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Kyoto City Nijo Castle was built as a rest house for Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first general of the Tokugawa feudal government of Japan’s Edo Period. The Honmaru-Goten Palace and Kara-mon Gate are the original structures.  |
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Osaka City As a representative festival of Osaka, the Tenjin-matsuri is an annual celebration put on by Osaka Tenman-gu Shrine. The climax is the Funatogyo, a procession of boats carrying mikoshi (miniature shrines) down the river to the sound of festive music. |
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Osaka City Bunraku is a traditional performing art of Osaka. These artful puppet shows require shamisen musicians and puppeteers to work in careful unison. |
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Osaka City Osaka is known as a “city on water”. The cityscape can be enjoyed from the river aboard pleasure cruises. |
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Takarazuka City Takarazuka has been known since ancient times for its hot springs. It is the birthplace and home of the all-female troupe of stage performers of the Takarazuka Review. |
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Kobe City A variety of overseas cultures have been coming to Japan since the Meiji Era through the port city of Kobe. |
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Kobe City Sandwiched between mountains and the sea, Kobe is a romantic city with wondrous nightscapes. |
