Sights in Japan
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NTT Intercommunication Centre
NTT Intercommunication Centre has an excellent collection of cutting-edge works and installations that address the myriad intersections of art and technology. Its superlative video library includes important works by artists such as Idemitsu Mako, Bill Viola and Nam June Paik, while installations on display include dreamy pieces such as works by Laurie Anderson, and Mikami Seiko’s World, Membrane and the Dismembered Body, designed especially for the museum’s eerie, echo-free chamber.
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Mampuku-ji
For something totally different while in the Uji area, you might consider a side trip to the unusual Mampuku-ji, a seldom visited temple a little bit north of the centre of Uji. Mampuku-ji was established as a Zen temple in 1661 by the Chinese priest Ingen. It is a rare example in Japan of a Zen temple built in the pure Chinese style of the Ming dynasty. The temple follows the Ōbaku school, which is linked to the mainstream Rinzai school but incorporates a wide range of esoteric Buddhist practices.
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Takiguchi-dera
The history of this temple reads like the romance of Romeo and Juliet. Takiguchi-dera was founded by Heian-era nobleman Takiguchi Nyūdō, who entered the priesthood after being forbidden by his father to marry his peasant consort Yokobue. One day, Yokobue came to the temple with her flute to serenade Takiguchi, but was again refused by him; she wrote a farewell love sonnet on a stone (in her own blood) before throwing herself into the river to perish. The stone remains at the temple.
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Ikebukuro Earthquake Hall (Ikebukuro Bōsai-Kan)
Quick: what should you do in case of an earthquake? What if your house is on fire? This facility operated by the Tokyo Fire Department prepares you for these and other disasters by means of videos (available in English) and incredibly realistic simulations; it’s hard not to be rattled once the room starts a-shaking. A visit here is important preparation if you’re planning on living in Japan. Even if you’re not, it’s an important insight into a possibility that’s never far from the mind of any Japanese.
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Minato Mirai 21
This district of man-made islands used to be shipping docks, but the last two decades have transformed them into a metropolis-of-the-future ('Minato Mirai' means 'port future'), with a buzzing street scene by day and glowing towers by night (Landmark tower and the three-towered Queens Square). In addition to the attractions listed here, there's one of the world's largest convention complexes, several hotels, and lots of shopping and dining.
These sights are arranged as a possible walking tour.
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Hokudai Shokubutsuen
One of Sapporo's must-sees, this beautiful outdoor garden is the botanical showpiece of Hokkaidō University. Here you'll find more than 4000 plant varietals, all attractively set on a meandering 14-hectare plot just 10 minutes on foot southwest of the station. Of particular note is the small section dedicated to Ainu wild foods and medicinal plants, though English-language signage is sadly in short supply.
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Fukugawa Edo Museum
If you haven't the time to make the rounds at the expansive Edo-Tokyo Museum, this quaint exhibition does an admirable job of depicting the life and times of locals during the Edo period, through life-sized replicas of merchants' shops and commoners' houses. Most of the volunteers speak English and can walk you through the museum pointing out interesting tidbits about Tokyo's history. Call ahead if you want to be sure that an English- speaking staff member is on duty.
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Tokei-dai
This clock tower was constructed in 1878 and has now become the symbol of Sapporo and a useful landmark for visitors. It's not particularly stunning, but you can wander around a small museum of local history. It's open daily (except Monday).
The clock tower was renovated in 1998, although the clock itself did not need repairs. Two generations of the Inoue family have voluntarily kept it in meticulous working order - allegedly, the clock has never missed tolling the hour in over 120 years.
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Bijutsukan Kōgeikan
Situated conveniently nearby, the Bijutsukan Kōgeikan, which stages excellent changing exhibitions of mingei crafts: ceramics, lacquerware, bamboo, textiles, dolls and much more. Artists range from living national treasures to contemporary artisans. Its red-brick building is an important cultural property in its own right – it dates from 1910, when it was the headquarters of the imperial guards, and was then rebuilt after its unfortunate destruction in WWII.
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Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry & Technology
Toyota, the world's largest automobile maker, started in another very Japanese industry: weaving. About 10 minutes' walk northwest of Noritake Garden, this excellent museum is on the site of the company's original Nagoya weaving plant (1911). It's filled with displays and demonstrations of metal processing and textile machinery, and hands-on experiences with principles of force, electronics and such, but the rubber meets the road in the 7900-sq-metre automotive pavilion; look out for humanoid robots, too. There's English signage, and an English-language audio guide for ¥200.
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Nagasaki Museum of History & Culture
This large, excellent museum opened in 2005 to focus on Nagasaki's proud history of international exchange. The main gallery is a fabulous reconstruction of a section of the Edo-period Nagasaki Magistrate's Office, which controlled trade and diplomacy. The free English-language audioguide is one of the best in the country.
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Kyoto Tower
If you want to orient yourself and get an idea of the layout of Kyoto as soon as you arrive in town, Kyoto Tower is the place to do it. Located right outside the Karasuma (north) gate of the station, this retro tower looks like a rocket perched atop the Kyoto Tower Hotel. The tower provides excellent views in all directions and you can really see why Kyotoites describe their city as a bonchi (a flat tray with raised edges). There are free mounted binoculars to use, and these allow ripping views over to Kiyomizu-dera and as far south as Osaka.
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Obai-in
If you are lucky enough to be in Kyoto during autumn when this subtemple of Daitoku-ji is opened to the public, then you should make an effort to visit. The subtemple is a world of interlinked gardens, including an incredibly rich moss garden and a starkly simple karesansui. Along with nearby Kōtō-in, we rank this as one of the finest gardens in Kyoto. When you enter the Daitoku-ji complex via the east (main) gate, it’s on the left.
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Kōbe City Museum
This museum has a collection of so-called namban (literally 'southern barbarian') art and occasional special exhibits. Namban art is a school of painting that developed under the influence of early Jesuit missionaries in Japan, who taught Western painting techniques to Japanese students. The entrance is on the building's east side.
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Ryōsen-Ji Treasure Museum
Located next to Ryōsen-ji temple is the Ryōsen-ji Treasure Museum, displaying exhibits relating to the arrival of Westerners in Japan. These include pictures depicting Okichi-san, a courtesan who was forced to give up the man she loved in order to attend to the needs of the brutal barbarian, Harris. When Harris left Japan five years later, Okichi-san was stigmatised for having had a relationship with a foreigner and she was eventually driven to drink and suicide.
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Japan Ukiyo-e Museum
Housing more than 100,000 wood-block prints, paintings, screens and old books, this renowned museum exhibits a minuscule fraction of its collection. There's an explanatory leaflet in English.
The museum is approximately 3km from Matsumoto Station, 15 minutes' walk from Ōniwa Station on the Matsumoto Dentetsu line (¥170, six minutes), or about ¥2000 by taxi.
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World Heritage Sites
The World Heritage sites around Tōshō-gū are Nikkō's centrepiece. A ¥1000 'combination ticket', valid for two days and available at booths in the area, covers entry to the temple, Rinnō-ji, the shrines, Tōshō-gū and Futarasan-jinja, but not the Nemuri-Neko (Sleeping Cat) in Tōshō-gū and Ieyasu's Tomb.
Most sites are open 08:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 November to March). To avoid hordes, visit early on a weekday.
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Hida Kokubun-ji
Takayama's oldest temple, Hida Kokubun-ji was originally built in the 8th century and subsequently ravaged by fire; the oldest of the present buildings dates from the 16th century. The temple's treasure hall houses some Important Cultural Properties, and the courtyard boasts a three-storey pagoda and an impressively gnarled gingko tree, which is in remarkably good shape considering it's believed to be 1200 years old.
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Ninen-zaka & Sannei-zaka/ Sannen-zaka
Just below and slightly to the north of Kiyomizu-dera, you will find one of Kyoto's loveliest restored neighbourhoods, the Ninen-zaka-Sannen-zaka area. The name refers to the two main streets of the area: Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, literally 'Two-Year Hill' and 'Three-Year Hill' (the years referring to the ancient imperial years when they were first laid out). These two charming streets are lined with old wooden houses, traditional shops and restaurants. If you fancy a break, there are many teahouses and cafes along these lanes.
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Tsuruga-jō
The Aizu clan made Tsuruga-jō, their headquarters. The present building is a 1965 reconstruction, but parts of the daunting walls remain, as does the castle's moat. Inside, there's a museum with historical artefacts from battle and daily life. Displays are a bit sketchy, although the frequent martial-arts demonstrations, carried out by adepts in full warrior regalia, are engaging. The 5th storey affords a terrific view of the surrounding town and valley, including Iimori-yama.
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Adashino Nembutsu-ji
This rather unusual temple is where the abandoned bones of paupers and destitutes without next of kin were gathered. Thousands of stone images are crammed into the temple grounds, and these abandoned souls are remembered each year with candles here in the Sentō Kuyō ceremony held on the evenings of 23 and 24 August. The temple is about 15 minutes' walk north of Giō-ji.
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Hokkaidō Jingu
This temple is nestled in a forest so dense that it's easy to forget that the city is just beyond the grounds. Attention has been paid to labelling the natural surroundings: a large plaque lists a number of local birds and the largest trees have identification signs. The temple lies a few blocks east of Maruyama-kōen station (exit 1).
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Ōnuma Quasi-National Park
Though quite a distance from Hakodate proper, this national park boasts an unusually large lake and swamp that offers beautiful canoeing, fishing and many scenic hiking tracks, is worth the trip. Bring insect repellent, as tourists are particularly tasty. You're much better off hiring a car, as the train connection is inconvenient. Many of the hills have hidden hot springs, but finding them can be difficult - your best bet is to ask a local for directions to their favourite gem.
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Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum
An essential Nagasaki experience, this sombre place recounts the city's destruction and loss of life through photos and artefacts, including mangled rocks, trees, furniture, pottery and clothing, first-hand accounts from survivors and stories of heroic relief efforts. Exhibits cover Japan's military prewar aggression and the postbombing struggle for nuclear disarmament, and conclude with a chilling illustration of which nations still bear nuclear arms.
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Ichinoide Kaikan
The owner of Ichinoide Kaikan is an onsen fanatic, so much so that he built three pool-sized rotemburo in his backyard. The view, overlooking Beppu and the bay, is the city's finest. Bathing is free when you order a set menu (teishoku; around ¥1100), and the chefs prepare it while you swim. To get there by bus and walking, inquire at the Foreign Tourist Information Office. A shared taxi (from Beppu, around ¥900) might be a good investment.
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