Category: Travel

Higashimuki Shopping Street, this street is often overlooked because it is very close to the Kintetsu Nara Station. However, if you are heading to places like Kofuku-ji Temple or Nara Machi from the Kintetsu Station, you will pass by it. But if you’re looking for shopping options in Nara, I think this is the place to go.

Nara is an ancient capital even older than Kyoto, so the buildings are not very tall. If you want to see the cityscape of Nara, it is a good choice to go to Mount Wakakusa if you have enough time. If you don’t have enough time, you can choose the Prefectural Office Observatory. The Prefectural Office Observatory is located on the top floor of the Nara Prefectural Government Office and is open to the general public for free. So everyone can enter.

The Todai-ji Temple is located in the city of Nara and is one of the largest wooden structures in the world. It is also one of Japan’s largest temples. Its history can be traced back to the Nara period when it was ordered to be built by Emperor Shomu. The temple was originally named Kokubun-ji but was later changed to its current name, Todai-ji. Todai-ji is famous for its Daibutsuden, which houses a colossal bronze Buddha statue. This statue stands approximately 15 meters tall and weighs around 500 tons, making it the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world.

Kishiki Shrine is a small shrine that we pass by on our way to Kishiwada Castle, but it seems a bit special, so let’s go in and take a look~ Kishiki Shrine is the guardian deity of the castle and also one of the locations for the Kishiwada Danjiri Festival.

If you have the chance, don’t miss the passionate Kishiwada Danjiri Festival! Its true name is Danjiri Festival (Japanese: だんじり祭) and it takes place every September in the Osaka Senshu area. It is one of the most famous festivals in the area. Each town in Osaka Senshu holds its own Danjiri Festival, but each region has its own unique characteristics. Among them, Kishiwada has the largest scale, while Izumiotsu has a more distinctive form.

When I first saw the Kishiwada Castle, it gave me a feeling similar to Himeji Castle. Climbing up to the main tower and looking down, you can see the “Hachijin Garden” created by Mirei Shigemori. This garden holds great artistic and academic value in the history of modern Japanese gardens. Therefore, on October 6, 2014, it was designated as a nationally important scenic spot.

The Moegi House was built in 1903 and was once the residence of the American Consul. The Moegi House is a two-story wooden building with decorative wooden panels on the exterior walls. It is known for its unique bay windows (protruding windows) in two different shapes. It is one of the more popular foreigner houses in the Kitano area (Ijin referring to foreigners).

If you have already seen the Great Buddha of Nara’s Todai-ji Temple, then you might not be interested in this Hyogo Great Buddha. Well…yes, if I say this is the Hyogo Great Buddha, would anyone believe it? This is a statue of Taira no Kiyomori, but it lacks the solemn and dignified feeling and instead has a touch of amusement. This statue of Taira no Kiyomori is located on the way from the subway station to the direction of the Great Buddha in Shinkawa Canal. Along the way, you will pass by…

The Arima Onsen area is quite suitable for taking a leisurely stroll. When I came during the maple season before, I was in a rush and could only take a quick look. This time, I have more time to explore deeper.

The Kobe Kitano area used to have many foreigners living here, so it has preserved some old houses with European and American styles. That’s why the foreigner houses in this area are also called Kitano Ijinkan. “Ijinkan” refers to foreigners in this area. The most common ones are the Moegi House and the Weathercock House. The Weathercock House was built by Mr. G. Thomas, a German businessman who used to live in Kobe. It is the only building with brick walls, and the wind vane on the spire is a familiar feature. It has now become an indispensable symbolic landmark of Kitano-cho.