Mini Guide to Japan
Shiretoko National Park
This national park is located in the northeast part of Japan, the Shiretoko Peninsula. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. You’ll probably need to hire a car to explore the region as local transport is limited. The highlights are Shiretoko Five Lakes and Kamuiwakka Falls, considered one of Japan’s best natural wonders.
Miyajima
Miyajima is a nickname for Itsukushima, which means “shrine island.” The place is considered one of Japan’s top three scenic sites with its preserved Edo-era look. There are plenty of wild deer around, but most travelers visit the island to see the “floating torii,” which is thought to be the “gate” to Itsukushima.
It’s also possible to take the two-hour hike up Mt. Misen for amazing views of the island.
Kenroku-en Garden
Kenroku-en Garden is an extremely beautiful traditional Japanese garden located in Kanazawa. It’s a great example of the engineering feats of the Edo era, where many kilometers of pipes were used upstream to fill the ponds and streams of the garden.
Inside the grounds you can see Seisonkaku Villa, which was built by a Maeda Lord for his mother using daimyō architectural style.
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