Best World Heritage Sites In Kansai

Stunning View Of A World Heritage! Pure White Himeji Castle Above The Cherry BlossomsHimeji Castle

Himeji Castle is the first site registered as a world heritage in Japan. In spring, as many as 1000 trees of Somei Yoshino Cherry bloom around the castle. The purely white Himeji Castle and pale pink cherry blossoms make so beautiful collaboration!

Good Fortune By Mame-maki & Walking Around The Seven Deities! Setsubun-kai At A World Heritage SiteTenryu Temple

Here is not an ordinary Setsubun-kai, people walk around the pagodas of Zen Buddhism and gather the charms of the Seven Deities. There're many people with 'good luck bamboo grass' in their hands at the precinct. The sponsors throw roasted beans (mame-maki) and say 'in with fortune' (huku wa uchi). Let's take in lots of good fortune!

A Phoenix Hall, A World Heritage Floating On The LakeByodoin Temple

A palace built in a small island on the lake. A unique world heritage of gorgeous building that symbolize Fujiwara Sekkan Era. You should see the shrine once that is famous for Japanese coin of 10 yen. Moreover it became brighter after the repair.

Lightened 'Kompon Daito' A Symbol Of A World Heritage 'Koya-san'Danjo Garan

Koya-san is a world heritage and the sacred place for Japan's esoteric Buddhism. Kompon Daito is a beautiful symbol as high as 50m. It stands in the site of Danjo Garan and lightened up at night. The silhouetted figure against the darkness was very impressive.◎The daytime was crowded with many people but we could enjoy the illumination without haste at night. It'll be good for you to stay at an accommodation of temple and walk around Koya-san at night.

The Autumn Scenery Of A World Heritage TempleHouki-ji Temple

Houki-ji (or Hokki-ji) Temple is a famous cosmos spot in Nara. The cosmos spreading at 20 thousand square meters site is very impressive.

Must See Someday! Kinkaku-ji Shining With Pure White SnowKinkakuji Temple

After it snows in Kyoto City, shrines and temples of world heritages can change completely. Especially, winter Kinkaku-ji is so beautiful like this pics! Many people from all over the world come to see this golden pavilion, and sometimes there're a line of people for the snowscape worth visiting in spite of a cold weather!◎If the cold wave comes in Kyoto City and the snow clouds comes at the same time, it's a chance to see Kinkakuji in the snow. (I took these pics on snowy day in 2011 and 2017, I decided to visit by the weather forecast two days before.) You need to leave before the snow melts. Bus is available from Kyoto Station. Leave with time to spare on snowy days.

Be Enchanted by Beautiful Amulets of Shimogamo Shrine, Also Known as Kamo Mizu Shrine, World Cultural Heritage Site Shimogamo Shrine (Kamomioya Shrine)

The amulet at Shimogamo Shrine is said to be extremely beautiful. The most popular amulet, made of delicate openwork lace, has Shimogamo Shrine's divine emblem Futaba Aoi and Wisteria Pattern woven into it, and when held up to the sky, its delicate beauty becomes even more vivid. It is said that if you carry it carefully or display it in a clean room, it will bring you good luck. Please note that the seasonal charm with a snowflake motif is only available during the winter season.

A Passionate Vermillion Shrine As The World HeritageKasuga Taisha Shrine

The main shrine of Kasuga shrines all over Japan. Vivid vermilion building, green trees and gold lanterns, a fantastic and mysterious shrine it is.

A World Heritage Site We Can Meet Deer As A Natural MonumentNara Park

More than 1000 wild deer live in the huge park with lush greenery, and we can meet them freely. Some stands sell Shika Senbei (deer's cracker), and you can feed them, but please beware of so many deer getting together around you!

New Year At A world Heritage! Japan's Greatest Waterfall Lit Up In The DarknessNachi Falls

Nachi Waterfall is proud of the highest drop in Japan as a single waterfall. It's one of the three best waterfalls in Japan, and one element of a World Heritage 'Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range'. It's lit up from New Year's Eve to the dawn of New Year's Day, so you can see the beautiful and mysterious Nachi Waterfall!◎Train and bus are available in daytime, but they may not in service in night-time. Using car is the best way to visit in night-time.

A World Heritage ' Sacred Places In Kii Mountain Country And The Approach To The Shrine'Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine

The building resistered as a national important cultural asset, and the Torii gate is the highest in Japan. Many things worth seeing.

Easy Access To Nara Sta. & World Heritage Sites! A Guest House Popular Among People From AbroadGuest House Nara-komachi

5 minutes walk from Nara Station. And it has an easy access to Kofuku-ji and Todai-ji temples. And more, although it's located the center of the city, it doesn't cost much. Since it started in 2010, people from over 50 countries have stayed here an international guest house.

Lesser Known Place! An Observatory For Full-faced Himeji CastleEgret Himeji

An observatory in the 5th floor of Egret Himeji standing in front of Himeji Castle, commands the whole view od the castle and nice place to take pictures. What is more, you can enter for free and there're a few people here.◎An observatory's entrance fee is free.

Unknown But Great Spot In Himeji! A Theme Park You Can Feel Like Traveling In The WorldTaiyo Park

Taiyo Park is managed by a social welfare corporation. The highlights are Terracotta Army replicas authorized by Chinese Government, and Great Wall of China as long as 2km, and so on! There're many other world heritages and architectures exhibited, and it's interesting to find different degrees of accomplishment between each works!◎There're stone area with various architectures and castle area with trick arts. A Neuschwanstein Castle is also one of the highlughts! Entrance fee: 1300yen Opening hours: 9:00-1700 (regular holiday is indefinite)

Fantastic Candle Night Of Kongobuji Temple At World Heritage 'Koyasan'Kongobuji Temple

1000m above the sea level. Kongobuji Temple of Koyasan. At the time of moon viewing, the precinct is wrapped with solemn atmosphere, and you can enjoy fantastic scene.◎Mizuki-kai (moon viewing party while listening to music): October 6th to 8th in 2017, you can see the candles in the precinct for free. But usually, they don't lighten up.

Daimon, An Entrance Gate For World Heritage 'Koyasan'Koyasan Daimon Gate

You see this Daimon at first when you visit Koyasan and you'll be surprised at the impressing size as high as 25 meters! The sacred place begins from here, so I felt tensed up.◎Parking lot: to the south down from Daimon, and 5min walk from the parking area to Daimon