Japan is one of the oldest nations in the world, with plenty of historical sites to mark the passage of time. Fans of history, architecture or Japan in general will undoubtedly find something of interest here. With shrines and monuments dating as far back as the Nara period of the 8th century, where the seeds of what grew to become modern Japan sprouted, you can satisfy your inner historian—or maybe just enjoy the view as part of your daily sightseeing adventure.
The pride of Asakusa is the gate to the Senso-ji Temple known as Kaminarimon, or “Thunder Gate.” Famous for both its history and its size (measuring just under 38 feet tall), it attracts both international visitors and Japanese residents alike. Originally built in 942 by Taira no Kinmasa, a member of the influential Taira samurai clan, the gate has a long history of being burned to the ground and rebuilt. After being relocated to its current position from Komagata, it has been damaged and restored several times; 1960 was the last major restoration. Two statues flank the gate's front opening, representing Fuujin and Raijin, the Shinto gods of wind and thunder. Representations of the Buddhist god and goddess Tenryu and Kinryu are located on the rear side of the Kaminarimon. A large red lantern hangs in the center of the gate, which is folded on certain holidays to allow large structures to pass through. Kaminarimon 1-3 Asakusa Taitoku Japan 111-0032 +81-33-842-0181 senso-ji.jp
Nestled in the heart of Tokyo's Shinjuku ward, Hanazono Jinja is a small and unobtrusive structure that, according to Fodor's, just happens to be one of the most historical shrines in Japan. Constructed in the Edo period by the Hanazono family, this Inari shrine—a shrine dedicated to Inari, the androgynous god of fertility and worldly success—is a favorite place for businessmen to pray for successful ventures. Come during the day if you enjoy peace and quiet, as the remnants of the “Golden Gai” (a strip of bars that catered to starving artists and writers in the 1960s) just a block away can be fairly active at night. This site isn't set up to receive English-speaking visitors, so there are no signs in English near the shrine. Bringing a map is recommended. Hanazono Jinja 5-17-3 Shinjuku Japan 160-0022 +81-33-209-5265 hanazono-jinja.or.jp (Japanese)
Located in the Osaka prefecture, Osaka Castle is most known for the man who built it and his role in the unification of the warring factions in Japan. In 1583, the regional lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi built the castle as a structure to rival the size and power of Oda Nobunaga's Azuchi castle. After Hideyoshi's death, the castle would later become the scene for the Toyotomi family's annihilation. The castle endured further destruction during a period of civil strife in the Meiji Restoration in the 1860s, and was damaged during bombing raids in World War II. The Osaka government fully restored the castle again in the 1990s. The adjacent Osaka Castle Museum features more in-depth historical information and three-dimensional displays. Osaka Castle 1-1 Osakajo Chuoku Japan 540-0002 +81-66-941-3044 osakacastle.net
- bright flowers on a grey day image by Rosemary Robenn from Fotolia.com