Wakayama

Wakayama (和歌山県) Super Station Master Tama and The Strawberry Train

Kishi Station in Wakayama gained renown for its unique station master, Super Station Master Tama, a charming calico cat who captured the hearts of visitors and became an iconic symbol of the railway. Visit the station museum and ride the cat themed train as well as the strawberry themed train.

Okinawa

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (沖縄美ら海水族館)

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa, Japan, is a renowned marine attraction, celebrated for its massive Kuroshio Sea tank housing majestic whale sharks and manta rays. It's a vital hub for marine conservation and education, offering a captivating window into the wonders of the deep blue.

Okayama

Inujima (犬島) Art Island

Inujima art island in Japan's Seto Inland Sea is a captivating blend of art, history, and nature. Formerly an abandoned copper refinery, it now showcases thought-provoking art installations and museums amidst stunning landscapes.

Osaka

Minō Kōen (箕面公園) Walk

A forest valley on the outskirts of Osaka leading up to a beautiful waterfall.

Kyoto

Kurama (鞍馬) to Kibune (貴船) Hike

Kibune, nestled in the mountains of Kyoto, is a charming village known for its serene atmosphere, traditional restaurants built over the flowing river, and the enchanting Kibune Shrine.

Tokyo

Tokyo Disneyland (東京ディズニーランド)

Join the long queues and enjoy fleeting moments of joy on rides in the most magical kingdom in Japan.

Osaka

Osaka Kitahama Hanami (大阪北浜花見)

The riverbank along the Tosahori River in central Osaka near Kitahama is lined with cherry blossoms great for a Hanami party.

Osaka

Yayoi Kusama Exhibition (草間彌生)

The National Museum of Art in Osaka held an exhibition titled "Eternity of Eternal Eternity" by Yayoi Kusama

Awaji

Kiseki No Hoshi Greenhouse (奇跡の星の植物館)

The Kiseki No Hoshi Greenhouse is a remarkable botanical attraction situated on Awaji Island in Japan, renowned for its stunning collection of tropical and subtropical plants from around the world, showcased in a modern and spacious glasshouse.

Hyogo

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (明石海峡大橋)

The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, also known as the Pearl Bridge, is a world-renowned suspension bridge that spans the Akashi Strait in Japan. With its record-breaking length and stunning design, it serves as a symbol of human ingenuity and resilience.

Awaji

Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park

Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park is a sprawling park located near the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge in Japan, offering visitors a picturesque setting to enjoy recreational activities, beautiful gardens, and stunning views of the iconic bridge.

Awaji

Awaji Yumebutai (淡路夢舞台)

Awaji Yumebutai is a captivating architectural complex located on Awaji Island in Japan. Designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando, it combines stunning gardens, terraced landscapes, and modern structures, offering a harmonious blend of nature and human creativity.

Osaka

Truck Furniture & Bird Coffee Cafe Osaka

A vintage-style, Osaka-made furniture store called Truck Furniture by designers Tokuhiko Kise and Hiromi Karatsu sits beside Bird Coffee Cafe serving delicious croque madames.

Osaka

Pristine Cars, The Yodogawa Great Barrier (淀川大堰) & Ramen

A cycle from Umeda to Kyoto over the Yodogawa Weir with a stop for ramen at Teru and a peek at the new, design focused capsule hotel called Nine Hours.

Osaka

Sun Child (サン•チャイルド)

March 11, 2012 marked the one year anniversary of the Tohoku Earthquake and became the opening date for the statue ‘Sun Child’ or ‘Taiyo no Ko’ in Japanese.

Hokkaido

Niseko, Hokkaido (北海道ニセコ町)

A ski town 2 hours south west of Hokkaido's largest city, Sapporo.

Hokkaido

Sapporo City (札幌市) & The Sapporo Beer Museum (サッポロビール博物館)

A very brief winter stopover in Japan's largest northern city, visiting the museum for one of the country's most iconic, international beer exports.

Osaka

Shiba Ryotaro Memorial Museum (司馬遼太郎記念館)

Architect Tadao Ando designed a museum dedicated to Shiba Ryotaro, a post WW2 author known for his novels based on historical events.

Kobe

Oji Zoo, Kobe (神戸市立王子動物園)

A zoo in Kobe with all the big ticket animals including a giant panda, a red panda, sloths, and a polar bear.

Kagawa

Shodoshima (小豆島)

The first place in Japan to successfully grow olives and the origin of the stone used to build Osaka Castle; Shodoshima is an island in the Seto Inland Sea with some great scenery and a really large Buddha.

Mie

Forty-Eight Waterfalls of Akame (赤目四十八滝) Walk

An unexpectedly amazing walk starting from Akameguchi Station in Mie, through a salamander museum, along a river through a valley and into a forest.

Osaka

Osaka Skyline (大阪市スカイライン)

A brilliant city that gets overshadowed by Japan's capital. The skyline from the Breeze Breeze Building in Umeda lets you take it all in.

Kyoto

Tadao Ando Designed Oyamazaki Museum

An entrepreneur's Tudor style home from the 1920s received an addition in 1995 by architect Tadao Ando for the Oyamazaki Museum.

Hiroshima

Miyajima (厳島) / Itsukushima (厳島)

Ikutsushima, more commonly known as Miyajima—which translates to Shrine Island—is most famous for its Torii gate in the sea.

Osaka

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (海遊館) & Osaka Culturarium at Tempozan (大阪文化館・天保山)

The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (海遊館), designed by Peter Chermayeff and the Culturarium (大阪文化館・天保山) by Tadao Ando sit beside each other overlooking the bay; a short stroll from Osakako station.