Best Visiting Spot List

This attraction features a half-size replica of a Viking ship and exhibits related to the children's book author Hans Christian Andersen. Delightful goods made in Denmark are also for sale.

Located right in the heart of America Mura is Mitsu Park. Commonly known as Sankaku Park (triangle park) because of its shape, this spot is a magnet for young people all day long and doubles as a convenient meeting place.

Beautiful lacquerware with black and vermillion is a traditional craft which represents Japan. ”Kuroeya” which has been operating in Nihonbashi since 1689 is a shop famous for lacquerware. The shop displays lacquerware from all over Japan, as well as their own original products. Apart from the standard bowls and chopsticks, there are spoons, forks and wine glasses that will match a western table setting too. There are also hand-mirrors and accessories that would be great as a gift to yourself or someone else.

Shaped like the fugure eight, this loop bridge connects Kinsei-dai (Venus Lookout) in Suwayama Park and the mountaintop observatory square called Venus Terrace. This winding bridge, thrusting out toward urban Kobe, offers you a magical night view right before your eyes. Lights of ships and planes arriving and taking off from Kobe Airport resemble shooting stars. The Futatabisan Driveway leading to Venus Bridge is closed to vehicles from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (closed to two-wheel vehicles all day).

Two waterfalls located close to Tenshozan Shrine. Hakuun Waterfall is a beautiful 30-meter-high waterfall with water resembling silk threads falling. Kyorai waterfall is located right beside the shrine. The waterfall is used for Yamabushi training, which involves participants reflecting on their past and future life under the waterfall. Access: From Yugawara Station, take the bus headed to Motohakone for about 45 minutes The falls are a 20-minute walk from the Tenshozan bus stop

A hall built in remembrance of Mamoru Shigemitsu, a former foreign minister who was the government representative who signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on the US battleship Missouri. It showcases his career as a diplomat and politician, using photos, videos and other materials. Access: From Yugawara Station, take the bus headed to Okuyugawara or Fudo-Taki for about 20 minutes We are a five-minute walk from the Okuyugawara bus stop

From the Fudo Waterfall, if you continue walking along the stream toward Okuyugawara, you will come across the Godan Waterfall. Godan means ”five steps” in Japanese and the 100-meter-tall waterfall appears to flow down five steps. Steam from hot spring water gathers around the falls, creating a real hot spring atmosphere. Access: From Yugawara Station, take the bus headed to Okuyugawara or Fudo-Taki for about 20 minutes The falls are a two-minute walk from the Fudo-Taki bus stop

Edogawa Fireworks Festival is held in the summer, and it is crowded with many people.

The mountain streams passing through the town are a paradise for fishing. Enjoy fishing for Japanese salmon, as well as ayu once the season begins in early summer. Japanese salmon: Season opened on Sunday March 4, 2018 Ayu: ・Season opened on Sunday June 3, 2018 (Chitose river: river mouth - Kawaseki bridge) from one hour before sunrise ・Season opened on Sunday June 17, 2018 (Chitose river: Kawaseki bridge - Ochiai bridge) from one hour before sunrise The season for both Japanese salmon and ayu closes on October 15, 2018 (however, ayu can be fished from December 1-31)

We exhibit artworks produced through the use of fire, including antique chinaware and swords, that were collected by the Doctor of Engineering Kazuyoshi Kimura and his wife Doctor of Science Kinuko Kimura based on their conviction that ”the light and heat of the flame brings out the function and beauty of an object, while at the same time creating the beauty and culture that will last the longest in this world.” Access: From Yugawara Station, take the bus headed to Kajiya for about 5 minutes We are a two-minute walk north from the Miyato-Bashi bus stop

Ibasen is a folding fan and uchiwa shop established in 1590. They sell a range of fans with varying uses, such as ”Edo folding fans” made of yukata (casual summer kimono) cloth, ”mai-ogi” used in traditional Japanese dances, and ”kazari (decorative) fans” used as decoration. Also, don't forget the uchiwas with prints of kabuki (classical Japanese dance-drama) actors and famous spots in Japan, that are based on the publications of ukiyoe masters like Utagawa Hiroshige and Utagawa Kuniyoshi.

Tenshozan Shrine was founded in 1931. It honors the Japanese gods Ameterasu, Sarutahiko, and Taisei, and people from all over Japan come for the festival held each year on May 22, briefly creating a lively atmosphere. Located deep within the forest, the shrine comes alive in each season with flowers and foliage. Access: From Yugawara Station, take the bus headed to Motohakone for about 40 minutes The shrine is a 30-minute walk from the Shitodo-no-Iwaya Iriguchi bus stop

Adachi Fireworks Festival is held in the summer, and it is crowded with many people.

Mt. Koya is a sacred mountaintop site founded by Kobo-Daishi Kukai in 816, and Okuno-in, which holds the Gobyo (mausoleum) of Kukai is the holiest place on the mountain. Surrounded by thick cedar trees, the approach stretches about two kilometers from Ichinohashi (Obashi) to Torodo and Gobyo, lined with about 200,000 graves and memorial towers including those of historical figures such as Sengoku Daimyo (feudal lords). Crossing Gobyobashi Bridge over the Tama-gawa River leads to the Gobyo of Kukai, who died in 835, and Torodo. In Torodo, you'll encounter a sacred lantern called Hinnyo no Itto or Choja no Mando (Shirakawatou) as well as another 20,000 votive lanterns glowing together to create a fantastic spectacle.

Held early every Sunday morning in front of Yugawara Tourist Hall. Naturally you can find produce unique to the seas and mountains around Yugawara as well as goods you can only buy directly from the producers or manufacturers at bargain prices. Enjoy haggling with the stall owners and maybe you will get a great discount or a little something extra. Held every Sunday Business hours: 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. (cancelled during stormy weather) Venue: The open area in front of Yugawara Tourist Hall Products available: local specialties, dried fish, vegetables, tangerines, seafood, accessories, home-made bread, pickles, and many other things Access: From Yugawara Station, take the bus headed to Okuyugawara or Fudo-Taki for about 10 minutes. We are right next to the Ochiaibashi bus stop.

Tamagawa Fireworks Festival is held in the summer, and it is crowded with many people.

Rakugo is a type of humorous storytelling which depicts the daily lives of townspeople, fairy tales, and more. This is an old tradition which has been loved in Japan since the Edo period. Ikebukuro Engei-jo is a place in Ikebukuro where you can enjoy rakugo. There are chair seats available, so you can sit for a long time without trouble. Let yourself get sucked into the world created by the rakugo storyteller.

Itabashi Fireworks Festival is held in the summer, and it is crowded with many people.

In 1180, Yoritomo Minamoto raised an army to destroy the Taira family and revive the Minamoto family. He lost the Battle of Ishibashiyama, and guided by Sanehira Doi, hid in “Shitodo-no-Iwaya” (Shitodo Cave). Springwater flows down there and the rocks have become covered in moss. The cave, where it is cool even in summer, has an enchanted atmosphere as it contains rows of statues of Kannon and stone pagodas. Access: From Yugawara Station, take the bus headed to Motohakone for about 40 minutes The cave is a 10-minute walk from the Shitodo-no-Iwaya Iriguchi bus stop