One of Japan’s most picturesque temples, Nachisan Seiganto-ji is a temple complex with a gorgeous 3-storied Pagoda in the foreground of Nachi Falls. Nachi Falls is considered to be Japan’s tallest waterfall at 133 meters. Seiganto-ji is one out of 33 temples and places that make up the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, visitors can take the pilgrimage and walk to all the temples and sites along the route. If you don’t have days to hike and want to just see Nachisan Seiganto-ji, it makes for a great half day to full day trip.  Nachisan Seiganto-ji on a Map and Getting Here Nachisan Seiganto-ji is in considered to be a part of the nearby town of Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture. The town of Nachikatsuura is home to many resorts and Ryokan style hotels. It is a 15-20 minute drive to the temple and waterfall from Nachikatsuura. There are buses that make stops at the temple complex from town. Taking a taxi is another option for getting to Seiganto-ji from Nachikatsuura.  Nachikatsuura is about a 2 hours and 15 minute drive from Ise in Mie Prefecture or a 3.5 hour drive from Osaka if taking the toll roads, 4.5 hours when avoiding tolls.  Once at Nachisan Seiganto-ji, there are several large parking lots in and around the temple. Prior to getting to the temple, there are gift shops, restaurants, and plenty of places to use the restroom.  Nachisan Seiganto-ji Seiganto-ji has a long history, dating back almost 2,000 years ago. Legend has it that a Buddhist monk from India settled in the area beneath Nachi Falls after being visited by Kannon, a Bodhisattva and the Goddess of Compassion.  in the year 988, Emperor Kazan came to the area while on a pilgrimage. He spent 1000 days here performing spiritual trainings at Nachi falls. Like many others, Emperor Kazan also had a vision of Kannon at the site. Many emperors followed the footsteps of Emperor Kazan and the pilgrimage became popular. Because of constant threats and civil wars, many of the temples along the pilgrimage were burned down. Oda Nobunaga had a big role in the destruction of these temples including Seiganto-ji. It was not until 1590 where Toyotomi Hideyoshi reconstructed Seiganto-ji. Today, visitors can freely walk around Seiganto-ji and visit the temples, 3-storied pagoda, and other structures around the complex. Some of the more notable structures are the Main Hall of Nachisan Seiganto-ji, the Believer Hall, Sanmon (Main Gate), Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine, and the 3-storied pagoda.  Kumano Nachi Taisha Kumano Nachi Taisha is the Grand Shrine at Nachisan Seiganto-ji. This is a Shinto Shrine and considered to be the head shrine of all Kumano shrines located throughout Japan.  Off to the side of Kumano Nachi Taisha is a sacred Camphor tree that is estimated to be 800 years old. There is an opening at the trunk of the tree where visitors can make an offering.  Seiganto-ji Seiganto-ji is located just behind Kumano Nachi Taisha. Seiganto-ji is a Tendai Buddhist temple. Seiganto-ji is an old temple, dating back to the 4th century. This was my favorite temple at Nachisan Seiganto-ji. I loved the old wood and simple decorations.  3-Storied Pagoda at Nachisan Seiganto-ji The famous 3-storied pagoda at Nachisan Seiganto-ji is that iconic photo you see with the pagoda and Nachi Falls in the background. Simply put, this pagoda is beautiful and the nature that surrounds it is stunning.  The original pagoda burnt down in the year 1581 and was not rebuilt unto 1972. Visitors can tour the pagoda, there is a ¥300 admission fee. There are some interesting paintings inside and spectacular views of Nachi Falls and the surrounding mountains.  Nachi Falls Nachi Falls or the Great Falls of Nachi is that towering waterfall seen in the background of many photos of Seiganto-ji and the beautiful 3-storied pagoda. There are varying sources on what Japan’s tallest waterfall is. Nachi Falls is technically the tallest uninterrupted drop waterfall at 133 meters. However, there are waterfalls in Japan that are technically taller at 497 meters is Hannoki Falls and Shomyo Falls at 350 meters. According to multiple sources, these two waterfalls have multiple drops, whatever that means. I assume, they are not continuous and are seasonal.  Obviously, the waterfall has been here much longer then any of the manmade structures and locals have worshipped Nachi Falls since the beginning of time. Above the waterfall there is a rope with shide strung out across the falls from one side to the other. A shide is paper in the shape of a zig zag used for ritual purposes at Shinto temples throughout Japan.  Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range The “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Three sites, Kumano Sanzan, Koyasan, and Yoshino and Omine make up the sacred sites along the pilgrimage route. This pilgrimage route actually connects to the cities of Nara and Kyoto. There is a pilgrimage route that is popular among avid hikers. The pilgrimage is known as the Kumano Kodo which consists of a network of trails and hikers can spend just a few hours hiking to several days.  Yatagarasu Yatagarasu is a mythical three-legged crow. Legend has it that Yatagarasu was a servant to the Japanese kami, Amaterasu. Yatagarasu aided Japan’s first Emperor, Jimmu to Nara from Kumano. After guiding the Emperor to Nara, Yatagarasu returned to Kumano Nachi Taisha.  At first Jill and I saw these cute crow mascots around the temple and never noticed the three legs until we went to a gift shop near the parking areas and noticed this mascot everywhere. There we noticed the three legs and did our research only to find out it is Yatagarasu. Now we can’t unsee it, the logo is even on the Japan World Cup jerseys!  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.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links 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!

Ise is not really on anyone’s radar when visiting the country of Japan. Ise is isolated and does take some effort and planning to get to. With all of the other beautiful towns throughout Japan, why should visitors go to Ise? Simple, Ise is home to the most sacred Shinto Shrines in all of Japan. The Ise Grand Shrine consists of two shrines Geku and Naiku. The shrines are separated and each surrounded by ancient forests with towering cypress trees. But the Ise Grand Shrine isn’t the only attraction in Ise that is worth exploring. Ise is home to a historic town with beautiful streets, the famed Wedded Rocks of Ise, great restaurants, and possibly one of the best breweries in Japan. This post is your guide on the best things to do in Ise, Japan. ⛩🗾🇯🇵 Where in Japan is Ise? Ise is in Mie Prefecture and is adjacent from Nagoya across Ise Bay. There are ferries that cross Ise Bay from Nagoya. There is also a train that makes stops in Ise.  If driving to Ise, it’s about a 3 hours car ride from Osaka, 2 hour drive from Nagoya, or  2.5 hours from Kyoto Station.  Things to do in Ise When visiting Ise, the Ise Grand Shrine should be priority. After all, this is the main and only reason most people visit Ise. The Grand Shrine is a spectacular site to see and is one of the most sacred and spiritual sites in all of Japan. That being said, there is so much more to do and see in Ise.  It is recommended to stay at least a full day in Ise, if not two. There are great accommodations here including many ryokans which are traditional style hotels. There are also a lot of day trips from Ise that are recommended.  Whether you want to spend the majority of your time at the Grand Shrine or just kick back and drink beers and eat oysters, here are my most recommended things to do and see in Ise.  Visit Ise Grand Shrine Ise Jingu or the Ise Grand Shrine is a Shinto Shrine in Japan and is regarded as the holiest and most sacred of all shrines. Ise Grand Shrine consists of two main shrines, Geku and Naiku. Between the two shrines there are 125 Shinto shrines scattered throughout the area.  Naiku is considered the inner shrine and is dedicated to Amaterasu. Amaterasu is a deity and goddess of the sun. Geku is the outer shrine and is dedicated to Toyouke-no-Omikami, the goddess of agriculture.  The shrines are about 6 kilometers apart. For the adventure traveler, 6 kilometers can easily be walked. But for those that just want to see both shrines, it’s easy to navigate by vehicle and each shrine has a large parking lot.  Both Geku and Naiku are located in beautiful parks with towering cypress trees throughout. The cypress trees are quite impressive. The shrines within the complexes are made of wood from the cypress trees in the area. To me, the shrines look very Viking-esque with their thatched roofs and wooden structures. Like many temples and historical structures in Japan, nails are not used in the construction of the shrines, instead a technique is used to join the wood.  Because the Ise Grand Shrine is Japan’s most sacred shrine, most of the shrines are surrounded by wooden walls. Visitors can’t really see past the walls. Absolutely no photographs are allowed either, there are signs everywhere, so follow the rules, be respectful, and just enjoy the atmosphere and nature.  Prior to the entrance of Naiku is the Uji Bridge. The Uji Bridge is a long 100m bridge that crosses the Isuzu River. There are great photo opportunities on the bridge but it tends to get crowded.  Stroll Oharai Machi and Okage Yokochou Besides visiting the Ise Grand Shrine, walking around Oharai Machi and Okage Yokochou was my favorite site in Ise.  Okage Yokochou is a street leading up to Naiku. This street is full of interesting shops and tons of great looking restaurants. Oharai Machi is apparently a newer addition to Okage Yokochou and offers even more souvenir shops and restaurants. There is a lot of delicious street food in this area that is highly recommended.  Oharai Machi has a lot of cat sculptures and cat themed souvenir shops. So for those like Jill that can’t get enough of cats, there is plenty of fun finds to explore.  Restaurant wise, visitors can find everything on Oharai Machi and Okage Yokochou from high end restaurants to food stalls. There is even a fancy Starbucks here for those that can’t go a day without their expensive Starbucks coffee.  Enjoy Beer and Oysters at Ise Kadoya Brewery I’ve been a fan of Ise Kadoya Brewery, even before this trip. Their beers are probably some of my favorites in Japan. Their beers are simple, yet perfect. I especially enjoy their Hazy IPA, it reminds me of a lot of the good ones I’ve had in the United States. The Hazy IPA has a nice citrus flavor with a refreshing taste.  Not only is the beer at Ise Kadoya top notch, their brewery is well worth a visit. The brewery is located inside a traditional Japanese building.  As if the atmosphere and beer wasn’t enough, Ise Kadoya is known for their fresh oysters. When sitting inside the restaurant, you can order set meals. The meals vary but had one thing in common, oysters! I ordered a set meal that had two raw oysters and a few fried oysters and it paired nicely with my flight of beer.  Meoto Iwa the Wedded Rocks of Ise Meoto Iwa, aka the Wedded Rocks of Ise aka the Husband and Wife Rocks is a pair of large rocks by the coast with a small torii gate on top of one of the rocks. The rocks are connected together with a large Shinto shimenawa. A shimenawa is a rope at Shinto shrines that are hung up to purify. They are usually made of straw or hemp. The shimenawa at Meoto Iwa weighs over a ton. We drove to Meoto Iwa from the Ise Grand Shrine, as it is located right along the coast. There was a decent sized parking lot here, but I could see this being jam packed during peak tourist seasons. There is a paved pathway that hugs the coast so visitors can get excellent views and photos of Meoto Iwa.  Find a Locally Owned Restaurant Locally owned restaurants are not hard to find in Japan. In fact, there are more local restaurants then chains in Japan especially in the smaller towns.  I guess we were craving okonomiyaki, entered it in Google Maps, and お好み焼 A.C.B showed up as a result. We decided to check お好み焼 A.C.B out. By the way, I have no idea if お好み焼 A.C.B is the correct name but it shows up in Google as the correct restaurant we were at.  This okonomiyaki restaurant serves Osaka style okonomiyaki. Generally I prefer the Hiroshima style, but this was some of the best okonomiyaki I’ve had and by far the best Osaka style okonomiyaki I’ve had. The restaurant was tiny, maybe 3-4 tables and a max of 10 people could fit inside here. The restaurant was run by one elderly lady who was full of energy and so nice to talk to.  She prepared and cooked the okonomiyaki on our table right in front of us. After it finished cooking, we couldn’t help but to dig in right away, both Jill and myself were blown away by how good her okonomiyaki was. The lady who ran the restaurant spent time talking to us and even gave us a few gifts before we headed out. This was the best Osaka style okonomiyaki I’ve had in Japan and the whole experience was one of the most memorable at お好み焼 A.C.B. Stay at a Ryokan A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese style inn. If staying in Japan, I highly recommend at least staying one night at a Ryokan for the experience. Typically, ryokan’s will have rooms that consist of tatami mats, comfortable futons, a chabudai (short table), and other traditional Japanese furniture and decorations. Many ryokans will have an onsen (hot spring) area and offer traditional Japanese meals. We stayed at a Ryokan right by Iseshi Station called Hinode Ryokan. We booked this ryokan through Agoda. The experience here was wonderful. The location was within walking distance to the station, Ise Jingu Geku, and many shops and restaurants. Hinode Ryokan was as traditional as they come. The ryokan was huge with several floors and rooms. We got a private room that was the size of an apartment. The futons were very comfortable and the overall atmosphere of the room was traditional and very soothing. There were onsen areas down the hall for guests to use. Our breakfast was served in a private room and consisted of fish, a salad, various fermented veggies, and miso soup. Although some of the veggies were hard to stomach early in the morning, the meal was quite delicious.  Mie Prefecture Pokémon Manhole Covers Like many prefectures in Japan, there are fun Pokémon manhole covers scattered throughout Mie Prefecture. I use the Poke Lids website to search for the location of these fun manholes and try to see if any are within the city I visit or along the route taken to get there. Surprisingly, Mie Prefecture has 7 Pokémon manhole covers and we were able to visit 5 of them.  Oshawott is the sea otter like Pokémon found on the manhole covers throughout Mie Prefecture. Below are the Pokémon manhole covers we found throughout our trip in Mie Prefecture.  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.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links 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!

Kyoto is one of Japan’s most beautiful cities. Kyoto is historical, cultural, and the most popular city to visit within Japan after Tokyo. But what makes Kyoto so popular amongst the tourists both within and beyond Japan? Is it the food? The nature? Or the temples and historical buildings such as Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace. My guess is the latter. This cultural capital has many hidden and lesser known temples that are tucked away in neighborhoods, located in mountainous areas, or in places that are more difficult to get to. These 5 lesser known temples in Kyoto offer visitors a chance to escape the busy crowds at some of the more popular temples in Kyoto and offer a more authentic Kyoto experience.  ** 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! Lesser-known Temples in Kyoto Worth Visiting I’ve been to Kyoto twice now and mainly seek out the temples I missed from the time before. I’ve seen hundreds of temples throughout Japan yet visiting them never gets old. There are over 2000 temples and shrines found in and around Kyoto. There are the popular ones like Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Higashiyama Jisho-ji. I’ve visited these temples on my first trip to Kyoto. These temples are spectacular and a must visit when in Kyoto. But we’ve discovered temples in Kyoto that are fascinating and blew us away that aren’t mentioned in your traditional guidebooks. Here are 5 lesser-known temples in Kyoto that don’t get as much attention but definitely should be included on everyone’s Kyoto itinerary.  1. Adashino Nenbutsu-ji A short walk from Arashiyama is Adashino Nembutsu-ji⛩. Adashino Nembutsu-ji was one of the more surprising lesser known temples in Kyoto and one temple I highly recommend visiting in Kyoto, especially if in the Arashiyama area.  The name Adashino comes from the name of the place the temple is located at. In Ancient Kyoto, the dead were buried in the Adashino area by a Buddhist monk named Kukai. Because of the burials that took place at the temple, the site became a sacred center of learning and teaching for a sect of Buddhism known as Amida Buddha.  There are two features that belong to Adashino Nenbutsu-ji that make this temple a hidden gem in Kyoto.  First is the 8,000 Buddha statues at the temple. These Buddha statues were originally placed at the temple as grave stones for people from the Heian period until the Edo period (793-1868). Most of these Buddha statues are placed in a center location that is walled with a tall pagoda statue. Visitors can walk inside the wall area but photography is prohibited.  The next surprising feature at Adashino Nenbutsu-ji is the bamboo forest associated with the temple leading to a cemetery at the top of a hill. I feel the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama is overrated simply because it’s small and packed with tourists. I mean you can’t get a photo here without a hundred people in your photo. I did get lucky and visited the bamboo forest during the Covid-19 pandemic and had the forest to myself, but that is in the past and it remains one of Kyoto’s most popular sites. As an alternative, the bamboo forest at Adashino Nenbutsu-ji is almost identical to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. We were blown away by the similarities of the bamboo forests and curious as to why the bamboo forest at Adashino Nenbutsu-ji had so little visitors. We weren’t complaining.  Because of the 8,000 Buddha statues and bamboo forest at Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, this temple might be my #1 recommended lesser known temple in Kyoto.  Admission and Hours Admission Adults – ¥500  Hours March – November 9:00 – 16:30 December – February 9:00 – 15:30 2. Chion-in Chion-in ⛩  is a massive temple complex in the heart of Kyoto. I feel like this is one of Kyoto’s hidden gems but it shouldn’t be. Chion-in is right by Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park. Yet, I never see Chion-in in any guide books or mentions of it. In fact, the first time I went to Tokyo, I rode my bike right past this temple without even noticing it. It wasn’t until our last trip to Kyoto walking to Nanzen-ji where Jill and I decided to check out Chion-in. Since 1523, Chion-in has been the head temple of the Jodo Shu or Pure Land Sect of Buddhism. The founder of Jodo Shu, Honen was a religious reformer and spread teachings of Jodo Shu at the site of Chion-in. He died in the year 1212 at the temple. For more information on the history of Chion-in, I recommend visiting the  Chion-in website.  Saying this temple complex is huge is an understatement. Visitors can literally spend a half day at Chion-in alone. In all honesty, this temple complex deserves several hours to explore.  When visiting Chion-in, you can’t help but notice the Sanmon (Main Gate). The Sanmon is a masterpiece and a behemoth of a structure. This gate was constructed in 1621 and is considered one of the largest double gates in the country of Japan. Mieido, is another stunning building within the Chion-in complex. Mieido is considered the main hall of Jodo Shu and is home to the sacred image of the founder, Honen. The inside of Mieido is gorgeous but one of the more interesting features of this hall is the Wasuregasa “Forgotten Umbrella.”  Unaware of what I was looking for, I suddenly felt someone poke me on the stomach, followed by another poke. There was a group of elderly Japanese women that kept poking me and trying to point out the Wasuregasa. After several attempts of trying to locate it with the help of the sweet ladies, I finally saw the umbrella stuck under the roof of the front of Mieido. I still don’t really know the history or anything about the umbrella, but it’s a fun aspect of the temple, so when visiting the Mieido at Chion-in, don’t forget to look up!  Don’t forget to check out the Daishoro or Great Bell Tower. It is one of Japan’s 3 great bells and weighs around 70 tons!  At the time we visited Chion-in around the holidays, there was an illumination going on during the evening and night hours. On a whim, we decided to come back the following day at night to see the illumination and it was fun to see Chion-in lit up with festive lights.  Admission and Hours Admission Free of Charge to visit the Temple Complex. There is a fee to visit Hojo and Yuzen Gardens.  Adults – Yuzen Garden ¥300, Hojo Garden ¥400, Both Gardens ¥500 Children – Yuzen Garden ¥150, Hojo Garden ¥200, Both Gardens ¥250 Hours 9:00 – 15:50, Gates close at 16:30. 3. Nanzen-ji Nanzen-ji is a temple in Kyoto I actually had marked for a future visit. Honestly, this temple complex was pretty busy mainly with native Japanese during the autumn season. Even though Nanzen-ji was busy, I’ve never seen photos or heard of it. Nanzen-ji doesn’t get nowhere near as much recognition as other temples like Kinkaku-ji or Fushimi Inari Taisha.  Nanzen-ji is farther out from Kyoto’s center. It is located in the Higashiyama area. This Buddhist temple is a massive complex with an impressive Sanmon (main gate), aqueduct, and Hojo (Abbot’s Quarters).  The aqueduct at the temple is something I haven’t seen before in Japan. It was constructed at the site during the Meiji Period to transport water from nearby Lake Biwa to Kyoto.  One of our favorite parts of Nanzen-ji was Tenju-an Temple and its gardens. The gardens here especially during the fall season are some of the prettiest we’ve seen while traveling around Japan. The gardens were beautiful and the fall foliage was brilliant. There is a pond here with magnificent views.  Admission and Hours Admission ¥500 to access Hojo and enter Sanmon. ¥500 to visit Tenju-an Temple and the gardens Hours March – November 8:40 – 17:00 December – February 8:40 – 16:30 4. Ninna-ji Ninna-ji ⛩ is considered one of Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and it isn’t far from the famous Kinkaku-ji, Golden Temple.  Ninna-ji was founded in the year 888 AD. According to information read at the site, Ninna-ji is the headquarters of the Omuro School for the Buddhism sect of Shingon.  When first visiting Ninna-ji visitors will notice the Nio-mon Gate and the Five-Storied Pagoda. One of my favorite buildings at Ninna-ji is Miei-do. When we visited this temple, flowers were in full bloom, it was just beautiful.  The grounds of the temple complex are free to roam. Visitors can walk through Nio -mon Gate, see the Five-Storied Pagoda for free.  There is one section of Ninna-ji that does charge an admission fee. At ¥800, I found it to be a bit pricey but glad I paid the admission and visited the Goten Palace and Gardens. Entrance fee includes the Entry Hall, Imperial Gate, Shiro-shoin, Shinden Dantei and Hokutei Gardens, Shinden, Kuro-shoin, and Reimeiden.  Admission and Hours Admission ¥800 for Adults Hours 9:00 – 17:00 (March – November) and 9:00 – 16:30 (December – February) 5. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji If you are looking for a unique thing to do in Kyoto and want to visit a hidden gem, I recommend a visit to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji might be one of the more unique Buddhist temples in Kyoto.  This site has a long history with the first temple being built here in the year 766. Unfortunately, the original temple was a victim of a major flood. About 150-200 years later, a new temple was constructed at the site of Otagi Nenbutsu-ji. Due to a series of unfortunate events such as civil war, typhoons, and other natural disasters, this temple was wiped out again and again. After being rebuilt several times throughout history, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji stands today and can be enjoyed by all.  What makes this temple truly unique compared to other temples around Kyoto are the 1,200 rakan stone statues. Rakan are followers of Buddha that have been created by people taking a pilgrimage to learn the proper carving techniques of these statues taught by Kocho Nishimura, who was a sculpture. Each rakan is different, some are serious while others are comical in ways.  Admission and Hours Admission ¥300 for Adults Hours 8:00 – 16:30 Conclusion: Exploring Kyoto’s Lesser-Known Temples With thousands of temples and shrines in and around Kyoto, it can be a daunting task trying to pick and choose which ones to visit. There are the main temples and shrines like Heian, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari Taisha that are on everyone’s Kyoto bucket list and they are well worth a visit. But Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, Chion-in, Nanzen-ji, Ninna-ji, and OTagi Nenbutsu-ji are just as impressive and I feel are highly underrater temples in Kyoto. Maybe it is best that these hidden gems in Kyoto stay just that, hidden or else they will be overrun by tourists which can take from the atmosphere.  Obviously, there are probably many more temples that can be added to this list. But I have yet to see and experience every temple and shrine in Kyoto and honestly will probably never get a chance to. Not because I don’t want to but there are simply to many. Toji is another Buddhist temple that I have not been to. Toji has the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan. I have yet to visit Reneoin Sanjusagen-do which has 1,000 life size statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. Reneoin Sanjusagen-do could quite possibly be added to this list in the future. Regardless, of the temple or shrine, they are all unique and beautiful.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇯🇵  Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖  For booking recommendations on

Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area is a name given to Japan’s first World Cultural Heritage Site. These sites were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area consists of several temples and sites at Horyu-ji and Hokki-ji in the town of Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture. Some of the buildings and structures at Horyu-ji are considered to be the world’s oldest wooden structures and are more then 1,300 years old.  Getting to Hoyryu-ji and Hokki-ji Horyu-ji and Hokki-ji are not exactly well known tourist attractions in Japan. It does take a little bit of planning to visit these temples. The Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area are located in the town of Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture. The most well known city in Nara Prefecture is the city of Nara. You can read more about my trip to Nara, titled Travel to Nara, Japan – Deer, Temples, & A Giant Buddha.  Visitors can take the Yamatoji Line from Nara, travel time is about 12-15 minutes. From the station it is about a 20 minute walk. There are buses that run from the station directly to the temple site.  Jill and I drove a car from Kansai International Airport. If renting a car there is a large parking lot about a 5 minute walk away. The parking fee was ¥500.  Guide to Buddhism in Japan Buddhism arrived in Japan over 1,500 years ago. Today, there are about 84 million people in Japan that practice Buddhism. It is the second most practiced religion in Japan after Shintoism which is a religion unique to Japan. In Japan, most people don’t practice one or the other, in fact many people practice both Buddhism and Shintoism.  Buddhism arrived in Japan after making its way through the countries of China and South Korea.  The image of Buddha in Japan changed overtime based on Japanese depictions. Buddha statues from South Korea had a long and slender face but overtime the Japanese made statues depicting Buddha with more of a round face and this can be seen in religious Buddhist monuments throughout Japan.  There are around 75,000 Buddhist temples in Japan. When visiting a temple in Japan, it is considered etiquette by placing your palms together and bowing in front of a Buddhist statue. Unlike at Shinto temples, you do not clap. Instead, after bowing, look at the face of the Buddha statue, slowly and quietly, separate your palms. At Buddhist temples, the Torii Gate is said to be a boundary between the human world and holy grounds. Before proceeding through the Torii Gate, it is expected to bow once to pay respect. Once you pass through the Torii Gate, stay to the side because the center is for the Kami (Spirits).  Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area are two temples complexes, Horyu-ji and Hokki-ji that make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These temples are considered to be some of the oldest temples in Japan and are home to some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world. Horyu-ji was completed in the year 607 and Hoki-ji was completed in 708 during the Asuka Period. According to information at the temple and our local guide, Emperor Yomei promised himself to construct a temple in the name of Buddha in order to pray for recovery from a specific illness. Today, visitors can walk the grounds of both Horyu-ji and Hokki-ji and learn about the history of the temples and how Buddhism made its way to Japan.   Horyu-ji History and Information of Horyu-ji Horyu-ji is considered one of Japan’s oldest temples and is home to some of the oldest wooden buildings and structures in the world. Horyu-ji was built in 607 during the Asuka Period. Emperor Yomei had plans to construct this temple to worship Buddha and pray for recovery from an illness he was facing. Unfortunately, he died and his son, Prince Shotoku carried on his father’s wish of building the temple.  After construction, the temple was called Ikaruga Temple or Horyu-ji which means the “Temple of Flourishing Law.” Today, Horyu-ji is separated into two areas, Saiin Garan and Toin Garan. Between the two areas there are a total of 48 buildings, structures, and monuments. Some of the most important buildings at Horyu-ji include Horyu-ji Gojunoto (Five-Storied Pagoda), the Horyu-ji Kondo (Main Hall), and Horyu-ji Toin Yumedono (Hall of Dreams). Horyu-ji Gojunoto (Five-Storied Pagoda) Horyu-ji Gojunoto is the five-story pagoda at Horyu-ji. This pagoda is 32.5 meters tall and is Japan’s oldest five-storied pagoda.  Horyu-ji Kondo (Main Hall) Horyu-ji Kondo is the main hall at Horyu-ji. There are statues within the main hall that Horyu-ji is dedicated to. There is a Asuka period triad in honor of Prince Shotoku.  Horyu-ji Toin Yumedono (Hall of Visions) Horyu-ji Toin Yumedono also known as the Hall of Visions was constructed at this site in 739. This temple is in the shape of an octagon and is the oldest building like this in Japan. Within the Hall of Visions is the Kuse Kannon. Kuse Kannon is a life sized statue of Prince Shotoku. The statue is hidden and only displayed for public viewing at certain times throughout the year.  Visiting Horyu-ji Horyu-ji is open year round. Visitors can access the Horyu-ji Nandaimon (Great South Gate) and walk around the outside of the temple complex for free. But to enter the temple grounds passed the Horyu-ji Chumon and to see Horyu-ji Toin Yumedono and the museum housing all the incredible artifacts, visitors must pay a ¥1,500 entrance fee for adults and ¥750 for children.  English Goodwill Guide for Horyu-ji Right before entering Horyu-ji we were approached by an individual at the Horyu-ji Chumon (Central Gate). He was part of a English guide company known as English Goodwill Guide for Horyu-ji. He was an older gentleman that spoke just enough English to provide us with enough information on Horyu-ji. Actually we followed him for about 2 hours and learned so much not only about Horyu-ji but more about Buddhism and the history or Japan. He took us throughout the temple and provided us with beneficial information.  At first I was hesitant. We’ve fallen into this trap before where the tour guide doesn’t really know English and reads a notecard, wasting valuable time. Or we’ve had people seem friendly to us wanting to provide information on a site then demanding a tip afterwards, not necessarily in Japan, but still. This experience with English Goodwill guide was much different. The guide was knowledgeable and expected nothing from us. After the 2 hour tour, he simply said bye, hopped on his bike, and rode home to his wife. According to him who was retired, it was an escape from home. Every day he gets to give one English speaking tour and then go home for lunch. Halfway through our tour, he even gave us home made daggers made from bamboo and had us do origami.  Contact: Ikaruga ICES SGG @ ikaruga@kcn.ne.jp To view more about English Goodwill Guide, you can view their Ikaruga ICES SGG website. Hoki-ji Hoki-ji or Hokki-ji is the second temple that is part of the Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area. Hoki-ji is formerly known as Okamoto Temple or Ikejiri-dera.  According to information read at the temple site, The Hoki-ji Temple was constructed by Prince Yamashiro, to fulfill the dying wishes of his father, Shotoku Taishi. The temple was completed in the year 708. The palace on the grounds here was where Shotoku Taishi lectured about the Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra is one of the most important sutras of Buddhism.  When visiting Hokki-ji, the most beautiful and notable building at this  temple is the three-storied pagoda. The pagoda is regarded as the only building here that has been untouched since the early 8th century. The pagoda is 24 meters tall and is a great representation of prime architecture that was established during the Asuka Period (593-710). Hoki-ji three-storied pagoda is Japan’s oldest three-storied pagoda.  Today, visitors can access the temple grounds and view Japan’s oldest three-storied pagoda. There is a small ¥300 fee. The temple grounds are small, allow yourself upwards to 30 minutes to walk around, see the Lecture Hall, Shotendo Hall, and Three-storied pagoda.  Pokémon Manhole Covers in Ikaruga We love hunting for Poke Lids or Pokémon Manhole Covers throughout Japan. It turned out there were a total of 5 Poke Lids in Nara Prefecture and none of them were in the actual town of Nara. All 5 Pokémon manhole covers were located in the town of Ikaruga within walking distance of the Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area. We use the Poke Lids website to find Pokémon manhole covers throughout Japan.  Blow are photos of the Pokémon manhole covers in Ikaruga. Here are the names and coordinates for each Poke Lid listed below.  Fletchinder and Deerling – 34°36’29.7″N 135°44’15.2″E Magby and Chimecho – 34°36’29.8″N 135°44’15.7″E Bellsprout and Growlithe – 34°36’17.1″N 135°44’15.4″E Bronzong and Simisear – 34°36’06.8″N 135°44’21.0″E Entei – 34°36’35.4″N 135°44’07.0″E 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. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links 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!

Okinawa is known for many things like Habushu, beautiful beaches, and festivals. But these all pale in comparison compared to the Shisa. If you’ve traveled anywhere in the Ryukyu Islands, you’ve probably noticed the half dog half lion statues sitting in front of almost every house, business, and roof. These mythical creatures are known as Shisa. Okinawa’s Shisa are said to stand guard and protect citizens from evil spirits. You generally see them in pairs. The female Shisa has a closed mouth which is intended to keep in the good spirits while the male Shisa sits there with its mouth open intending to scare away evil spirits. Curious about learning more on Okinawa’s Shisa? This post covers the history, legends, and where to buy Shisa statues in Okinawa. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links 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! History of the Shisa Okinawa’s Shisa is similar to the Komainu, which are the lion dog statues found on mainland Japan especially near temples. Both Komainu and Shisa are most likely derived from the Chinese Guardian Lions found in China. Although there are many theories how the Shisa’s origin came about in Okinawa, there is no definite answer. Most likely something similar was brought from China either from royalty or through trade but over time stories were passed down and the legend of the Shisa was born!  Most sources point the origin of the legend of the Shisa to the town of Madanbashi. Madanbashi is just south of Naha, Okinawa’s capital right along the Nagado River. The villagers of Madanbashi were under constant attack by a some sort of Sea Dragon. The villagers were hopeless and lived in constant fear of the sea dragon. One day, the King of the Ryukyu Islands paid a visit to the town as it was under attack by the dragon. A priestess in the village noticed the king had a figurine of a Shisa around his neck that was recently gifted to him from a diplomat of China at Shuri Castle.  The Sea Dragon approached the town as the king was there and the priestess yelled to the king to hold the small Shisa figurine up at the approaching dragon. As the king held the Shisa figurine to the dragon a huge “Roar” was heard from the sky and the Shisa figurine came to life. At the same time, a gigantic boulder fell from the sky and landed right on the poor dragons tail disabling his ability o move. The dragon pinned down by the boulder eventually died. At this point, the village was saved and they left the dragon where he died. Eventually the jungle took over, covering the dragons body and this became Gana-Mui Forest. In honor of the Shisa that saved the town of Madanbashi from the sea dragon, the villagers built a Shisa at the top of the hill to protect the village from the dragon’s evil spirits.  Okinawa’s Shisa Today Shisa are found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. They are guardians and protect from evil spirits. You will usually see Shisa in pairs, a female with her mouth closed and a male with his mouth wide open. If you pay attention, you will see them everywhere. Almost every house in Okinawa has a pair of Shisa’s sitting at the entrance. Not only houses will have Shisa, they are generally found in front of stores, office buildings, schools, parks, etc.. You can even find Shisa being used as construction barriers and road posts.  Shisa’s originally looked fierce and mighty but today you can find Shisa statues in all shapes and sizes with a variety of personalities from serious to down right goofy.  There are even a few fun manhole covers around Okinawa that have Shisa painted on them. One manhole cover I found was near Saion Ufu Shisa and the other one is fairly new near Katsuren Castle.  Popular Shisa Statues Around Okinawa Although Shisa statues can be found throughout Okinawa, there are a few that stand out more then the rest. Whether it be their historical significance, location, or just sheer size, the three Shisa statues listed below are some of the most popular and photographed Shisa statues on the island of Okinawa.  Cape Zanpa Giant Shisa Cape Zanpa is known for its rugged coastline, white lighthouse, and a giant Shisa. I believe this is the largest Shisa in Okinawa. I’m not entirely sure why there is only one Shisa here but it’s well worth a visit not to mention Cape Zanpa is a beautiful area to explore.  Saion Ufu Shisa Saion Ufu Shisa is another famous Shisa statue in Okinawa. Saion Ufu Shisa is located right by the Makishi Monorail Station. This Shisa statue is 3.4 meters tall and weighs 3 tons. Apparently it’s made out of tsuboya pottery and took 5 months to create.  The Stone Lion of Tomori The Stone Lion of Tomori is a historical Shisa statue sitting on top of a ridge overlooking the community of Tomori. This Shisa has always been popular among the locals but it became a famous tourist spot because there is a famous photograph of soldiers hunkered behind and around the statue looking through binoculars at a distant ridge. You can search online for the original picture, I tried my best to recreate the original! I believe the Stone Lion of Tomori is the oldest of Okinawa’s Shisa statues, it was created in 1689.  Today, the Stone Lion of Tomori sits within a nice little park on top of a hill. Thankfully, this statue survived the war and still stands, although it is riddled with bullet holes.  Best Places to Buy Shisa Shisa’s can be bought all throughout the Ryukyu Islands. On the main island of Okinawa, you can find a pair of Shisa in just about every souvenir shop. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are mass produced while others are made by local artists and potters. If you are in a hurry while leaving Okinawa and need a quick gift you can always purchase a pair of Shisa at Naha International Airport. For a more authentic pair of Shisa or just a better variety then the standard ones found at souvenir shops, I know of a few locations that specialize in making Shisa statues that to me are more meaningful and unique. Below are two locations, I recommend visiting if in the hunt for a pair of Shisa statues.  Naha’s Tsuboya Yachimun Street Tsuboya Yachimun Street is located in downtown Naha. “Yachimun” is the Okinawan word for pottery and this street is famous for its many shops that sell handcrafted pottery and Shisa statues. Nearly every shop along Tsuboya Yachimun Street carries Shisa and each shop will have a good variety of Shisa statues to buy. At this point, it is all up to the buyer on what they want. Are you looking for a medium sized and more serious Shisa for your front entrance or do you want small, silly, Shisa’s that are full of character for your work desk? No matter what you are looking for, you are sure to find a pair of Shisa on Tsuboya Yachimun Street that fits your liking.  Yachimun no Sato (Yomitan Pottery Village) Another great option to find hand made Shisa statues is Yachimun no Sato in Yomitan. The Yomitan Pottery Village is smaller then Tsuboya Yachimun Street, but has a great variety of Shisa statues. There is a parking lot at the entrance of the village, and buyers can enter the shops that are open for business. Many of the shops here are homes, so it is a great opportunity to see what a traditional Okinawan home looks like. Each shop seemed to carry very similar pottery items it’s all the same style after all. But the majority of the shops at Yachimun no Sato do carry Shisa statues. I would say prices here are a bit on the higher end, but you never know what you might find.  Conclusion Okinawa’s Shisa stands as a symbol of Okinawa. These guardian lions have a rich history in Okinawa and are even present in todays culture. These mythical creatures can be seen throughout Okinawa, whether the pair are sitting on a  rooftop or guarding the entrance to a residential home, the Shisa is loved by both locals and visitors.  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. 

Iwakuni is worth exploring and deserves minimum one day to see all the attractions and sites throughout the city. For others, like me that have lived or currently live in Iwakuni or for visitors that are spending multiple days in Iwakuni there is so much more to do and see outside of Iwakuni. Whether you have a car and love taking road trips or want to hop on a train and explore something new, here are some of the best day trips from Iwakuni. 🇯🇵  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links 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 Day Trips From Iwakuni We lived in Iwakuni for over a year and explored both Iwakuni and the surrounding area extensively. The list below includes everything from cities, small towns, cruising around islands, and scenic nature destinations. The order below is based on day trips by distance from Iwakuni from shortest to farthest away.  1. Suooshima 30 Kilometers just south of Iwakuni is Suo Oshima also known as Oshima Island. Oshima Island is a beautiful island known for its mikans (mandarin oranges) 🍊. But Oshima Island isn’t just famous for mikans, it also the sister island of Kauai in Hawaii, because the islands share similarities. In the late 19th century, many islanders from Oshima Island migrated to Hawaii to work on sugar plantations.  There is a road that loops around the island that can be traveled by car or bike 🚲. Along the way there are beautiful beaches to stop at, shrines, and amazing overlooks. There are several delicious cafes and restaurants on the island but make sure to check times before coming because they are on island time.  For more information on Oshima Island I have a post dedicated to Cycling Around Suo Oshima outlining the route I took, stops made, and places/restaurants visited.  Suo Oshima is an island full of beauty and deserves at least a half day if not a full day to visit.  2. Yanai Just passed Oshima Island is the cute town of Yanai, known for their fish lanterns and soy sauce. Yanai is about 31-34 kilometers from Iwakuni depending on the route driven and takes about 45 minutes to get there by car or train. There is a JR Line that goes to Yanai from Iwakuni Station or you can drive straight down Hwy 188 until you reach Yanai.  Although a small town, Yanai does not have its shortages of attractions and things to do. About 1 Kilometer from the train station is Shirakabe No Machi, which is the historic district of Yanai dating back to the Edo Period. Here you can find cute shops, small restaurants, and museums. It is highly recommended to visit the Sagawa Soy Sauce Factory. Here, you can view the traditional ways in which soy sauce is made. The methods used here today haven’t changed since the 1830’s. Visitors can walk the factory, learn about the process and history of the factory, and see how it is being made. Of course, there is a shop here and you can buy the various soy sauce products sold here.  No trip to Yanai is complete without making your own Kingyo Chouchin. Kingyo Chouchin is the famous paper goldfish lanterns hung throughout town. You can buy premade goldfish lanterns in various shops around town, but at Yanai-Nishigura right across from the Sagawa Soy Sauce Factory you can make your own gold fish lantern. The people working at Yanai-Nishigura are always very friendly and show you how to make the goldfish lanterns. You can then sit down and make your own from scratch. It’s a fun experience and the gold fish lanterns make for great gifts and souvenirs.  For more information on Yanai and tourist attractions here, check out the Yanai City Website. 3. Miyajima About half way between Iwakuni and Hiroshima is Miyajima. Officially names Itsukushima but everyone calls this island Miyajima. Miyajima is an island only accessible by ferry. Once on the island, traveling on foot is the easiest way to get around and see all the sites. Miyajima is considered one of Japan’s most popular destinations and is listed as one of Japan’s Top 3 scenic sites. The famous Floating Torii Gate and Itsukushima Shrine are a UNESCO World Heritage Site ⛩. Unfortunately, the entire time I was in Iwakuni and even today (2022) the floating gate has been under scaffolding due to renovations.  It is recommended if coming to the island to go to the peak of Mt. Disen. There are several ways to get to the top, there are various hiking paths that lead to the top but for some that do not wish to hike, there is a beautiful ropeway. Once at the top, there are a few shrines and temples, but for me the views of Hiroshima Bay and the surrounding area make a hike to the top worth every step!  Miyajima, like Nara is known for the deer that wander the island. For the most part, the deer do not fear nor do they bother the humans on the island. But they ill walk amongst crowds and try and eat street food whenever possible.  Other attractions around Miyajima that are worth visiting is Daishoin Buddhist Temple, Toyokuni Shrine and the five-storied Pagoda, and the Public Aquarium. It is also recommended to walk the downtown area, stop in some shops and try sample local food at the many street vendors. For a more in depth read on Miyajima, check out my post on  Miyajima Island 4. Mikawa Mu Valley Let your inner Indiana Jones out at the Mikawa Mu Valley. The adventure begins about a 40 minute drive west of Iwakuni. This old mine was repurposed into an adventurous attraction for people of all ages. There are various themes inside the cave all with various puzzles to solve before proceeding deeper into the cave. In reality, you can walk the mine without doing any of the puzzles and still exit, but it’s so much fun to act like a kid again and use your imagination. You might get wet inside the cave as there are waterfalls, ponds, and even small streams to cross.  The entrance price was a bit steep for what it was at ¥1980 for adults and ¥990 for children. But it’s worth doing at least once while in Iwakuni. There is also a restaurant across the street that makes really good curry. Before leaving, a quick drive from Mikawa Mu Valley is a tiny shrine with a Buddha Statue that turned to stone after becoming one with a stalactite. 5. Hiroshima Hiroshima City is just about 42 kilometers north of Iwakuni. It’s easily accessible by car or train. Personally, I prefer taking the train. It’s cheap, convenient, and you don’t have to worry about parking.  Hiroshima is a huge city, it deserves multiple days but you can see most of the main attractions in a single day. There is no avoiding the subject when it comes to Hiroshima, so let’s get it out the way. Yes, everyone needs to see the Atomic Bomb Dome and visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Although tragic, these sites are incredibly well done and informational.  Hiroshima is so much more then it’s WWII history. I highly recommend visiting Hiroshima Castle 🏯, strolling Hondori Street, going to Mitaki Temple, and going to Shukkien (Japanese Garden).  The food scene in Hiroshima is spectacular. You can find everything here from Turkish restaurants to German bakeries. But if I were to recommend one dish in Hiroshima, that would be to try Okonomiyaki. Okonomiyaki is a mixture of ingredients layered on top of each other and cooked right in front of you. It’s delicious and one of my favorite Japanese foods.  For more information on Hiroshima City and Okonomiyaki, check out my post on What to See and Do in Hiroshima. 6. Tsuwano About 85 Kilometers from Iwakuni is the picture perfect mountain town of Tsuwano located in Shimane Prefecture. This is one of the prettiest small towns I’ve been to throughout Japan and is well worth a trip from Iwakuni. The drive to Tsuwano through the mountains is gorgeous in itself.  Once at Tsuwano, much of the town can be explored by foot. But prior to going into town, I recommend visiting the castle ruins. There is a chair lift that goes up to the ruins or people of the more adventurous type can hike to the top. The ruins have been here since 1325 but like many other castles in Japan it was demolished but many of the original walls still stand. The views from the ruins are worth it, you get incredible views of Tsuwano and the surrounding mountains.  I’d also recommend making a stop at Taikodani Inari-jinja Shrine before spending the rest of the day in town. This shrine has several Torii gates leading to and from the shrine.  After a visit to the castle ruins and Taikodani Inari Shrine it is time to explore Tonomachi, the main district in Tsuwano. This cute street is lined with old samurai houses and canals full of carp. In town, you can find an abundance of restaurants and shops. 7. Yamaguchi City Yamaguchi City is located in central Yamaguchi Prefecture. Just under an hour and a half drive from Iwakuni, Yamaguchi City deserves a full day of exploration.  Yamaguchi City has modern stores like Mont Bell and UNIQLO but also has ancient temples and historical districts. My #1 recommendation for visiting Yamaguchi City is to go straight to Rurikoji Temple and visit the Ruriko-ji Five Story Pagoda. The temple grounds here are magnificent and the mirrored image of the pagoda in the pond below is something out of a  fairy-tale. There are other shrines around the city I’d recommend visiting, but if you only have time for one, make sure it’s Rurikoji.  Yamaguchi City also has an arcade style street with fun shops and decent restaurants. If you so happen to be in Yamaguchi City on a Sunday, check out the Flea Market at Kameyama Park, it’s full of vendors selling everything imaginable.  8. Akiyoshidai Quasi National Park and Akiyoshido Cave In the mood for something other then visiting cities and small towns and need a nature escape? Then check out Akiyoshidai Quasi National Park and Akiyoshido Cave. This national park is in the city of Mine and is considered the largest karst area in Japan and Akiyoshido Cave is Japan’s biggest and longest cave.  Akiyoshidai Quasi National Park is above the cave and consists of numerous hiking trails through small forests and open meadows. There are grass burning ceremonies here that occur in February. I was unable to make any of the festivals but I am sure it’s a unique and exciting sight to see. Visiting Akiyoshido Cave can be done either before or after exploring Akiyoshidai Quasi National Park. There is an entrance fee to the cave of ¥1200. As of now, the cave is 9 kilometers long although visitors can only walk on a 1 kilometer designated path.  9. Hagi Hagi, one of my favorite towns in all of Japan is located in north-western Yamaguchi Prefecture. We’ve done both day trips and overnight trips to Hagi. There is so much to see in this town and the surrounding area.  I have a dedicated post for Visiting Hagi that lists out all my recommendations on what to do and see in and around Hagi.  I like to start my trip to Hagi on Mount Kasayama and then exploring the Camellia Groves at the base of the mountain. The Camellia Groves is a forest unlike anything I’ve seen, it’s so beautiful and unique.  Afterwards I recommend heading to town but make a side trip to Tokoji Temple. Tokoji Temple is definitely in my Top 5 Temples in all of Japan.