Osaka
This classic shopping arcade wends along the path of an old moat (from an earlier, larger incarnation of Osaka-j艒), long since filled in. The arcade suffered little damage in WWII and thus has a few older buildings, which, along with the small-time vendors selling pickles, roasted sweet potatoes and the like, gives it an aura of decades past.
Look to the surrounding lanes for cafes and boutiques in restored wooden buildings.
26.84 MILES
The covered Nishiki Market (Nishiki-k艒ji Ichiba) is one of Kyoto鈥檚 real highlights, especially if you have an interest in cooking and dining. Commonly鈥
1.9 MILES
This C茅sar Pelli鈥揹esigned tower, which opened in March 2014, is Japan's tallest building (300m, 60 storeys). The observatory on the 16th floor is free,鈥
25.24 MILES
The thick green bamboo stalks seem to continue endlessly in every direction and there鈥檚 a strange quality to the light at this famous bamboo grove, which鈥
18.48 MILES
Nara's star attraction is its Daibutsu (Great Buddha), one of the largest bronze statues in the world. It was unveiled in 752, upon the completion of the鈥
13.2 MILES
贬艒谤测奴-箩颈 was founded in 607 by Prince Sh艒toku, considered by many to be the patron saint of Japanese Buddhism. It's renowned not only as one of the oldest鈥
26.91 MILES
A buzzing hive of activity perched on a hill overlooking the basin of Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto's most popular and most enjoyable temples. It鈥
24.94 MILES
With seemingly endless arcades of vermilion torii (shrine gates) spread across a thickly wooded mountain, this vast shrine complex is a world unto its own鈥
27.52 MILES
A collection of soaring buildings, spacious courtyards and gardens, Chion-in serves as the headquarters of the J艒do sect, the largest school of Buddhism鈥
0.7 MILES
Built above the ruins of Naniwa Palace (c 650), visible through the ground floor, this museum tells Osaka's story from the era of this early palace to the鈥
0.71 MILES
An Osaka landmark for over a century, this 600m-long market is in equal parts a functioning market and a tourist attraction. Vendors selling fresh fish,鈥
0.73 MILES
Highly photogenic 顿艒迟辞尘产辞谤颈 is the city's liveliest night spot and the centre of the southern part of town. Its name comes from the 400-year-old canal,鈥
0.84 MILES
Home of the most famous statue of Kuidaore Tar艒 鈥 the drum-banging clown who represents the city's culture of kuidaore ('eat 'til you drop').
0.85 MILES
This tiny temple hidden down a narrow alley houses a statue of Fud艒 My艒-艒 (a deity of esoteric Buddhism), covered in thick moss. It's a favourite of鈥
0.87 MILES
This narrow two-storey museum is worth a visit for anyone with an interest in ukiyo-e (woodblock prints). It mainly displays prints of famous kabuki鈥
0.87 MILES
You can't miss the giant animated crab that marks the entrance to Kani D艒raku Honten, which is, of course, a crab restaurant. The shop sells tasty crab鈥