Ushiku Daibutsu was built in 1993 on a site associated with Shinran, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism. At 120 meters (the equivalent of a 38-story building) and weighing 4,000 tons, it’s one of the largest Buddha statues in the world.

Hitachi Seaside Park is famous for its large-scale flower displays that change with the seasons. Spring rolls in on a colorful wave, as nearly 260,000 tulips and over a million narcissus flowers carpet the areas around the forest walkways. Around the same time, the sprawling hillside near the park’s seaside boundary bursts forth in a brilliant display of blue nemophila. Summer hues abound with the arrival of sunflowers and zinnia, and the refreshing sight of verdant green kochia bushes on the hill. Those kochia take on a bright magenta hue as the calendar turns to autumn, making for a photogenic contrast with the season’s clear blue skies. Even winter offers a colorful landscape, with the blooming of ice tulips and Japanese apricot trees.

The Oya History Museum opened in 1979, giving the quarries a new direction. The last mines closed in 1986, but the museum continues to thrive as one of Utsunomiya’s most popular destinations.Walking underground through such open spaces is a rare experience. Artwork is displayed throughout the mine, and many of the rooms are illuminated with various colors, creating a sometimes surreal atmosphere.

Sendai Castle (Aoba Castle), residence of Date 620,000 goku. Anyway it’s said that Shiro who built about 130 m of altitude, the east and the south in the natural stronghold where a cliff is settled didn’t establish a donjon to avoid the jealousy of general Ieyasu.Unfortunately, the castle has now disappeared, and the stone walls and the rebuilt side turret let you think of that time. Standing in front of the equestrian statue of Masamune, you can see the city in the same way as the lord, who was full of ambition to rule over the whole country.At the Aoba Castle Museum, you can watch restored images of Sendai Castle, also known as Aoba Castle, using computer graphics. There is also a literature monument of Doi Bansui who has connections with Sendai. In the summer of 2003, it was designated as a national historic site.

Most visitors ride the Matsushima Shimameguri Kankosen boats departing from the center of the tourism area. Consult the provided cruise course map and listen to the bilingual commentary to learn about the interesting names and trivia behind some of the 260 weird rock formations and islets that dot the bay.The seats are about the same height as the surface of the water, and you can gaze upon the scenery through the window. Splurge and pay extra if you want an open-air seat on top of the boat.

The highlight is the Konjikido Golden Hall, dedicated to the Buddha Amida Nyorai. It’s also the only original structure still at Chuson-ji and is covered in gold leaf inside and out, giving it a striking appearance you won’t be able to take your eyes off. It was among the first structures to be designated as a Japanese National Treasure.

Stroll Ginzan Onsen’s compact town centre to discover the variety of cafes, eateries and gift shops. Rent yourself a vintage kimono from the Taishō period (1912-1926), at time when Japanese arts and culture flourished. Enjoy dressing in these stylish, colorful garments to enhance your experience of exploring this picturesque town.

The lake is situated at the top of Mt. Zao, one of the most recognizable peaks in the Tohoku region, at 1,841 meters tall. The crater lake is 27 meters deep and has a circumference of 1,000 meters. The high acidity of the water means no animals can live in or drink the water. Visitors can view the lake from a distance.Another nickname for Okama Crater is Goshikinuma or the Lake of Five Colors. The water changes color according to the intensity of daylight. Various shades of deep green and blue are the norm, but if you are lucky, you will be welcomed with a brilliant emerald or turquoise hue.

Reaching 55 meters high and 6 meters wide, you can view the falls from an observation deck or walk along the trail to the base of the falls.

Ouchi-juku is filled with buildings that are over 300 years old, with traditional thatched roofs and streets with running water to either side. At the end of the main road is a short but steep set of stairs that leads to a temple. From the temple you can see a beautiful panoramic view of Ouchi-juku in its exquisite mountain setting.

This valley, which has been created by nature over a long period of time, is named “Tower’s Ridge” because it means a cliff lined with towers. Hetsuri is the local word for cliff. A suspension bridge is built up to the tower-shaped cliff, and you can also see part of the inside of the cliff, and because of its unique shape, it was designated as a national natural monument in 1943. The top of the tower has various rock names depending on its shape. There is also something called a “marital stone”, and one of the pleasures is to use your imagination.

The shrine’s most famous carving by far is the Three Wise Monkeys. The first “sees no evil,” another “speaks no evil,” and the last “hears no evil.”The carving is one of a series of eight on the Sacred Horse’s stable, that uses monkeys to portray the phases of human existence, with wisdom for each stage. The three monkeys teach children how to avoid bad things in life by seeing, speaking, and hearing no evil.

The phase 3 opening introduces 29 stores, including 26 retail stores (including two stores that have relocated from an
existing area within the centerl) and three restaurants. This brings the total number of stores for the entire outlet mall up
to 213, making it one of the largest premium outlets in terms of the range of stores on offer.