My World Trip... Japan

Hokkaido（北海道）located at the north is the second largest out of the 4 main islands of Japan. My first visit to the prefecture was in October 2011, via package tour, before my 2+ years stay in Kobe. During the trip, we first covered the Noboribetsu（登別）area. Noboribetsu Onsen（登別温泉）is the most famous hot spring resort in Hokkaido. Went to Shiraoi Ainu Museum (Porotokotan) near Noboribetsu to understand more about Ainu tribe, the indigenous people of northern Japan. Next, we went to young volcano Showa Shinzan（昭和新山）at Lake Toya（洞爺湖）. Visited a bear ranch in the vicinity and it was interesting how the huge bears would stand and wave/beg at us to throw down some apples! Also went to Iwakura Kajuen（岩倉果樹園）nearby for apples picking. Following that, we went to Jigokudani（地獄谷）where there is some volcanic activity. The stay that night at Hotel Yumoto Noboribetsu was pleasant. Enjoyed rotenburo（露天風呂）in cool weather! The next day, we headed a little northwards to Ot...

(Last updated in Spring 2024) Kyoto（京都）, where Japan's capital was (794~1868), is the prefecture I dread to write about the most. (So I actually left it to one of the last.) Because there are TOO MANY amazing places I've been to during my 2 years stay in Kobe, so I don't quite know how to start, or if I'd be able to stop once I get started :P Perhaps to some people, Kyoto is just full of temples and shrines. I wouldn't deny that. But there are many outstanding ones, and different temples look best in different seasons. For example, Kinkakuji（金閣寺）is the place to go when it snows, Nijo Castle（二条城）is the place to go for sakura viewing at night, Heian Shrine（平安神宮）is best seen in Spring, Summer is the time for Mimurotoji（三室戸寺）, and Autumn is the time for Sanzenin（三千院）, Arashiyama（嵐山）and Kitano Tenmangu（北野天満宮）! Though overall, it is best to visit Kyoto in spring and autumn for the awesome sakura views and autumn foliage. Places I have visited in Central Kyoto ...