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 Museum of The Little Prince” in Hakone is located in Hakonemachi, the western area of Kanagawa Prefecture. It is the only museum in the world featuring “The Little Prince” built in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Saint-Exupéry. The story is reproduced by the exhibitions related to Saint-Exupéry and European Garden featuring French cityscape in the early 20th century and seasonal flowers. At the exhibition hall, the life of Saint-Exupéry, divided into nine separate eras, is introduced. Invaluable references, including his favorite original pictures and handwriting drafts, are exhibited. The replication of his apartment in New York can be seen, where the work was born. Why don’t you think about the moment the work was born? The museum shop “Gookunosuzu” is one of the biggest shops that carries “The Little Prince” goods. Gardening items and European style miscellaneous goods can also be purchased there. Adjacent to the museum is a cute restaurant, called "Le Petit Prince", where you an enjoy casual French cuisine. In its neighborhood, there are you can immerse yourself in to art world at the “Venetian Glass Museum” and “Pola Museum of Art”.

Asato Bingata Studio is a workshop located in Ginowan City, Okinawa, crafting the Okinawan textile, “Ryukyu bingata”. This is a traditional craft whose history dates back to the Ryukyu Kingdom, long before the islands bore the name of Okinawa. Asato Bingata Studio was founded in 1982, and is currently run by the founder, Kazuo Asato and his son, Masatoshi. All of the products here are crafted from beginning to end by a single craftsman; what greets you in the workshop will be a variety of one-of-a-kind pieces, all individually carrying the thoughts and stories of their makers. With the hope to “bring Ryukyu bingata closer to people’s hearts”, Asato Bingata Studio hosts workshop tours, bingata-making experiences, and sells a variety of their handmade products. They are also involved with a wide range of activities to spread recognition of bingata’s beauty, such as providing designs to “Kariyushi wear” (An Okinawan summer wear) makers.

Lake Kinrinko in the town of Yufuin in Oita is famous for its mystical views. The lake’s water is a mixture of cold and hot spring water, causing steam to rise from the lake’s surface. The steam can be seen the best in autumn and winter mornings. Right by the lake is Tenso-jinja Shrine, and its torii gates stand in the lake’s waters. The shrine’s chozu-ya (place for washing hands/mouth) water is pulled from Lake Kinrinko.

Unsho-ji Temple is a must-visit, especially during the early summer months. From late June to early July, the 1,200 hydrangeas bloom and garnish the entire temple premise. The hydrangeas are planted in a thought-out way to help each plant can produce more flowers than the ordinary hydrangea. Additionally, the view of the port area and the sea from the temple is amazing.

Sante Park Tahara is an agriculture-themed park. Here, you can experience farming, have fun with animals, try flower arranging and more. The Sante Garden is beautiful throughout the year too. You can feel summer through your skin when the sunflower and lavender fields blossom, and come back again the fall for the cosmos flowers.