Nagasaki Sofukuji Temple. © touristinjapan.com

Sofuku-ji Temple

Sofuku-ji is an Ōbaku zen temple located in Nagasaki City in Nagasaki Prefecture. The temple was constructed in 1629 to serve Chinese people living in Nagasaki. It later became Japanese, so the architecture is an interesting mix of Chinese and Japanese styles. The complex has numerous important cultural assets, among them two national treasures; the …

Kōshi-byō, Nagasaki Confucius Shrine. © touristinjapan.com

Kōshi-byō, Nagasaki Confucius Shrine

The Confucius Shrine in Nagasaki is a Chinese shrine, dedicated to the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BC). The shrine dates back to 1893, when it was first constructed by the Chinese community in Nagasaki. It is a beautiful example of Chinese architecture, and stands as a colorful contrast to the traditional Japanese shrines. Already as …

Shikoku Private Onsen Ryokans. Photo by Wei-Te Wong. CC BY-SA 2.0.

17 Ryokans with Private Onsen in Shikoku

In this article you find a selection of the best ryokans in Shikoku. All the listed properties have rooms with private outdoor baths (many with onsen water). Shikoku is one of Japans most rural regions, and with a mountainous landscape Shikoku is home to some Ryokans with amazing, undisturbed views. Amongst the best known onsen areas in Shikoku are Dogo …

Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, Entrance. © touristinjapan.com

Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, located in Nagasaki City, is a museum dedicated to remembering the traumatic day in 1945, when the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki. The museum displays artifacts from the bombing, and explains the events leading up to the bombing. The museum has numerous photos of Nagasaki before the bombing, …

Hokkaido ryokans with private onsen. Photo by 663highlands. CC BY-SA 3.0.

19 Ryokans with Private Onsen in Hokkaido

This article lists a selection of the best ryokans in Hokkaido. All the listed properties have private onsen baths (indoor or outdoor). Hokkaido with it’s snowy winters and pleasant summers is a fantastic all-season location for onsen bathers. Amongst the best known onsen towns in Hokkaido are Noboribetsu, Jozankei Onsen, Lake Toyako Onsen and Yunokawa Onsen. Staying in a Ryokan with …

Ichijōdani Asakura Clan Historic Ruins. © touristinjapan.com

Ichijōdani Asakura Clan Historic Ruins

Ichijōdani Asakura Clan Historic Ruins in Fukui Prefecture are the remains of the once big and prosperous Ichijōdani castle town. The town, which was once populated by as much as 10’000 people, was completely destroyed during the 1573 Siege of Ichijōdani Castle. Today, a 200 meter stretch of the ruins have been reconstructed with walls …