Prince Yoshihito and was used by three emperors until 1947. The imperial families used this villa as a retreat during the summer and winter months. The Tamozawa Imperial Villa is huge, at 23,000 m². There are a total of 106 rooms and a beautiful Japanese Garden behind the villa that is a must. The garden has a 400 year old weeping cherry blossom tree.  Admission and Hours AdmissionAdults – ¥600Children – ¥300 Hours9:00 – 17:00 (April to October)9:00 – 16:30 (November to March) 6. Walk the Kanmangafuchi Abyss About a 15-20 minute walk from the Tamozawa Imperial Villa is the Kanmangafuchi Abyss.  This is a scenic gorge with a beautiful raging river but the most notable feature are the Jizo Statues lining the side of the trail.  The sign at the trail entrance states that these Jizo Statues are Boddhisatva Jizo, which is the guardian deity of children. Most of the statues carry a Red Hat and Bib. In 1902, the Kanman Gorge flooded and damaged many of the statues some left as a pile of rubble.  7. Sample Local Beer, especially at Murmur Biiru Stand Nikko was my kind of place. I loved the shrines, the nature, food, and I found great craft beer in Nikko. It didn’t strike me as a beer destination, but I found liquor stores with local craft beers and stumbled upon an amazing craft beer stand called Murmur Biiru Stand, honestly one of the best craft beer places I’ve discovered in Japan. Murmur Biiru Stand was a tiny beer stand in town. The day I was there, a single brewer was working and they had four beers on tap. The Coffee Stout and Cinnamon Brown Ale were phenomenal.  8. Stay at a Ryokan Guesthouse If you are traveling around Japan and want to try staying at a Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), Nikko is a great place as there are many Ryokans and authentic Japanese hotels.  There are so many Ryokans in Nikko, it was hard to choose, I went with one that was close to the temple area and budget friendly. I ended up booking a few nights at the Nikko Tokanso Hotel. I booked the Nikko Tokanso Hotel through Agoda. The Nikko Tokanso Hotel blew my expectations as well as everyone else in my party. It was a highlight of the whole trip and a positive memory.  Nikko Tokanso Hotel was a traditional Ryokan with an onsen (hot spring or hot bath), rooms with tatami mats, and comfortable futon mattresses.  Although everything was incredible, the food was the most impressive. We booked the hotel with breakfast and dinner each night and both meals were elaborate, unique, and delicious! Each meal was different each day. We tried everything from shabu-shabu and sukiyaki to grilled chicken and Nikko’s famous Yuba. Yuba is the skin that is left over from soy milk when boiled.  If you are looking for a recommended Ryokan in the Nikko area close to the shrine and within walking distance to town, I highly recommend the Nikko Tokanso Hotel. Nikko Day Tours: Get the Most out of Your Time in Nikko I always love day tours whenever I travel somewhere new. The guides are usually local and know the area well, so I end up learning more then I ever would had I gone myself.  Now a days, when I visit a new destination, I look at sites like Viator or Get Your Guide.  Below are a few tours offered that provide half day or full day tours of Nikko. These tours will take you to places like the Nikko Shrine Area, Nikko National Park, and other exciting destinations within Nikko.  Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide Full Day Private Tour & Sightseeing to Nikko (English Speaking Driver) From Tkyo: Private Nikko World Heritage Sight Day Trip Tokyo: Nikko Toshogu Shine and Kegon Waterfall Tour Conclusion Nikko remains one of my favorite places to visit in Japan. From spending a day at the temple area seeing Tosho-gu,