An ancient tomb built of megaliths
Built in the 6th century, the burial mound with stone chamber was made up from about 30 giant stones. Its side-open stone chamber is the biggest of its kind in Japan. The mound is a square shape with 50 m length each side. It is called Ishibutai, because the top of the ceiling stone, which has appeared by losing soil covering it, is flat. Nearby is Takamatsuzuka Burial Mound, famous for its brilliant murals. (photo:Asuka Village Education Board)

●Open/8:30-17:00
●Closed/Open all-year round ●Fare/Adults: 250 ●Tel/0744-54-4577 （Asuka Village Tourism Information）

The head temple of Tendai sect with beautiful views
This is the head temple of the Tendai Sect in the vast sacred area on Mt. Hiei. It started as a hermitage founded by Saicho on Mt. Hiei in the end of Nara Period. The precinct in the towering giant cedars has a dignified atmosphere as a monastery. On top of the mountain, there is the Todo area where Konponchudo is centered, Saito area that Shakado is centered and Yokawa area that was opened by Priest Ennin.

●Open/8:30-16:30 (-16:00 Saito & Yokawa)
●Closed/Open all-year round ●Fare/Adults ￥550 ●Tel/077-578-0001

Temple of flowers that formed the setting of Heian literature
The gigantic beautiful wollastonite (a kind of mineral) rock is seen in its vast precinct. It is also well known as the place where Murasaki Shikibu planned the concept of Genji Monogarari (The Tales of Genji), the oldest novel in the world. There are many notable sites nearby as the Miidera Temple, and the view of Lake Biwa is breathtaking.

●Open/8:00-16:30 (Last entry at 16:00)
●Closed/Open all-year round ●Fare/Adults 500 ●Tel/077-537-0013

Japan's famous castle that rivals Himeji Castle
Taking 20 years to build, Hikone Castle was completed in 1622 to be an imposing castle as well as Himeji Castle. The castle looks even more beautiful when it is lit by moonlight. Hikone Castle's alias Konkijo was named as such, since there was a statue of the Merciful Goddess riding a golden tortoise in the temple at the summit of Mt. Hikone before the castle was built.

●Open/8:30-17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)
●Closed/Open all-year round ●Fare/Adults: 500 Yen, Junior High and Elementary Schools: 250 ●Tel/0749-22-2742

Streets with a proud history
"Udatsu" refers to the mud firewall built between the houses, which is expensive to make. Waki-machi flourished as the trading center of Awa Indigo between Edo and Meiji periods, and Indigo merchants that made millions created the beautiful streets of this town by building shops and houses with "Udatsu". It is currently designated as a conservation area for historically important buildings and it bustles with many tourists.

●Open/［The Yoshida House］　9:00-16:30
●Closed/［The Yoshida House］
Open all year ●Fare/［The Yoshida House］　Adults ￥500, Child ￥250 ●Tel/0883-53-0960（The Yoshida House）

Towering at the center of Wakayama City
Wakayama Castle, the symbol of Wakayama city, was built in 1585 and was the residence of the lord of the Kishu in Edo Period. The castle burnt down once, and was reconstructed in 1958. Many samurai armor is displayed in Tenshukaku, or castle tower. The top of the Tenshukaku is the best place to enjoy the view of Wakayama city. There is a tearoom to experience the traditional tea ceremony.

●Open/9:00-17:00(Last entry at 16:30), Dec.-Feb. 9:00-16:30 (Last entry at 16:00)
●Closed/Dec.29-31 ●Fare/Tenshukaku:￥400
Momijidani Teien Garden: Free ●Tel/073-422-8979