This is a huge underground area of around 20,000 meters squared which was formed by digging the area for 70 years between 1919 and 1986. During the war, it was used as an underground factory, and as a place for rice storage post war. Nowadays, it is often used as a setting for filming dramas, as well as a stage for concert performances.
This is the country's largest Edo era(1603-1868) theme park, opened in 1986. Inside there are recreated Edo-style villages and Edo era experiences such as Ninja actors and Geisha actress in the style of the time. Visitors can also rent a wide range of Edo era style clothing to truly give that experience of travelling back in time.
This is a shrine that was built in 1617 and is registered as a world heritage site. After the death of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Tokugawa family was enshrined here. The shrine is also famous for the Yomei-mon Gate, with vivid sculpturing and colors, as well as the "3 monkeys" and "sleeping cat" statues that were built to pray for peace by the Ieyasu. Minamoto Yoritomo and Toyotomi Hideyoshi were also enshrined in this temple.
This is an onsen on the upper stream of Kinugawa River in Nikko. At that time, the baths were exclusively used for Daimyo(Japanese feudal lord) and Monks who went on pilgrimages to Nikko. The water is famously effective against burns, and in the nearby village, there are several souvenir shops, restaurants and other shops.
This is a hilly road (number 120) which has 48 turns - the same number of characters in the Iroha song. The first and second parts are separated by a hill, where there are two resting spots - Kurokami-daira and Akechi-daira where one can view Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji. The road is famous for appearing in the Japanese arcade game Initial D.
This is one of Japan's largest waterfalls in Nikko City. The 97 meter waterfall drop is quite spectacular, and visitors can view it relatively up close. The waterfall was discovered by a priest named Shodo and the name comes from buddhist scripture.
This is a lake formed by the eruption of Mount Nantai 20,000 years ago, inside Nikko National Park. A priest named Shodo, discovered the area, and was originally used as a training ground based on faith and worship in Buddhism. The area is particularly popular in autumn due to the autumn leaves that appear here.
This is a 400 hectare high marshfield area within Nikko National Park. The name comes from the fact that two mountain Gods, Futaaranokami (from Mount Nantai) and Akaginokami (From Mount Akagi) battled a large snake and large centipede respectively. As there is nature abound, the area is also particularly suitable for hiking.
These are old fashioned baths in Nasu Shiobara City. The name comes from the 11 bath houses that are along the river. The area originally was called the 11 baths of Shiobara, and boasts more than 1,000 years of history as an Onsen town. The area is unique in the sense that there are several unstaffed onsen, and is popular for viewing the snow and winter landscapes while enjoying a warm onsen bath.※Credit:旅と温泉の無料写真素材 おんふぉと http://on-photo.com/
This is an old bath house in Nasu Shiobara City. The bath house has over 1000 years of history and was famous for being known as the "Healing water of Shimotsuke". It became known as a "Rope bath" due to the unique way of entering by holding onto a rope, but was also known as the "cane no longer needed" bath due to its reputation for being so healing on the joints that old people who needed a cane to walk no longer needed it after being healed by the bath.
This is one of Japan's largest waterfalls in Ibaraki prefecture, boasting a height of 120m. A priest named Saigyo is said to have stated that "one cannot fully appreciate this waterfall unless you visit it in all four seasons", and it is for this reason that it is known as the "four time waterfall".
This is one of Japan's 3 most famous gardens, opened by Tokugawa Nariaki, of the Tokugawa clan, in 1842. He had a great love for the people and built it with the idea of people from all walks of life to have fun together. There are also around 3,000 plum trees of around 100 different varieties. Various festivals are held here throughout the year, such as the main plum festival in March, the cherry blossom festival in April, the Azalea festival in May, the Mito Komon festival in August, and the Hagi festival in September.
This is Japan's largest beachside park at 350 hectares - seven times the size of Tokyo Disneyland. April is the season of the daffodils and tulips, with May being the season of the baby blue eyes flower, in August, the "Rock in Japan festival" is held here, and the area is particularly busy in October, with the Bassia Scoparia herb season.
It is said that in 856 AD, a God appeared in front of Oarai and this temple was created. The temple contains Okuninushi(a main powerful god) as well as Sukunahiko(a secondary God). The Torii in the area are famous, and the area is known as an area where the Gods descend from heaven. The area is also a setting for the Anime "Girls und Panzer", and so is popular as a "pilgrimage" trip for fans of the anime.
This is a buddha statue of Jodo Shinshu Hongganji sect opened in 1989 by Otani Kosho. At 120 meters tall, it is the tallest buddha statue in Japan, and the third tallest in the world, as per the Guinness World Record. Inside on the 1st to 5th floors, there are several exhibitions about the history of Buddhism as well as interactive exhibitions. There is also an observation deck at the top. Visitors can experience the natural life around them with the seasonal flora and fauna in the surrounding area.
This is an Onsen in Minakami town. It is situated at the upper part of Tone River, where it is surrounded by the Suwa Gorge and autumnal leaves. The area is popular for the horse drawn carts that run around this area. The area is also known for being a great spot for ski, rafting and other outdoor sports.
This is an underground station in Gunma, on the JR Joetsu line. The station is 81 meters below ground, and passengers have to climb a passage of around 338 meters or 462 steps, followed by a further 143 meter passage, and finally 24 further steps, leading it to becoming known as one of Japan's "most deep underground stations".
This is a area in southern Aizu which is an Edo-era(1603-1868) village which is "half agricultural, half residential". There are numerous thatched roof traditional houses which give the feeling of having travelled back in time to the Edo era. There is also a specialist "Spring onion Soba" shop where one uses spring onions to eat soba instead of chopsticks.
This is an old Onsen bath in Ikaho Town. It boasts 1,300 years of history and appeared in Manyoshu, a book collection of traditional Japanese poetry. The Onsen was used as a place of healing for a wounded soldier named Takeda Katsuyori, and eventually he commanded the area to be turned into an Onsen town. The area was also loved by many literary greats such as Natsume Soseki, Hagiwara Sakutaro and Noguchi Ujo. It is also famous as a place for hot spring buns and dumplings.※Credit:旅と温泉の無料写真素材 おんふぉと http://on-photo.com/
This is a famous valley in the upper part of the 6km Arakawa river, in Chichibu. The area is famous for its rock formations and visitors can enjoy canoeing, rafting and campings. The area is famous for its fresh water shaved ice and miso pickled pork. In autumn, one can enjoy the autumn leaves as well as apple picking.