The statue of the loyal dog “Hachiko” can be found just outside Shibuya Station’s Hachiko gate. The 162cm-tall statue was built in 1934, and stands elevated 180cm from the ground. Today, the statue of Hachiko has become a symbol of Shibuya and a popular landmark for meetups and tourism. Hachiko is based on an Akita dog named Hachi, whose owner was a professor of the Tokyo Imperial University. Even after the sudden death of his owner, Hachi continued to wait for his return at the ticketing gate. The story of this loyal dog, Hachiko inspired film and literature worldwide, time and again. Another statue of Hachiko can be found in front of Tower Records Shibuya, but this one is warped diagonally in a peculiar way. In front of the Hachiko statue is a green train car formerly used on the Toyoko line, and by Shibuya Station’s south gate is a lesser-known monument named the “Moyai Statue”. The nearby department stores also carry souvenirs related to Hachiko.

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.

NIPPONIA HOTEL Mount Koya Sankei Railway Operated by KIRINJI is located in Ito-gun, Wakayama. The hotel is situated within the station. It was built by renovating part of Koyashita Station at the foot of Mount Koya, a sacred spot of Japanese Buddhism in Ito-gun. Koyashita Station was founded in 1925. Since then the station has been used as the starting point for pilgrims following a pilgrimage route to Mountain Koya, Shin Koya Kaido. A part of the station built 95 years ago was renovated in November 2019, and turned into the hotel. The rooms that used to be a night shift room and a stand-by room for the train crew members became the hotel rooms. The hotel rooms, named "Tenku" and "Koya" are decorated with salvaged parts from the retired 7100 type Nankai Railway Trains. Thus, the rooms feature a unique interior design, decorated with parts such as straps, a baggage rack, a "no smoking" sign, a handrail and passenger seats. The neighboring station, Kudoyama Station, was renovated at the same time as Koyashita Station. At Kudoyama Station you’ll find Omusubi Stand Kudo, which offers hearty Onigiri (Rice balls) made from pot-cooked local rice.

Ginzan Onsen locates in Yamagata prefecture’s city of Obanazawa. The hot springs town was made between the late Taisho Period (1912 - 1926) and the early Showa period (1926 - 1989), and retains a retro atmosphere. The waters of Ginzan Onsen are a milky white, and come directly from its spring in the Ginzan River. On Saturdays between May and October, you can witnesss the Hanagasa Odori event from around 8:30p.m. Hanagasa Odor is a traditional bamboo hat-spinning dance. At Ginzan Onsen, you can have meals that use fresh, local ingredients, and have some delicious local sake.

Numazu Port lies on the northeastern side of the Suruga Bay. By the port are over 70 shops and restaurants where you can taste freshly caught fish and other seafoods. Head to the port’s sea market at dawn to see the auctioning and bidding in action. At the Byuo observation deck on the port, you can see a lovely view of the Suruga Bay and the port area. Other attractions in the area include the Numazu Deep Sea Aquarium and the Minato Hachijyusan-banchi shopping facility

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.