Enchanted by the celestial beauty of a starry night［Hokkaido: Konpira Shrine］
Konpira Shrine (金比羅神社) is situated below Misakidai Park (みさき台公園; Konpira Cape) on the Sea of Japan coast in northwestern Hokkaido. Its striking vermilion torii gate stands in the sea, creating a beautiful contrast against the blue water. The sight of the sun setting directly behind the gate is truly spectacular. On clear nights, the harmony between the Milky Way and the starry sky is equally breathtaking.
Location: Toyomisaki, Shosanbetsu Village, Tomamae District, Hokkaido：vill.shosanbetsu.lg.jp/
The joy of gazing at the endless blue sea!［Aomori Prefecture: Hotsuki Coast Takanosaki］
From this point, you can enjoy a panoramic view: Hokkaido to the north, Tappizaki (龍飛崎) to the west, and the Shimokita (下北) Peninsula to the east, provided the weather is clear. At the tip of the cape stands a red-and-white lighthouse. Further down, you will find two red bridges, ‘Shiosai Bridge (潮騒橋)’ and ‘Nagisa Bridge (渚橋),’ connecting the rocky areas. Crossing these bridges leads you to a stunning vista, where you can admire the endless blue expanse of the sea and beautiful sunsets.
Location: Hotsuki, Imabetsu Town, Higashitsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture
Website：town.imabetsu.lg.jp/
Captivated by a dazzling display!［Akita Prefecture: Noshiro Tanabata Tenku no Fuyajo (Castle in the Sky)］
This festival was revived in 2013 after an absence of about 100 years. The spectacle features two impressive Tanabata (七夕) castle lanterns parading through the streets of Noshiro (能代). One lantern, ‘Chikasue (愛季)’ (24.1m), named after the lord of Hiyama Castle (檜山城) who ruled Noshiro, is the tallest in Japan. The other, ‘Karoku (嘉六)’ (17.6m), is named after the carpenter who crafted castle lanterns during the Edo period. The sight of these lanterns is breathtaking.
Location: Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture
Organiser: Noshiro Tanabata Tenku no Fuyajo Committee (能代七夕天空の不夜城協議会)
Website：noshirotanabata.com
A submerged forest brimming with the freshness of early summer［Iwate Prefecture: Kinshuko Lake］
Kinshuko Lake (錦秋湖), located in Nishiwaga Town (西和賀町) — a heavy snowfall area bordering Akita Prefecture—features a ‘submerged forest’ during the fresh greenery season when snowmelt raises the water level. Furthermore, the vivid red Dai-ni Wagagawa Bridge (第二和賀川橋), which spans the lake, becomes an ideal spot for photography when the JR Kitakami (北上) Line trains cross it.
Location: Nishiwaga Town, Waga District, Iwate Prefecture
Contact: Nishiwaga Town Tourism Association (西和賀町観光協会)
Website：yamanoideyu.com/
22 stone statues carved into the reefs of the Sea of Japan［Yamagata Prefecture: Juroku Rakan Iwa (Sixteen Arhat Rocks)］
These stone Buddhist statues carved into the reefs at the northernmost part of the prefecture were commissioned in the Edo period by Kankai (寛海), a monk from Kaizenji Temple (海禅寺). He undertook the project to pray for the souls of fishermen lost at sea and for maritime safety. Kankai himself supervised local stonemasons while gathering donations, and over five years, they completed 22 statues, including the Juroku Rakan (十六羅漢, Sixteen Arhats). This is the only rock sculpture of such magnitude on the coast of the Sea of Japan.
Location: Fukuura Nishidate, Yuza Town, Akumi District, Yamagata Prefecture
Contact: Yuza Chokai Tourism Association (遊佐鳥海観光協会)
Website: yuzachokai.jp/
A magnificent waterfall you can walk directly to the basin of!［Miyagi Prefecture: Akiu Great Falls］
Akiu Great Falls (秋保大滝), selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls, is an impressive sight with a drop of 55 metres and a width of 6 metres. You can view the waterfall from the observation deck, but the truly spectacular view is from the basin below. While refreshing in summer, the autumn scenery, painted with vibrant foliage, is equally magnificent.
Location: Akiu Town, Baba Otaki area, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Location: Akiu Town, Baba Otaki area, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Website: miyagi-kankou.or.jp/theme/detail.php?id=9815
A wild and expansive mountain range［Fukushima Prefecture: Bandai Azuma Skyline］
If you hike the Shimofuri Shindo (シモフリ新道) trail on the Takayu (高湯) side—one of the routes to Mt. Issaikyo (一切経山) — you will reach Mt. Rakudayama (駱駝山). The view from there, encompassing the Bandai Azuma (磐梯吾妻) Skyline and Azuma Kofuji (吾妻小富士), is exceptional. The photo shows a clear day, but under the right conditions, you can also enjoy a spectacular view combined with a sea of clouds.
Location: Washikurayama area, Tsuchiyu Onsen Town, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
Contact: Fukushima City Tourism Note (福島市観光ノート)
Website：f-kankou.jp/
This article is a reproduction from the August/September 2024 issue of WARAKU magazine.
This article is translated from https://intojapanwaraku.com/travel/247441/
