off the beaten path japan

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

The Chilling Charm of Osarizawa Mine in Akita Osarizawa Mine Historic Site is a former mining complex turned theme park located in Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture. It originally opened in 1982 as “Mine Land Osarizawa” and was rebranded in April 2008 as the “Historic Site Osarizawa Mine.” Is Osarizawa Mine Haunted? Some people refer to Osarizawa Mine as a haunted spot in northern Japan. It’s even a popular destination for thrill-seekers and urban explorers. Officially, there’s no confirmation of any supernatural presence — but once you step into the chilly, dimly lit tunnels, you might feel a little uneasy. The ...

Sakinoyu is the only remaining bath from the ancient “Yuzaki Seven Hot Springs” mentioned in the Manyoshu poetry anthology. It features a historic rock-lined outdoor bath just steps from the Pacific Ocean. You’ll feel completely immersed in nature — the sound of waves, the scent of sulfur and sea breeze, the open sky, and ships slowly crossing the vast sea. It’s so open-air that you might even be visible from nearby buildings or breakwaters (yes, really!). There are no lockers with keys inside, so you’re advised to leave your valuables in your car or ask the staff at reception to ...

We Took the Mutsu Bay Ferry: From Shimokita to Tsugaru by Car The Mutsu Bay Ferry connects two major peninsulas in Aomori Prefecture—Shimokita and Tsugaru. It’s about a 1-hour journey by boat from Wakinosawa (Shimokita Peninsula) to Kanita (Tsugaru Peninsula). According to the owner of the Ryutobi Ryokan I stayed at, this ferry service is operated by just one captain. So if the captain is off-duty, the ferry doesn’t run! She told me that in the past, a guest couldn’t cross from Shimokita to Tsugaru because the ferry was suspended that day. I had taken a ferry from Aomori to ...

Tranquil Boardwalk Hiking at Tashirodaira Marshland, Hakkoda After checking out of Sukayu Onsen, I took a little detour to explore the peaceful Hakkoda region. I ended up at Tashirodaira Marshland, located in the northeastern foothills of Mt. Hakkoda in Aomori. The area features three well-maintained wooden boardwalk trails and a small rest area. It takes about an hour to walk the entire loop at a leisurely pace. Even in casual clothes, you can enjoy the beauty of a mountain hike here. I don’t know much about marsh plants, but the wide-open scenery and fresh air were so liberating—it felt like ...

Step into the World of Folklore! Discovering the Tono Municipal Museum & Monogatari Hall Tono Municipal Museum Nestled in the heart of Iwate Prefecture, the Tono Municipal Museum opened in 1980 as Japan's first museum dedicated to folklore studies. Much of the museum’s exhibition revolves around the tales from Tono Monogatari, offering deep insights into the traditions, beliefs, and lifestyle of the Tono region. The museum is located inside the same building as the public library, so the entrance is a bit tricky to find—but the exhibits are absolutely fascinating and totally worth the hunt! Tono Municipal Museum Address: 5-5 ...

Today’s adventure: a thrilling drive through the mystical mountains of Japan via Route 252, a hidden scenic route connecting Tadami in Fukushima and Uonuma in Niigata. I hit the road full of excitement, cruising from Fukushima to Niigata to Gunma—what a ride! The mountain pass is called “Rokujurigoe,” which roughly means “Feels like 60 ri (240 km) even though it's only 6 ri (24 km)”—that’s how tough the climb used to be in the old days! Since this area gets crazy heavy snowfall, the road is closed from early December to around Golden Week in May every year. So it’s ...