Asamin

Exploring the Former Kurayoshi Line I stumbled upon this little-known gem—the abandoned Kurayoshi railway line—while looking for scenic spots near Kurayoshi on Google Maps. And guess what? It's surrounded by a mystical bamboo forest! I’m a sucker for anything abandoned, and this one had a magical vibe that photos alone couldn’t capture. I had to go and see it with my own eyes. Spoiler: it’s even better in person. There’s no parking right by the bamboo tunnel, so I left my car at the visitor parking area and walked about 15–20 minutes. It sounds short, but in the blazing late-August ...

To the Hometown of Gosho Aoyama and the Land of Conan On my way to Kaike Onsen, I made a spontaneous stop at the sacred land of Conan! Honestly, I’ve never really read the Detective Conan manga and have only seen a few episodes of the anime, yet somehow I already knew about the mysterious men in black and the gentleman thief, Kaito Kid. That’s just how deeply this national anime has permeated everyday life in Japan! The Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory is a museum located in Hokuei Town, Tottori Prefecture. It celebrates the life and works of Detective Conan ...

Stimulate Your Senses! A Unique Art Experience at the “Kankaku Museum” in Miyagi Kankaku Museum While traveling from Semi Onsen to Naruko, I was debating whether to skip sightseeing for the day since it had already taken quite a while. But then I stumbled upon this intriguing place on Google Maps—Kankaku Museum. The name alone sparked my curiosity, so I decided to check it out. The Kankaku Museum is an interactive art space themed around the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. The museum is divided into two main areas: the Dialogue Zone (for bodily sensory experiences) and ...

Stay at a Renovated School in the Mountains: Katakuri-no-Yado, a Hidden Hot Spring in Akiyamago Trip date: June 2022 (Wrapped in the fresh, rainy scent of the mountains...) Tucked along the border of Niigata and Nagano prefectures lies Akiyamago—a remote village where time seems to move a little slower. We stayed in the peaceful hamlet of Ketto, at a very special place called Katakuri-no-Yado. This cozy hot spring inn was once a wooden school building—now lovingly renovated into a nostalgic retreat. A warm wooden welcome. Wait, is this really an inn? At the entrance, we’re greeted by two signs—one for ...

When Nature and Art Become One ♡ A Visit to the Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art, MonET Nestled in Honcho 6, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, the Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art, MonET, is not your average art museum. I recently had the chance to visit this absolutely unique—and dare I say, magical—museum. It’s called "MonET," and yes, it’s just as stylish and dreamy as the name sounds. What makes MonET so special is how art and nature blend seamlessly here. The building itself is designed to reflect the surrounding landscape, with changing seasonal views that become part of ...

One of Japan’s Top 3 Gorges Turned Into an Art Tunnel?! My Mind-Blowing Trip to Kiyotsu Gorge Travel Date: June 2022 (Cloudy skies, but the vibes? 100 out of 10!) My destination this time was Kiyotsu Gorge, located in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture. It’s one of Japan’s “Three Great Gorges” along with Kurobe and Osugidani, and it’s known for its towering rock walls with stunning columnar joints that’ll leave you breathless. But wait—this isn’t just a beautiful nature spot. That’s where the real twist begins. Back in 2018, during the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, the entire tunnel running through Kiyotsu Gorge ...

Check the lowest price for this inn Visited in: June 2022 (Clear skies and sunshine) Nestled in the snowy region of Tokamachi, Niigata, Matsunoyama Onsen is one of Japan’s three greatest medicinal hot springs—alongside Arima and Kusatsu. Its naturally salty, steaming hot spring water is rich in metaboric acid, said to aid skin healing and sterilization. With a source temperature of 97.5°C, it’s no exaggeration to say the waters here are seriously powerful! 🔥 Built in 1938: Ryounkaku, a Registered Cultural Property I stayed at Ryounkaku, a beautiful wooden inn built in 1938 and designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. ...

Visited in June 2022 (Clear skies and the most beautiful “Kyōroro Blue” above) Deep in the lush forests of Tokamachi, Niigata, lies a place called “Mori no Gakkō Kyōroro”—literally, “Forest School Kyōroro.” The name alone sounds adorable, right? I wondered what "Kyōroro" meant… turns out it's inspired by a bird’s chirp! 🐦✨ Then, there's the building itself—wow. It looks just like a futuristic secret base. A long, metallic tunnel-like structure stretches boldly through the forest, reaching upward like it’s trying to touch the sky. I was hyped from the moment I arrived! Nature, science, and art come together in perfect ...

The Last Classroom: A Hauntingly Beautiful Art Installation in an Abandoned Japanese Schoolhouse Trip Date: June 2022 (Sunny and warm—just like the art) "Is this a horror-themed exhibit?" I wondered— But what I found was not fear, but nostalgia and a gentle ache in my heart. Located in Tokamachi, Niigata, The Last Classroom is a full-scale art installation housed in an abandoned elementary school. “Is someone still here?” I whispered at the entrance. Dim hallways, old desks lined up, chalk-covered blackboards… It felt like time had stopped—and in a way, it had. The space was like a frozen memory from ...

A Touch of China in Niigata? Exploring Nishiyama Furusato Park and a Warm Welcome at Nishizawa Sake Shop Trip Date: June 2022 (Bright sunny day ☀) "Wait, why is there a Chinese palace here?" That was my honest reaction when I arrived at Nishiyama Furusato Park in Kashiwazaki, Niigata. Surrounded by architecture that screams “China!”, I ended up buying Japanese sake here too. Yes, this is going to be an unexpectedly fun and curious little adventure♡ A Chinese-style white gate, right in front of me? Once I passed the main road and entered the park, this stunning white triple-arched gate ...