What? Starting from Yamamoto Station (山本駅), today’s hike took us along the Saimyoji Waterfall (最明寺滝), over the Takarazuka Rock Garden (宝塚ロックガーデン), all the way to the top of Mount Nakayama (中山) at 478 meters. Making the circle complete, the hike ends at Nakayamadera (中山寺), a large temple/shrine popular with young parents who come with newborn children to pray for their health. Since 2016, a five-storied pagoda, painted a rare blue/purple color, adorns the site. Where? Located in Hyogo Prefecture (兵庫県), both Yamamoto Station as Nakayama-Kannon Station (中山観音駅) are served by the Ha ..read more

What? Aoshima (青島) is a tiny island off the coast of Miyazaki city (宮崎市), but it is connected to land by bridge. There is a pretty shrine on the island, but the main attraction here is the natural phenomenon surrounding the island. As the soil consists of two different types of rock here, erosion has led to a visual spectacle that looks like an old-fashioned washboard, and it is therefore called the “devil’s washboard”. The phenomenon also is visible in other spots along the Nichinan (日南) coastline, but the combination with an island connected to land makes that it is most impressive ..read more

What? The Yatogi Waterfall (矢研の滝) is a 73 meter high waterfall near the base of Mount Osuzu (尾鈴山). It has been selected as one of Japan’s “100 best waterfall” (I do not know who makes up these lists). Mount Osuzu has a many other waterfalls to boast though. One of the most impressive ones is the Shirataki Waterfall (白滝). The path to these falls is well maintained and easy to follow and can serve as kind of forest bathing. Where? Mount Osuzu is located in the dead center of Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県), and so are its many surrounding waterfalls. The trail head and as such the star ..read more

What? The coastline of Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県) is dotted with natural scenic spots. In the 80km between Miyazaki and Cape Toi (都井岬) there are dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, monkey islands, rolling hills and even wild horses (but are they really?). Not very natural, but rather enigmatic is the Nichinan Sun Messe Park (日南サンメッセ), a place of commercial worship of … the Moai statues of Easter Island. Another human made point of interest is the Udo Shrine (鵜戸神宮), built inside a cave while overlooking the ocean. Where? While JR Nichinan Line (JR日南線) runs approximately half the time ..read more

What? Kitakyushu (北九州) – literally “North Kyushu” – is the second most populated city of Kyushu (九州), but is mainly known as an industrial center. Given this status, touristic attractions are scarce; on the other hand, eateries and places to drink are plentiful. Kokura Castle (小倉城) might be Kitakyushu’s biggest claim to fame, but the city also houses several museums, among which the museum from toilet manufacturer Toto (TOTO ミュージアム). Where? This large city in Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県) is easy to reach, as Kokura Station (小倉駅) is a major stop along the shinkansen line. The city a ..read more

What? Kyushu Olle (九州オルレ) is an organization that has put together around 20 walking courses in Kyushu (九州), based on a similar initiative on the Korean island of Jeju. While there are various degrees of difficulty, all the courses focus on nature and rural landscapes, making for a relaxed atmosphere. The Munakata Oshima walking course (宗像大島) crisscrosses Oshima Island. This island is associated with Okinoshima, a sacred island recognized as world heritage. Apart from several shrines, the route passes a windmill and an old battery site. The various points are connected to each other b ..read more

What? Kyushu Olle (九州オルレ) is an organization that has put together around 20 walking courses in Kyushu (九州), based on a similar initiative on the Korean island of Jeju. While there are various degrees of difficulty, all the courses focus on nature and rural landscapes, making for a relaxed atmosphere. The Chikuho-Kawara course (筑豊香春) connects the stations of Saidosho (採銅所駅) and Kawara (香春駅), meandering over hills, through forests and an area full of temples. The course passes near Mount Kawara (香春岳), a triple peak mountain full of rocks and boulders, topping 511 meters. Where ..read more

What? The coastline of Wakayama Prefecture (和歌山県) is dotted with impressive cliffs, enigmatic caves, mysterious rock formations and the odd sand beach. It makes for a perfect and relaxing drive. Most famous are the Hashigui Rocks or Hashigui-iwa (橋杭岩), a row of stalagmite-like rocks protruding out of the sea, nearby Shionomisaki (潮岬) with the southernmost point of Honshu (本州) and the coastline of Shirahama (白浜). The latter has with the Sandanbeki (三段壁) cliffs & cave and Engetsu Island or Engetsu-to (円月島) two absolute jewels to offer. Where? Both Shirahama and Kushimoto ..read more

What? Adventure World is a zoo-slash-theme-park with as the main attraction a handful of giant panda’s. Equally famous are the safari zone and the dolphin show. The zoo tries to emphasize interaction between humans and animals by involving visitors with the feeding process and by letting them interact in various ways. Adventure World is equally a (cute) theme park with various rides, stalls and a Ferris wheel. Where? Adventure World is located in Shirahama (白浜) in Wakayama Prefecture (和歌山県). To get there, you can either take the train to Shirahama Station on the JR Kisei Main L ..read more

What? Hirakata (枚方市) is most famous for its amusement park, but it can also serve as a getaway from the big city. It shares a range of hills with neighboring Kyoto (京都府) and Nara (奈良県) Prefectures, some of which are part of designated nature parks (Kurondo Nature Park くろんど園地), camping grounds or outdoor activity centers. On the Nara and Kyoto side the hillsides are also littered with small shrines and temples which are half taken over by nature. Where? The city of Hirakata is located in the northeast of Osaka Prefecture (大阪府) and borders Nara and Kyoto Prefectures. To start wal ..read more