The top secret sightseeing spots in Japan
On a first trip to Japan in particular, many visitors will enter and exit the country through the capital city of Tokyo, and may not get the chance to venture very far from the main cities in the country.
If you do have the time however, there are a huge number of under visited and under explored areas of this amazing country.
For anyone who wants to get out of the typical tourist areas, here are some of the top secret sightseeing spots in Japan…
1. Cat Island
The island of Tashirojima is also known as Cat Island, and as you would expect, there are actually more of the furry creatures here than there are people. The cats here are said to represent good luck and prosperity, so with that in mind they generally roam freely over the island and are not kept as pets, which would be considered unlucky. The locals here give food to the cats to keep them plump and healthy, and dogs are banned from the island in order to keep the animals safe.
2. Ryusendo
Ryusendo is found in Iwate and is the name of a natural limestone cave that is a little known attraction here. The cave is actually a national monument in Japan, but despite this many people don’t make the trip out here to see it. The cave is gorgeous thanks to its rugged beauty, but it is not the only reason to come here. Located inside the cave is a series of lake that are known for their stunning bright green hue. One of the lakes that flow through the area is famous for being the deepest in Japan, and these are also some of the clearest waterways you will find in the entire country.
3. Wisteria Tunnel
For a truly spectacular attraction that not every visitor to Japan gets to see, head to the Kawachi Fuji Gardens located in Kitakyushu where you will find the peerless Wisteria Tunnel. Wisteria is actually a kind of vine, and with that in mind it is the perfect climbing foliage and has been crafted so that it creates a beautiful natural tunnel that is covered in ornate purple flowers. The best time to visit the tunnel is in April or May when the flowers are in full bloom.
4. Lake Nishinoko
The biggest lake in Japan is called Lake Biwa and is often one of the most visited sites for tourists who want to commune with nature. Less visited however, is one of the outlets of Lake Biwa, which is known as Lake Nishinoko, which is one sight that is truly not to be missed if you are in the area. The lake is located on wetlands that are made up of reeds, and as a result you will find a huge array of wildlife here including resident birds that call the gently swaying reeds home. The lake is much quieter than Lake Biwa and many who make the trip here actually say that it is the more beautiful of the two.
5. Zao Fox Village
The Zao Fox Village is located at the base of the more famous Mount Zao in Shiroishi. The village is so named because of the fox population that lives here, and although the foxes are considered feral, they are also familiar with visitors. There are around 100 foxes in the village that are made up of six distinct species, and you can find arctic foxes, platinum foxes, and red foxes here. The village is also a sanctuary for the foxes, and so they are allowed to roam free in the area but are not strictly wild, and you will know you are entering the foxes’ lair when you pass the torii gates at the entrance of the village. The animals are considered by the locals to be symbols of good luck and foxes are also closely associated with the Japanese Shinto god Inari.
6. Takeda Castle
If you want to see a gorgeous castle that looks like it is floating in the air then you need to come to Takeda Castle in Hyogo. The castle has the nickname ‘The Castle in the Sky’ and with good reason, as it is sits on a hill in Hyogo and often appears as if it is floating. If you approach the castle in the morning, then it is usually surrounded by fluffy clouds, and some people have even made comparisons with the castle and Machu Picchu in Peru. You can easily get to the castle from Kyoto, so if you are in this part of Japan it is well worth the effort. In terms of the weather, September until December is widely considered the best time to visit, as this is when you will find the best conditions to enjoy the clouds and castle.
Comments