Off the map
Château Sampo: A Medieval Castle in Japan ?
This mysterious Spanish-insired medieval castle is thought to be haunted ...
Easy walk
The Village of Yokaichi
The charming village of Yokaichi, in the countryside of Shikoku island, takes you back to the Meiji era. Its beautiful wooden houses are worth a lingering look.
Some hiking
Shishijima: Island of the Goat (or of the 19 Residents)
It’s early. I call on my host: couldn’t you recommend an island around here for my morning constitutional? Of course, he told me. So join my mate on his boat down there. He’ll take you to his place! On Goat Island! You’ve a deal there, I miaow readily, whiskers quivering with excitement.
Melancholic
Nagoro: Village of Dolls
For those who enjoy driving and don’t find cliffsides and mountain switchbacks too scary, the Iya Valley offers magnificent landscapes and dozens of remote villages, each one more picturesque than the last.
Dynamic
Naruto Whirlpools
Find yourself in the middle of the Naruto Strait where the tidal currents slosh against each other.
Dreamlike
Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu
Here’s a burst of colour for starters: Ritsurin in Takamatsu, one of the most beautiful gardens in the country.
