The statue of Hachiko, known for its loyalty, can be found just outside of Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate. The Hachiko statue was built in 1934, and serves as a symbol of Shibuya today. Hachiko was an Akita-inu dog belonging to Professor Ueno Hidesaburo. The story of Hachiko waiting for the professor even after his death is well known not only in Japan but worldwide as well. There is another Hachiko statue in Shibuya, right in front of Tower Records. This Hachiko statue is a bit slanted to match the Tower Records logo. In the area around the Hachiko statue, you can find a green train car. This car was used on the Toyoko Line, and is now a popular meeting spot for those meeting up in Shibuya. At the department shops near Hachiko, you can buy Hachiko-related souvenirs to bring back home.

Shimonada Station locates in the Seto Inland Sea side of Ehime, and is famous as an ideal spot for taking a picture of the ocean. It is one of the railway stations on the JR Shikoku Yosan Line that connects Takamatsu Station in Kagawa and Uwajima Station in Ehime. Until the Japan National Route 378 was prepared by reclaiming the land from the sea, it was known as “the station closest to the sea in Japan”. Many movies, magazines and commercials were shot here. As the beautiful scenery can be seen even today, many people visit to look at the wonderful sunset over the ocean, or to take pictures of a peaceful figure of an unstaffed station. Moreover, the sightseeing train “Iyonada Monogatari” that runs along Ehime’s ocean offers people a graceful train trip over delicious meals. This train stops at Shimonada Station for 10 minutes, allowing its passengers to get off and take their time to imprint the view from the platform to their memory. “Platform concert in the sunset glow” is a popular annual event held in fall. There, you can enjoy the romantic scenery of the sunset and music at the same time.

Blood Pond Hell, in the hot spring town of Beppu, is a spring that is blood red. It has existed for over 1,300 years, and its color is said to be a result of some chemical reaction occurring underground. At the shop in front of Blood Pond Hell, a special ointment using the substances from the spring is sold. The ointment is said to help with pimples, and many people come back to purchase this ointment from all over Japan.

Kabira Bay locates on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa prefecture. The bay’s stunning blue waters make it one of Okinawa’s most sought-out spots for views. The area is surrounded by greenery, and provides an atmosphere for relaxation. The waters of Kabira Bay, however, have a very fast current, and are not suitable for swimming or entering. By the bay are 15 parking spots, where you can stop to admire the view. Nearby, you can find restaurants that serve Okinawan foods such as Okinawa soba noodles, or you can stop by a café to enjoy the view with a cup of coffee in hand.

The Sumida Hokusai Museum locates in Sumida-ku, Tokyo, near the Tokyo Skytree. It is a must-visit for those who are fans of Katsushika Hokusai, an ukiyo-e artist from the late 1700s to the early 1800s. The four-storey museum is surrounded by aluminum panels. The first floor is a lecture hall, souvenir shop and a library with over 10,000 documents relating to Hokusai. The third and fourth floors are exhibits of Hokusai’s works and its replicas. Hokusai was born in Sumida-ku, and spent most of his life there. In the permanent exhibit, you can learn about his life in Sumida-ku through interactive displays and his works of art. At the special exhibits, held about 5 times annually, special events are held according to the exhibit’s theme.

The Ryugu Sea Cave, located on the southern portion of the Izu Peninsula, is a natural sea cave formed by waves carving the rocks. There is a 40-meter “window” on the cave, and from here the cave resembles a heart. You can explore inside the cave to discover a paradise-like area with white sands and translucent turquoise waters. Right by the cave is the Toji Sand Skiing Field, where you can slide down a sandy hill right by the sea.