Houkokuji Temple, Kamakura
This is the Houkokuji Temple in Kamakura. Due to its famous bamboo garden, it is sometimes called Bamboo temple. There is a tea house that you can enjoy matcha tea time in the middle of bamboo garden. There you can relax on the serene atmosphere of the garden.
NishijinTextile Center, Kyoto
The Nishijin Textile Center is the central sight in Kyoto’s traditional weaving district, Nishijin. Worth a visit to learn about how kimonos are made. If your timing is right, you might catch a kimono fashion show – in which a series of kimono are modeled by some models on stage.
Matsue Castle, Shimane Pref.
All season of Matsue Castle in Shimane Pref. looks really attractive!
Jindaiji Soba in Yusui
Soba is a type of noodle made from buckwheat. There are probably over 20 soba restaurants around Jindaiji. Yusui(湧水) is one of them, the name of restaurant means “spring water”, so that reminds us soba plate made from clear tasty water. They certainly has excellent soba, handmade on the premises each morning.
Lake Biwa, Shiga Pref.
Lake Biwa, in Shiga Pref. is the largest lake in Japan. Is also said to be one of the oldest in the world, dating back some 5 to 6 million years. All the usual lake activities can be found there, like canoeing etc. The lake is also the place where they hold the national school rowing boats competition. Surrounded by mountains, Lake Biwa has long been known as a place of beautiful scenery with green mountains and crystal-clear water, and is featured in many poems and paintings.