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  Activity

  Tokiwa Park

  Tokiwa Park, in the city of Ube in Yamaguchi Prefecture. With a large variety of facilities inside the park, including the Tokiwa Zoo and the Tokiwa Museum, there is much to see and enjoy. Tokiwa Museum, the venue for the UBE Biennale (Exhibition of Contemporary Japanese Sculpture), exhibits works of art, while at the botanical garden next door, you can see rare plants from around the world.Tokiwa Park is a comprehensive park complex, adorned by greenery, flowers, and sculptures. It has been bu…

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  Culture

  Kamochi Shrine

  Kamochi Shrine, in Hino County, Tottori Prefecture, is said to offer blessings of improved luck with money. There is no shortage of people who come here to pray to win the lottery. Among the 80,000 shrines all over Japan, there is only one with such a fortuitous name, so it attracts people from all over the country.The main enshrined deity is Amenotokotachi-no-Mikoto, is the deity who deified the heavens where the gods lived. There are only a handful of shrines throughout Japan that are dedicat…

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  Activity

  Suo-Oshima Island

  The tourism keyword for Suo-Oshima Island in Yamaguchi Prefecture’s Oshima County is “Hawaii.” Known as the Hawaii of Setouchi, Suo-Oshima Island is a sister island with the Island of Kauai, with many related events taking place. The roadside rest area, Michi-no-Eki Sazan Seto Towa also has many Hawaiian goods on offer. Of course, you can also purchase goods produced locally on Suo-Oshima Island as souvenirs.Suo-Oshima Island is the third largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. It is an island o…

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  Culture

  Yonago Castle Ruins

  Yonago Castle was built on top of the 90-meter high Minatoyama in central Yonago City, and is sometimes called "Kume Castle". From the ruins, you can look out over West Hoki. The view from the castle mound is loved by the local populace.

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  Food

  Yamayoshitei

  Help yourself to bowls of rice topped with plenty of fish from Sakaiminato at Yamayoshitei. Only a fishmonger could prepare seafood on rice this delicious! Yamayoshitei is located in the fresh food market next to Hiezu’s AEON Mall. This is a popular store for bowls of seafood over rice, loved by both the local people and tourists visiting from other prefectures.

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  Activity

  Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park

  Tottori Hankairo Flower Park, located in the town of Nanbu in Saihaku-gun, Tottori Prefecture, is a flower garden with ties to Keukenhof in the Netherlands. A free shuttle bus operates from JR Yonago Station, so even those without cars will have no trouble getting there. Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park is one of the largest flower park in Japan, about 50 hectares in area with 50 m in diameter and 21 m in high of flower dome at the center, a roofed walkway circles the gardens on a 1-km circuit, so you can enjoy the gardens even on rainy days. Enjoy the flowers of the four seasons amid the spectacular landscape, which commands views of the majestic Mount Daisen.

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  Experience

  Sakaiminato

  Sakaiminato Seafood Direct, in Showamachi, Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, is highly recommended for sightseeing while in Sakaiminato. You can buy fresh seafood that has just been unloaded at the fishing port as souvenirs. There is also a cafeteria where you can enjoy typical fishing port food. Sakaiminato has large catches of crabs and tuna. In particular, it has Japan’s largest catch of red snow crabs and Pacific bluefin tuna. Sakaiminato salmon is unloaded at the port from March to May, fresh Pacific bluefin tuna from June to July, Natsuki rock oysters from June to August, swordtip squid from June to November, red snow crab from September to June, and Matsuba snow crab from November to February. Because these highly recommended seafood varieties are placed out for sale on the very day they are unloaded from the fishing boats, their freshness is assured. Sakaiminato Seafood Direct is frequented visit by locals, making it “Sakaiminato’s Kitchen,” as well as tourists.

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  Food

  Oenosato Natural Farm Oenosato Resort

  Oenosato Natural Farm in Yazu District is the place for sweets when visiting Tottori. Oenosato pancakes made with Tenbiran eggs are only available at the Coco Garden at Oenosato Natural Farm. Tenbiran eggs are eggs from chickens raised at this farm and the pancakes made with them are loved for the fluffy texture. Along with this, the place offers various restaurants and cafes and chances for handmade experiences. With its abundant nature, not only couples and groups of friends but also families can enjoy visiting at Oenosato Natural Farm.

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  Activity

  Mount Daisen

  Mount Daisen located in the western part of Tottori Prefecture, is popular as a climbing spot. It is a sacred mountain that also known as "Hokifuji". Located at 1,729m above sea level. Also famous as a climbing spot, where you can enjoy local cuisine and the natural environment of the mountain, such as "Daisen Makiba Miruku-no-Sato (Home of Milk)". From the fresh green of spring to summer, the autumn leaves, and the snow-covered mountains of winter, there are lots of fun activities in every season.

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  Experience

  Naruto Whirlpools and Tourist Attractions

  Naruto Strait is located between Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture and Awaji Island, and is famous for its tidal whirlpools.

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  Activity

  Townscape of Udatsu, Wakimachi

  Wakimachi at Mima City is the town where indigo merchant enjoyed prosperity in the Edo period. Stretching along 430m, there is “Udatsu” street or townscape as a symbol of wealth.

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  Activity

  Iya Valley

  The picturesque scenery of Iya in Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture is known as one of the three most unexplored regions of Japan.

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  Food

  Ehime's Local Specialty

  Ehime’s citrus fruits are always evolving and new varieties are being developed all the time. Ehime produces around 210,000 tons of citrus fruits a year.

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  Activity

  Niyodo Blue

  The Niyodo River in Kochi has the most beautiful blue water in all of Japan and is known as Niyodo Blue. This mystical blue basin was the location of a Japanese legendary tale between a mythical serpent and a beautiful daughter.

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  Culture

  Awa Odori Kaikan

  You can enjoy Tokushima’s world-class Awa Odori dance throughout the year in the biggest Awa Odori Hall. There is also a museum where you can learn the history of Awa Odori, and you can get Tokushima souvenirs at Tokushima Products Tourist Information Plaza, Arudeyo Tokushima. The fifth floor is Bizan Ropeway Sanroku Station.

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  Culture

  Kochi Castle History Museum

  Kochi Castle History Museum is a new hub for the culture and history of Tosa. This museum is the main venue of the Shikoku Kochi Bakumatsu Restoration Exhibition, and visitors can enhance their understanding of the Bakumatsu-Meiji restoration period.

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  Culture

  Hagi’s Five Sites Industrial

  Japan, in a short period of about 50 years achieved modernization and industrialization, was called "The Miracle of World History at the End of the 19th Century".

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  Activity

  Miyajima

  Itsukushima Shrine has an impressive appearance befitting its status as one of Japan’s top shrines.

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  Activity

  New Meets Old, Wakasa Railway

  19.2 km of railway in eastern Tottori operated by the Wakasa Line. Along Wakasa Line Route is full of interesting scenery.

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  Activity

  Inasanohama Beach and Hinomisaki

  Inasanohama Beach and Hinomisaki at Shimane Prefecture are a typical sunset beach. You also can enjoy a beautiful harmony between the lighthouse, the sky and the ocean at Hinomisaki. The coastline on the west of the Shimane Peninsula is certified as Japanese heritage in April 2017 as "Sunset on the Sacred Land of Izumo." The sunset seen from there is an incredible sight not just a myth.

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  Culture

  Yashima

  The Tale of Heike begins with “The sound of bells echoes through the monastery at Gion Shoja, telling all who hear it that nothing is permanent.” This is a story that describes the pity if impermanence and the pursuit if bravery.

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  Activity

  Shibukawa Beach

  Shibukawa beach stretches for an entire kilometer. It has been selected as one of the 100 best beaches in Japan and is the largest swimming beach in Okayama, with visitors flocking in the summer.

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  Culture

  Uchiko

  Uchiko had a thriving wax industry from the late Edo period to the early Meiji period. There are historical buildings dotted all around the town.

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  Culture

  Ozu Castle

  Ozu is often called the little Kyoto of Iyo, and is a castle town that thrived with Ozu Castle as the center of activity.

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  Culture

  Uwa City

  Uwa, located on the highway linking Matsuyama and Uwajima, used to prosper as an inn town and country town of the Uwajima Domain.

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  Culture

  Uwajima Castle

  The castle tower of Uwajima Castle, which is counted as one of the 12 remaining original castle towers, has been designated an Important Cultural Property. The Castle is built on top of (approximately 80m above the sea) in the plain in central Uwajima.

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  Activity

  Tensha-en Garden

  Date Munetada, the seventh feudal lord of the Uwajima domain who went by the pseudonym "Shunzan," constructed this garden as a place of retirement. 

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  Experience

  Nametoko Valley

  Canyoning is a river sport from France that allows you to full enjoy valleys with your whole body—jump into the waterfall basin, allow the water current to carry you, and abseil.

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  Culture

  Machu Picchu of Tonaru

  This is a group of industrial heritage sites of the Besshi Copper Mine, nestled deep in the mountains of Niihama. At its peak, this was a bustling town with many residents. However, with the closing of the Besshi Copper Mine, only its remnants are left over.

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  Shopping

  Minetopia Besshi

  This is a roadside station located along Besshi-Suiha Hana Kaido on Ehime Prefectural Road 47.

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  Culture

  Besshi Copper Mine Memorial Museum

  The Sumitomo Group jointly established this memorial museum in order to pass down the achievements at Besshi Copper Mine, one of Japan’s three great copper mines, for generations to come.

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  Food

  Kiri-no-Mori

  At the Kiri-no-Mori roadside station, you can purchase the well-known Shingu Tea and Kiri-no-Mori Daifuku rice cakes from the sweet factory, and enjoy sweets and dishes made with the Shingu Tea at “Chafe” and “Kaido-Chamise” and restaurants.

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  Food

  Kaki Komachi Oysters

  Oysters are recommended in Hiroshima. Regardless of season and season, you can enjoy it at the direct sale or the oysters shop all the year. In the summer, a large brand oyster "Kaki Komachi" is recommended.

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  Culture

  Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle

  Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle is one of 12 existing temples and is designated as an important cultural property of the country. It is also famous as the only mountain castle where its original tower still exists.

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  Activity

  Kuroshima Venus Road

  At the island Kuroshima off the coast of Ushimado, when the tide is low a sandbar appears from beneath the sea connecting Kuroshima to two other islands, Nakanokojima and Hashinokojima in an arch. You can walk across this path from island to island.

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  Culture

  Izumonokuni Tatara Fudoki

  It is no exaggeration to say that the history and natural feature of Izumo in Shimane Prefecture was nurtured by the ironwork at Tatara Manufacturing.

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  Activity

  Uno Port

  Uno Port is an important arrival and departure point on such routes as to Shikoku and Seto Inland Sea (Naoshima, Teshima, and Shodoshima) that closely related to local life. In addition, cruise ships from foreign country also stop by here.

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  Food

  Tamano Ontama Meshi

  The All Japan Minato Oasis Sea-Class Gourmet Competition is a festival of gourmet dishes containing elements of the sea, using seafood caught from local ports.

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  Activity

  Mount Ojigatake

  Ojigatake is a 235m high mountain that extends into both Tamano city and Kurashiki city. It is part of the Setonaikai National Park, and from the peak you can see a panorama consisting of the entire of the Great Seto Bridge, the many beautiful islands of the Seto Inland Sea, and the mountain ranges of Shikoku on the opposite coast.

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  Activity

  Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

  In the Edo period, Kurashiki was put under the direct control of the shogunate, and underwent massive development.

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  Activity

  Mount Washu

  This is one of the leading picturesque sceneries in Setonaikai National Park, and designated as a place with scenic beauty by the Japanese government.

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  Shopping

  Kojima Jeans Street

  The Kojima district has developed the textile industry since the late Edo period.

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  Culture

  Tamamo Park (Ruins of Takamatsu Castle)

  Tamamo Park, a historical site was designated as Takamatsu Castle.

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  Culture

  Marugame Castle

  Marugame Castle as a symbol of Marugame City is one of the wooden castle with 400 years old history.

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  Culture

  The Shikoku Pilgrimage

  The Shikoku Pilgrimage is a circular-shaped pilgrimage that included numerous sacred sites where the Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai) is believed to have trained from around 1,200 years ago.

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  Culture

  Townscape of Minowa

  The ancient city of Utazu is a district that prospered as a port city since the middle Ages, sacred temples, shrines, and traditional “townhouses” were made and still remains even today.

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  Food

  Kamatama Udon

  Udon is famous for Kagawa Prefecture, but besides chicken stock, oiri soft, and wasanbon, other ingredients used is olives to enrich the flavor.

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  Activity

  Time and Space

  Kagawa has a culture of art and home for some of the world’s finest works of art. It is also home for International artist and masterpieces that have sent ripples throughout Japanese art world.

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  Activity

  Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Art Museum

  Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Art Museum is a museum of Japanese paintings where donated by Higashiyama Kaii’s family after he passed away.

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  Activity

  Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art (MIMOCA)

  This is a museum for works of art by Genichiro Inokuma who spent his childhood at Marugame and designed by an architect Yoshio Taniguchi.

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  Activity

  George Nakashima Memorial Gallery

  George Nakashima who made furniture through “dialogue” with tree. When surrounded by his work, somehow it felt as we were in the forest. Since 1964, Sakura Seisakusho recognized his technique and set up a memorial hall to share his philosophy.

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  Activity

  Naoshima

  How about surrendering yourself to the passage time and travelling around the Seto Inland Sea that known as “Jewels of the World"? Naoshima, known as the island of the art is about one hour by ferry from Takamatsu Harbour and 30 minutes by speed boat.

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  Activity

  Teshima

  Shima Kitchen is a restaurant that reconstructed from a vacant house by the work of architect Ryo Abe.

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  Activity

  Ogijima

  It takes about 40 minutes to Ogijima from Takamatsu Port via Megijima. The island has very flat land and settlements are made in ladder pattern across southwest area. You can see a unique landscape where residences are overlapping like the scales of a fish.

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  Activity

  Awashima

  Awashima shaped like a screw, there is oldest seafarer training school in Japan which was established in 1897.

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  Activity

  Chichibugahama Beach

  If there is no wind in the low tide, the surface of the water on the tidal pool is like the Uyuni Salt Lake in South America. Chichibugahama is famous for being a mirror that reflects the sky.

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  Activity

  Mount Shiude

  Land of the legendary Urashima Taro is all around Shonai Peninsula, Mitoyo City. One of them is Mount Shiude.

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  Culture

  Takaya Shrine

  Zenigata Sunae is a huge sand art of a 345m copper coin from Edo period drawn on Ariake Beach in Kanonji City; it was created over the night in 1633 to welcome the feudal lord Ikoma Takatoshi.

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  Culture

  Honenike Dam

  Honenike Dam is multiple-arch dam that was completed built in 1929. It has great character and stature reminiscent of medieval European castle. A harmony between water-filled surfaces and the surrounding mountains makes beautiful scenery in every season.

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  Activity

  Marugame Island

  The eastern part of Kagawa Prefecture, Higashi-Kagawa City found many geological treasures.

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  Activity

  Enjoy Kagawa

  What about active trips with pleasant sea breezes such as triathlons (Marugame International Half Marathon, Shodoshima Olive Marathon, Sunport Takamatsu) and cycling to the tranquil views of the Seto interior?

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  Culture

  Traditional Artistry of Kagawa

  Kagawa Prefecture introducing traditional techniques throughout the country such as Kagawa Shikki, Marugame Uchiwa, Ajiseki, Tebukuro, and Bonsai.

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  Activity

  Kurayoshi Figure Museum

  Kurayoshi City is a beautiful city with townscape of white-walled storehouses and red-tiled roofs that still exists. In April 2018, the oldest existing round school building in Japan was transformed into the Japan’s newest figure museum.

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  Food

  Food Capital Tottori

  Mt. Mitoku was recognized as a Japan's most dangerous national treasure in the spring of 2015.

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  Culture

  Tradition from the Inaba Province, Kirinjishi Dance

  Tottori Prefecture has lots of interesting things such as cattle bone ramen and sand dunes.

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  Culture

  Mitokusan Sanbutsuji Temple

  Mt. Mitoku was recognized as a Japan's most dangerous national treasure in the spring of 2015.

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  Activity

  The Hill of Sea Breeze, Tomari

  Ground Golf is a sport for everyone, feel free to join from children to adults and even for elderly people.

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  Food

  Well Crab Campaign

  Welcome to the crab prefecture!

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  Culture

  Kochi Castle

  Kochi Castle was built by Yamauchi Kazutoyo, a feudal lord who was assigned by Tokugawa Ieyasu the whole province of Tosa for the contribution to the Battle of Sekigahara.

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  Culture

  Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum

  Sakamoto Ryoma, born in Tosa, was a patriot at the end of the Edo Period and dedicated his life to early modern Japan. The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum was opened in November 1991 to commemorate his achievements, and collect and exhibit items relating to him.

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  Culture

  Katsurahama Beach

  Katsurahama beach is one of the most picturesque locations in Kochi. This arch-shaped beach is located at the entrance of Urado Bay, in between Cape Ryuzu and Cape Ryuo. The backdrop of thick pine greenery, the five-colored beach gravel, and the deep blue sea come together to form a picturesque scene almost like a miniature garden.

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  Activity

  Tairyuji Ropeway

  The Tairyuji Ropeway is a massive 2,775m long, making it the largest ropeway in west Japan.

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  Activity

  Hiwasa Chelonian Museum Caretta

  At the Hiwasa Chelonian Museum Caretta in Minami, Tokushima, there are events that allow visitors to interact with sea turtles on weekends and public holidays.

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  Activity

  Ritsurin Garden

  At Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu, Kagawa you can enjoy the diversity of the four seasons through night illuminations of autumn foliage and cherry blossoms, as well as plum blossoms, along with an entire thousand pine trees.

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  Culture

  Kotohira-gu Shrine

  The stairs to Kotohira-gu Shrine in Kotohira, Kagawa have 785 steps. The long path to the inner shrine is famous, and further extends to an entire 1,368 stone steps.

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  Activity

  Shodoshima

  Shodoshima in Kagawa is a famous tourist spot. There are so many places to relax on the island, such as the Olive Garden, Angel Road, and a roadside station made in the image of Greece.

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  Culture

  Dogo Onsen

  Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama, Ehime is an extremely popular tourist spot. Another recommendation is healing yourself at the nearby Asuka no Yu hot springs and Isaniwa Shrine, and going on an eating tour in the shopping district.

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  Culture

  Matsuyama Castle

  You can easily access the castle tower of Matsuyama Castle in Matsuyama, Ehime via ropeway or lift, and the castle is lit up at night.Matsuyama Castle sits atop Mount Katsuyama (132 meters above sea level) in central Matsuyama city.

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  Activity

  Shimanami Kaido

  The Shimanami Kaido, which connects Imabari in Ehime to Hiroshima, is a popular tourist spot for cycling. You can also feed your soul with history and nature at Kirosantenbo Park and Oyamazumi Shrine, and enjoy local delicacies such as Imabari Yakibuta Tamago Meshi (grilled pork and egg over rice).

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  Culture

  Japan Heritage Center

  “The One Hundred Landscapes of Tsuwano” is an art book that depicts the famous places and the lives of the local people around 150 years ago towards the end of the Tokugawa shogunate.

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  Activity

  Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark

  The Oki Islands are located in the Sea of Japan, around 50km north from the Shimane peninsula.

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  Activity

  Akiyoshidai and Akiyoshido

  Akiyoshidai and Akiyoshido is Japan’s largest karst plateau, extending from central to eastern Mine.In 1955, it was designated Akiyoshidai and Akiyoshido Quasi-National Park and in 1964, a Special Natural Monument.

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  Culture

  Motonosumi Inari Shrine

  In 1955, a white fox appeared by the bedside of Hitoshi Okamura, a local fishing business owner.

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  Activity

  Tsunoshima Bridge

  Tsunoshima Bridge was opened in the year 2000, and it is Japan’s longest (1780m) bridge to an isolated island that you can cross for free, as it is a non-toll road.

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  Culture

  Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum

  Osafune is a Japanese sword hub and has thrived since the Kamakura period as the largest Japanese sword producing region.

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  Activity

  Ushimado Olive Garden

  A Greek once visited this area, and was amazed how much the scenery looked like his hometown by the Aegean Sea, earning it the name the Aegean Sea of Japan.

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  Culture

  Sekishu Washi Kaikan

  The western region of Shimane has been called Iwami province (or alternatively, Sekishu) since times of old.

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  Activity

  Okayama Korakuen

  Korakuen is a garden created by a daimyo (feudal lord) that represents the Edo period. It is designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.

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  Activity

  Tomonoura, Japan Heritage Port Town

  Tomonoura is located along the coast 14km south from Fukuyama Station. This place of scenic beauty has long been a port where boats wait for a favorable wind, and it is even mentioned in poems in the Manyoshu, an ancient collection of Japanese poems.

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  Activity

  Sandankyo Gorge

  The spectacular clear streams and greenery of the massive Sandankyo Gorge stretch for around 16km from the entrance of the gorge to the Hijiri Lake.

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  Activity

  Visit Saijo, Japanese Sake Capital

  Saijo stands shoulder to shoulder with the famous sake brewing regions, Nada and Fushimi. In the vicinity of JR Saijo Station, seven sake breweries are still in operation.

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  Activity

  Tottori Sand Dunes

  Tottori’s sand dunes stretch 2.4km from north to south, 16km from east to west, and there is a maximum 90m difference in height between dunes.

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  Activity

  Mizuki Shigeru Road

  The road was reopened after renovation in July 2018, the 25th anniversary of its initial opening in 1993.

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  Food

  Utsubuki Koen Dango

  Utsubuki Koen Dango from Ishitani Seikado. Local delicacies that have been preserved for more than 130 years, as a dedication to dango.

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