Mari | Japan Travel 🎌

I found this on Klook when looking for a hotel for my weekend in Kyoto and since it was available, I decided to book and check it out 🙌😆 if you’re booking your hotels (or anything really) on Klook, use my code MARIJAPANKLOOK for a discount! 🎟️ It’s located right next to Kyoto’s Nishiki Market and features an official Maiko Hello Kitty Room. 🎀 Built inside a beautifully restored, 80-year-old Kyomachiya (traditional townhouse), it blends historic architecture with Sanrio design. 😆 Guests also receive limited-edition Hello Kitty merchandise to take home (a custom tote bag, towel, and luggage tag) that you cannot buy anywhere else. 😍 📌 RESI STAY NISHIKI, 〒604-8127 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Kikuyacho #hellokitty #kyoto #nishiki #hellokittyhotel

While Tsubosakadera is widely celebrated for its cherry blossoms framing the Great Buddha in spring, the arrival of June brings an equally breathtaking transformation. 🙌 Right now, the 10-meter-tall stone Daibutsu is surrounded by a sea of vibrant blues, purples, and deep pinks for the annual Yamato Kannon Ajisai Corridor. Running until July 5th, this early-summer event unites four of Nara’s historic temples in a celebration of hydrangeas. 🥰 At Tsubosakadera, the combination of thousands of meticulously arranged potted hydrangeas and the lush, hillside blooms creates a stunning contrast against the ancient stone reliefs and the three-story pagoda. If you are visiting during this window, you can also collect the limited-edition paper-cut Kirie Goshuin (¥1,000) or participate in the Kasane-iro Junrei stamp rally across the four participating temples. 🗓️ Event Period: June 6th – July 5th, 2026 ⏰ Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Morning visits are best to catch the dew on the petals) 🎟️ Admission: ¥800 🚂 Access: Take the Kintetsu Yoshino Line to Tsubosakayama Station, followed by a short bus or taxi ride up the mountain. #nara #tsubosakadera #june #hydrengea

Rokujuan in central Kyoto offers a rare chance to step inside the historic former residence of the Japanese-style painter Imao Keinen. 🙌 Over a century old, this stunning estate captures the timeless essence of Kyoto’s art and nature. 🍃 As its beauty has gained recognition over the years, it has become a popular spot, so making a reservation ahead of your visit is strongly recommended to secure a seat. Once inside, the atmosphere is incredibly peaceful. The architecture is designed so that each individual room offers a unique, tranquil view over the different gardens, allowing you to completely unwind. While the exquisite, crystal-clear warabimochi is undoubtedly the main protagonist of the menu, they also offer a variety of other beautiful seasonal sweet sets and matcha pairings to enjoy. 📍 Rokujuan (六十庵), Kyoto #rokujuan #kyoto #cafe

Deep in the volcanic mountains of Tochigi lies a real-life mythological landscape. 🦊 Sessho-seki (The Killing Stone): Folklore says the spirit of Tamamo-no-Mae, the legendary Nine-Tailed Fox, was trapped in the sessho-seki (the killing stone), this toxic rock. 👀 In 2022, the stone naturally cracked completely in half. Did the spirit escape?! Nasu Yuzen Shrine: Located right next to the stone, Nasu Yuzen is an 1,400-year-old shrine that guards the local hot springs. Stop by to get unique fox-themed amulets (omamori)! 🗺️ What to see nearby: ♨️ Shikanoyu: Tochigi’s oldest bathhouse (7th century), discovered when a wounded deer used the waters to heal. Features traditional wooden baths ranging from 41°C to 48°C. ⛰️ Nasu Ropeway: Ride up the active volcano, Mt. Chausu, for panoramic views and hiking trails along the smoking crater. 🇬🇧 Nasu Stained Glass Museum: An English-style stone manor filled with beautiful 19th-century antique stained glass and live pipe organ music. 📍 Sessho-seki & Nasu Yuzen Shrine, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan #ninetailedfox #naruto #tochigi #nasu

Despite being between Arashiyama and Kinkakuji and a 1,100-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site, Ninnaji is a temple that many completely pass by. 👀 Beyond the grand architecture lies a surprisingly charming, historic secret: a deep connection to black cats. 🐈‍⬛ In the year 889 CE, the temple’s founder, Emperor Uda, wrote extensively in his personal diary about his beloved black cat, doting on its ink-black fur and describing it as a “black dragon.” Today, Ninnaji honors this ancient royal pet with some of the most unique spiritual keepsakes in Kyoto. 🥰 You can get intricate, seasonal black cat goshuin (sacred stamps) featuring feline illustrations alongside traditional calligraphy, as well as beautiful cat amulets 😍 #kyoto #cat #cattemple #ninnaji

Did you know Japan has a shrine dedicated entirely to HAIR? 💇‍♀️ Located in the beautiful bamboo forests of Arashiyama, Kyoto, Mikami Shrine is the only shrine in the country dedicated to hair health, barbers, and beauticians. Because it’s at the end of the bamboo forest and it’s a very small shrine, many miss it! Here you can pray for: - Healthy, shiny hair 💇 - Passing hairdressing license exams ✂️ - Preventing hair loss or thinning 🙌 They have unique hairbrush-shaped wooden plaques (ema) and combs as lucky charms! If you’re in Kyoto and visiting Arashiyama, this could be a fun stop to add at the end 😆 📍 Mikami Shrine, Arashiyama, Kyoto #arashiyama #kyoto #hairshrine

If you told me Chihiro was about to walk out of this bathhouse, I’d believe you. This is Kosoyu, a beautifully restored Meiji-era public bathhouse standing right in the heart of Yamashiro Onsen (Ishikawa Prefecture). With its stained-glass windows, wooden architecture, and nostalgic lanterns, it feels like stepping directly into Spirited Away. Yamashiro Onsen is a historic hot spring town with over 1,300 years of history. Unlike nearby Kanazawa - which doesn't have its own natural thermal hot spring district - Yamashiro is a true onsen town packed with over 20 unique ryokan (traditional inns) to choose from. It’s arguably one of the best-located stops in the Hokuriku region. It sits perfectly in the middle of everything, making it the ultimate hub to explore: - Kanazawa: Just a quick 20-minute train ride away. - Fukui: An easy day trip to see the famous dinosaur museum or Eiheiji temple. - Shirakawa-go: Accessible for a gorgeous detour into the historic thatch-roof village. - 📌 Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen directly to JR Kaga Onsen Station. From there, it’s just a quick 10-15 minute local bus ride or taxi straight into the center of Yamashiro Onsen. #yamashiroonsen #ishikawa #kanazawa

Dating back to the early Edo period, Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu (Kagawa Prefecture, the smallest prefecture in Japan a couple of hours from Kyoto/Osaka) was constructed over more than 100 years by successive feudal lords of the Matsudaira clan. 🙌 Serving as their private retreat for relaxation, it is one of Japan’s most magnificent historical stroll gardens. 😍 What makes it truly incredible is how it uses shakkei (borrowed scenery), the forested slopes of Mount Shiun are seamlessly integrated into the landscape, making the garden feel endless. What to look for when you visit: - roughly 1,400 masterfully manicured pine trees that curve gracefully over paths and water edges, shaped by hand for centuries. - the grounds are divided into a traditional Edo-style southern garden and a modern western-style northern garden. - six large ponds teeming with vibrant koi fish, thirteen artificial hills, and elegant wooden bridges. - don’t miss Kikugetsu-tei Teahouse, an authentic historical teahouse overlooking the water where you can pause for traditional matcha and local seasonal sweets. 🍡 #ritsuringarden #kagawa #takamatsu

Hakuryuen Garden feels like stepping straight into a fairytale. 😍 Because they strictly limit the number of visitors each day to protect the landscape, you can actually enjoy the velvety green moss trails and whispering maple trees in complete, peaceful silence. 🌿 Right next to the entrance, there is a cozy little cafe where you can sit by the window, look out at the forest, and enjoy a warm drink or matcha. It is the perfect way to slow down and wrap up a quiet morning. 🍵 📍 Hakuryuen Garden, Kyoto (Northern Kurama area) 🚂 Take the Eizan Electric Railway to Ninose Station and it’s just a short walk from there. 💡 Check their official calendar before going! To preserve the grounds, they are usually only open to the public during specific spring and autumn viewing seasons. #kyoto #garden #kurama

In the mountainous heart of Tokushima, the Iya Valley holds some of Japan’s most striking remnants of the past: the Kazurabashi (vine bridges). 👀 Legend says they were originally built by the fleeing Heike clan in the 12th century, designed to be quickly cut down if enemies pursued them. 🙌 While most travelers stop at the main bridge, the real magic lies deeper in the valley! The Bridges to Explore: - Iya Kazurabashi (The Main Bridge): The largest and most accessible. It spans 45 meters across the Iya River and sits 14 meters high. The wide gaps between the wooden slats make for a thrilling walk!  - Oku-Iya Niju Kazurabashi (The Double Vine Bridges): Located about an hour deeper into the valley. This pair is known as Otto-no-Hashi (Husband Bridge) and Uma-no-Hashi (Wife Bridge). They are smaller, incredibly peaceful, and far less crowded.  (Note: The historical "Yaen" hand-pulled ropeway next to the double bridges is currently closed due to storm damage, but seeing the structure still gives a glimpse into old mountain transport!) 📍 Travel Tips: • The main bridge is easy to reach by bus or car, but reaching Oku-Iya strongly requires a rental car or a dedicated taxi. The roads can be quite narrow and dangerous so only if you’re confident I would recommend going! • Wear sturdy shoes: the slats are spaced wide enough to see right through to the rushing river below. • Both sites charge a small entry fee (approx. ¥550 for the main, ¥550 for the double bridges) to maintain and rebuild them every 3 years. #tokushuma #iyavalley

Just an hour north of Kyoto’s city center you’ll find a tranquil rural paradise of sweeping mountains, mossy temples, and hot springs: Ohara 🥰 Here is the perfect day trip (or overnight) itinerary: 📍 Sanzen-in Temple: Famous for its breathtaking moss gardens and adorable, hidden stone Warabe Jizo statues. 📍 Hosen-in Temple: Sip fresh matcha while looking through a window that perfectly frames a 700-year-old pine tree. 📍 Otonashi Waterfall: A serene mountain waterfall located just a short, quiet walk past the main temples. 📍 Ohara Sanso Footbath Cafe: Soak your feet in natural hot spring water while sipping local, homemade red shiso juice. 🍵👣 🐾 On the Way: Stop by NyanNyan-ji (猫猫寺) in nearby Yase, a 100-year-old traditional house turned into a stunning "Cat Temple" and the art museum. 🛌 Where to Stay: Ryokan Seryo: Upscale luxury right next to Sanzen-in, featuring private open-air baths and seasonal kaiseki dining. Ohara Sanso: A cozy, authentic minshuku (guest house) with fantastic natural hot springs and local hot pot. 📍Ohara, Kyoto 🚌 Take Kyoto City Bus #17 from Kyoto Station or Shijo-Kawaramachi straight to Ohara Bus Stop (approx. 60 mins). #kyoto #ohara

Beyond the vintage shops and bustling cafes of Shimokitazawa you can find a 500-year-old shrine: Kitazawa Hachiman-jinja Shrine. ⛩️ While historically known as the protector of the area, it has captured the hearts of travelers for its beautiful connection to the neighborhood’s community cats. 🐈 The shrine regularly releases beautifully detailed, seasonal Goshuin (temple stamps) and protective amulets featuring illustrations of cats that change throughout the year depending on the seasons and festivals! 📍 3-25-3 Daizawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo (About a 15-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station) 🕒 Goshuin Office Hours: Generally 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (better check the website for the right business hours). #tokyo #shimokitazawa #catshrine

If you want to bring home a piece of Japan that you’ll actually wear for years, head to Ebisu near Shibuya!👖 I booked this hands-on workshop through Klook, it’s incredibly easy to set up, and you can use my code MARIJAPANKLOOK to save on your own session. 🎟️ 📍 this workshop is run by Betty Smith, a legendary name that brought Japanese denim culture to life decades ago in Okayama. 🔨 you start by picking your base denim and the buttons and so on, then sit down at a heavy, vintage foot-pedal press to stomp your own selected rivets and buttons right into the fabric. You get to curate every tiny detail, down to the texture of the leather patch on the back. ⏱️ It takes about an hour of focus. While you grab a coffee nearby, their tailors hem the jeans to your exact length and stitch everything together so you can walk out wearing them the very same day. When I participated I was the only one, so they were even faster tailoring them! I didn’t have to wait 😆 #tokyo #jeans @klook_usa @klookkreator

Most people know Echigo-Yuzawa for its winter powder, but when the snow melts, this entire corner of Niigata transforms into one of the world’s largest open-air contemporary art destinations! 🎨 Just 80 minutes from Tokyo via the Shinkansen, a summer trip here offers a beautiful contrast of rugged nature, deep local traditions, and world-class installations: 🎨 Echigo-Tsumari Art Field: Spanning 760 square kilometers across local villages and rice terraces, hundreds of permanent outdoor artworks blend seamlessly into the satoyama (traditional rural landscape). It’s an incredible model of using art to revitalize local communities. 🌿 Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel: Part of the Art Field itself, this stunning tunnel by MAD Architects culminates in the famous “Tunnel of Light” reflection pool, framing the dramatic volcanic rock formations of the canyon. 🚠 Yuzawa Kogen Panorama Park: Escape the humidity by taking the ropeway up to 1,000 meters, where the ski slopes turn into cool alpine botanical gardens overlooking the Tanigawa mountain range. 🍶 Ponshukan (Echigo-Yuzawa Station): Wrap up your journey by sampling from over 100 varieties of local Niigata sake via automated tasting machines for just 500 yen. #echigoyuzawa #niigata

In the rural valleys of northern Kyoto lies Ohara, a peaceful village famous for historic temples and farming traditions. 🥰 Not so far from Jakko-in temple there’s the area’s only foot bath cafe. ♨️ At Ohara Sansou Foot Bath Cafe, you can soothe your tired feet in genuine, warm mineral hot spring water while looking out over a quiet Japanese garden. 😍 It operates on a simple one-drink minimum system. Prices start around ¥900, which includes your choice of drink, up to 40 minutes in the foot bath, and a small towel to dry your feet (so you don’t need to bring anything with you!). ☕️ Try their Homemade Shiso Juice! Ohara is famous throughout Japan for cultivating premium red perilla, and this drink is incredibly refreshing after a morning of walking. 🚌 From JR Kyoto Station, take Kyoto Bus No. 17 directly to the Ohara terminal (approx. 60 mins). ⚠️ Important Note: the foot bath cafe is currently only open on Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Keep this in mind when planning your trek! #kyoto #footbath #ohara

Deep in the misty, isolated peaks of the Iya Valley in Tokushima Prefecture lies Nagoro, a remote hamlet famously known as Kakashi no Sato, or the Scarecrow Village. 🙌 It is a place frozen in time, serving as a stark, poignant window into Japan's rapidly shrinking rural communities. Today, the village has fewer than thirty human residents, but they are vastly outnumbered by nearly four hundred life-sized, hand-crafted puppets that occupy every corner of the town, outnumbering the living ten to one! 👀 The story behind the village began in 2002 when a local woman named Tsukimi Ayano returned to Nagoro to care for her aging father. She found her childhood home drastically changed.. lonely, fading, and hollowed out as younger generations left for major cities and older neighbors passed away. Missing the vibrant community she once knew, Ayano-san originally built just a single scarecrow dressed in her father's old clothes to keep birds out of her vegetable garden. 🌾 The doll looked so incredibly lifelike that neighbors driving by would mistake it for her father, rolling down their windows to call out a warm greeting. Realizing how much comfort and a sense of life that single figure brought back to the quiet roadside, Ayano-san began a lifelong mission to repopulate the village. 🧵For over two decades, she has hand-crafted hundreds of unique dolls, meticulously registering each one with a name, age, and distinct backstory. Many are modeled directly after the real people who used to walk these streets, ensuring their memories aren't forgotten. 😭 Now, these silent residents are posed in scenes of everyday life all over Nagoro! You will find them chatting over wooden fences, working the fields with farming tools, fishing quietly along the riverbanks, and waiting patiently at empty bus stops. 🚌 The local elementary school, which closed its doors permanently when the last children left, has even been completely filled with scarecrow students and teachers sitting at desks and lining the hallways. 🏫 In order to get there you’ll need a car 🚗 📍Nagoro Village, Tokushima #scarecrowvillage #tokushima

Did you know Japan has a real-life Dragonite train? 😆🙌 It is called the “Kairyu Train” (named after Dragonite’s Japanese name, meaning “cheerful dragon”), and it features Dragonite inside and out! 😍 Fukui is famous for being Japan’s premier dinosaur fossil hub, making this Dragon-type the perfect tourism ambassador. Check out the schedule online! #fukui #dragonite #train

This is Chogosonshi-ji on Mount Shigi, one of the most unique and underrated temple grounds in Japan. Instead of guardian dogs, this entire mountain is dedicated to tigers. 🐅 Legend says the Buddhist deity Bishamonten appeared here 1,400 years ago during the Year, Day, and Hour of the Tiger. Today, you’ll find massive papier-mâché bobblehead tigers, thousands of stone lanterns, and even a tunnel shaped like a tiger’s mouth that you can walk through for good luck. 🤞 If you want a break from the usual tourist crowds in Kyoto and Osaka, add this hidden gem to your Japan itinerary. 📍 Chogosonshi-ji Temple, Mt. Shigi (Nara Prefecture) 🚊 How to get here: Take the train to Oji Station, then a short bus ride up the mountain. #nara #tigertemple

Did you know Beppu has the highest concentration of hot spring water in the world after Yellowstone? ♨️ Known as the Seven Hells (Jigoku), these geothermal wonders in the Kannawa and Shibaseki districts reach temperatures up to 98°C (208°F) making them strictly for viewing, not soaking! Here are all 7 spots you need to check off your list: 1️⃣ Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell): The most famous! A brilliant turquoise blue that looks like the ocean but is actually boiling hot. 2️⃣ Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell): Japan’s oldest natural hell. The iron-rich minerals turn the water and steam a deep, cinematic red. 🩸 3️⃣ Oniishibozu Jigoku (Shaven Head Hell): Named for the boiling gray mud bubbles that look like the smooth, bald heads of monks. 🌫️ 4️⃣ Kamado Jigoku (Cooking Pot Hell): A "buffet" of hells! It features several different ponds of varying colors and a demon statue guarding the entrance. 5️⃣ Oniyama Jigoku (Crocodile Hell): This one uses geothermal heat to raise over 100 crocodiles! It’s been a breeding ground since the Taisho era. 🐊 6️⃣ Shiraike Jigoku (White Pond Hell): A serene, milky-white pond colored by boric acid and salt. 7️⃣ Tatsumaki Jigoku (Tornado Hell): A rare pressurized geyser. It erupts every 30-40 minutes, shooting a pillar of boiling water high into the air. 🌪️ 5 of the hells are in the Kannawa district, but the last 2 (Blood Pond and Tornado) are a short bus/taxi ride away in Shibaseki. Get the combined ticket, it only costs 2400 yen and you can visit all the hells in one day. You’ll save lots of money instead of paying each one at a time 😆 #beppu #hellonsen #oita #onsen

In the lush, emerald mountains of Saiki City, Oita Prefecture, lies a “Totoro Bus Stop “トトロのバス停” (that’s exactly how you can find it on Google Maps 😆🙌) While many "Ghibli spots" are inspired by the films, this one has a unique story. This tiny village was actually named Totoro (轟) long before the movie even existed! Once fans discovered the name, the local community added the iconic bus stop sign and wooden cutouts of Totoro, Satsuki, and Mei. 😍 You will find: • The Bus Stop: the iconic setup perfect for recreating the classic "umbrella" scene. ☔️ • Totoro no Mori: just a short walk away is a tiny "forest" filled with hundreds of small stones painted like Totoros left by travelers from all over the world. 📍 Totoro Bus Stop, Saiki City, Oita Prefecture. 🚗 Access: this spot is quite remote! It’s best reached by car as part of an Oita or Miyazaki road trip. There’s a small parking area nearby for visitors. I always rent a car and book it on Klook, if you want to do the same, use my discount code MARIJAPANKLOOK 🎟️🥰 #totorobusstop #oita #miyazaki #totoro