Discover Japan’s hidden gems: scenic views, architecture, traditional culture, hotels and communities
Japan is a small country, but it’s extensive from North to South. Such geographical characteristics helped it to retain significant differences among different regions. Up until several decades ago, it wasn’t surprising that Japanese from Northeast couldn’t understand people from Southwest, because their dialects were completely different. People from different regions in Japan used to speak, behave and ate differently.
However, such regional uniqueness is quickly disappearing. Things and people are looking increasingly similar wherever you go. Regions that proudly kept traditional ways of living and doing business are suffering from declining economy and population. If you want to find hidden gems in Japan before they are completely gone, you may want to go sooner than later.
Kenya Hara, influential graphic designer who was behind the success of MUJI, is running a website called “High Resolution Tour,” in which he introduces regions, places, architecture, traditional industries and hotels that retain the beauty of local life style and culture. Find places you like and plan your trip to Japan!
Nageiredo (Tottori Prefecture): the oldest and most peculiar Japanese architecture
鈴木大拙館 (石川県金沢市)
D.T. Suzuki Museum (Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture)
D.T Suzuki was a highly respected Zen priest and philosopher who made the word “Zen” global as he wrote books about Zen in English. The museum was designed by Yoshio Tanigushi, who also designed the waste management facility in Hiroshima that was used in in important scenes in the Oscar-winning film “Drive My Car” directed by Ryusuke Takiguchi.
京都 東福寺
Tofukuji temple (Kyoto prefecture)
Tofukuji is an old temple built in 13th century in Kyoto. It has famous karesansui gardens designed by modern karesansui desginer Mirei Shigemori.
MUJI Hotel Ginza (Tokyo)
