TravelBlog

Visited a Powerful Spiritual Spot in Aomori, Japan – Towada Shrine! Lake Towada in Aomori is not only known as a scenic destination, but also as a spiritual and even haunted place. Right along its shores sits Towada Shrine, believed to be a sacred power spot with mystical energy. Along with Osorezan on the Shimokita Peninsula, this area was once a training ground for Shugendo (Japanese mountain asceticism), and it still exudes a mysterious spiritual atmosphere. One key feature of the shrine is the “Uraba”, or Fortune Telling Spot. From Towada Shrine, there’s a path about 150 meters into the ...

Visited Futamata Radium Onsen – One of Only Two Siliceous Sinter Domes in the World! Travel Date: November 2023 I finally made it to Futamata Radium Onsen, one of those hidden hot springs in Hokkaido I’d been dying to visit! It’s famous across Japan for being one of only two places in the world where you can see a natural limestone sinter dome—the other one being Yellowstone in the U.S. Check the Best Price for Futamata Radium Onsen Futamata Radium Onsen is located deep in the mountains, about 10km from the town of Oshamambe, then another 10km along a mountain ...

I Stayed at Motoyu Geto – A Hidden Hot Spring Lodge in Iwate I stayed at Motoyu Geto, a member of the Association to Preserve Japan’s Hidden Hot Springs, located in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture! This remote onsen inn is open only during the warmer months and closes in winter due to heavy snowfall. The location is so secluded that the inn’s official website even includes a warning for those unsure of their driving skills—it’s that deep in the mountains with narrow, winding roads barely wide enough for one car. Although I rented a car, I wasn’t confident driving on ...

A Spiritual Sanctuary with Over 1,200 Years of History – Visiting Iwakiyama Shrine This is a travel blog from my journey around Japan, featuring a stop at the powerful spiritual site: Iwakiyama Shrine. Just across from Onsen Ryokan Nakano lies Iwakiyama Shrine, one of Hirosaki’s most renowned power spots. I paid a visit early in the morning, before other worshippers had arrived, to pray for a safe journey. Founded in 780 at the summit of Mount Iwaki, this shrine has long been revered as a guardian for agriculture and fishing, a deity of development for the Tsugaru region, and a ...

My Stay at Tohachi Onsen Saiunsou – August 2023 I finally stayed overnight at the legendary Tohachi Onsen Saiunsou, nestled high in the mountains! The building feels a little... tilted? Probably from the weight of all that snow during winter. See the Best Rates for Tohachi Onsen Some areas looked pretty worn out and were patched up with duct tape here and there—totally giving off that mountain lodge vibe. Many of the windows were warped and couldn’t open, but hey, it added to the rustic charm. Surprisingly comfy, too 😋 One of the best perks of staying overnight? You get ...

Michelin Green Japan Pick! Eiheiji Temple, a Zen Sanctuary Eiheiji Temple was founded in 1244 by Dogen Zenji, the founder of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism. Within the grounds, over 70 buildings stand in harmony, with the seven main halls (shichido-garan) connected by covered walkways—each essential for daily Zen practice. The on-site Rurishōhōkaku Treasure Hall displays cultural treasures, including the Fukan Zazengi (National Treasure), said to be handwritten by Dogen himself. In 2015, Eiheiji received two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan, highlighting its spiritual and cultural significance. What Blessings Does Eiheiji Offer? Visiting Eiheiji is said to ...

This Is the Sweetest Corn You’ll Ever Taste! Dakekime is a premium brand of super-sweet corn grown in Aomori Prefecture. From mid-August to early October each year, you'll find numerous roadside stalls and direct sales shops along the roads of the Hyakuzawa, Dake, and Yudan areas. Harvesting starts early in the morning during the season, and freshly picked Dakekime begins appearing in stores around 8 a.m. Sometimes it’s sold boiled, grilled, or even as tempura! Why Is Dakekime So Sweet? The Secret Is Morning Harvests and Mountain Climate Dakekime corn has a sugar content of around 18 degrees—about the same ...

Kinomiya Shrine has long been revered as "Kinomiya Daimyojin," the guardian deity of Atami, and is deeply rooted in the region's spiritual culture as a bringer of good fortune and luck. According to legend, the origins of the shrine date back to the Nara period, when a wooden statue caught in a fisherman’s net was enshrined here. Kinomiya Shrine is also famously known across Japan as a rare “Deity of Sobriety,” making it quite unique. It’s about a 20-minute walk from JR Atami Station, or just a 5-minute walk from JR Kinomiya Station on the Ito Line. If you're coming ...

Tamakura Shrine – A Sacred Spot Said to “Call” Its Visitors Tamakura Shrine is located near the summit of Mt. Tamaki, a 1,076-meter-high sacred mountain in Nara Prefecture. It lies along the Omine Okugake-michi, a UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage trail long revered by Shugendo monks. The mountain is rich in history, folklore, and biodiversity, and has been considered a spiritual site since ancient times. The shrine is said to have been founded in 37 BCE by Emperor Sujin, making it one of Japan’s oldest sacred sites. In addition to the main hall (honden), the shrine grounds feature several smaller shrines, ...

Ushiku Daibutsu – One of the Tallest Statues in the World Ushiku Daibutsu is a towering bronze Buddha statue located in Ushiku City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Standing at a total height of 120 meters, it ranks as the 6th tallest statue in the world, and it is the tallest bronze standing statue on Earth. The statue was built by the Higashi Honganji (Shinran school of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism) and is situated within a peaceful complex known as Jodo Garden, which also includes a small animal park, seasonal flower gardens, and the Ushiku Cemetery. Inside the statue, an elevator takes visitors ...