TOKYO×all Guigui & Loïc

Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple, dating back 1,080+ years, is just a 10-minute train ride from Narita International Airport. It's said to be associated with prosperity in business, good fortune, and protection against fires. In addition to various halls, the temple's vast grounds include a nature-rich park, a spiritual spot (or "power spot") for good fortune and good luck, and many buildings that are government-designated important cultural properties. The temple approach is lined with long-established "unagi" (eel) shops, so you can enjoy a delicious meal after visiting the temple.

Roadside and Riverside Stations of Mizu-no-sato Sawara are a comprehensive facility located on the banks of the Tone River in Sawara, a trading town that flourished through river transport. At the “roadside station”, freshly harvested rice, fruits, and specialty produce from the local riverside districts are sold, whereas the Food Court serves delicious locally-produced cuisine. Popular dishes from the menu include Tonkatsu made of branded-meat premium SPF pork, Peanut Curry Rice, and Udon made from locally milled flour. At the “riverside station”, sightseeing boats and river tours are available, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Tone River. Between January and May, strawberry picking can be enjoyed at the adjacent strawberry farm. Serving as a hub for disaster prevention education and tourist information, it provides a place where “water” and “people” interact. Visitors can savor a special moment that satisfies all five senses while taking in the grand panorama of the Tone River.

Katori Jingu, said to be legend says it was founded around 600 BC, is the Ichinomiya (the highest shrine rank) of Shimousa Province and the head shrine of approximately 400 Katori Shrines nationwide. Alongside Ise Jingu and Kashima Jingu, it is a prestigious shrine bearing the “Jingu” status since ancient times. Together with Kashima Jingu and Ikisu Shrine in Ibaraki, it is cherished as one of the Three Great Shrines of Eastern Japan. It is one of the powerful spiritual spot in Chiba known as “a place to solidify one’s determination”, and is said to bring good fortune in career prospects and major life decisions. There are a number of must-see spots including the vermilion-lacquered tower gate and the main hall, both constructed by the Tokugawa shogunate in 1700. There are shops on the main path approaching the shrine, including sweets shops to savor the famous “Katori Kusa dango (mugwort rice dumplings covered with red bean paste)”. The shrine is a sacred place offering a special experience to purify body and soul, accompanied by beautiful scenery all year round.

You can enjoy a 5-minute aerial walkway experience on the Hodosan Ropeway that spans 832 meters (half a mile) from the foothill to atop Mt. Hodo (elevation 497 m/1,630 ft). The magnificent scenery of Nagatoro can be viewed from the two gondolas, Bambi and Monkey. Hodosan Shrine, awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan, is filled with numerous attractions. In early spring around February, people come up to see the wintersweet blossoms followed by seasonal flowers throughout the year. Popular among kids and families is Hodosan Small Animal Park, which includes a petting zoo. Best of all, a spectacular panorama ranging from the Nagatoro townscape and Arakawa River to the Chichibu Basin, which is also selected as one of the Eight Vistas of Nagatoro, can be enjoyed from the summit.

Hijiri Shrine, today known as the God of Money and Wealth as well as a spiritual spot for financial luck, holds historical significance as the home to Japan’s first circulated currency, the Wado Kaichin coins. In 708 AD, the discovery of native Japanese copper (Wado) in the Chichibu region was presented to the Imperial court. The Shrine was founded in the first year of the Wado era to commemorate the change of the era name to “Wado”. Sacred treasures such as Wado copper ore and a bronze centipede bestowed by Empress Genmei are held at the shrine, while the beautiful shrine hall, constructed in the mid-Edo period, is designated as a Chichibu City Tangible Cultural Property. Known for its benefits in financial luck and good fortune, the shrine attracts many visitors as a precious sacred site where one can experience the origins as well as the history of Japanese currency.

Built in 1930, the Chichibu Meisen Museum, which is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan, was established to pass on the history and technology behind the traditional and precious Chichibu-Meisen silk. Chichibu-Meisen is a plain-woven silk fabric with no right or wrong side. Its distinctive characteristic is the beautiful iridescent sheen created by the color combinations of the stencil-dyed warp and weft threads. It was long cherished to make clothing worn among the common class. The museum exhibits active looms, and dyeing equipment used today, and offers a hands-on experience of stencil dyeing and weaving. If lucky, you can even watch the machinery in operation. Located near the Hitsujiyama Park, a popular destination for its bed of moss phlox flowers, the museum and its surrounding area is filled with hands-on experiences of Chichibu’s traditional crafts and seasonal exhibitions, even tea ceremonies.

Chichibu Shrine, located in Saitama Prefecture, is one of the oldest shrines in the Kanto region with the founding said to date back 2,000 years. Together with Mitsumine Shrine and Hodosan Shrine, it is known as the “Three Shrines of Chichibu” and is cherished as the most important shrine in the Chichibu area. The main hall, reconstructed in 1592, is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Saitama Prefecture and holds significant historical value. The shrine grounds feature an array of impressive sculptures, including the Tsunagi no Ryu (chained dragon), Hokushin no Fukuro (the North Star owl) known to bring academic success, the Kosodate no Tora (child-rearing tiger), and the Ogenki Sanzaru (three monkeys of good health). The annual Chichibu Night Festival held every December is a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, and is a major event attracting many tourists from across Japan.

Mitake Shosenkyo is a nationally designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty located in northern Kofu City of Yamanashi Prefecture, renowned for its spectacular scenery as “Japan's most beautiful gorge.”
Its unique landscape woven by granite cliffs and bizarre rock and boulder formations carved away over millennia, along with its clear flowing water, has been ranked No. 1 in the Gorges Category of Japan’s Top 100 Tourist Spots ranking. The trail along the gorge offers up-close views of seasonal beauty, famous as a prime spot for autumn foliage. The area is full of attractions like Kakuen-po Peak and Senga-taki Waterfall, and is conveniently accessible just a half-hour bus ride away from downtown Kofu. As a popular Yamanashi destination alongside Mount Fuji, it continues to be loved by all, from solo travelers to families.

Takeda Shrine, the foremost shrine in Kofu enshrining the legendary Sengoku warlord Takeda Shingen, is also known for its blessings of victory. In 1919, the shrine was built on the ruins of the Tsutsujigasaki fortified residence, which was home to three generations—Nobutora, Shingen, and Katsuyori—of the powerful Takeda clan for over sixty years, is now a National Historic Site. There are a number of spiritual sites scattered throughout the grounds, including the “princess well” where holy water springs forth, a sacred trident pine tree bringing economic prosperity, along with remnants of the moat, earthen ramparts, and stone walls from the Sengoku-period. The treasure house displays a samurai sword designated as one of Japan’s Important Cultural Properties, as well as other armor, helmets, and swords associated with the Takeda clan. The iconic “Furin Kazan” (wind, forest, fire, mountain) banner is also a must-see. Trees dedicated from across the prefecture create beautiful seasonal landscapes, making this place a popular sacred site visited by many pilgrims and tourists from Japan and abroad.

Daizenji is an ancient temple of the Shingon sect, founded in 718 AD by the Bodhisattva Gyouki, and stands as a historic temple representing the Koshu region. Its origins are said to lie in Gyoki's carving and enshrining of the Yakushi Triad—the Buddha of healing and medicine holding grapes in his hand, flanked by the Sunlight and Moonlight Bodhisattvas—which he perceived in a sacred dream atop rocks of Hikawa Gorge. During the Nara period (710 – 794 AD), the temple received an imperial plaque from Emperor Shomu, designating it as a Guardian Temple for the Nation, and flourished with fifty-two halls and three thousand temple quarters. It received deep devotion from rulers of the time, including Taira no Kiyomori, Minamoto no Yoritomo, and Takeda Nobuharu. The current Yakushi Hall was restored to its original form during a major dismantling and repair in 1954, and in the following year, the temple was designated as Japan’s National Treasure along with its portable shrine. It is a precious ancient temple that preserves many cultural assets from the ancient Saigusa clan through to the Edo period.

The Dainichi-in Toen-ji is a historical temple founded in the early ninth century (810 – 824 AD) by the renowned Buddhist monk Kukai (a.k.a. Kobo Daishi) in the northern foothills of Mount Fuji. Originally established as a Shingon sect temple, it converted to the Tendai sect during the Kamakura period and remains so to this day. The temple and its location were revered as a training ground for Fujisan Shugendo practitioners and reached its peak in the late Edo period as the base for the “Motohachi-ko Sacred Site” (present-day Oshino Hakkai Springs), a purification site for Fujikō pilgrims. In 1711, a few years after the Hoei Eruption of Mt. Fuji, the temple was moved to its present location, and subsequently rebuilt in 1807. The temple’s main enshrined icons are the wooden statues of the Amida Triad, while the ancient principal images of Dainichi Nyorai and Fudo Myo-o are also enshrined there. Since the designation of the Oshino Hakkai Springs as one of the component assets of the Mount Fuji World Heritage listing in 2013, the temple has become a popular destination attracting a vast number of visitors and Buddhist practitioners from both Japan and abroad.

Oshino Hakkai is a mystical group of spring pools, where Mount Fuji’s snowmelt seeps underground and emerges after decades of natural filtration through volcanic rock. A vast lake called Utsuko that once existed, was split in two by an eruption of Mount Fuji, after which the eight spring pools that remained on the dried-up Oshinoko lake bed became what is now known as Oshino Hakkai Springs. The astonishingly clear, deep blue water was revered as a sacred site for purification and worship by the Fujikō pilgrimage groups during the Edo period. Designated as a National Natural Monument in 1934, selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Famous Spring Waters in 1985, and recognized as a component asset of the Mount Fuji World Cultural Heritage listing in 2013. This precious site, reflecting the seasonal expressions of Mount Fuji across its water surface, quietly conveys the inherent beauty of water and a reverence for nature.

The Hanano-Miyako Park is a vast field of flowers spanning approximately 300,000 square meters (74 acres) located on the lakeside of Yamanakako, the closest lake to Mount Fuji. Throughout the seasons, a variety of flowers such as tulips, sunflowers, zinnia, and cosmos bloom magnificently, offering a spectacular view in collaboration with Mount Fuji towering beyond the flower fields. The park's Seiryu-no-Sato area features highlights like the 80-meter-wide (262 feet) Myojin Waterfall, triple large waterwheels, an underground observation facility for lava tree molds, and the Floral Dome Furara all-weather greenhouse. From December 1st to January 15th, visitors can witness the “Diamond Fuji” phenomenon, where the setting sun aligns perfectly with the summit of Mount Fuji. This relaxing garden allows visitors to enjoy flowers and majestic nature at the foot of Mount Fuji throughout the year.

To commemorate the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games cycling event, monuments and plaques were installed along the race course, between Yamanakako Village in Yamanashi and Gotemba City in Shizuoka. Along the cycling road near Koryu Plaza Kirara of Yamanakako Village, two stainless steel monuments were erected. The one inscribed with “TOKYO2020 OLYMPIC ROAD Yamanakako” has rails on top where cyclists can slide their bicycles into and take photos. The other monument displays a map of the cycling route along with the title “Creating the village’s future in harmony with its legacy” in Japanese. On a sunny day, you can take spectacular shots with Mt. Fuji and Lake Yamanaka in the background. And within the city of Gotemba, Legacy Plaques installed in seven locations are etched with the emblems and records from the game, ensuring that the Olympic spirit lives on for future generations.

Located in the lush greenery of Hakone’s Sengokuhara, the Hakone Venetian Glass Museum is dedicated to showcasing Venetian glassworks. Their collection includes delicate and elegant Venetian glass that captivated European aristocrats from the 15th to 18th century, as well as modern Venetian glasses replicated from the end of 19th century. The main attraction is a crystal glass arch that stretches 9 meters (29.5 ft) high and 10 meters (32.8 ft) long, featuring about 160,000 crystal glass pieces that sway in the Hakone breeze, revealing ever-changing expressions. At the garden overlooking the O-wakudani Valley, crystal glass art pieces flourish alongside the seasonal flowers and scenery, while the café restaurant offers an elegant respite.

The Hakone Open-Air Museum opened in 1969 as Japan’s first outdoor museum, and is an innovative institution focusing on harmony between nature and art. Approximately 120 masterpieces by leading sculptors of the modern and contemporary periods are on permanent exhibit in a lush garden that stretches 70,000 sq. meters (17.3 acres) overlooking the mountains of Hakone. The most distinctive feature of the museum is the abundance of outdoor exhibits you can walk through and appreciate the art while gazing up at the sky or even experience the insides of an artwork. The museum also features the Picasso Pavillion, where over 319 works from one of the world’s premier collections are displayed on rotation and other indoor galleries, plus a natural hot spring Forest Footbath. Amidst the majestic natural scenery of the four seasons, this museum offers a place to leisurely contemplate your favorite works, or simply stroll at a relaxed pace. Whether young or old, visitors of all ages can find something special here.

The Lacquer Polishing Experience of Odawara Lacquerware offers a rare opportunity to participate in creating this traditional craft, which has continued since the mid-Muromachi period (late 15th to early 16th century). Designated as a Traditional Craft by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1984, Odawara Lacquerware is characterized by its use of abundant timber from the Hakone mountain range and its techniques of suri-urushi-nuri (lacquer rubbed into the wood) and kiji-ro-nuri (clear lacquer highlighting the natural wood grain), both showcasing the beauty of the natural grain of zelkova serrata, native to East Asia, known as keyaki in Japan. During the experience, participants use wet sandpaper to polish unique patterns onto items like soup bowls or serving bowls, creating one-of-a-kind pieces. These can be taken home the same day and used immediately. This special experience allows participants to appreciate the charm of these sturdy, rustic handicrafts, which developed during the era of Hojo Ujiyasu (1515 to 1571 AD) and saw their techniques established during the Edo period as a castle town and post town (historic towns built around castles and along highways for travelers) located on the Tokaido Road.

Odawara Castle, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, is a reconstructed Japanese fortress just an hour from Tokyo. Originally built in the 15th century, it played a significant role during Japan's Warring States period. The current concrete structure, rebuilt in 1960, offers visitors a glimpse into medieval Japanese architecture and history.
The castle features a three-tiered, four-story keep with exhibits of armor, swords, and historical documents.

The Matsunaga Memorial Hall is a facility for displaying antique artworks, built in 1959 on the grounds of Yasuzaemon Matsunaga’s home in Odawara. Matsunaga, an industrialist known as “Japan’s King of Electrical Power” during both the pre- and post-war era, was also a renowned master of the tea ceremony, under the name Ji-an. Now a branch of the Odawara City Local Culture Museum, Matsunaga Memorial Hall hosts special and planned exhibitions in the main and annex exhibition rooms. His residence “Roukyosou,” a registered tangible cultural property of Japan, is a masterpiece of modern sukiya-style architecture, featuring exquisite designs in its tea room and other spaces. The tea room “Youan”, which originally belonged to Kota Nozaki, was relocated to this estate and is also open for viewing as a valuable cultural asset. The garden was selected as one of “Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks” in 2007. It is a beautiful space where visitors can enjoy various flowers throughout the seasons, offering a tangible experience of the aesthetic sensibility and cultural legacy of this giant of the business world.

The Tokiwaso Manga Museum opened on July 7, 2020, recreating the “holy land” of Manga culture at Minami-Nagasaki in Toshima Ward. Tokiwaso, which once stood here, was a legendary apartment where Osamu Tezuka and other masters of modern manga lived and gathered when they were young. The original apartment was demolished in 1982, however reevaluating its historical significance and cultural value, the building was reconstructed and turned into a manga museum to convey the passion of the masters and energy of that era to the present day. Aiming to pass down and further develop Tokiwaso culture, and as a hub for promoting Toshima City’s community development through manga, this museum serves as a vital cultural asset to convey the alure of regional cultural assets centering on manga and anime to both Japan and abroad.

Anime Tokyo Station is a facility serving as a foundation for the continued development of Tokyo’s world-renowned anime industry, culture, and tourism. The logo design consists of three trapezoids forming a triangle representing the character A, the first letter of Anime, as well as symbolizing the play button u associated with animation. Scattered inside the trapezoids are colorful small triangles that showcase the diversity of anime culture. The facility’s underground basement floor features archives with approximately 50,000 animation materials including original cels, scripts, and planning proposals, many of which belong to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which are on permanent display to introduce the animation making process. On the ground floor, there is a symbolic monument made up of over 100 anime characters linked together to welcome visitors. For those interested in a specific anime, a comprehensive database of Japanese animation works is available for searching, browsing, and watching. Located only a 4-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station, this facility represents the prosperous future of anime and Tokyo, and is ready to serve as a venue for visitors and tourists to encounter all things anime from classic masterpieces to the latest popular titles.

Operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government at five locations in the metropolitan area, Tokyo Information Centers provide the latest tourist information in multiple languages for visitors to the city. Each of the centers strives to meet the concept of “accessible tourism” in providing peace of mind for visitors with little knowledge of the Japanese language or the physically challenged. The interiors of these centers feature a blend of Japanese tradition and modernity, and offer in-person assistance, free Wi-Fi, and multilingual touch-screen terminals. Also helpful is the Online Tourist Guide service offering travel consultations free of charge from home or on the road. The Information Center at Busta Shinjuku (Expressway Bus Terminal in Shinjuku) even offers a nationwide delivery service that allows users to send packages anywhere in Japan, making your Tokyo visit more convenient and comfortable.

SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE is a massive complex above and directly connected to Shibuya Station. SHIBUYA SKY, located on floors 14, 45, and 46, and on the rooftop of the complex, offers a 360° view of this dynamic area and beyond. You can see the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Mt. Fuji. Inside SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE, you’ll find a wide array of stores selling fashion, food, and more.

Originally one of the municipal parks established by Shibuya City in 1953, the new 4-storey landmark Miyashita Park was renovated into a complex containing a public park, shopping center and hotel, in the middle of bustling Shibuya. The shopping complex named RAYARD MIYASHITA PARK stretches 330 meters (1,082 feet) long, featuring shops and gourmet restaurants as well as nostalgic Shibuya Yokocho to experience izakaya Japanese-style pubs to socialize with others. On the rooftop is Miyashita Park, packed with outdoor sporting facilities including a vast 1,000-sq. meter (10,764 sq. ft) lawn area, skateboard/inline skating park, bouldering wall, and multipurpose sand court for playing beach volleyball and beach soccer. Also surrounded by greenery and open space, the rooftop park is so relaxing and peaceful you’ll find it hard to believe you’re right in the middle of Shibuya, one of the busiest cities in the world. As a multifunctional public space where pleasant nature and exciting activities come together, everyone can enjoy this venue freely in their own way.