4.0Sendaijo Ato(1.045 reviews) - Samurais All Over Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Castles
This was a fun place to visit. The shrine was neat and the statue was great! The first time we went there, there were samurai's there to take pictures with but the 2nd time we went, they weren't there. I'm not sure why one day they were there and one day they weren't.See more..
Special Historical Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty The garden represents the Pure Land Buddhist world and beauty of Japan. The temple garden of Motsu-ji has been doubly recognized as a Special Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty, a tribute to its extraordinary cultural value. The temple itself, like Chuson-ji, is said to have been established in 850 by Ennin (Jikaku Daishi, third head abbot of the Tendai sect.) Building began here in the twelfth century, during the time of Fujiwara no Motohira, and was completed by his son, Hidehira. At its peak, Motsu-ji was home to more than forty halls and pagodas, and more than five hundred monks' quarters. Its main hall, Enryu-ji, was considered "without peer in all the land" by medieval sources. The garden is centered on a pond known as Oizumigaike, an exemplar of the elegance of Heian era gardening technique.See more..
4.0Sazaedo(360 reviews) - Visited this 20 times over the years, always fun Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
This building is a national treasure of Japan. It is a small temple which is built as a wooden tower structure which, essentially, contains solely a double-helix staircase (one of only a few in the world). You pay a ~500 yen entrance fee and may then donate a few yen at the entrance. Then, you can enter this building and go up the double-helix on one staircase, cross over at the highest point to the second staircase and go down, effectively on the roof of the staircase which you used to ascend. There are several crossover points (openings) between the formerly mentioned two staircases in the central axle of the building where kids and smaller adults can squeeze through in-between huge wooden beams. Altogether experiencing the geometry of the building is fun. One hears the steps of other visitors on the wooden planks of the building. There are several works of art in niches along the visitor's way.See more..
4.0Godaido(336 reviews) - Easy Access to a Small Temple Hall Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Godaido Hall stands just northeast of the pier and is worth stopping by. A lovely (if somewhat precarious as the handrails are rotting away) bridge connects the small island to the shore. The hall itself stands proudly overlooking the bay. There is a small shop selling souvenirs and trinkets just landside of the bridge.See more..
4.0Sankyo Soko Storehouse(328 reviews) - Great to wander around and soak up atmosphere Thursday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Museum is very small but lively area to visit and lovely gift shops. Lots of nice photo opportunities and if you are an artist great for drawing See more..
4.5Mt. Haguro(311 reviews) - Tiring but peaceful hike (2D1N Haguro-san, Gassan and Yudono-san) Historic Sites • Mountains • Points of Interest & Landmarks
I took a bus from the front of Tsuruoka station. My initial intention was to climb up the legendary 2466 steps all the way to the top from the 羽黒センター. However, the route up was snow laden and thusly in my own opinion, treacherous. Yes snow, you hear me right. It was spring and there was snow. In view of that and my fondness for self preservation, I took the easy way up - bus. Saikan is a simple temple lodging surrounded by woods and sits on the edge of the mountain. Guess what, I was the only guest there. I spent my entire time in my room (no key, no lock, just sliding door) infront of the heater (portable type). I came to Japan with clothes meant for Spring. The whole structure of the lodging is typically Japanese, wooden. With planks covered with tatami for flooring, windows that works like sliding doors thus the cold seeped through the tiny slits. Even the journey from my room to the common toilet was a feat with the cold wind escaping into the lodging thru the cracks. When night came, I fell asleep with the sound of the wind howling & rattling on my window panes. It snowed during my slumber. I have nvr experience snowfall in my life (my country is in the Equator). I opened my eyes, and before me, snowfall. It was the most beautiful sight. I would gladly do this again even with the cold and exhorbitant bus fare.See more..
4.0Osaki Hachiman Shrine(299 reviews) - Highly recommended Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Beautiful Japanese gardens and old temple buildings. Excellent for photography. No bathrooms or food available: it is a working shrine.See more..
4.0Iwate Park (Koen)(264 reviews) - stunning veiw of autumn Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Parks
We stay at morioka during 2-3 november 2014 .we catched the bus couterclockwise to morioka park ,intend to see the autumn color and castle ruins.And it's not disappoint me to go there, it's very beautiful place .trees chang color leaves to red,yellow ,orange and the ground is full of red momiji leaves ,yellow ginko leaves.we use 3.5 hours to take photo in the park. there's no entrance fee.See more..
The Pagoda on Haguro-san is definitely worth visiting. You climb down stone steps through beautiful old trees, over a red bridge and then, when you see the building through the trees it is a moment to remember. Up close, the Pagoda is really amazing. Built without nails, it stands in the trees and looks like a part of the forest. Even in spring, there is a lot of snow, so make sure you are wearing sturdy footwear. The snow becomes tricky to navigate, and I crashed through the surface of it a couple of times. The air is cool in the trees, so a warm jacket is a good idea too. The Pagoda and its surrounding area is my favourite thing to visit in the area and I often bring friends and visitors here. Everyone is impressed with how beautiful and unspoiled the area is. If you chose not to climb to the top of the mountain, take your time climbing back to the gate. The steps are small and the air is a little thinner. There are no handrails either. In summer it can be quite busy.See more..
4.0Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum(189 reviews) - Large Collection of Samurai Weapons and Armor Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • History Museums
The Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum is an impressive complex of buildings that depict the Samurai way of life from the 17th through 20th centuries. A wide variety of objects are on display including samurai swords, utensils, clothing, toys, hanging scrolls, pictures and documents. See more..
4.0Aizu Old Samurai Residences(187 reviews) - Fine Example of an Edo period Mansion. Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Aizu Bukeyashiki was the mansion of the top ranked Samurai in Aizu. It is a large complex as it includes housing for his family, employees and servants. It is well worth a visit.See more..
The family visited this site enroute from Sendai to Aomori. There are parking lots available right below the park. The castle building is no longer there but there are remnants of its past like the stone walls and such. It’s interesting to have a slow stroll around the park, especially now that we are nearing the winter season. Some nice pictures can be taken around the castle ruin as well like there is a small bridge right at the centre. From one corner, I could actually see mount awate from a distance.See more..
4.0Shiroishi Castle(166 reviews) - NIce stop Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Castles
Friendly locals on hand, and we could even dress up like samurai for free :) Nice views of the city below.See more..
4.0Ishiguro Samurai House(147 reviews) - ONE OF THE KEY HOUSES Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • History Museums
Ishiguro Samurai Residence The direct descendant family continues to live in this house. This is only samurai residence in Kakunodate town like this. Maintenance and publishing is done by our family. This building keeps livable condition. And the building has not been re-built since it was built in the end of Edo Period, early 19th century. When you see the precious and cultural displayed items, you may be able to feel long history of this house. This is the only Samurai residence in Kakunodate that has a guided tour. The tour guide is provided by our family or staffs. The tour takes about 5 minutes. A guide fee is included admission fee.See more..
4.0The ruins of Nihonmatsu Castle(143 reviews) - Great Japanese castle with stonewalls Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Here is ruin of castle and no main tower. Although you can find structure of Japan castle. Some of Great stone wall is reconstructed and going up the place where main tower was built. From there mountains landscape is excellent. Adatara mt. to Azuma mount range are clear. In front of main gate there is local restaurant Kasumi and they serve good set linch.See more..
Komine castle is One of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan, and in 2007 was designated a National Historic Site.See more..
4.0Takadachi Gikeido(98 reviews) - Dedicated to Yoshisutne Historic Sites
Dedicated to the hero Yoshisutne, what is more to say? A must visit for fans. This place closes at 4 pm which I found out the hard way. Will return to it when I return next year. Don't forget to visit his loyal retainer's grave - Benke - just outside Cho monji.See more..
4.0Old Horikiri House(80 reviews) - Kyu Horikiri-tei Historical Public Space Thursday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Historic Sites
More than just a house, this small property contains several buildings of historical value, flowing hot springs and variety of flowering trees, including a Japanese zelkova which is over 250 years old. You can come with a picnic lunch and enjoy soaking your feet in the hot springs on the property. It hosts many public events including art exhibits, music and theater.See more..
A very nicely preserved home of an upper class. Very spacious and interesting architecture of Japanese home using the verendas. I liked the simple decor that made look elegant and functional. See more..
4.5Hoonji Temple(50 reviews) - I normally find temples boring, but not this one Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • Religious Sites
A bit of a trek to reach this temple but definitely worth the effort. This is a temple with a unique atmosphere, combining tranquility and a certain eeriness in equal measure. The kind elderly volunteer at the temple was also a wealth of information and was amazingly extremely fluent in English.See more..
