Located at the summit of Mount Minobu, the Inner Sanctuary of Shishinkaku is a sacred place where Saint Nichiren prayed in memory of his parents back home. Located at an altitude of 1,153 meters, the summit is easily accessible by ropeway. On clear days, you can see majestic Mt. Fuji directly in front of you from the temple grounds. The breathtaking sight will touch the hearts of everyone who visits. This special place symbolizes Minobu, where nature, faith and views come together as one.
The Mausoleum is a sacred site built where Saint Nichiren spent his final years and was cremated. Many believers still visit to pray. Surrounded by a deep forest, the tranquil space exudes a sacred and special atmosphere. The Sanmon Gate, the main gate of Kuon-ji Temple, is a majestic wooden structure rebuilt during the Edo period, standing approximately twenty-one meters tall. Its imposing appearance invites visitors into a world beyond the ordinary.
Kuon-ji Temple on Mt. Minobu, founded during the Kamakura period as the head temple of the Nichiren sect, is a sacred place of faith and history. The magnificent main hall and five-story pagoda that stand still among the cedar groves, as well as the majestic atmosphere that awaits after climbing the 287 stone steps, soothe the souls of all who visit. The temple’s changing seasonal landscapes are captivating with weeping cherry blossoms in spring and colorful foliage in autumn. You can experience local spiritual culture through morning services and copying sutras.
The former Ouchi Residence in Shiraki-no-sato, an old private house in the mountains of Tachibana town, is the birthplace of Chozo Ouchi, a politician who worked for friendly relations between Japan and China from the Meiji Era to the early Showa Era. At one time, the house was on the verge of being abandoned, but the preservation group for the former Ouchi Residence, led by local residents, has worked to preserve the house and restore it to its current state. Now designated as a cultural asset by Yame City, it has become a center for people to interact and inherit the culture of the area.
Embraced by a thousand cherry blossom trees, this is Okayama’s premier cherry blossom viewing spot. A symbol of Tsuyama City, selected as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Castles” and “Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.” The castle was built in 1616 by Tadamasa Mori, the younger brother of Ranmaru Mori, who was killed in the Honnoji Incident. Although all the buildings were demolished under the Meiji government’s castle abolition order, the Bitchu Yagura turret was restored in 2005 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the castle’s construction. The turret, along with the impressive stone walls that stand about 45 meters high, has become a new popular spot. The castle is also known as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in the prefecture, with about 1,000 cherry trees in full bloom creating a spectacular view. The illuminated cherry blossoms viewed from atop the stone walls are also a magnificent sight.
The townscape of the Josai district is woven together with temple and shrine architecture, traditional townhouses, and modern buildings. The building, constructed in 1917 (Taisho 6), is a two-story wooden structure featuring a dome at the front, with intricate decorations on the roof and windows. Each room has a fireplace made of different types of marble, and the building is registered as a cultural property by the national government. The café on the first floor is a lovely space, with walls made of traditional plaster and a high ceiling. Here, you can enjoy “Yōan Coffee,” named after Udagawa Yōan, a Western scholar from Tsuyama who is credited with coining the kanji characters for “coffee.” The townscape of the Josai district, which is a blend of temple and shrine architecture, traditional townhouses, and modern buildings, was selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 2020.
A daimyo (feudal lord) garden where you can enjoy the natural beauty of each season. This strolling garden was created by the second feudal lord of Tsuyama Domain, Mori Nagatsugu, who invited a landscape gardener from Kyoto. It was designed to resemble the Sentō Imperial Palace located within the Kyoto Imperial Garden. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of each season, including cherry blossoms in spring, water lilies in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy landscapes in winter. The garden is now open to the public for free and is visited by many people. In September 2002, it was designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government under the name “Former Tsuyama Domain Villa Garden (Shurakuen).”
Daioji Temple has been recognized as a national valuable cultural resource for almost 600 years and has a cathedral with a thatched roof, which is uncommon in Japan. With a thatched roof cathedral, which is rare in Japan, Daioji Temple has a long history of over 600 years and has been designated as a national important cultural property At the temple, you can experience Zazen, a sitting meditation where you can look within and replenish your mind.
Lake Towada is surrounded by exceptionally beautiful foliage in spring and autumn. To see this beautiful unspoiled scenery, take the Akita Nairiku Line through the mountains on a journey into the past.
Miyama-cho is renowned for its surviving thatched-roof houses built between 220 (Edo period) and 150 (Meiji period) years ago. The town was selected as the ‘Best Tourism Village’ at the 24th UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation) General Assembly. The peaceful rural landscape and thatched roofs match each other to create a soothing scene.
