One of the advantages of traveling by train in Japan is that sometimes you can be delighted by amazingly beautiful views. On the Chūō line, around Hachiōji, if the weather is good and the air is dry (most probably during winter), you ... »
Read more » 85 comments 
A friend of mine passionate about mountain scenery, asked me where to travel for some easy to reach mountain hikes in Japan, of course besides Mount Fuji. I visited a few mountainous areas and the one that impressed me most recently was Mount ... »
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For thousands of years, the Japanese people were fascinated by Fuji-san 「富士山」, by its perfect shape. The mountain is located at 100 km from Tokyo and in the old times, when there was little to no pollution, Mount ... »
Read more » 86 comments 19 May 2013: Osaka Bay, spectacular bird's-eye view
I love photos takes from high places and my favorites are two kind of views: those with skyscrapers in the foreground and those taken towards the sea. I don't know why, for me the image of a city ... »
25 comments 14 May 2013: Famous Japanese tea houses, Uchihashi-tei
Because the tea houses are usually built inside larger gardens, the famous Japanese gardens are also featuring famous tea houses: in today's photo I would like to share with you this wonderful ... »
38 comments 09 May 2013: Japanese Ghost story, the impossible-to-count Bake Jizo
Rows of dozens of stone statues representing Jizo Bodhisattva can be found frequently in Japan, but during my travels across Japan I found a few of them really special. One example is the row of ... »
71 comments 06 May 2013: Akihabara wide angle night photo
I like new buildings, especially the skyscrapers with daring architecture, but I also like older neighborhoods, remained as they were during their most successful times. And I'm not referring only to ... »
55 comments 02 May 2013: Old Japanese Stories, Akabeko
When you arrive in Aizu-Wakamatsu, right at the JR Station's exit you're greeted by a large red statue, representing a cute red... cow. Meet akabeko 「赤べこ」, the ... »
60 comments 30 Apr 2013: Old Japanese customs, Nonomiya-jinja and the Imperial Princesses
If you visit Kyoto and go to the spectacular Arashiyama bamboo forest (which I highly recommend), you will find a small and beautiful shrine, unique in its kind: in the old times (until the 14th ... »
31 comments 15 Apr 2013: Tokyo Daibutsu
During my many visits to Japan, besides the tourist areas, well-known throughout the world or only in Japan, I also try to visit less known places and, if I find them worthy, I try to share them with ... »
36 comments 11 Apr 2013: Perfect view of Mount Fuji from Shinkansen
By far, the most impressive view you can get while traveling with the Shinkansen on the Tōkaidō line is a view of Mount Fuji. However, the weather is rarely good enough, so even if I ... »
86 comments 07 Apr 2013: Cherry blossoms at Maruoka Castle
From the 12 original surviving Japanese castles, after Hikone, Matsumoto and Inuyama, today I visited my 4th, the Maruoka Castle. Built in 1576, Maruoka is the oldest Japanese castle tower ... »
57 comments 02 Apr 2013: The most famous sakura in Kyoto, Gion Shidare Sakura
Located in the Maruyama Park, Gion, the most famous sakura tree from Kyoto has a very beautiful story:The first tree planted here, a Hitoe Shiro Higan Shidare Sakura (single petal, white, weeping ... »
43 comments 01 Apr 2013: Japan Rail Pass travel tips
If you visit Japan and wish to travel to multiple locations, the best start would be to buy a Japan Rail Pass, the rail-pass made especially for the foreign visitors. The JR Pass offers unlimited ... »
48 comments 29 Mar 2013: Each time in Akihabara or Remember Radio Kaikan
Knowing that in a few days I will travel to Japan again, a friend asked me if there's a pattern in my traveling and if there are places I always visit... On each trip, I try to include about 80% ... »
56 comments 27 Mar 2013: Masterpieces of Japanese traditional architecture, Nijiriguchi
Chashitsu, the Japanese traditional tea-houses, are made with two entrances: one is a regular door, while the other is an incredibly small panel, about 65 centimeters tall and 60 centimeters ... »
62 comments 26 Mar 2013: Ameyoko by night and a travel tip
Like Akihabara, during the post-WWII period the area between the Ueno Station and the Okachimachi Station was known for its black market. Known as Ameyoko, the name of the place comes from Ameya ... »
43 comments 25 Mar 2013: The Echo Pond from Kyoto
The famous Fushimi Inari Taisha from Kyoto is located at the base of a mountain covered by smaller shrines connected with thousands of torii gates.Towards the top of the mountain, there's a ... »
46 comments 24 Mar 2013: Futaminoura Station
Some train stations in Japan have a very special architecture, inspired from the Japanese tradition (like the Kanazawa Station gate) or from a nearby famous construction.Among them, an ... »
33 comments 14 Mar 2013: Unusual statue, Hotei Daibutsu from Konan City
If you travel by train on the Meitetsu line from Nagoya to Inuyama (the place of one of the most beautiful Japanese castles), while passing through the Konan City, if you look to the left, you may ... »
58 comments 08 Mar 2013: Japanese shopping arcades
While traveling through Japan, I tend to visit a lot of shopping arcades: for me these are places where I always manage to spend a few hours of fun. I'm not doing anything special, I just try to ... »
37 comments 06 Mar 2013: A special day in Kyoto, the streets of Higashiyama
A few days ago, I was asked to recommend a place to visit in Kyoto on a very short trip (only a day), during the sakura season. It was really hard to decide, but in the end I recommended Higashiyama, ... »
43 comments 02 Mar 2013: Japanese aesthetics, Enyo-tei House
Not all the Japanese gardens were built for promenade: some were designed to be admired from a dedicated building or pavilion. This is the case for the small garden next to the Enyo-tei House, ... »
40 comments 01 Mar 2013: Japanese Architecture, Grand Front Osaka
If you enjoy modern architecture, Osaka is becoming a must-see destination. Besides the brand new tallest building in Japan - Abeno Harukas or the beautiful Umeda Sky Building, many other ... »
38 comments 24 Feb 2013: Beautiful neighborhoods in Tokyo: Takadanobaba
Among all the large Japanese cities, my favorite is by far Tokyo. Because of all its special places, modern and traditional, and because after all these years traveling far and wide in Tokyo, I found ... »
35 comments 23 Feb 2013: Fire-bucket monument
While visiting the traditional areas of Japan, right in front of some shops or restaurants, you may notice small stacks of wooden buckets, carefully placed on large barrels. They originate from the ... »
31 comments 16 Feb 2013: Visiting Kyoto, Tenryu-ji Temple
One of the most pleasant experiences I had in Kyoto was at the Tenryu-ji Temple from Arashiyama. Usually, the visitors are allowed to admire the gardens from the engawa (the veranda facing the ... »
36 comments 06 Feb 2013: Okayama castle original yagura, Tsukimi Yagura
The Okayama Castle was severely damaged during the bombings from 1945 and the castle we see today was completely rebuilt in 1966. But not many visitors know that inside the castle's premises there is ... »
32 comments 04 Feb 2013: Shinto Shrines, Sessha and Massha
While visiting Japan, you will notice that inside the courtyard of the major Shinto shrines there are smaller buildings, often looking similar to the shrine's main building. These are sessha ... »
31 comments 28 Jan 2013: Japanese traditional architecture, Tanrou
Visiting Japan, especially in the Buddhist temples but also in some Shinto shrines, you will surely notice these beautiful covered corridors, surrounding the inner courtyards, similar to the European ... »
44 comments 26 Jan 2013: Hanayashiki, the oldest amusement park in Japan
Ever since the end of the Edo period, Asakusa was the main entertainment area in Tokyo. A lot of traditional theaters were located here and the first amusement park in Japan, called Hanayashiki, was ... »
41 comments 21 Jan 2013: Kyoto bengara red-ocher walls
Visiting Kyoto, you will notice that some traditional buildings, especially tea-houses from the geisha district, are painted with a beautiful red-ocher color. This very special shade of red is ... »
46 comments 13 Jan 2013: The bridge from Memoirs of a Geisha, Tatsumi Bashi
Before flowing into the Kamo River, the small Shirakawa canal crosses the geisha district of Gion, one of the best known places from Kyoto. Several bridges are built over the canal, the largest of ... »
51 comments 12 Jan 2013: Rare architectural style, Ryuten rest house
One of the main attractions of the Kaiyu type (scenic promenade) Japanese gardens are the tea houses. Other interesting constructions that can be admired in some of these gardens are the "rest ... »
41 comments 11 Jan 2013: Tokyo Sky Tree's giant shadow
Tokyo Sky Tree, opened to the public in May last year, with its 634 meters is the tallest tower and the second tallest construction in the world. But why the builders chose to make it 634 meters ... »
36 comments 05 Dec 2012: Japanese architecture, the first building-mounted free-fall ride
Visiting Osaka, in the Namba district (famous for food and entertainment), a very eye-catching building will certainly draw your attention. Looking like a giant hourglass with an exclamation mark in ... »
63 comments 30 Nov 2012: Romantic places in Kyoto, Moon Crossing Bridge
If you visit Arashiyama, the area in western Kyoto famous for its bamboo groves, go to the nearby Togetsukyo Bridge, to admire the scenery of the green Mount Arashiyama. The first bridge here was ... »
40 comments 28 Nov 2012: Unusual Japanese traditional architecture, Komayose
I like a lot the traditional Japanese houses and I'm delighted when I can stroll through old traditional areas. Especially in Kyoto, where I can enjoy specific architectural traits, some of them so ... »
82 comments 26 Nov 2012: The Glico Man
One of the best known landmarks of Osaka is the "Glico 300 Meter Running Man", a huge neon sign on a building on the Dotonbori channel, representing an athlete (the Glico Man) running on a blue ... »
25 comments 11 Nov 2012: Tsukimi turret, how to see the moon three times
One of the special features of the Matsumoto Castle is its Tsukimi "Moon-viewing" turret. This is a one floor tower with a single room, with large windows, wide-open in three directions (north, south ... »
47 comments 08 Nov 2012: Unusual Toba Bay Cruise
If you enjoy taking a cruise, Japan offers many places to enjoy pleasant trips in unusual sightseeing ships. I already wrote about the pirate ships from Lake Ashi in Hakone and about the Santa Maria ... »
45 comments 07 Nov 2012: Unusual Japanese traditional architecture, Inu-yarai
Visiting the old districts from Kyoto, while admiring the beautiful traditional Japanese streets, one of the most unusual features you will notice is that many houses have some sort of... skirts. ... »
54 comments 06 Nov 2012: Shibuya glass buildings aerial view
As you know, every time I visit a city I first search for tall observatories... But before climbing to the observatory I like to study a bit, to learn about the area's important buildings, because ... »
33 comments 29 Oct 2012: Akihabara Duty Free Shops
After visiting Japan, many tourists are returning home with Japanese products, watches, perfumes, electronics and even home appliances. The offer is wide and varied, the quality is good and the price ... »
40 comments 25 Oct 2012: Kyoto, Yasaka Pagoda
With its height of 49 meters, the Yasaka Pagoda is visible from many viewpoints across the Higashiyama district. One of the most important landmarks from Kyoto, this five-story pagoda once belonged ... »
46 comments 23 Oct 2012: Japanese architecture - Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and a Travel Tip
Osaka is a city with many architecturally interesting buildings and amongst them the Aquarium Kaiyukan certainly stands out. Inaugurated in 1990, Aquarium Kaiyukan was designed by Peter Chermayeff ... »
34 comments 21 Oct 2012: Syoda Ebisu Restaurant Shinsekai
If you're in Osaka and you love Japanese traditional food, besides the mandatory visit to Dotonbori, you should also visit the Shinsekai district. It's a very colorful place, the restaurants have ... »
37 comments 20 Oct 2012: Wide angle night illumination on Shijo-dori, Kyoto
Dating since the Heian period, the 7 kilometers long Shijo-dori is the most famous street from Kyoto. Its most beautiful part is the section between the Yasaka Shrine's gate (from where I took this ... »
34 comments 19 Oct 2012: Reflection on the Kurashiki Canal
One of the most scenic merchant neighborhoods from Japan is the one from Kurashiki, a small town near Okayama. During the Edo period, the town was an important center in the Japanese economy, because ... »
35 comments 13 Oct 2012: Traditional shopping street, Oharaimachi Ise
I love Japanese traditional products, so whenever I visit a new town I always check if there is a traditional shopping area. And if possible, I always search for specific products, foods or drinks. ... »
38 comments 12 Oct 2012: Kinryu Ramen Restaurant
If you visit Osaka, one of the must see places is Dotonbori, a street from the Namba district, well know as a paradise for gourmands. Once you get there, it will be impossible not to stop and admire ... »
37 comments 04 Oct 2012: Japanese Gardens, the Ohashi courtyard garden
In Japan you can find a perfect garden not only in temples or in tourist areas, but also in less expected places. In restaurants, hotels, ryokans, traditional homes or even in the spaces between ... »
46 comments 02 Oct 2012: Abeno Harukas, the New Tallest Building in Japan
Japan's new tallest building is now officially taller than the previous record holder: the Abeno Harukas building from Osaka, still in construction, has recently surpassed the Yokohama Landmark Tower ... »
30 comments 13 Sep 2012: Japan's most scenic beauty, Amanohashidate
After the Miyajima Island, the following destination on my tour of Japan's most scenic beauty places was the next of the Three Views of Japan - Nihon Sankei, Amanohashidate...Located in the north ... »
50 comments 11 Sep 2012: Kyoto Arashiyama bamboo groves
If you like bamboo forests (I simply love them), one of the best places to visit in Japan is the trail near the Tenryū-ji Temple from Arashiyama, a district located in the western Kyoto. The ... »
52 comments 10 Sep 2012: The oldest Japanese castle
Continuing my quest to visit the 12 original surviving Japanese castles, today I reached Inuyama. The Inuyama castle is one of the four Japanese castles designated as national treasures, the other ... »
60 comments 09 Sep 2012: Japanese architecture, Kyoto Station
If you only passed through the platforms of Kyoto Station, you haven't seen anything from this impressive building, the second largest train station in Japan. If you come by train and want to enjoy ... »
52 comments 08 Sep 2012: Meoto Iwa, the wedded rocks and a small travel tip
One of the special places I visited in Japan is located near the Ise City, the spiritual center of the country. In the Ise Bay, near the JR Futaminoura station, there are two large rocks, tied ... »
34 comments 07 Sep 2012: How to be a (fake) Geisha in Kyoto
A couple of days ago, in Kyoto, while I was strolling through the beautiful, traditional district of Higashiyama, I suddenly found myself in front of a loud and happy group of 3 geisha. Noticing my ... »
42 comments 05 Sep 2012: The Kotoji stone lantern from Kenroku-en garden
Of the Three Great Gardens of Japan (Nihon Sanmeien), these days I visited my second, the Kenroku-en in Kanazawa, called the "Garden of the Six Sublimities".
There are many beautiful sights here, ... »
50 comments 04 Sep 2012: The most famous Geisha tea house from Kyoto
Right at the entrance of the Hanami-koji street from Gion, the famous Kyoto district of geiko (geisha in the Kyoto dialect), you will find the most famous geisha tea house (ochaya), the Ichiriki ... »
42 comments 02 Sep 2012: A modern Zen Garden in Kyoto
If you love Zen gardens, one of the most interesting places to visit in Kyoto is the Tofuku-ji Temple. You will find a Zen garden on each of the 4 sides of its Hojo building, all created in 1930 by ... »
41 comments 31 Aug 2012: The Giant Lion Head from Namba
If you visit the Namba district from Osaka, one of the most exotic food places in Japan, take a half-hour detour to admire a unique shrine, with a very special architecture: called Namba Yasaka, this ... »
30 comments 30 Aug 2012: Billiken, the Japanese God from... America
While visiting the Shinsekai district from Osaka, you will see everywhere statues of a funny looking character with a mischievous smile - the god Billiken. Many people are taking pictures with ... »
47 comments 27 Aug 2012: Sailing in Osaka Bay and a travel tip
Of the many amusements in Osaka Bay, the most tempting for me was a ride with Santa Maria, a ship replica of the famous Santa María de la Inmaculada Concepción, the flagship used by Christopher ... »
28 comments 17 Aug 2012: A Japanese Tea-house
One of the must see Japanese scenes is definitely the tea ceremony, the ceremonial way of preparing and drinking matcha, the Japanese powdered green tea. There are many places where you can ... »
51 comments 15 Aug 2012: Shinto Shrines, Jingu
Visiting Japan, you will notice a large variety of Shinto shrines. They are classified according to their Shinto gods (kami) and, in some cases, the type of shrine ca be identified directly by the ... »
33 comments 13 Aug 2012: Five Storied Pagoda from Toshogu Shrine
One of the best known pagodas from Japan is the five-storied pagoda located at the entrance of the Tōshōgū Shrine from Nikkō. The shrine was established in 1617 and the pagoda was ... »
45 comments 09 Aug 2012: Unusual Japanese architecture - Isshin-ji Gate
If you are in Osaka and want to see something unusual, in the Tennoji ward, best known for its Shinsekai entertainment district, take a little time to visit the Isshin-ji Temple.Established 800 ... »
61 comments 13 Jul 2012: Japan's most scenic beauty, Miyajima island
Ever since the medieval times, the Japanese were making top lists with the most beautiful places or events from Japan. One of these lists was the Three Views of Japan ... »
46 comments 06 Jul 2012: A shining Asakusa, Senso-ji Illuminations and a small travel tip
If Senso-ji is one of the oldest temples in Japan, the nearby street, Nakamise-dori, is one of the oldest shopping centers, established around 1700. Since then, the temple and the shopping stalls ... »
41 comments 02 Jul 2012: Big Box Takadanobaba night view
The Takadanobaba neighborhood is renowned in Tokyo for its ramen restaurants and inexpensive izakaya, frequented by the many students accommodated in the area. When you come to Takadanobaba, the ... »
31 comments 12 Jun 2012: Hiroshima Peace Clock Tower
Inside the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park there are many monuments, most of them famous, but a few of them less known but still impressive and beautiful... One that particularly impressed me is the ... »
28 comments 03 Jun 2012: Koukamon, the very white gate
The most important complex of temples and shrines from Nikko is presented on the maps with a visiting route and, after several experiences, I recommend you to use it. It takes a few hours at ... »
28 comments 02 Jun 2012: World's tallest statue of Confucius
With a somber construction and painted in black, the Yushima Seidō Temple from Ochanomizu, Tokyo, is known as the birthplace of scholar education in Japan. The solemn look, so different from ... »
30 comments 01 Jun 2012: Masterpieces of Japanese architecture, Tokyo International Forum, interior wide-angle view
Made of curved steel and glass, the Tokyo International Forum 「東京国際フォーラム」 features one of the most spectacular interiors I ... »
39 comments 26 May 2012: Narita Monzen-machi and a travel tip
For many of the foreign tourists, Narita is just the town that gives its name to the Tokyo's international airport. And for a few years, I was one of them too... of course I knew about Naritasan, the ... »
41 comments 25 May 2012: Japanese trains, Tsukuba Express
One of the less known train lines from Tokyo is the Tsukuba Express - abbreviated TX, which runs from the famous Akihabara Station towards North-East, to the Tsukuba city from Ibaraki. Although ... »
26 comments 24 May 2012: Hiroshima Castle's Ninomaru Gate
Built on a plain, the Hiroshima Castle is a hirajiro (flatland) castle, using for defense rivers, swamps or specially made moats. During the Edo Period, the castle featured complex fortifications, ... »
52 comments 22 May 2012: Visiting Kyoto, Kaiso-do Zen Hall
Ryogen-in is a sub-temple of the larger Daitoku-ji, one of my favorite spiritual locations in Kyoto, probably because it features the best visiting path I have experienced until now. The path ... »
28 comments 21 May 2012: Japanese stories, Nanairo-no-yadorigi, Kasuga Taisha's magical tree
If you enjoy myths and legends, when you visit the Kasuga Taisha Shrine from Nara, reserve yourself a couple of hours to look around, because besides the beauty of the shrine or the playful deer, you ... »
33 comments 18 May 2012: View from the top of the Osaka Castle
With its main tower rising more than 50 meters above ground, the Osaka Castle is a surprisingly good observation tower. Actually, its top floor is equipped now as an observation deck, offering a nice ... »
41 comments 16 May 2012: Kanda Shrine's Fireproof Gate
The Kanda Shrine, known also as Kanda Myojin, is one of the must-see shrines in Tokyo. Even if you're not interested in the Japanese religion, if you visit Akihabara for electronics or for anime ... »
42 comments 13 May 2012: Travel destinations for kids, Saitama Railway Museum Park Zone
I was always amazed about the great interest of Japanese people in everything related to trains. And it's an interest that appeals to all ages: if you visit the Railway Museum from Saitama, you will ... »
45 comments 12 May 2012: What to see in Tokyo - Life-size Gundam is back for good in Odaiba
After the huge success from 2009, when the life-size statue of the iconic RX-78-2 Gundam was first built in the Shiokaze Park in Odaiba, Tokyo - then the statue attracted over 4 million visitors in ... »
58 comments 10 May 2012: Masterpieces of Japanese architecture, Iidabashi Station
For architecture lovers, Japan offers many "must-see" sights. Besides many well known architectural landmarks, over time I discovered a lot of hidden gems, architectural jewels lost in the ... »
80 comments 07 May 2012: Popular Japanese treats, Kakigori
For me, the best way to cool off during a hot summer day in Japan is kakigōri 「かき氷」, a Japanese dessert made of shaved ice flavored with various syrups.
If ... »
52 comments 06 May 2012: Shinto torii, Buddhist temple
Discussing these days with a group of people preparing to visit Japan, I realized that while everybody knows about the two important religions of Japan, Buddhism and Shinto, few people know how to ... »
36 comments 04 May 2012: Japanese traditional houses in Nara and a travel tip
In many of the traditional cities from Japan, the old merchant districts are amongst the most important tourist attractions. Unfortunately, that's not the case with the old merchant district of Nara, ... »
55 comments 03 May 2012: Japanese traditions - Dashi parade, plus a travel tip
Some of the best Japanese festivals (matsuri) are the dashi parades, processions of 3-level wooden floats, about 8 meters tall, lavishly ornate with complicated carvings. While the taiko drummers ... »
85 comments 26 Apr 2012: Japanese castle interior, warriors running passage
A thought that crossed my mind while visiting several of the Japanese castles with original interior, was that although impressive on the outside, the castles were built with the same philosophy as ... »
78 comments 25 Apr 2012: Yokohama Minato Mirai 21 aerial panorama
A great travel destination, Minato Mirai 21 from Yokohama should be one of the must see Japanese places... And not only because here you can visit the tallest building from Japan, the spectacular the ... »
54 comments 24 Apr 2012: Miyajima Beauty - Pagoda and Senjokaku
Renowned for its spectacular Itsukushima Shrine, whose Otorii is one of Japan's symbols, the Miyajima Island is a place full of beautiful sights, that deserves to be thoroughly explored... Very ... »
51 comments
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"A friend calculated that since I started working on this website, I lived in Japan approx. 8% of my life. Is this much or little? If you ask my family and friends, it’s a lot. I agree that it’s a lot more than a normal traveler spends in a foreign country… but if you ask me, this is just the beginning.
I want to share with you my travels through Japan and my readings about this wonderful culture, to see Japan through my eyes, from the temples and shrines to the cities and people of Japan, from places filled with history and spirituality, to the the modern Japan with skyscrapers and pop culture."
Muza-chan's Gate to Japan includes:
» Travel notes on visiting Japan, travel reviews, sightseeing, tourist attractions, historical and cultural facts, travel photos, travel tips
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» Japan's most famous customs and traditions with photos, videos, stories, background and historical information plus some travel tips
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