Japan: Okayama Castle and Korakuen

Okayama Castle is another reconstructed castle (the original was destroyed in World War II by air raids). Nearby is Korakuen which is regarded as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan.

Japan: Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle was destroyed (several times over the course of history), and the present building is a concrete reconstruction.

Japan: Huis Ten Bosch

Huis Ten Bosch is a gigantic theme park in Sasebo (near Nagasaki) that is intended to be a mini version of Netherlands, including famous buildings such as the Huis Ten Bosch palace, Stadhuis and the Domtoren.

Japan: Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan was the third theme park opened after the original Universal Studios Hollywood, and Universal Studios Orlando. It was the first park in the franchise to open outside the US.

Japan: Ghibli Museum

The Ghibli Museum is a unique museum showcasing the work of the Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli. It is located in Inokashira Park in Mitaka.

Japan: Nara

Nara is considered a small city today, but was once the capital of Japan and the seat of the Emperor.

Japan: Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle is a “flat” castle containing Ninomaru and Honmaru Palaces. It is established in Kyoto by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of Japan.

Wassup?

This dog seems to be asking me if I have seen its owner. Captured near Kamakura station in Japan.

Japan: Sasuke Inari Shrine

We discovered the Sasuke Inari Shrine by accident while walking around in Kamakura. A set of bright red torii gates lead up a hill into a shrine full of statues of foxes and fox dwellings with families.

Japan: Kamakura

Kamakura is a small town popular with tourists because of attractions such as the Hasedera temple located on a hill with great views of the town, the Great Buddha bronze statue and other temples and shrines.

Japan: Yurikamome

Yurikamome (Tokyo Waterfront New Transit Waterfront Line) is a automated guideway transit service travels across the Rainbow Bridge into the artificial island of Odaiba into a futuristic Tokyo.

Japan: Shibuya

Shibuya is a major commercial and retail hub, but also famous for 3 things: Shibuya crossing (the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing), Hachiko the loyal dog, and Shibuya 109 (a fashion mecca for young girls).

Japan: Akihabara

In recent years, Akihabara has become infamous not only as a place where you can buy cheap electronic goods but an epicentre for Japanese otaku culture.

Japan: Nikko

Nikko is a small town about 2 hours from Tokyo that is famous for the UNESCO World Heritage site consisting of a complex of shrines, temples and shogun mausoleums.

Japan: Hamarikyu Garden

Hamarikyu Gardens is a special garden with a tidal pond and a chequered history, located at the mouth of the Sumida River as it enters Tokyo Bay.

Japan: Trains

Mention Japan, and a lot of people will associate it with Shinkansen (bullet trains). Trains of various kinds are a major mode of transport both within and across cities.