Three-Storied Waterfall (Sandan-no-Taki) is located in Rarumanai Nature Park in Eniwa, Hokkaido, and is the lowest of three waterfalls in the park.
The waterfall is fed by a mountain stream that comes down from Mt Shimamatsu. From the Rarumanai River the water drops 20m down a cliff, whose three steps give the waterfall its name. While not so big, the waterfall carries a high volume of water and appears powerful. This area was originally a valley, so the sound of the waterfall is amplified to give it a greater roar.
You can see the whole waterfall from a nearby bridge but if you want to enjoy a panorama, you should go down to the lowest dry riverbed. At the riverbed, it is true that you cannot see the first step of the falls, but the overwhelming sight is very refreshing. In autumn, the maple leaves redden and you can appreciate a spectacular and gorgeous view.
About 7 kilometers from Monbetsu on the Omusaro Plateau in Hokkaido, are the remains of pit dwellings. These remains spread over a hill between Shokotsu River and Omusaro Pond near the town of Okoppe. There are 208 pit dwellings of early native peoples extending for about 1km in this area.
These remains probably belong to the early Jomon period of about 10,000 years ago. There are also remains belonging to the later Satsumon period that feature the unique Okhotsk culture of the Ainu people of Hokkaido. These pit dwellings show us the life of these peoples over a period of 10,000 years.
Today, the remains are part of a park on the plateau, and there is a great view from the top. There has been some restoration of the pit dwellings, and of high-floored warehouses which give a feeling of life in the Satsumon period 1,000 years ago. Plants favored by the Ainu people, such as 'oubayuri', 'ezoengosaku' and 'gyojaninniku' have been planted in the area.
Mr Fuji extends across parts of both Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. At 3776m, Mt Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan as everyone knows.
The origin of the mountain dates back to hundreds of thousand of years ago. Even today, it is still an active volcano. Its last eruption was on 16th December, 1707, in the Edo period, and there remains a document saying that volcanic ash traveled as far as Tokyo.
Ancient literature describes Mt. Fuji as Mt. 'No Death' or 'No Two' (both of these words can be pronounced as 'fuji' in Japanese). The name 'No Death' derives from the Taketori Tale, in which an elixir of life was burnt on the mountain. 'No Two' comes from the fact that 'no other mountains compete with Mt. Fuji'. Since the Kamakura period, the characters for Mt. Fuji are written as 'samurai gets rich', which samurais preferred.
The number of people climbing Mt. Fuji is said to be the largest of any mountain in the world. The facts about this mountain could go on forever. You will feel its greatness afresh.
The remains of Miharu Castle stand on Mt Ooshida near the town of Miharu in Tamura-gun, Fukushima Prefecture. The castle was established by Lord Yoshiaki Tamura of the Tamura clan and constructed from the Kamakura period to the Nanboku-chou period.
The Tamura clan eventually became one of the servant clans to a larger more powerful clan, but in 1590, after the Ouu-shioki, they changed to serve the Masamune Date and moved to Sendai. Soon after, the castle became the property of clan lords such as Ujisato Gamou, Kagekatsu Uesugi and Yoshiaki Katou.
In 1645, Toshitsue Akita became the castle lord for 10 thousand cubic meters of rice, and the Akita clan ruled until the Meiji Restoration. The castle was abandoned in the 4th year of the Meiji period (1871) due to the abolition of the domain system.
Today, the castle site is famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms. Many public institutions stand near the castle remains, and the area functions as a center of the town of Miharu. Miharu Castle reveals the sorrows and weaknesses of those who were pawns in the inevitable flow of history.
The view of the dense trees closing in on Fudousawa Creek deep inside Tsubakuro Valley in Fukushima Prefecture is splendid. It is also one of the most famous fall-leaf viewing spots along the Bandai-aduma skyline, as well as being one of the eight great Aduma viewing spots.
The name Tsubakuro comes from the fact that Asian spotted martins (or iwatsubame in Japanese) often used to fly through and above the valley.
A new Fudousawa Bridge, rebuilt in 2002, allows for visitors to look down on the narrow valley from 80m above. The view of the valley during autumn is breathtaking and the contrast between the variously colored leaves and the white waters of the creek is quite beautiful.
Nakayama-Senkyo is located in a steep mountain area called Ebisuyaba in the Kunisaki Peninsula. It is 317m above sea level and 200m above sea level at the entrance to its hiking course. If you take the course, Mumyo Bridge is a 30-minute walk, Takaki is a one-hour walk and all the other courses take about 2 hours.
Mumyo Bridge lies on the hiking course and is a stone bridge comprising two long flat slabs that connect at the bridge center. The bridge spans between rocks and is 40cm wide and 3m long.
When crossing the bridge, you may be afraid of falling, but the village view is so great you will pause to take a look. From Takaki, the top of the mountain, you can enjoy a panoramic view.
Seihoro, a building located in the town of Kusu in Oita Prefecture, was named by Futaido, a honored monk of the Shingon sect.
In the third year of the Tenpo period (1832), Kurushima Michihiro, Bungo-Mori domain 8th head, consructed Seihoro during renovation of Suehiro Shrine, according to an historical record of the Mori domain. The document says that Seihoro was a teahouse used during autumn for viewing fall leaves, and was also used at shrine festivals or parties for enjoying the moon or flowers.
The first floor of Seihoro is in teahouse style and looks onto the 'Horai-san Stone Arrangement' garden with its 'borrowed-view' of Mt Kokonoe and the Mori castle town beyond, as well as some grand stepping stones. From the second floor, there is a wonderful view, as if from a castle tower, of Mori town and Mt Kuju.
Seihoro is an important building in Kusu that tells us something about Mori domain politics in the Edo period.
Meoto-iwa are two rocks which are part of Futamiokitama Jinja shrine in Futami, Watarai-gun, Mie Prefecture. They stand on the rocky seashore near the shrine and got their name because they look like a husband and wife living together in perfect harmony and talking to each other.
From ancient times, the Meoto-iwa have been known as a spot for praying at sunrise because, on clear and fine days, Mt Fuji can be seen creating a majestic and splendid view in the distance.
Another rock, known as the Okitama-Jinseki, or Oki-no-Ishi, is located 660m offshore in the sea. The Meoto-iwa are regarded as the torii (shrine gateway) for the Okitama-Jinseki. The Oki-no-Ishi is considered to hold the spirit of the shrine deity who descended here. It is also believed to be the place where other deities come to visit and return.
The Otoko-iwa (male rock) is 9 meters tall with a circumference of 40 meters. The Onna-iwa (female rock) is about 4 meters tall with a circumference of 9 meters. The rope that connects the two rocks is 35 meters in length. During May to July, especially before and after summer solstice, the sunrise seen between the two rocks is magnificent. The Meoto-iwa are also known as a symbol for good conjugal life, and relationships, motivating many people to visit this charming spot.