Taito City or Taitō is a district in northeastern Tokyo. Taito City is known for Ueno Park which is home to many world class museums, Tokyo’s largest Buddhist Temple, Senso-ji, and Ameyoko, a shopping street full of shops and restaurants. If you are traveling to Tokyo and looking for an authentic Japanese experience, this must visit district in Tokyo is full of historical landmarks, traditional shrines and temples, genuine Japanese food, with a  lively atmosphere and bustling nightlife. Looking for fun things to do in Taito City? I spent three full days exploring Taito City and this post is a list of my recommendations and must visit places. **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! 10 Things to do in Taito City Taito City, a historical district located in Tokyo’s northeast region is a district that is often overlooked. Travelers head to other parts of Tokyo like Shinjuku or Shibuya and may often take a day trip to Taito City to see a museum or Senso-ji. But after spending three days in Taito City and still not being able to see everything I had planned, this district deserves more time and attention. The list of things to do in Taito City below is a recommended list of must visit places and things to do in Taitō based on my experiences and research.  1. Ameyoko: Shopping and Food Ameyoko, A lively shopping district in Ueno is full of shops, vendors, and restaurants.  Street markets in Japan are not as common as other parts in Asia. Early on, I was told that rent is so cheap in Japan that there really is not a need to be outside. But for those that do love markets, thankfully Ameyoko is just across the main street from the train station.  You can find all sorts of goodies from the street vendors here. Many food items can be found here, from Takoyaki to fresh seafood.  Besides food, there are many shops to brose through. You can find a lot of cheap goods here as well. Shops include everything from discount stores to pharmacies.  2. Explore the Temples and Nature at Ueno Park Surprisingly, Tokyo has so many parks and natural areas to visit, Ueno Park is no exception. If you are looking for things to do in Taito City then I highly recommend the Ueno area and especially Ueno Park. Ueno Park is home to the Ueno Zoo, museums, temples and shrines, walking paths, cafés, and so much more! You could spend almost an entire day walking the park and exploring the many attractions.  The Ueno Toshogu Shrine and the Fivefold Pagoda of Kan’ei-ji are a must visit temple in Ueno Park. Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple and Shinoazunoike Benten-do are well worth visiting as well.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   3. Nakamise-dori Street: Souvenirs and Local Goodies One of the more popular and fun things to do in Taito City is walk Nakamise-dori to Senso-ji. If crowds are not your thing, you might want to find a different way to get to Senso-ji, because going up the center of Nakamise-dori is shoulder to shoulder traffic.  Nakamise-dori is between the famous Kaminarimon and Hozomon Gate of Senso-ji. This crowded street is full of fun souvenir shops and places selling Japanese treats on either side. It can seem overwhelming with the amount of shops and people here, but it’s all part of the experience. After all, would it really be Tokyo without all the people?  4. Nezu Shrine: Seasonal Flowers and Torii Gates Technically in Bunkyo City and not in Taito City is Nezu Shrine but it’s within a 15-minute walking distance from Ueno Park and a must visit Shrine when in the area.  Nezu Shrine is considered one of the oldest in Japan and one of Tokyo’s prettiest and most visited. Nezu Shrine offers all the quintessential Japanese Shrine features you can think of. The bright red Torii Gates, ponds full of Koi Fish, a natural setting, and sense of peace and calmness.  Nezu Shrine is especially beautiful during the Spring season when thousands of Azaleas are in full bloom.  5. Sample Craft Beer If like me, you are into craft beer and quickly do your research to see if there are any breweries, taprooms, or beerhalls in the area you are traveling to, then don’t worry, Taito City has all of the above!  Three beer related places we visited during our 3 days in Taitō include Yanaka Beer Hall, 2nd Cooper, and the Asahi Sky Room.  Yanaka Beer Hall is a taproom located in a traditional Japanese home. The atmosphere was notable and relaxing, I could have stayed here for hours. The beer on the other hand was just alright. They serve you typical Lagers, IPAs, and Stouts.  The Brewery on tap was called August Beer. The Yanaka Black and the August IPA were my favorites on tap.  2nd Cooper was our go to beer hall in the Ueno area. 2nd Cooper was a great place to visit at the end of the day to kind of reflect and relax. This beer hall had several beers on tap and a large variety of bottles and cans from beers around the world. They also serve bar food.  One beer place that we visited that was alright but felt like it was a must do thing in Tokyo was visiting the Asahi Sky Room. Finding this building was a little confusing. It’s located in Google Maps. Visitors need to take the elevator to the top floor. Here you can get a variety of Asahi Beers on tap. I ordered the Asahi Kuronama and rated it pretty high, it was good for an Asahi Beer.  6. Senso-ji: Tokyo’s Largest Buddhist Temple Tokyo’s most famous temple and largest Buddhist temple is Senso-ji. When visiting Tokyo, Japanese and foreigners flock to Nakamise-dori and Senso-ji.  If you’ve seen photos of Tokyo, you’ve seen photos of Kaminarimon or the “Thunder Gate.” This gate has a famous giant lantern that is popular in almost all photographs. After passing through Kaminarimon and walking past Nakamise-dori, the next gate is Hozomon. The main hall is Kannondo and is well worth walking up the stairs to see the inside. Gojunoto, the beautiful Pagoda towers above the walls on the west side.  If you are looking for must see things or things to do in Taito City, besides Ueno Park, Senso-ji in Asakusa cannot be missed.  7. Sit Down and Sample Food at a Local Izakaya Want to experience a true Japanese sit down restaurant/bar that serves some of the best food in Japan? Then head to a local Izakaya just outside Ueno Station a block away from Ameyoko Shopping Street.  This area was lined with Izakaya’s and so many great looking ones to choose from. Many Izakaya’s in Ueno had English menus. Izakaya’s are the best way to sample small amounts of Japanese cuisine. This is especially nice when going with a group of people, you can order a cheap drink and plate after plate of delicious food.  We found an Izakaya we liked so much, we went twice!  8. Visit One or Many of the World-Famous Museum Ueno Park is home to  many of  Japan’s best museums. Many people venture to Ueno just to visit the museums. You have the Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Western Art, National Museum of Nature and Science, and the Shitamachi Museum.  While on our long three day weekend in the Ueno area, we visited the Tokyo National Museum and National Museum of Nature and Science.  The Tokyo National Museum is a must. You can potentially spend all day here. We spent about 3 hours here before realizing we still had a full schedule of other things to see and do around Taitō. The Tokyo National Museum has an extensive collection of exhibits and items all related to Japan. I found the archaeology exhibit to be the most impressive. They also have rotating exhibits here.  The National Museum of Nature and Science was another good one where you can spend several hours in. I mainly came here to see Hachiko, the famous Akita who was known for his loyalty to his owner. But this museum had a nice collection of taxidermied animals from around the world, and other exhibits related to Japanese history, geology, and space.  9. Wait in Line and Enjoy the Views at Tokyo Sky Tree Tokyo’s Skytree is technically not in Taito City, but it’s close enough. The Tokyo Skytree is a quick and easy walk from Senso-ji, so I recommend doing both attractions while in the area.  The Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in Tokyo, at 634 meters or around 2,080 ft. Visitors can take the elevator to the 450th Floor to receive the best views of Tokyo. I recommend coming in the late evening hours to see the city at night, it’s beautiful and mind blowing seeing how huge Tokyo really is.  Tokyo Skytree was up there with places I wanted to visit in Tokyo. I purchased tickets in advance for the Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria. At the time of visiting (October, 2023) I purchased tickets for 17:00. Unfortunately, the management of Skytree was very poor. We had to stay in line to get tickets, even though we already paid and had a time slot. Then we were herded like cattle through a maze toward the elevators. Once at the top, it was already so crowded with people there and groups of people getting off the elevators. Then when leaving we stood in line just to get on the elevator down. In the end, we stood in line longer then actually viewing the city which was kind of a let down.  Once we got a clear view of the city from Tokyo’s Skytree, the views were spectacular. At night, you can see city lights as far as the eye can see. In the end, I am glad I visited Tokyo’s Skytree, the views were incredible but the management and lines were horrible. If you are looking for things to do in Tokyo. Maybe visit the Skytree at a random time on a random day.  10. Walk Through Yanaka Ginza Yanaka Ginza is a must when visiting the Ueno area. Roughly a 20-minute walk from Ueno Park or a 5-minute walk from Nippori Station, this popular shopping street is full of fun local shops, food vendors, and cafés.  Yanaka Ginza has an old town feel to it yet it is located in the middle of a residential area. I believe this area is also know as cat alley. Many of the shops here are cat themed and there were cat statues scattered throughout Yanaka Ginza.  Aside from shops and cafés, there were Sake Breweries offering locally made Sake and liquor stores with locally crafted beer.  Conclusion Taito City, offers a nice variety of activities and attractions for anyone visiting the Taitō District of Tokyo. From must visit museums to Tokyo’s biggest Buddhist Temple – Senso-ji, there is something for everyone. Plan at least a two day visit to Taito City to see what Ueno and Asakusa has to offer. Taito City is a must visit district of Tokyo and should not be overlooked.  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

Japan’s Beckoning Cat, also known as the Maneki-neko, is considered a cultural symbol in Japan. Believed to bring fortune and good luck to its owners, the Beckoning Cat has long been celebrated in Japan and can be found in shops and households throughout the country. With its raised paw gesture and cat like appearance, no wonder why the Maneki-neko is adored throughout Japan. In this post, we’ll explore what the Beckoning Cat even means in Japan, the origins of the Beckoning Cat, and must see Maneki-neko 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! **As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. What does the Beckoning Cat mean in Japan: Significance in Japanese Culture Japan’s Maneki-neko aka Beckoning Cat or Lucky Cat is a cat figurine said to bring both wealth and good luck.  The origins of the Maneki-neko data back to the Edo period (1603-1867).  Although there are many theories of the origin of the Maneki-neko, I believe the origin started at Gotoku-ji.  Is the Beckoning Cat Chinese or Japanese? The Beckoning Cat has its origins in Japan, therefore it is Japanese. What does the symbolism of the Beckoning Cat actually mean? If you look at the Maneki-neko, you will notice it has a raised paw. Some figurines will have the right paw raised while others have the left paw raised.  With the Beckoning Cats right paw raised the figurine is said to attract wealth and good luck. The left paw raised is an invitation to customers visiting a business. In most shops around Japan, you will see the Maneki-neko with its left paw in the air.  Not only does the Beckoning Cat’s paws have a symbolic purpose but the color of the figurine is just as symbolic. A white Maneki-neko means purity and positivity, black Beckoning Cats are said to defend against evil spirits, while gold is tied to financial success.  Popular Beckoning Cat Attractions in Japan We’ve Visited The Maneki-neko or Beckoning Cat is an iconic symbol of Japan. With its unique pose, one arm in the air, and fun variations, these figurines are an integral part in Japan and can be found in homes, shops, attractions, and even religious shrines and temples. Jill and I have explored quite a few Beckoning Cat attractions in Japan, from historical shrines and temples that house thousands of these feline figurines to museums that allow you to paint your own Maneki-neko. If you love Japan’s Beckoning Cat as much as we do, here are some of the recommended Maneki-neko attractions.  Gotoku-ji Buddhist Temple Gotoku-ji, probably one of Japan’s most famous maneki-neko attractions lies in the Setagaya ward of Tokyo. This historic Buddhist temple is from the Edo period and is said to be the birthplace of the Maneki-neko or Beckoning Cat.  According to the Gotokuji website, this place became famous for the Maneki-neko because a lord was greeted by a luck cat at the temple gate. When the lord entered the temple grounds and rain began to fall. The lord engaged in a conversation with the temple master at the complex and the cats luck made an impression on the visiting lord.  On the grounds of Gotoku-ji, Shofuku-den was built to house the good luck cat, the name of the good luck cat was Maneki-neko.  Today, there are hundreds if not thousands of white Maneki-neko’s at the Gotoku-ji. Style wise, the Beckoning Cats here are all the same, with their white bodies, red ears, and right paw in the air,  but differ in sizes.  Visitors can purchase their own Maneki-neko at Gotoku-ji and place the Beckoning Cat at the temple or take it home as a souvenir.  Maneki-neko Museum of Art Are you interested in painting your own Maneki-neko? You can do just that at the Maneki-neko Museum of Art in Kanayamaji, Okayama.  The Maneki-neko Museum of Art is a museum that is home to over 800 Maneki-neko’s in all colors, shapes, and sizes. This museum is located in a historical home and visitors can freely walk around to the different floors. The museum even has Beckoning Cats that date back to the Meiji Era.  You can’t leave the museum without attempting to paint your own Maneki-neko. You get a unglazed Beckoning Cat figuring and can let your inner artist shine as you paint a truly fascinating and possibly silly Maneki-neko.  Admission for the Manekineko Museum of Art is ¥600. Hours are 10:00 to 17:00 with last admission at 16:30.  For more information, you can visit the Maneki-neko Art Museum’s website. Pottery Footpath and Maneki-neko Street in Tokoname Tokoname, a city located in Aichi Prefecture, not far from Nagoya City. Famous for its pottery footpath, giant Maneki-neko head, and Maneki-neko Street, Tokoname is a heaven for those that love goofy cat statues and maneki-neko sculptures in Japan.  The Pottery Footpath in Tokoname is a pedestrian walkway in Tokoname that follows a well developed path that goes by several merchant shops, kilns, and other attractions, all related to pottery. Prior to visiting the path, there is a Maneki-neko Street that is a must visit!  Maneki-neko Street is lined with 40 Beckoning Cats created by various artists. There are a few entertaning Beckoning Cats on pedestals. Continuing on Maneki-neko Street, there are several cat statues along the side of a wall. Each statue unique in their own ways brining luck to those that travel by.  Don’t forget to get photos of Tokonyan. Tokonyan is a giant Beckoning Cat head that resting above the street. Tokonyan can be seen from the train station. This giant Maneki-neko head is an astonishing 3.8 meters tall and 6.3 meters wide.  To learn more about the Pottery Footpath and Maneki-neko Street in Tokoname, I wrote a post on our trip here:Walking the Pottery Footpath in Tokoname Urinji Cat Temple A 30-minute drive from the town of Hagi, is the Unrinji Cat Temple. With over 600 cat statues at Unrinji, this temple is known as the “Cat Temple.” Here you can find Maneki-neko statues and wood carved statues that were made by a local artist.  Besides some traditional Beckoning Cat statues, there is a Cat Buddha statue carved out of wood and some other statues on the silly side.  To read more about Urinji Cat Temple and Hagi, feel free to read my post:Visiting Hagi, Japan Where to Buy a Maneki-neko? The Maneki-neko can be purchased in almost any souvenir store within Japan from the northern island of Hokkaido to the southern islands of Okinawa.  Some antique shops will have older Maneki0-nekos. There are also specialized attractions like Gotoku-ji and the Maneki-neko Museum of Art that sells them. You can find a wide range of Beckoning Cats on Amazon. If looking to purchase on Amazon you can type in either Beckoning Cat or Maneki-neko in the search result.  Conclusion Japan’s Beckoning Cat or Maneki-neko is a symbolic figurine in Japan that symbolizes good fortune and luck, invites customers to businesses, and can ward off bad spirits. The Maneki-neko has played an important role in Japanese history and continues to be a symbolic figurine in private homes, businesses, and even shrines and temples.  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 Japan’s Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture is the charming onsen town of Shuzenji Onsen. Shuzenji Onsen is rich in culture and history dating back to more then 1,200 years. Shuzenji Onsen is full of natural beauty with mountain rivers cutting through town, bamboo forests, and beautiful mountains surrounding the town on all sides. For a small onsen resort town, there is plenty to do and see here at Shuzenji Onsen. Walk the designated path that leads to all major attractions in town, explore the historical streets, sample local cuisine, and relax at an onsen at one of the famous ryokans. Visitors can also venture from town and sample local craft beer at Baird Brewery and hike to a beautiful waterfall surrounded by wasabi fields.  **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 Shuzenji Onsen and the Izu Peninsula Shuzenji Onsen is nestled in the mountains on Japan’s Izu Peninsula. The Izu Peninsula is located on the Japanese Prefecture of Shizuoka and is a short journey from the Mt. Fuji area.  This small town is popular among locals that live in Tokyo as it is easily accessible and a great nature escape from the world’s largest city. Visitors can take the shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Mishima Station in about an hour. From Mishima Station, it is about a 30 minute train ride to Shuzenji. Once at Shuzenji, hop on a 10 minute bus ride to the onsen resorts.  We rented a car from Tokyo and drove to Shuzenji Onsen. The route was about 150 km and took anywhere from 2 hours to 2.5 hours.  Exploring Shuzenji Onsen: Walking Course for Tourists Although small, Shuzenji Onsen has a lot of attractions that are worthwhile. Known as “Little Kyoto of Izu,” visitors can come here and not be overwhelmed by tourists like in Kyoto.  It is recommended to stay at one of the resorts and enjoy a relaxing vacation at one of the many onsen areas. Personally, we just did a day trip from the Mt. Fuji area and had no time to go to the onsen, instead we did a walking course that went to Shuzenji Temple, the Bamboo Grove Path, Kaede-bashi Bridge, Tokko-no-Yu, and ended at he Grave of Minamoto no Noriyori.  We started the walking tour at Shuzenji Temple. This temple was founded in the year 807 by a Buddhist Monk named Kobo Daishi Kukai.  The path then led us Tokko-no-Yu and the Kaede-bashi Bridge.  Tokko-no-Yu is considered to be a symbol of Shuzenji Onsen, as it is said to be the oldest hot spring in Izu with history dating back to Kobo Daishi Kukai. Visitors will also notice the beautiful red colored bridges around Shuzenji then cross the Katsura River. Kaede-bashi Bridge and Katsura Bridge are photogenic bridges that are stunning to look at especially during the autumn months when the maple leaves turn red.  My favorite stop along the walking course was the Bamboo Grove Path and I have to admit, it rivals Kyoto’s Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. This one was much smaller but without tourists, we had the bamboo forest to ourselves. It wasn’t shoulder to shoulder traffic like in Kyoto and no one got into our photos. There was a lovely path through the Bamboo Grove with nice seats in the center for a well deserved break. The final stop along the walking course before going back into town, was a brief stop at the Grave of Minamoto no Noriyori. According to a sign at the site, Noriyori was a warlord during the Kamakura period between 1185-1333. To keep the story short, Noriyori won the battle of Ichinotani, putting his name out there. There was a lot of bad blood between him and his brothers. His older brother ordered him to murder his younger brother. Once Noriyori refused, his older brother no longer trusted him. There was betrayal against the local Shogunate, and Noriyori was imprisoned at Shuzenji Temple. Later on, Noriyori committed suicide and is buried at the current site.  Venturing Beyond Shuzenji Onsen Shuzenji Onsen is a small town. Unless you plan on relaxing at the onsen resorts for an entire day, there is plenty of things to do and see around Shuzenji that are a short drive away. You could always drive the Izu Peninsula, stop at other towns like Ito and Nishizu, check out the beautiful coastline, or go on a hike. If you are like us and limited to a day to explore Shuzenji and the surrounding area, we stopped at Baird Brewing Company for an afternoon drink and then took some photos of Joren Falls and checked out the wasabi fields.  Baird Brewery Gardens Shuzenji In my Beer Guide to Japan I mention that craft breweries are starting to pop up all over Japan. Baird Brewing is one of the bigger breweries in Japan and has been brewing delicious craft beer since 2000.  Baird Brewery has several brewing facilities and taprooms, and one of the is just a quick 5-10 minute drive from Shuzenji Onsen. The taproom has been around since 2014 and has a relaxing atmosphere. Tucked into the forests on the Izu Peninsula, down a questionable road it was hard to believe that such a giant facility existed here.  The taproom here has 20 different beers on tap to include their original lineup and seasonal beers, you can order various sizes and even a flight. The interior is very inviting, there is also a large outside deck. Besides beer, they make delicious non-alcoholic drinks and have a small bar menu.  Out of the beers I had here, I enjoyed the Temple Garden Yuzu Ale, Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine, and Joie De Vivre.  Joren Falls and Wasabi Less then a 20 minute drive from Baird Brewery is one of the most beautiful waterfalls I’ve seen in Japan, Joren Falls.  There is so much more to Joren Falls then just taking beautiful photos of this waterfall. There is a large parking area here with several facilities to include restrooms, a restaurant, gift shop, and a café.  Walk behind the restaurant and there is a set of stairs that lead down to Joren Falls. Along the way there are a few gift shops and one place sells fishing poles. Visitors can rent a pole and catch trout and have them cooked there. Joren Falls is considered one of Japan’s top 100 most beautiful waterfalls. The falls is 25 meters high and the width is about 7 meters. The falls are spectacular to look at and the river below is just as beautiful. I set up my camera and took long exposure shots using my Hoya Pro ND Filter. Not only is this area famous for Joren Falls, but they grow wasabi. Wasabi fields are found in the region and visitors can try everything from wasabi beer to wasabi soft served ice cream.  Conclusion on Shuzenji Onsen Whether you are visiting Shuzenji Onsen to relax at one of the resorts or here as a day trip to immerse yourself in its culture and history, Shuzenji offers an unforgettable experience. Take in the natural beauty of this town and the surrounding village. Afterwards, go and enjoy a beer at Baird Brewery’s taproom or continue south to Joren Falls and sample a few treats that are infused with wasabi. No matter what your plan is when visiting the Izu Peninsula, it is a nice escape from the fast paced modern world.  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. 

Hakone, Japan is known for Owakundai, The Hakone Open-Air Museum, and Heiwa no Torii, a famous Torii Gate built on the shores of Lake Ashi. A short drive from the Mt. Fuji area and an easy trip from Tokyo, Hakone is a popular tourist destination where visitors come for its beautiful resorts, many attractions, and scenic areas. Hakone has been on my list of places to visit in Japan for a while now, mainly because of the Heiwa no Torii. I am glad I visited Hakone, but after leaving the area, I felt both satisfied and disappointed. So is Hakone worth visiting? **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 and Around Hakone Going from Tokyo to Hakone is fairly straight forward and there are multiple ways to get to Hakone from Tokyo. Most visitors traveling to Hakone will arrive via train🚝 or car🚗rental.  If renting a car is not an option. Visitors can take a train from Tokyo to Hakone. There are direct routes from Shinjuku to Hakone via Odawara. The train ride takes about 1.5 hours and costs about ¥2500 one-way. You can also take the shinkansen from Tokyo to Odawara and transfer to Hakone.  If you are familiar with driving in Japan or feel a little adventurous, I highly recommend renting a car and driving to Hakone from Tokyo. Driving gives you the freedom you want to explore. We rented a vehicle through Agoda and had no issues driving to Hakone.  Many of the attractions in and around Hakone are spread out and driving is the easiest way to reach these destinations.  Depending on the attraction, there are buses, gondolas, and boats to take you to various attractions around Hakone.  Things to Do in Hakone that are a Must If you are looking for things to do in Hakone or Hakone attractions, I came up with a few of my most recommended sites to see and places to visit. I believe one day in Hakone is plenty of time to visit the must see sites. Here are a few of the attractions and things we did, that make Hakone worth visiting. The attractions listed below are in the order of what we did while taking a day trip to Hakone from the Mt. Fuji area.  Choanji Buddhist Temple Driving from Gotemba to Hakone we first stopped at a Buddhist Temple called Choanji. There are people that say “Once you see one temple, you’ve seen them all.” I highly disagree, I’ll visit every temple I see, same goes with cathedrals in Europe. But I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit Choanji Temple, especially because it is somewhat unique.  Choanji Buddhist Temple is outside of the town of Hakone and easily reached by car. Although the temple wasn’t much to look at, the garden and unique statues made Choanji well worth a visit. There are over 200 rakan statues scattered throughout the temple grounds, each statue being unique. There was also a peaceful pond here, large cemetery, and gorgeous views.  Owakudani Visiting Owakudani is my most recommended thing to do in Hakone. The nature here was fascinating. Owakudani is a volcanic area known for it’s sulfur springs and Kuro Tamago (Black Eggs). Let’s start with Kuro Tamago. These are literally normal eggs that they boil in the sulfuric springs on site. Due to the boiling process, the outside of the eggs turn black. You can buy the Kuro Tamago at several locations at Owakudani, usually in packs of 4. It is said that with each egg you eat, it will add an additional 7 years to your life.  At the site of Owakudani, there are several buildings mainly souvenir shops, cafes, and restaurants. There is also a Geo Museum on the grounds that was worth a visit. The Geo Museum was small but it was only ¥100. There are several observation decks around the area for visitors to get views of the sulfuric springs. There is a trail that gets visitors closer to the activity, but as of today this is a guided tour only and reservations are required. Hakone Open-Air Museum One of the more surprising sites and attractions in Hakone was the Hakone Open-Air Museum. When I think of open air museums, I think of places like Shirakawa-go, historical homes and buildings that have been restored in a traditional setting. But the Hakone Open-Air Museum was more of a modern art museum in a beautiful outdoor park. I am not big into modern art, but I like the idea of it being outside in nature. Many of the sculptures were interesting and the nature was beautiful, so I do recommend visiting the Hakone Open-Air Museum.  The park itself was huge, you could spend all day here. There are numerous trails that lead to different exhibits. There is a Picasso exhibition that many might find interesting. My favorite piece of art was the Symphonic Sculpture. You can walk inside here and to the top of the beautiful stained glass silo looking sculpture.  For more information about this attraction, feel free to visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum Website. Amasake Tea House A beautiful and traditional 400 year old tea house is just a short drive from Lake Ashi. I found out about this tea house while browsing through Atlas Obscura.  The Amasake Teahouse is a thatched roof traditional building, that was used as a rest area for travelers back in the day. Today, it hasn’t changed much. Visitors are welcome to come here and relax, drink matcha tea, or try their Amazake. Amazake is a non-alcoholic rice wine. Their menu and recipes have remained unchanged since their opening 400years ago.  Hakone Shrine Hakone’s most favorite and sought after attraction is Hakone Shrine and its Torii Gate that is seen standing in the water. This is the torii gate you see on every postcard and travel article. Because of its beauty and popularity, this shrine can be very crowded with foreigners.  In Hakone, there are several parking areas around Lake Ashi. You can then walk to Hakone Shrine. Hakone Shrine is a beautiful Shinto Shrine surrounded by huge Cedar Trees. You can follow the shrine down to the torii gate or take a hiking trail that hugs Lake Ashi to the torii gate. We took the trail to the left and followed it until we reached the gate and then followed the path to the shrine.  While hiking the trail, I couldn’t help but notice how peaceful the small hike was. It followed the beautiful Lake Ashi, the trees were calm, and hardly a soul in sight. Until we reached the floating torii gate. It was a zoo here. There were at least a hundred people gathered around the gate and a long line of tourists waiting to get that iconic photo of them under the shrine with the lake in the background.  This was my big disappointment I mentioned earlier on. Now that Japan is open to tourism it has become the new normal. Every major attraction has lines now because tourists want to take a selfie with the attraction and Hakone Shrine is no different. I am simple, I have my DSLR camera and just want good shots of the torii gate with the pleasant background. Unfortunately, to get a good photo I’d have to wait in line like everyone else for 45 minutes to an hour. I found this to be a huge waste of time and just stood to the side and too quick photos once people moved out of the area. Unfortunately, my photos weren’t as good or creative as I’d hope, but it wasn’t worth the wait. It was frustrating to stand there and watch groups of people go to take photos. First they would all take a selfie, then a couple photo, then a group photo, and so on. Then the photographer would take 100 photos from different angles. This was absurd and then to think it takes 2-5 minutes per person and group with a hundred people in line.  I do think Hakone Shrine and the floating torii gate were beautiful and the area is very picturesque. But the mass amounts of tourists taking photos took away from the beauty of it all, that is just my opinion.   Lake Ashi Lake Ashi is one of the main natural attractions in Hakone. On clear days, Mt. Fuji might make an appearance offering visitors picturesque views of Japan’s most iconic mountain.  Lake Ashi is a popular attraction for several reasons. You can get great views of Fuji, see Heiwa no Torii, and take unique boat tours across the lake.  Visitors can rent boats on Lake Ashi, there are even swan boats that can be rented for ¥1500 a half hour. There is a ferry terminal here for the unique lake cruises. One of the more unique cruise ships is a boat made to look like a pirate ship.  So, Is Hakone Worth Visiting? Is Hakone worth visiting? The short answer is yes! But I personally don’t recommend visiting Hakone just to see the floating Torii Gate at Hakone Shrine. If you are like me, you’ll just be disappointed. Instead, I recommend turning your Hakone visit into a fun filled day trip and check out the other attractions and sites like eating kuro tamago at Owakudani or enjoying a match tea at Amasake Tea House.  Obviously, you can’t go to Hakone without seeing Hakone Shrine and the floating torii gate. Maybe some of you are willing to wait in line for a photo, after all it is most likely a once in a lifetime opportunity. My recommendation would be, especially if you are staying in Hakone would be to wake up at sunrise and head over the the shrine to be the late morning crowds.  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. 

The Chugoku region is the western most region on Japan’s Honshu island. Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi, make up the 5 prefectures of the Chugoku region. A few major cities like Hiroshima and Okayama call this region home. A major draw to this part of Japan is the vast wooded areas, mountains, and cozy small towns. I loved exploring everything this region of Japan has to offer, especially the off the beaten villages tucked away in the mountains or along the coastline. This post is about my favorite small towns in the Chugoku region of Japan. 🇯🇵  ** 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! Japan’s Chugoku Region There are a total of 47 prefectures in Japan. Breaking Japan down further, there are a total of 8 geographical regions: Chubu, Chugoku, Hokkaido, Kansai, Kanto, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Tohoku.  Japan’s Chugoku region makes up 5 prefectures on the western side of Honshu. These 5 prefectures include: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi.   Jill and I have traveled around Japan’s Chugoku region extensively and have visited great cities like  Hiroshima. Honestly, some of the small towns in the Chugoku region were amongst our favorites! Below is a list of our 5 favorite small towns in the Chugoku region of Japan. Iwami Ginzan and the town of Omori In Shimane prefecture lies the small town and ancient silver mining community of Iwami Ginza. Belonging to Oda City, Iwami Ginzan is one of Japan’s best kept hidden secrets. Iwami Ginzan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its historical significance and preservation.  Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine is the main attraction in the area. If visiting the mine, be prepared to walk. There is a main parking lot and a road that passes by local areas, but the mine is tucked back deep in the forest.  Since Iwami Ginzan is a World Heritage Site, there is a fee of  ¥410. The price is worth the adventure as visitors get a chance to walk a few hundred meters through one of the ancient mines. You enter in one side and exit the mine at a different location, but the path is well marked and you end up on the same path.  After exploring the mines, I highly recommend heading to the small town of Omori. This might be my favorite small town in Japan’s Chugoku region. Omori doesn’t take but 15-20 minutes to walk through, but the old homes lining the ancient cobble stone streets and moss covered shrines makes this town so enjoyable. There is also a yummy German bakery in town called Hidaka and some decent restaurants. Before leaving Omori, check out the Caves of the 500 Arhats.  Takehara Takehara is a well preserved historical town located in Hiroshima prefecture. Takehara began as a merchant town famous for both salt and sake.  Today, visitors can walk the cobblestone streets of Takehara, see the old merchant shops, and visit the beautiful shrines. One shrine that is highly recommended to visit is the Saihoji Temple. This Buddhist temple is built on the hillside and offers gorgeous views of the small town and surrounding mountains.  Tomonoura Tomonoura, a quaint fishing village in Hiroshima prefecture is a port town just outside of the city of Fukuyama. Tomonoura is your typical small fishing village in Japan. It has narrow alley ways lined with historical buildings with easy access to the Seto Inland Sea. Apparently back in the day, ships would dock here during unfavorable oceanic conditions, because of the boat traffic, Tomonoura began to thrive.  It is recommended to visit the old town center and simply walk around and explore. View the Seto Inland Sea from the many view points, visit the Irohamaru Museum, pay a visit to the ancient shrines, pop in and out of the local shops, and find a good place to eat.  Tomonoura is one of Japan’s small towns but you can easily spend a half day to full day here. Afterwards, it is recommended to pay a visit to the city of Fukuyama to see Fukuyama Castle and Kusadoinari Shrine.  Tsuwano Tsuwano is a small samurai town located in the mountains of Shimane prefecture. Tsuwano is known mainly for the Tsuwano Castle Ruins and Inari Shrine, both attractions are located just outside of town.  Tsuwano Castle Ruins sit high on top of a hill overlooking the town of Tsuwano. The castle here was built in 1325 but was unfortunately dismantled during the Meiji Restoration. Today, the stone foundation of the castle still remains. No matter what, a visit to the top of the castle is a must when visiting Tsuwano, for the views alone. There is a convenient but old chair lift that runs from the bottom of the hill to the castle ruins. The lift is an adventure in itself. But there are also hiking trails that reach the castle ruins.  After the castle ruins, the Inari Shrine is a must visit. The shrine is bright red and has a beautiful Torii Gate walking path that leads to and from the shrine. Walking through the Torii Gates was definitely a highlight for us.  After visiting Tsuwano Castle Ruins and the Inari Shrine, then make your way to town. Tsuwano’s downtown area is relatively flat, so it is very walkable and most attractions and sites are all located on the central road. You can view the samurai homes, western style church, sample sake, visit museums, and grab a snack or sit down at one of the local restaurants. Lining the main road, there is a beautiful little stream full of large Koi fish.  Yanai Yanai is one of my favorite small towns in Japan’s Chugoku region and probably the one I visited the most. Yanai is located in Yamaguchi prefecture about 30 km south of Iwakuni. The streets of Yanai are lined with homes that date back to the Edo period. But you don’t really come to Yanai to look at the buildings. In fact, Yanai is famous for their Gold Fish Lanterns. You can see these red and white gold fish shape lanterns decorated throughout town, on each street and every shop. In fact, visitors can get the chance to make their own gold fish lantern. Head over to Yanai-nishigura to purchase or try your own at making the famous gold fish lantern. The people working here are always so friendly and helpful. While you are at it, cross the street and visit the Sagawa Soy Sauce Factory. Purchase some locally made soy sauce and check out the factory!  Conclusion Visiting the small towns of Japan’s Chugoku region offers visitors a chance to venture off the beaten path and experience authentic Japanese culture, history, and natural beauty. Some of my favorite places in Japan has to be the small villages in the countryside.  These towns showcase traditional crafts, have great restaurant options, and offer warm hospitality that sometimes is overlooked in larger cities like Tokyo or Osaka.  Whether you are buying Gold Fish lanterns in Yanai or simply walking around he quaint town of Tsuwano, these hidden gems in Japan’s Chugoku region are a must visit and offer a different side of Japan travel.  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. 

Hiroshima is one of Japan’s most well known cities, for obvious reasons. Hiroshima does have a dark past but this city rose from the ashes to become a beautiful,  lively, and well respected city. Hiroshima City is an easy city to explore with most of the attractions being within walking distance from the Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Castle. Hiroshima deserves minimum one day of exploring if not two. After successfully visiting what Hiroshima has to offer there are so many day trips from Hiroshima that are worthwhile. Just a couple of hours or less, you can see towns and attractions like the Floating Torri Gate at Miyajima or take a ferry to Okunoshima and pet hundreds of wild rabbits. In this post, I’ve outlined 10 of my favorite day trips from Hiroshima.  ** 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! 10 Day Trips from Hiroshima I used to live in Iwakuni and have frequented Hiroshima many times. Since living in Okinawa, I’ve traveled to Hiroshima a few times and have explored Hiroshima and the surrounding prefectures extensively. The 10 day trips from Hiroshima listed below are my most recommended trips from the city of Hiroshima. The list includes everything from nature to larger cities. The day trips listed below are in order from closest to farthest away from Hiroshima.  1. Miyajima About 21 Km or 25 minutes south of Hiroshima is Itsukushima, otherwise known as Miyajima. Miyajima can be accessed from Hiroshima by car or street car. Once at the ferry port, it is a quick 10 minute ferry ride to the island of Miyajima.  Miyajima is considered to be one of Japan’s 3 most scenic sites and is home to Itsukushima Jinja Otorii (Grand Floating Torii Gate). The Floating Torii Gate is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is built in the water. Depending on the tides but at high tide the Torii Gate appears to be floating in the ocean.  Miyajima deserves a day in itself. For a small island, there is so much to do and see here. For people that love hiking, you can hike to the top of Mt. Misen and get amazing panoramic views of the area to include Hiroshima City off in the distance. One of my all time favorite temples in Japan, Daisho-in is at Miyajima and the beautiful Toyokuni Shrine and 5-storied Pagoda is not to be missed.  You might notice to that there are a lot of wild deer at Miyajima. The deer are cute and small and many tend to hang out near the ferry port and town area. Be cautious as they tend to sneak food from people not paying attention. Like all wild animals you may encounter in nature. Don’t feed them and enjoy them from a distance, although easier said then done!  2. Kure 24 Km or 30 minutes from Hiroshima is the port city of Kure. Kure is an easy drive from Hiroshima, but visitors can also take the Kure Line from Hiroshima Station. There is also a ferry that goes back and forth between Hiroshima Port and Kure. If you love maritime museums then Kure is right down your alley! Kure is home to the JMSDF Kure Museum and Kure Maritime Museum. It’s worth it to walk around the port area, you might catch a glimpse of some of the ships and submarines docked. 3. Iwakuni Iwakuni, my second home is one of the most recommended places to visit if staying in Hiroshima. Iwakuni is very accessible from Hiroshima by either car or train. Iwakuni deserves a day to explore. There are many famous sites around the Iwakuni area to include the Kintai Bridge, Iwakuni Castle, and Kikko Park. Don’t forget to try an unusual ice cream flavor at one of the ice cream shops near the Kintai Bridge.  For more information on Iwakuni, whether it be sites to see, restaurants to try, stunning hikes, or just general tips and recommendations, I have a post series, Guide to Iwakuni. 4. Takehara About 1 hour away from Hiroshima is the quaint and quiet town of Takehara. Takehara is one of the towns Jill and I stopped in for a quick breather while on our bike trip after cycling the Shimanami Kaido. Takehara has a historical district with traditional buildings dating back to the Edo period. Saihoji Temple was a highlight of our brief stop in Takehara. Saihoji Temple is a Buddhist Temple built on the hillside.  5. Rabbit Island Okunoshima, better known as “Rabbit Island”, is a popular tourist destination especially for families with younger children.  Just over an hours drive from Hiroshima is Tadanoumi Port. From here, visitors can take a quick 12 minute ferry ride to Okunoshima. Once on the island, the rabbits that call Okunoshima home are the stars of the show. There are approximately 900 wild rabbits here and they are all adorable! In fact, you can purchase rabbit food at Tadanoumi Port to feed the little bunnies. The rabbits are scattered throughout the island, there is a nice trail that circulates the island, so make sure to keep food for some of the rabbits that are farther from port. The rabbits are quite friendly, they have no problem with ganging up on us humans to beg for food and pets.  There are also WWII sites around the island, a hotel, museum, and a café/restaurant.  6. Onomichi Onomichi is a popular destination, mainly due to the fact that it is the beginning or ending location for the Shimanami Kaido. Onomichi does make for a great day trip from Hiroshima as there is plenty to do and see here. Driving distance is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Hiroshima. There is also a train that connects the cities.  Onomichi lies on the Seto Inland Sea but is surrounded by hills and mountains. The town is somewhat built on the hillside, so be prepared to walk!  When in Onomichi, it is recommended to visit the temples and Cat Alley. Cat Alley is a part of town that has become popular amongst cat enthusiasts due to the many stray but well cared for cats and the many cat themed cafes and decorations here.  7. Fukuyama Not far from Onomichi and one of my favorite day trips from Hiroshima is a visit to the Castle town of Fukuyama. Fukuyama is accessible by train, shinkansen, and driving.  I love Fukuyama, because it is the perfect day trip destination. There is just enough to do here for an entire day but I feel two days is a bit much unless planning on visiting outside attractions  My main recommendation for Fukuyama is to visit Fukuyama Castle. The castle here is not original but still impressive and the ground surrounding the castle are gorgeous.  I also recommend a visit to Kusadoinari Shrine. Kusadoinari Shrine is unique because of the architecture and color.  8. Bihoku Hillside Park About 1 hour and 20 minutes from Hiroshima is Bihoku Hillside Park. This is a nice day trip from Hiroshima as it’s something completely different then cities and towns like the other trips on the list.  Bihoku Hillside Park has a great mix of flower fields, open air museums, nature walks, plenty of playgrounds and activities for kids.  For an up to date list of attractions and events, it is recommended to visit the National Bihoku Hillside Park Website. 9. Kurashiki One of the more underrated destinations in Japan and an easy day trip from Hiroshima is the historic canal town of Kurashiki. Kurashiki is an ancient merchant town that is built up around canals. Kurashiki is very walkable as most the attractions are centered around the canal district. My main recommendation for Kurashiki is to simply walk around the historic down center, walk the small alley ways, hike up to the shrines on the hillside, and maybe take a canal tour if that is your thing! There are many souvenir shops within the historic center and great restaurants! 10. Okayama Just over a 2 hour drive from Hiroshima is the city of Okayama. Okayama is a large city that deserves a minimum of a day to explore if not a couple, but you can easily see the highlights in a single day trip from Hiroshima. The main highlights of Okayama include Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden. Okayama Castle is known as the Crow Castle because its black color. I consider this to be one of the most beautiful castles in Japan but the inside is a bit of a let down. The inside of the castle is modern and as no real castle vibe to it, I’d recommend just enjoying it from the outside.  Korakuen Garden is considered to be one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan.  Conclusion Whether you are interested in seeing the Floating Torii Gate at Miyajima or petting cute rabbits at Rabbit Island, there are many day trips from Hiroshima that allow visitors to explore the surrounding region. If you are in to nature, WWII history, or simply want to see more of Japan, these day trips from Hiroshima are highly recommended. 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.