Every Place in the Catalogue
1,610 spots
Illustration — not a photographOmi Beef
Little knownOmi beef (近江牛, Omi-gyu) is one of Japan's three most prestigious wagyu brands, alongside Kobe and Matsusaka beef. Raised…
Nagahama Castle & Lake Biwa Lakeside Park
Little knownNagahama Castle (長浜城) was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1576 when he was still a rising warlord under Oda Nobunaga. The…
Miidera Temple
Little knownMiidera Temple (三井寺, formally Onjo-ji) is a major Tendai Buddhist temple founded in 672 CE, located on Mt. Hiei's easter…
Shirahige Shrine
Little knownShirahige Shrine (白鬚神社) is a 2,000-year-old Shinto shrine famous for its vermillion torii gate standing in Lake Biwa, 30…
Omihachiman Canal Town
Little knownOmihachiman (近江八幡) is a beautifully preserved canal town developed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi's nephew in 1585. The Hachiman-…
Illustration — not a photographChikubushima Island
Little knownChikubushima (竹生島) is a small sacred island in northern Lake Biwa, home to Hogonji Temple (宝厳寺) and Tsukubusuma Shrine (…
Kurokabe Square
Little knownKurokabe Square (黒壁スクエア) is Nagahama's historic merchant district centered around the 1900 Kurokabe Bank (Black Wall Ban…
Hikone Castle Town
Little knownHikone's castle town (城下町, jokamachi) preserves the urban layout and atmosphere of an Edo-period samurai district. The Y…
Genkyuen Garden
Little knownGenkyuen Garden (玄宮園) is a traditional Japanese daimyo garden built in 1677 adjacent to Hikone Castle. The garden demons…
Illustration — not a photographHikone Castle
Little knownHikone Castle (彦根城) is one of Japan's 12 original castles (surviving since Edo period), built 1603–1622. The castle pres…
Lake Biwa
Little knownLake Biwa (琵琶湖) is Japan's largest lake, covering 670 km² and holding 20% of Japan's freshwater. The lake has sustained…
Asuka-dera Temple
Little knownAsuka-dera (飛鳥寺) was Japan's first full-scale Buddhist temple, founded in 596 AD when Buddhism was still new to the arch…
Yoshino Kuzu Mochi
Little knownYoshino is Japan's premier producer of kuzu (葛, arrowroot starch), a plant-based starch extracted from kudzu vine roots…
Illustration — not a photographIsonokami Jingu Shrine
Little knownIsonokami Jingu (石上神宮) is one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, established in the 4th century as a repository for sacre…
Kashihara Jingu Shrine
Little knownKashihara Jingu (橿原神宮) is a large Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Jimmu, Japan's legendary first emperor according to…
Illustration — not a photographAsuka Village
Little knownWhen you cycle through Asuka's rice paddies, granite boulders carved with geometric channels and stone slabs weighing 77…
Zuihoji Temple
Little knownZuihoji Temple (瑞宝寺) is a Zen temple in Arima Onsen's forested hills, famous for autumn foliage — over 2,500 maple trees…
Akashi Castle Ruins & Sakura Park
Little knownAkashi Castle (明石城) is a partially-preserved castle built in 1619, with two original three-story turrets (巽櫓 and 坤櫓) rem…
Kinosaki Onsen Town Stroll
Little knownBeyond the seven public baths, Kinosaki's charm lies in its walkable Edo-period streetscape — a 1.2km promenade along th…
Awaji Farm Park England Hill
Little knownEngland Hill (イングランドの丘) is a family-friendly farm park themed after English countryside, featuring flower fields, pettin…
Illustration — not a photographAkashi Fish Market & Octopus Takoyaki
Little knownAkashi (明石) sits on the Akashi Strait where strong tidal currents create nutrient-rich waters, producing some of Japan's…
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
Little knownThe Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (明石海峡大橋) spans 3,911 meters across the Akashi Strait, holding the world record for longest cent…
Awaji Yumebutai
Little knownAwaji Yumebutai (淡路夢舞台) is an architectural complex designed by Tadao Ando, featuring terraced gardens, conference cente…
Awaji Onion Cuisine
Little knownAwaji Island (淡路島) is Japan's largest onion producer, famous for its exceptionally sweet onions (淡路島玉ねぎ) — low sulfur co…
Estimated from distance to the nearest airport or shinkansen station. Confirm actual journey times before you travel.