Mari | Japan Travel 🎌

Oita isn’t just a place on a map; it’s a living storybook. 😍 One minute you’re standing before the towering ‘Walls’ of Attack on Titan, and the next, you’re stepping through a mysterious door straight out of Suzume. From the cozy, Ghibli-esque streets of Yufuin Floral Village to the sacred lore of Demon Slayer, every corner of this prefecture feels like it was hand-painted by an artist. 🙌 It you’d like to have the list of all these locations I have recently visited, comment OITA and il send it to you! 🥰 #oita #beppu #yufuin #ghibli #suzume

Beyond being a photo op, these 10 bronze statues (Jinbe is missing, I couldn’t go that far this trip since I was coming from Oita 😭 but I do have old footage, I just couldn’t find it) represent a powerful story of resilience. Following the devastating 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes, legendary mangaka (and Kumamoto native) Eiichiro Oda collaborated with the prefecture on the “One Piece Kumamoto Reconstruction Project.” 🙌 Each member of the crew was placed in a specific town to help with its unique recovery needs: • Luffy (Kumamoto City): Stands at the Prefectural Office as a symbol of leadership and the starting point of the journey. • Sanji (Mashiki) & Chopper (Kumamoto City Zoo): Placed in areas where schools and community spaces were heavily damaged to bring smiles back to the children. • Usopp (Aso): Stationed at Aso Station to help guide tourists back to the volcanic region. • Brook (Mifune): Placed near a music college and dinosaur museum to restore the town’s cultural rhythm. • Zoro (Ozu): Guarding the town known for its martial arts and athletic parks. • Nami (Nishihara): Overlooking the village where the wind turbines (and many homes) were destroyed. • Robin (Minamiaso): Located at the ruins of the Kyoto University Volcanological Laboratory to keep the memory of the disaster alive. • Franky (Takamori): Stationed by the railway to “engineer” the town’s transportation recovery. • Jinbe (Uto): The final addition, standing by the sea to protect the coastline. 📍 You’ll need a rental car to see them all efficiently. Doing the full circuit takes about one day and a half if you want to enjoy each spot, but also one day is enough! I rented my car on Klook and you can do too, use my code MARIJAPANKLOOK for a discount 🎟️ • At each statue, you can visit nearby shops to purchase exclusive commemorative figures and stamps that are only available in these specific locations. • Search for “One Piece Statue” + [Character Name] to find the exact coordinates. #kumamoto #onepiece

Yufuin is a town up in the mountains of Oita, less than one hour from Beppu, that feels like a living watercolor painting 😍 With its misty lakes and rolling green hills, Yufuin evokes the lush landscapes of My Neighbor Totoro. At the Floral Village, you’ll find quaint stone cottages and a dedicated Donguri no Mori shop, making the town feel like a European-inspired Ghibli backdrop. 🥰 Walk along Yunotsubo Street, a picturesque path lined with local craft shops, small galleries, and artisanal cafes. From freshly baked roll cakes to hand-crafted woodworks, every storefront has a unique story. 🙌 At the end of the village lies Kinrin lake. Because hot and cold springs well up from its bed, a hauntingly beautiful mist often dances over the water during chilly mornings, a scene straight out of Spirited Away. 😆 While many visit Yufuin as a day trip, staying overnight in a local ryokan allows you to experience the serene atmosphere after the crowds depart. A soak in an onsen with a view of Mount Yufu is the ultimate way to reset and soak in the magic. Next time for sure 🙌 #yufuin #ghibli #oita #beppu

Beppu, the steaming capital of Oita Prefecture, is home to the world-renowned Seven Hells of Beppu (Jigoku Meguri). ♨️ While most Japanese hot springs are for soaking, these "Hells" are strictly for viewing, reaching temperatures of up to 98°C! 🔥 Among the seven, Chinoike Jigoku (The Blood Pond Hell) is arguably the most striking! 🩸 In ancient times, this area was a terrifying landscape of exploding steam, boiling mud, and sulfurous gases. The ground was so unstable and the heat so intense that locals loathed the land, calling it "Jigoku" (Hell) because it seemed like a place where no life could survive.  👀 Chinoike (literally Blood Pond) is a deep, vivid vermilion: the color comes from a natural chemical reaction. Under extreme heat and pressure, volcanic mud (netsudei) rich in iron oxide and magnesium oxide bubbles up from the depths, tinting the entire 1,300-square-meter pond blood-red. 😮 Chinoike Jigoku is documented as the oldest natural hot spring in Japan (not for bathing ☝️). It was first mentioned in the Bungo no Kuni Fudoki (a record of the Bungo Province) in the 8th century, nearly 1,300 years ago!  There are 6 more hells to check out in Beppu and you can do all of them in one day 😎 get the pass to all of them (2400 yen total). 5 of them are close to each other, walking distance, then take the bus to the other two! #beppu #onsen #hellonsen #hell #jigokumeguri

This is the Super Mario Kamome Shinkansen, running between Takeo Onsen and Nagasaki! As part of the “Super Mario × JR Kyushu” campaign, this N700S series train is covered in Mario, Luigi, and the whole gang. 🍄 Quick Info for your visit: • Route: Takeo Onsen Station to Nagasaki Station (approx. 30 mins!) • Campaign ends: June 30, 2026. • Pro Tip: You can use your JR Pass or Kyushu Rail Pass to ride! #marioshinkansen #nagasaki #kyushu

The Aso UNESCO Global Geopark in Kumamoto is a place where you can witness the raw, living power of the Earth alongside some of the most serene landscapes in Japan. 🌋 Since the Geopark is massive, I rented a car through Klook to navigate the winding mountain roads. It’s easily the best way to see the "Land of Fire" at your own pace! 🚗 If you book anything on Klook, use my discount code MARIJAPANKLOOK! 🎟️ What I saw: • Kusasenrigahama: a stunning double-crater prairie. • Komezuka: I stopped at the observation deck for this view! It’s a perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone that looks like a velvet-green rice bowl. 😆 • The Crater: on this visit, I couldn’t get right up to the Nakadake Crater. Even when the alert is at Level 1, the viewing area often closes due to volcanic gas levels or visibility. It’s a living volcano, so always check the live status before your drive! ☁️ 🗺️ Other Geopark spots you might wanna see: • Daikanbo Lookout: for the most famous panoramic view of the "Reclining Buddha" mountain silhouette. • Shirakawa Suigen: a crystal-clear spring where you can bottle some of Japan’s most delicious naturally filtered water. 💧 • Aso Shrine: one of Japan’s oldest and most significant shrines, deeply tied to the volcano’s history. • Milk Road: a scenic drive along the caldera rim. 📍 Mount Aso, Kumamoto, Japan 🚗 Booking: car rental via Klook 💡 The weather in the highlands is unpredictable, bring a jacket even if it’s sunny in the city! 😆 #mountaso #kumamoto #landoffire #volcano

If you’re a fan of Attack on Titan, standing at the base of the Oyamadama Dam feels like stepping into the anime. 🙌 Hita City in Oita Prefecture isn't just a random location; it is the birthplace of Hajime Isayama, the creator of Attack on Titan. Isayama has often shared that the towering mountains surrounding the Hita basin served as the direct inspiration for the suffocating, yet protective, Walls in his story. To honor this connection, a stunning bronze statue of Eren, Mikasa, and Armin was placed at the foot of the dam, depicting them as children looking up in horror at the "Wall" (the dam) as if the Colossal Titan is about to appear. The statues are located at the Oyamadama Dam, about a 20-minute drive from the center of Hita City. 📍 Address: 2008-1 Oyama-machi Nishioyama, Hita, Oita 877-0201, Japan. • The entry is free! You can walk right up to the statues and take photos against the massive concrete wall of the dam. 🚗 Getting to the Dam: • Rental Car: the most convenient way to also explore the prefecture. • Taxi: available outside Hita Station. Don't stop at the dam! Head back to Hita Station to see the Captain Levi statue and visit the "Attack on Titan in HITA Museum" located at the nearby Michi-no-Eki Mizube-no-Go Oyama. It’s packed with original drawings and Isayama’s early sketches. Also close to the station there is a cafe with fun installations and themed goods inside! You can also download the official app and check out the VR little game 👀 #attackontitan #oita #hita #shingekinokyojin

I finally made it to the last prefecture I still had never visited: Iwate! And what better way to start if not from the Pikachu Train! 😆🙌 If you’re a Pokémon fan (or just love unique Japanese trains), this needs to be on your bucket list. This "Joyful Train" is essentially a mobile playground covered in Pikachus, and it’s just as cool as it looks 😍 🚞 The train runs along the JR Ofunato Line in the Tohoku region. It travels between Ichinoseki Station (Iwate) and Kesennuma Station (Miyagi). 🗓️ The "POKÉMON with YOU" project actually started in 2012 to bring smiles to children in the Tohoku region after the 2011 earthquake. The current all-Pikachu design we see now was launched in 2017.  🎟️ How to Book: • All seats are RESERVED. You cannot just hop on!  • You can book via the JR-East Train Reservation website or at a JR Ticket Office (Midori no Madoguchi).  • It only runs on select days (mostly weekends and holidays), so check the schedule ahead of time! It’s covered by the JR East Pass (Tohoku area), but you still need to secure that seat reservation (no additional charge). Indide there is a dedicated Communication Seat car and a Playroom car filled with giant plushies, a mini driver’s seat, and plenty of photo ops.  😆 👉 I got my JR easy pass (yes residents in Japan can also get it!) on Klook, I got my reservation for this train and then I exchanged everything at the station for a paper ticket 🎟️ get your JR pass on Klook and use my discount code MARIJAPANKLOOK 😎 #pikachutrain #pokemon #iwate #pikachu

Did you know that for over two millennia, the Ama (sea women) of Japan have been free-diving into the cold Pacific waters? 🌊 Without oxygen tanks or modern scuba gear, these incredible women hold their breath for up to a minute to harvest abalone, seaweed, and pearls. 🙌 Historically, women were chosen for this role because of their ability to withstand the cold. They became essential to the pearl industry when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearls right here in Toba. Today, they are the guardians of a disappearing tradition, symbolizing a profound respect for the ocean. 📍 Location: Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba, Mie Prefecture. This specific spot is the birthplace of cultured pearls! You can watch the Ama perform daily demonstrations in their traditional white outfits, a color once believed to ward off sharks and represent purity. 🚊 How to get there: Take the JR or Kintetsu Line to Toba Station. From there, it’s just a scenic 5-minute walk across the bridge to the island. 🎟️ Admission is ¥1,650 for adults and ¥820 for children. This includes the Ama diving demonstration, the Pearl Museum, and the Kokichi Mikimoto Memorial Hall. The demonstrations usually happen hourly (e.g., 9:30, 10:30, 11:30...). Check the board at the entrance for the daily schedule! 🕕 #amadivers #ama #mie #toba #pearlisland

Takami no Sato is a breathtaking seasonal spot famous for its spectacular display of weeping cherry trees 🌸 Around 1,000 trees blanket the mountainside each spring, creating an unforgettable sea of pink that truly feels like a garden floating in the sky: one of Nara’s most magical sakura views. 🙌 During the limited open season, you’ll also find a small sky restaurant and seasonal treats like sakura soft-serve and sakura roll cake under the blossoms. 🍡 📍 298-1 Sugitani, Higashiyoshino Village, Yoshino District, Nara. 🗓 When to Visit • Best time: Early to mid-April (depending on bloom conditions each year). • The park is typically open only during peak cherry blossom season, usually around April 1–20. 🚗 How to Get There • By car: The easiest option. There is a large free parking area (around 600 spaces), and from there a shuttle bus takes visitors up to the entrance. • By public transport: During peak season, seasonal shuttle buses may operate from Haibara Station (Kintetsu Line), often requiring advance reservation. • By taxi: Possible from Haibara Station, but it can be expensive due to the mountain location. #takaminosato #cherryblossoms #nara #weepingcherryblossoms

This is the castle nobody knows about in Nagoya! It doesn’t only resembles the bath house from the famous Ghibli’s “Spirited Away”, it’s a very historical castle in Kiyosu, just 30 minutes by train from Nagoya station. Kiyosu Castle was the starting point of Oda Nobunaga’s campaign to conquer and unify all of Japan. The current castle was built I in 1989, the original one was probably located where the park is now. #spiritedaway #kiyosucastle #nagoya