Hiroshima is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region.
When the first atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, the city became known worldwide for this unenviable distinction.
Although many only know it for the world’s first atomic bomb attack, it is now a modern, cosmopolitan city with [...]

Toshogu Shrine was founded by Tokugawa Leyasu who was known as the last shogunate of Japan. The shrine is dedicate to the spirts of Leyasu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Minamoto Yoritomo. Toshogu Shrine is well-known for its sophisticated decoration which consists countless beautiful wooden carvings and gold leafs in a way not seen elsewhere in Japan. [...]

Himeji is Japan’s most famous and beautiful surviving feudal castle in Japan. Unlike many other Japanese castles, Himeji Castle was never destroyed in wars, earthquakes or fires and survives in its original form.
It was registered as the first Japanese National Cultural Treasure by UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Japanese National Cultural Treasure in December, [...]

The sacred island of Miyajima (Itsukushima) is known as one of Japan’s top three views and very famous for its Shinto torii gate rising from the sea. It is a part of the Seto Inland Sea National Park.
The Japanese government has designated several buildings and possessions as national treasures and since 1996 it is a [...]

Yakushiji is one of the most famous imperial and ancient Buddhist temples in Japan.
It is part of the Hosso sect, founded by Xuanzang (JPN: Genjo) in China around 630, and established in Japan by the middle of the 7th century.
It features a rare 7th-century pagoda as well as ancient statues of the Healing Buddha and [...]

Horyuji’s full name is Hōryū Gakumonji (法隆学問寺), or Learning Temple of the Flourishing Law, is an important Buddhist Temple and one of the oldest in Japan. The temple is also widely acknowledged to have one of the oldest wooden buildings existing in the world, and is one of the most celebrated temples in Japan.
It contains [...]

The Kasuga Shrine, and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest near the shrine, are registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara”.
The shrine was built by the Fujiwara family in 768 at the time of Heijo-kyo and is one of the best and most important in Japan.
In accordance with [...]

Kōfuku-ji Temple along with several Buddhist temples in Nara, received the distinction of being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name: “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.”
It is one of the great temples of the Nara period, the complex features two pagodas, located on either side of the southern entrance and many Buddhist art [...]

Todaiji is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The Great Buddha Hall (大仏殿 Daibutsuden) is the largest wooden building in the world and houses the world’s largest bronze statue Buddha Vairocana.
The temple is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site as “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara”, together with [...]

Saiho-ji Temple is also known as “Koke-dera Temple,” which means “Moss Temple”. Over 120 types of moss are present in the garden, resembling a beautiful green carpet with many subtle shades.
It is one of Kyoto’s Unesco World Heritage Sites and entrance to this temple requires a reservation made well in advance by mail!
The garden, designated [...]