Wakanoura bay, in Wakayama is a good choice for escaping to a less-known part of the Kansai area with rich scenic beauty, praised in the oldest Japanese poems.
Wakanoura Bay/ Wakayama
Kimii-dera Temple/ Wakayama
An impressive temple with golden Buddhas, located in Wakayama is famous for its early bloom cherry blossoms, and the magnificent view of the Wakanoura Bay.
Nonomiya-jinja Shrine/ Kyoto
A small shrine with a unique black torii-gate has a great reputation for women. It will be an interesting stop along the Arashiyama bamboo grove walking path.
Imai-cho Preservation District/ Nara
A well-preserved historical district, a temple town of Shonen-ji with 500 traditional Edo houses laid out in a 2 km grid, is located in Kashiwara city, Nara.
Saiho-ji Temple/ Kyoto
Saiho-ji Temple, commonly known as Koke-dera in the Arashiyama area offers a stunning Japanese garden. It’s hard to believe that moss can be a reason to visit.
Hoshida-Enchi Park/ Osaka
A national park with the largest wooden foot bridge in Japan, to look out a panoramic view, is located in the east side of Osaka for a day hike or a picnic.
Mt. Hiei 1day highlight trip
Mt. Hiei, Kyoto’s eastern mountain range is known for Enryaku-ji. It’s a decent 1day trip out of Kyoto to enjoy gardens, temples and shrines, and hiking trails.
Former Chikurin-in Temple/ Shiga
Former Chikurin-in Temple, located at the foot of Mt. Hiei in Shiga, originally a villa of Enryaku-ji monks, is famous for its huge and beautiful garden.
Kyoto Uji 1day highlight trip
Uji is a suburb of Kyoto well known as the capital of Japanese green tea, located on the banks of the Uji-gawa River. It’s a decent 1day trip out of Kyoto.
Gion Matsuri, Kyoto/ Japan’s three best festivals「日本三大祭り」
The highlight of Gion Matsuri festival is the “Yamaboko Junko” parade. Massive floats are pulled through the narrow, winding streets of Kyoto. See the schedule.
Yoshino-Jingu Shrine 「吉野神宮」/ Nara
Yoshino-Jingu, located on Mt. Yoshino, the highest sanctity, a tribute from one emperor to another, to offer a taste of Japanese history and a commanding view.