Japan hidden gems

Visiting the Taushubetsu River Bridge Observation Point｜A Vanishing Bridge Beneath the Lake & Encounters with Wildlife Taushubetsu River Bridge Observation Point I stopped by the observation point where you can view the Taushubetsu River Bridge from about 750 meters away. This area is dotted with remnants of the old JR Shihoro Line—like an open-air museum of railway heritage. Getting up close to the bridge is apparently difficult, so there were many photographers with DSLR cameras lined up at the lookout. The gentle flow of the river, the surrounding grasslands, and the bridge that looks like ancient ruins—it all felt like ...

Pilgrimage Spot for Anime Fans: Visit the Real “Suzume’s Door” in Yamada, Iwate The Door from “Suzume” The second half of the anime film *Suzume*—which deals with the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake—features the Sanriku coastal region as a key setting. For those who’ve seen the movie, you might recognize this spot: near a radio tower where Suzume’s childhood home once stood. The “backdoor” plays a symbolic role in the film. Search “Ano Tobira” (That Door) on Google Maps, and this location will appear! Makoto Shinkai’s *Suzume* is a story about loss and recovery set against the backdrop ...

Time Travel into the World of Tono Monogatari: Discover Kappa Legends & the Spirit of Oshirasama at Tono Furusato Village Tono Furusato Village We left the coast of Rikuzentakata and headed inland to Tono, the legendary land of folklore in Iwate. Just about an hour’s drive—and totally worth the trip. As a middle schooler, I was obsessed with Yanagita Kunio’s Tono Monogatari and dreamed of visiting someday… it took a while, but here I am, all grown up and finally living the dream. Tono is famous for its kappa legends, and yes, there was even a wanted poster for a ...