Jake Ojisan

Tourists to the Okinawan island of Taketomi are transported around by carts pulled by water buffalo

Water Buffalo of Taketomi

Taketomi Island

A collection of ancient Buddhist statues on display at the site of an ancient temple in Kunisaki, Oita

Buddhist Treasures of Makiodo

Makiodo Temple

An early 20th Century Villa in the grounds of Kosanji Temple features elegant interiors of traditional Japanese style

Choseikaku Villa

The largest shrine on Sakurajima, the active volcano across the water from Kagoshima

Tsukiyomi Shrine

Tucked away in a corner of the Shitennoji Temple is a delightful Japanese garden

Gokuraku Jodo Garden

A strange and magnificent ancient tree with 6 trunks in the mountains of Dogo Island in the Sea of Japan

Kabura Sugi

The active volcano that can  seen across the water from Kagoshima City

Sakurajima

Tucked away down a side street of the popular Kinosaki Onsen is a temple with a truly delightful Zen garden that is free to enjoy

Gokurakuji Temple Zen Garden

Housed in a large, traditional townhouse, this local history museum in the castle town of Izushi has elegant interiors and artwork

Izushi History Museum

Fascinating doll museum not only with thousands of Japanese dolls on display but the history of the origins of the Hina Matsuri, Girls Doll Festival

Nagashibina Doll Museum

The oldest temple in the area near Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, located near the beach and other spots connected to the ancient Izumo myths.

Hasedera Temple

A delightful temple garden best viewed while enjoying a green tea that is included with the entrance fee.

Kannon-in Temple Garden

Part of the World Heritage Site in Kagoshima, this mansion was built for  foreign engineers who were brought to help establish modern industry

Ijinkan mansion for Foreigners

Shuseikan Foreign Engineers' Residence

Large traditional gardens that have great views of Sakurajima. Built originally for  the summer residence of the Satsuma Lord

Senganen gardens

Nekogami Shrine is a small, unique shrine in the Sengan-en gardens that enshrines and is devoted to cats and draws cat lovers from all over.

The Cat Shrine

Sengan-en Garden

The Ishigaki Shiritsu Yaeyama Museum is devoted to the folklore and history of the Ishigaki Islands and includes many examples of local masks

Masks of Ishigaki

Ishigaki Shiritsu Yaeyama Museum

Kagoshima Cathedral is a modern building serving the Diocese of Kagoshima and is open to the public

Kagoshima Cathedral

Located on the campus of Kagoshima University, the Inamori Auditorium is a unique modern building designed by Japan's most renowned modern architect Ando Tadao

Inamori Auditorium

Terukuni Shrine is the biggest and most popular shrine in Kagoshima City

Terukuni Shrine

Hozanji Temple is a mountain temple in Ikoma. A new shimenawa, sacred rope, was raised with ceremonies and rituals.

Shimenawa at Hozanji

Myotokuji Temple, locally called Toyo Daishi, is a small, pretty temple that though not an actual part of the famous Shikoku Pilgrimage, is still visited by most pilgrims who walk this section

Toyo Daishi Temple

A small temple with interesting statues on the Sasaguri 88 site Pilgrimage

Shurin-ji Temple

Kannon-ji is temple number 3 on the 88 temple Shodoshima Pilgrimage

Kannon-ji Temple

Iwamotoji is temple 37 on the famous Shikoku Pilgrimage known as Ohenro. Of particular note is the painted ceiling in the main hall

Iwamotoji Temple

This is the biggest and most important shrine in the Hayato area

Kagoshima Shrine

Beautiful shrine in the Kirishima Mountains

Kirishima Jingu

One of the oldest temples in all of Japan, set in expansive grounds in the middle of Osaka

Shitennoji Temple

 A Preservation District of Historic Buildings around Obi Castle, a little-known castle in southern Miyazaki

Obi Samurai District

A small scenic cove on the picturesque Japan Sea coast in Shimane

Hidden Cove in Asari

Deep in the forest, a Shinto shrine with no buildings, just a towering, ancient tree

Oyama Shrine

Though not a big nor well-known castle, Obi Castle has a nice reconstruction of a "palace" and plenty of samurai weapons and artifacts in its museum

Obi Castle

A big temple near Okayama City that is the home of the famous Naked Festival and also the first temple of the Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage

Saidaiji Kannon-in

Saidaiji Kannon-in Temple

Yowara Shrine is a richly decorated shrine in the mountains of southern Miyazaki and a branch of the famous Udo Jingu on the coast nearby

Yowara Shrine

The floating torii of Shirahige shrine on the shore of lake Biwa is a favorite spot to view the sunrise

Shirahige Shrine

Chiringshima Island sometimes  connects to the mainland by an 800 meter long sandbar that appears from march until October

Chiringashima Island

Located in a stunning gorge in Hiroshima Prefecture is the biggest natural bridge in all of Japan and by some measures the third biggest in the world

Onbashi, the biggest natural bridge in Japan

Onbashi Bridge

An unusual shrine built inside a cave in the cliifs at the famous Udo Jingu shrine

Nakiri Shrine

Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine

Okidomari World Heritage Site

Udo Jingu is a large shrine on the cliffs of Miyazaki. The inner shrine is built within a cave and is where ancient myths were set

The Cave at Udo Jingu

Udo Jingu Shrine

Onky 425 meters above sea level, but Mount Kannomine is the highest point on Osaki Kamijima Island and has fantastic views across the Inland Sea and its islands

Mount Kannomine

The oldest Zen temple in Kyoto is home to some fine zen gbardens

Gardens at Kenninji Temple

A large private art museum featuring Satsuma-ware, the porcelain made in the area primarily for export to Europe and the West

Satsuma Denshokan Art Museum

Simply the biggest cavern in all of Japan.

Akiyoshi-do, the biggest cavern in japan

Akiyoshido Cave

The 38th temple of the 88 temple Shikoku Pilgrimage is dramatically situated at the tip of Cape Ashizuri

Kongofukuji Temple at Cape Ashizuri

A not well-known garden next to Hiroshima Airport is delightful especially in the Autumn

Sankei-en Garden

The river and boats in the Bikan Historical District of Kurashiki

Kurashiki Bikan Waterway

Kurashiki Bokan Waterway

A bizarre, almost deserted sports complex with fantastic architecture

Nanohanakan Sports Park

Mizuki Shigeru Road in Sakaiminato is lined with statues of yokai... monsters, and supernatural creatures made famous by the local manga author Mizuki Shigeru