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Sakura season: Where to view cherry blossoms in Japan

  • March 03, 2017
  • Travel

(CNN)For just a few weeks every spring, Japan celebrates an annual ritual known as hanami.

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    Nara Park features more than 1,500 cherry trees.Ueno Park, Tokyo. Walking into an oil painting? The fragrant wisteria tunnel, the most stunning display at the Kawachi Fuji Garden, makes it possible. lt;br /gt;With flowering vines overhead, the walkway is said to inspire a zen-like calm in visitors. lt;br /gt;The garden displays about 150 wisteria plants of 20 different species. lt;br /gt;It hosts the annual Wisteria Festival at the end of April, when the flowers are in full bloom.lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://japan-magazine.jnto.go.jp/en/1502_wisteria.htmlquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Kawachi Fuji Gardenlt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, 2-2-48 Kawachi, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan; +81 936 52 0334lt;/emgt;The hike to Happo pond from Hakuba -- a village known for its winter skiing amid the mountains of Nagano Prefecture -- is a classic trail in the Japanese Alps. lt;br /gt;Surrounded by the Hakuba Peaks, the pond is 2,060 meters above sea level. lt;br /gt;What the pond lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty, reflecting the 3,000 meter tall peaks in its quiet waters.lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://www.hakuba-happo.or.jp/quot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Hakuba Happo-one Nature Study Traillt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, Hakuba Happo-one Sky Resort, Hakuba, Nagano, Japan; +81 261 72 3066lt;/emgt;The 123 Torii gates stretches from the Motonosumi-Inari Shrine to the cliff overlooking the ocean.lt;br /gt;Motonosumi-Inari is a popular shrine where locals wish for success.lt;br /gt;The final Toriis donation box is placed out of reach at the top of the gate. Its believed that if you can successfully toss money into the box, all your wishes will come true.lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://www.nanavi.jp/page/detail.php?id=310quot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Motonosumi-Onari Shrinelt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, 498 Yuyatsuo, Nagato, Yamaguchi, Japan; +81 837 23 1137lt;/emgt;Nachi Falls, at 133-meters high, is the biggest waterfall in Japan. lt;br /gt;It steals some of the attention from Kumano Nachi Taishai, a sacred shrine built close by.lt;br /gt;Its usually the last stop of the scenic pilgrimage known as Kumano Kodo. lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;https://www.wakayama-kanko.or.jp/world/english/things/history/list01/detail011.htmlquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Nachi Fallslt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, Nachikatsuura, Wakayama, Japanlt;/emgt;With 15 slopes and 12 courses, Zao Onsen is one of the most well known ski resorts in Japan. lt;br /gt;But travelers come to Zao not only for the snow-capped mountain but the trees.lt;br /gt;Extreme snow and seasonal winds cocoon the mountains pine trees during the coldest winter months, creating snow towers in obscure forms known as quot;ice monstersquot; or Juhyo in Japanese.lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://www.zao-spa.or.jp/english/index.htmlquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Zao onsen ski resortlt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, Yamagata, Japan; +81 23 694 9328lt;/emgt;For those who dont enjoy hiking, this cable car can carry 101 passengers at a time to the top of the 1,375-meter-high Mt. Tsurumi in 10 minutes. lt;br /gt;From the top, theres a view of Beppu, Mount Yufu and Kuju Mountain Range. lt;br /gt;The best time to ride up is during spring when more than 2,000 cherry trees blossom on the mountain.lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://edition.cnn.com/2014/02/02/travel/japan-beppu-springs/quot;gt;MORE: The 8 fiery hells of Beppu, Japans hot spring capitallt;/agt;lt;br /gt;lt;emgt;lt;a href=quot;http://www.beppu-ropeway.co.jp/quot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Kintetsu Beppu Ropewaylt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, Oaza Minami Samuhara 10-7, Beppu, Oita, Japan; +81 977 22 2278lt;/emgt;Kintetsu Beppu Ropeway (Oita) – For those who don’t enjoy hiking, this cable car can carry 101 passengers at a time to the top of the 1,375-meter-high Mt. Tsurumi in 10 minutes.
    From the top, there’s a view of Beppu, Mount Yufu and Kuju Mountain Range.
    The best time to ride up is during spring when more than 2,000 cherry trees blossom on the mountain.
    MORE: The 8 fiery ‘hells’ of Beppu, Japan’s hot spring capital
    Kintetsu Beppu Ropeway, Oaza Minami Samuhara 10-7, Beppu, Oita, Japan; +81 977 22 2278    Also known as the quot;crow castlequot; because of its black exterior, Matsumoto is Japans oldest wooden castle, constructed more than 400 years ago. lt;br /gt;The years during the castles construction were marked by near-constant military conflict. Rather than focusing on residential comforts, the castle is fortified with extensive interconnecting walls, moats and gatehouses.lt;a href=quot;http://www.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp/multilingual/english/guide/City_Highlight/CityHighlight.htmlquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;Matsumoto Castlelt;emgt;lt;/agt;lt;/emgt;, 4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan; +81 263 32 2902lt;/emgt;Hayao Miyazaki fans will find this forest familiar.lt;br /gt;Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge lt;a href=quot;http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/04/travel/enchanting-ancient-forests-japan-yakushima/quot;gt;inspires Studio Ghiblis fantasy animation quot;Princess Mononoke.quot;lt;/agt; lt;br /gt;The otherworldly nature park on Yakushima Island offers a network of maintained hiking trails along the ravine. lt;br /gt;From historic tracks built in the Edo period to developed footpaths paved in stone and wood, the circuits range from one to five hours long, varying in difficulty. lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://japan-magazine.jnto.go.jp/en/1503_yakushima.htmlquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorgelt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, Yakushima Island, Kagoshimalt;/emgt;lt;emgt;, Japanlt;/emgt;Fall at Mt. Hiuchi brings out spectacular colors on Koya Pond.lt;br /gt;The shallow and marshy water covered with vegetation changes colors -- into red, orange, yellow and green -- like the forest around it.lt;br /gt;On the edge of the pond, Kouyaike Hutte provides beds and kitchen facilities if you need a rest on you hike up the 2,462-meter-tall mountain.lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://www.myoko.tv/kouyaike/index.htmlquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Kouya Pondlt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, Mt. Hiuchi, Niigata, Japan; +81 255 86 3911lt;/emgt;On the fourth Sunday of May, Motsuji Temple invites poetry lovers to write by the stream of the temples garden pond. lt;br /gt;As they compose their verses, cups of sake float to them -- to help the float of inspiration, we assume. lt;br /gt;The event is concluded with the master of ceremonies reading each poem aloud.lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/17/travel/tohoku-natural-attractions/quot;gt;MORE: Tohoku travel: Beautiful scenes from Japans most underrated regionlt;/agt;lt;br /gt;lt;emgt;lt;a href=quot;http://www.motsuji.or.jp/english/matsuri/data03.htmlquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Motsu-ji Templelt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, 58 Osawa, Hiraizumi, Iwate, Japan; +81 191 46 2331lt;/emgt;Also known as quot;baby blue eyes,quot; more than four million nemophilas bloom from late April to May in Hitachi Seaside Park, the public park on Miharashi Hill.lt;br /gt;The Nemophila Harmony is the highlight of parks flowering events. lt;br /gt;The 190-hectare park constantly changes color with the seasons. During the transition into fall, puffy kochia shrubs turn from vibrant green to fiery red.lt;a href=quot;http://en.hitachikaihin.jp/quot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;Hitachi Seaside Parklt;emgt;lt;/agt;lt;/emgt;, 605-4 Onuma-aza, Mawatari, Hitachinaka, Ibarakilt;/emgt;lt;emgt;, Japanlt;/emgt;lt;emgt;; +81 29 265 9001lt;/emgt;Considered one of the worlds most beautiful forests, its not just tranquil visually but also aurally. lt;br /gt;The bamboo grove is beloved for its distinct rustling sound, so much that Japans Ministry of Environment included the lt;a href=quot;http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/11/travel/sagano-bamboo-forest/quot;gt;Sagano Bamboo Forestlt;/agt; on its list of quot;100 Soundscapes of Japan.quot; lt;br /gt;The towering green stalks creak eerily while leaves rustle in the sway of the wind.lt;a href=quot;http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/11/travel/sagano-bamboo-forest/quot;gt;lt;br /gt;MORE: Exploring Kyotos Sagano Bamboo Forestlt;/agt;lt;br /gt;lt;emgt;Sagano Bamboo Forest, Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japanlt;/emgt;Hundreds of buoyed candles float in Otaru Canal every February in Otaru, during the Snow Light Path Festival. lt;br /gt;For 10 days, lanterns and snow statues for 10 days adorn the Hokkaido city. lt;br /gt;Lined with restored warehouses and gas lamps, Unga Kaijo -- the area around the canal -- is the prime spot to enjoy the festival. lt;a href=quot;http://yukiakarinomichi.org/?page_id=2180quot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;Unga Kaijolt;emgt;lt;/agt;lt;/emgt;, Otaru, Hokaaidolt;/emgt;lt;emgt;, Japanlt;/emgt;lt;emgt;; +81 134 32 4111lt;/emgt;Originally built in the 8th century, Usa Shine is the most important of thousands of shrines dedicated to Hachiman, the god of archery and war. lt;br /gt;After getting a fortune paper (omikuji) -- hopefully a daikichi (exceptionally lucky) one, visitors can enjoy a local specialty called negiyaki, or green onion pancake, in the shrine area. lt;a href=quot;http://www.usajinguu.com/quot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;Usa Shrinelt;emgt;lt;/agt;lt;/emgt;, 2859 Minami-Usa, Usa, Oita, Japan; +81 978 37 0001lt;/emgt;Mt. Daisen looks vastly different depending on which side of the mountain its viewed from. lt;br /gt;The 1,709-meter-tall volcanic mountain has been regarded as sacred since the ancient Jomon and Yayoi eras. lt;br /gt;Because of its importance, climbing was strictly prohibited until the Edo period about 200 years ago.lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/10/travel/japan-mountain-day/quot;gt;MORE: Japans most beautiful mountainslt;/agt;lt;br /gt;lt;emgt;lt;a href=quot;http://en.go-to-japan.jp/daisenguide/mtdaisen/quot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Daisenlt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, 40-33, Daisen-cho, Saihaku, Tottori, Japan; +81 859 52 2502lt;/emgt;Yes, theres a desert on Japans islands. lt;br /gt;The Tottori Sand Dunes span 16 kilometers long and two kilometers wide and are the only large sand hills in Japan. lt;br /gt;The dunes are a blend of sand and volcanic ash mixed over a period of almost 100,000 years then shaped by winds from the Sea of Japan.lt;br /gt;Part of the Sanin Kaigan Geopark, they can be experienced via camel rides, dune buggies and sandboarding.lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://sanin-geo.jp/en/index_en.htmlquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Sanin Kaigan Geoparklt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, Tottori Sand Dunes, Tottori, Japan; +81 796 26 3783lt;/emgt;Believed to be the boundary between the spirit and human worlds, the Otoriis vermilion color is said to keep evil spirits away. lt;br /gt;Its possible to walk to it on the sand bar during low tide and enjoy the view of Mount Misen behind the gate. lt;br /gt;At high tide, the 16-meter-high Torii appears to float on the water. lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/18/travel/hiroshima-shimanami-kaido-cycling/quot;gt;MORE: Japans Shimanami Kaido: One of the worlds most incredible bike routeslt;/agt;lt;br /gt;lt;emgt;lt;a href=quot;http://visit-miyajima-japan.com/en/culture-and-heritage/spiritual-heritage-temples-shrines/le-torii-flottant.htmlquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Itsukushima Shrinelt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, 1-1 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, Japan; +81 829 44 2020lt;/emgt;Farm Tomita has three lavender fields: Lavender East, Sakiwai Field and the Traditional Lavender Garden. lt;br /gt;Sakiwai Field, meaning quot;happiness field,quot; has four types of lavender growing in rows, creating a gradient of purple with the rainbow colors of Autumn Field, Spring Field and Hanabito Field as background. lt;br /gt;Still not enough lavender? Try the farms lavender ice cream.lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://www.farm-tomita.co.jp/quot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Farm Tomitalt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, 15 Nakafurano Kisen Kita, Nakafurano, Sorachi, Hokkaido, Japan; +81 167 39 3939lt;/emgt;Lavender farm (Hokkaido) – Farm Tomita has three lavender fields: Lavender East, Sakiwai Field and the Traditional Lavender Garden.
    Sakiwai Field, meaning “happiness field,” has four types of lavender growing in rows, creating a gradient of purple with the rainbow colors of Autumn Field, Spring Field and Hanabito Field as background.
    Still not enough lavender? Try the farm’s lavender ice cream.
    Farm Tomita    , 15 Nakafurano Kisen Kita, Nakafurano, Sorachi, Hokkaido, Japan; +81 167 39 3939    Even in winters that plummet well below freezing point, Lake Toya never ices over. lt;br /gt;The near-circular lake is the remains of a volcanic eruption that hollowed out the ground. lt;br /gt;Mount Usu lies on the southern rim of the lake and Nakajima Island sits at the center.lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://www.toyako-vc.jp/en/quot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Shikotsu-Toya National Parklt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, Toyako, Hokkaido, Japan; +81 142 75 2555lt;/emgt;Located in the Suzuka mountain range, Saimyoji Temple is one of a trio of ancient Tendai Buddism temples in eastern Shiga, also known as quot;Koto Sanzan.quot; lt;br /gt;The temple is renowned for the beautiful red and orange leaves that surround it in the fall and long blooming cherry trees.lt;a href=quot;http://www.saimyouji.com/quot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;Saimyoji Templelt;emgt;lt;/agt;lt;/emgt;, 26, Ikedera, Inukami, Shiga, Japan; +81 749 38 4008lt;/emgt;Gokayama is one of the lt;a href=quot;http://edition.cnn.com/2014/09/07/travel/great-towns-architecture/quot;gt;greatest towns for architecture buffs in the worldlt;/agt;.lt;br /gt;The oldest traditional lt;emgt;gassho lt;/emgt;style house in Ainokura is said to be about 400 years old. lt;br /gt;Part of the UNESCO-designated area of Gokyama, the village preserves an architectural design that dates back hundreds of years.lt;br /gt;The steep triangular thatched roofs were built without the use of nails and are designed to prevent snow buildup. lt;br /gt;lt;emgt;lt;a href=quot;http://www.g-ainokura.com/quot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Ainokuralt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, Taira, Gokayama, Toyama, Japan; +81 763 66 2123 (website in Japanese only)lt;/emgt;Some 300 whooper swans migrate to Lake Kussharo every winter.lt;br /gt;Geothermal springs prevent ice from forming along its sandy shores despite most of the water surface freezing. lt;br /gt;Reported sightings of a lake monster, dubbed Kusshii by the media, since 1973 earned Kussharo a reputation as Japans Loch Ness.lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://kam-kankouken.jp/tourism/en/masyu/special/333.htmlquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Lake Kussharolt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, Hokkaido, Japanlt;/emgt;Ini has more than 320 terraced rice paddies. The oldest stone terrace dates back about 500 years. lt;br /gt;Using only pure natural water from mountain valleys, Ini Tanadas rice is particularly favored for its rich fragrance and taste. lt;br /gt;The town regularly holds a rice planting event on its terraces to pass on traditional farming methods.lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://www.akioota-navi.jp/en/attraction.htmlquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Ini Tanadalt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, Yamagata, Hiroshima, Japan; +81 826 28 1800lt;/emgt;Frequently called the quot;White Egretquot; or quot;White Heronquot; castle because of its white exterior and resemblance to a bird taking flight, Himejilt;br /gt;is made up of 83 buildings.lt;br /gt;The 17th century castle is equipped with heavy defense systems. lt;br /gt;It featured extensively in Hollywood and Japanese films, making a prominent appearance in the James Bond movie quot;You Only Live Twicequot; starring Sean Connery.lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/guide/castle/quot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Himeji Castlelt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, 68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo, Japan; +81 79 221 2111lt;/emgt;The steaming springs set in a snowy mountain may be scenic, but travelers come here to see something else -- the hot spring monkeys.lt;br /gt;Some 200 Japanese macaque monkeys live in Jigokudani -- which translates to quot;hell valleyquot; -- where the rough cliffs and onsens are covered in snow for a third of the year. lt;br /gt;The monkeys bathe at the main onsen of the park in winter without a care for observers. lt;br /gt;Anyone jealous of the monkeys lazy ways can head over to Korakukan Ryokan for their own thermal soak.lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/english/html/top_e.htmquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Snow Monkey Parklt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, 6845 Yamanouchi, Nagano, Japan; +81 269 33 4379lt;/emgt;Revered as a ski resort town in the northern Japanese Alps, Hakuba is equally appealing during the summer. The hike up to Happo Pond is among the most scenic trails in the country. lt;emgt;lt;a href=quot;http://www.hakubatourism.jp/quot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;lt;br /gt;Hakuba villagelt;emgt;lt;/emgt;lt;/agt;, Kitaazumi District, Naganolt;/emgt;lt;emgt;, Japanlt;/emgt;lt;emgt;; +81 261 72 7100lt;/emgt;The Adachi gardens, a part of Adachi Museum of Art, are said to be a quot;living Japanese paintingquot; and one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. lt;br /gt;Adachi Zenko founded the museum in 1980 to combine his passion for Japanese art and gardening.lt;br /gt;lt;emgt;lt;a href=quot;https://www.adachi-museum.or.jp/enquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Adachi Museum of Artlt;emgt;lt;/agt;lt;/emgt;, 320 Furukawa-cho, Yasugi, Shimanelt;/emgt;lt;emgt;, Japanlt;/emgt;lt;emgt;; +81 0854 28 7111lt;/emgt;One of the most scenic spots in the bay of Wakasa, the Big Gate and Little Gate of the Sotomo Arch were holes on rock carved by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan. lt;br /gt;With some careful maneuvering, its possible to climb into the Little Gate. An excursion ship, which departs from the Wakasa Fishermens Wharf, offers rides to view the rock formation.lt;a href=quot;http://www.fuku-e.com/lang/english/places/nature.htmlquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;Sotomo Archlt;emgt;lt;/agt;lt;/emgt;, Obama City, Fukui, Japanlt;/emgt;With Mount Fuji in the background, some 800,000 stalks of shibazakura or quot;moss phloxquot; cover 2.4 hectares of land in a carpet of pink, white and purple. Thousands travel to the Fuji Five Lakes area for the festival celebrating the flowers first bloom, which runs April 18 to May 31 this year.lt;emgt;lt;a href=quot;http://www.shibazakura.jp/eng/quot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;lt;br /gt;Fuji Shibazakura Festivallt;emgt;lt;/emgt;lt;/agt;, 212 Motusu, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashilt;/emgt;lt;emgt;, Japanlt;/emgt;lt;emgt;; +81 555 89 3031lt;/emgt;The Japanese style landscape garden features small ponds, streams, shrines and a bamboo grove. lt;br /gt;Set along the coast north of downtown Kagoshima, visitors can look out at Sakurajima volcano and Kagoshima Bay. lt;br /gt;The garden dates back to 1658, during Japans Edo period.lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;lt;a href=quot;http://www.senganen.jp/en/senganen/index.htmlquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;Sengan-enlt;/emgt;lt;/agt;lt;emgt;, 9700-1 Yoshinocho, Kagoshima, Japan; +81 99 247 1551lt;/emgt;Covered in gold leaf, Kinkaku-ji or the Golden Pavilion, is arguably Kyotos most famed attraction.lt;a href=quot;http://www.shokoku-ji.jp/k_access.htmlquot; target=quot;_blankquot;gt;lt;emgt;lt;br /gt;Kinkaku-jilt;emgt;lt;/agt;lt;/emgt;, 1 Kinkakujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, Japan; +81 75 461 0013lt;/emgt;Its easy to see why this stunning Iwate prefecture beach was named quot;Jodogahama,quot; or Pure Land. Located in Rikuchu Kaigan National Park, its one of Japans nationally designated places of scenic beauty. This pretty waterfall, fed by year-round snow on Mt. Chokai, remains chilly even during the warmer seasons. Its located in Akita prefecture in Japans Tohoku region. lt;a href=quot;http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/06/travel/japan-kumano-kodo-hike/quot;gt;Kumano Kodolt;/agt;, as seen here from the famous Hyakken-gura viewpoint, is a network of seven pilgrimage routes. Its one of only two UNESCO-listed pilgrimages in the world. Find out how to tackle lt;a href=quot;http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/06/travel/japan-kumano-kodo-hike/quot;gt;Kumano Kodo herelt;/agt;.beautiful japan Kawachi Wisteriabeautiful japan Happo Pond Naganobeautiful japan Motonosumi inari ShrineKumano kodo 21beautiful japan Zao Onsen ski resortbeautiful japan Kintetsu Beppu Ropeway Oitabeautiful japan Matsumoto Castlebeautiful japan Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorgebeautiful japan Koya Pondbeautiful japan Poetry Reading Motsu-ji Templebeautiful japan Hitachi Seaside Parkbeauitful japan Saganobeautiful japan Otaru Snow Light Path Festivalbeautiful japan Usa Shrine Oita-prefecturebeautiful japan Mt Daisen Tottorijapan tottori sand dunes 2beautiful japan Miyajima in Hiroshimabeautiful japan Lavendarbeautiful japan Lake Toya-kobeautiful japan Saimyo-ji Temple Lake Biwa Shigabeautiful japan Gokayamabeautiful japan Kawayu swansbeautiful japan Ini Rice Terrace Aki Ota Townbeautiful japan Himeji Castlebeautiful japan Snow Monkey Parkbeautiful japan Aoni Area Hakuba villagebeautiful japan Adachi Museumbeautiful japan Sotomo Archbeautiful japan Fuji Shibazakura Festival Yamanashibeautiful japan Senganen Garden Mt. Sakurajima viewjapan kyoto templeTohoku Jodogahama BeachMototaki Waterfall Akitajapan mountain day kumano kodo

    Chris Dwyer is a Hong Kong-based food and travel writer and communications consultant. Follow him on Twitter at @chrismdwyer or visit www.finefooddude.com.

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