art
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Nikko Taiyuin Tokugawa Mausoleum | Delicate and beautiful architecture
The grave of the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu is located in Nikko. It is a colorful temple with beautiful details in the woodwork and quiet surroundings, and very much worth checking out.
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Mito City, Ibaraki | Rich natural and urban attractions
Mito is a city northeast of Tokyo that is a 1.25-hour train ride away. The city is most famous for the Kairaku-en garden, which hosts an amazing plum blossom festival in early spring. You can also enjoy historical sites.
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Hakone | A vast natural environment developed by Hakone Volcano
Famous for hot springs, outdoor activities, natural beauty, and the view of nearby Mt Fuji, Hakone is a popular destination for a day trip from Tokyo.
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Naha | An enjoyable trip to Okinawa starts here!
Naha is usually the first place tourists see in Okinawa after touching down in the archipelago. It’s a great place to spend a day or 3, so what is there to see and do there?
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Origami | Delicate and beautiful art for everyone to enjoy
Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper without using scissors or glue to create shapes that can be seen as paper sculptures. Learn more about this beautiful art!
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Nara National Museum | An overwhelming array of exhibits
Nara National Museum is located in Nara Park where you can also see famous temples such as Todaiji Temple and Kohukuji. The museum exhibits mainly Buddhist art.
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Kofukuji Temple, Nara | The largest number of national treasure statues in Japan
The Kofukuji Temple was moved to its current location in Nara from Kyoto in 710, the year when the capital was moved to Nara. The pagodas and the museum are worth a visit.
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Tofukuji Temple, Kyoto | Beautiful Flowers and Gardens
One of my favorite Zen temples is the Tofukuji temple located in the east of Kyoto city. What makes this temple very special are its magnificent landscapes of maple trees and cherry blossoms.
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Ginkakuji Temple, Kyoto | Beautiful gardens and rustic beauty
Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) was constructed by a shogun from the 15th century. You can still see his quest for beauty in the Ginkakuji, even after 500 years.
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Kabuki | A comprehensive art form of Japanese tradition
Kabuki theater is a popular performance art that you can only see in Japan. It is performed by only male actors, and traditionally the trade has mainly been inherited by sons from their fathers.
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Japanese Tanka Poetry | Beautiful Japanese Music
Tanka is uniquely Japanese poetry that was perfected at the beginning of the seventh century.