Koyasan Koyasan, a monastic complex in Wakayama Prefecture, was founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) approximately 1200 years ago, and is the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Esoteric Buddhism. With its two centers, the Danjogaran and Okunoin, Koyosan has, for many generations, prospered as a religious town and center with many people visiting the mountain year round. On the mountain can be found 117 temples, including Kongobuji Temple which sits atop the tableland 900 meters above sea level. Staying in shukubo (temple lodgings) offers both an opportunity to eat shojin ryori, a traditional style of food that does not contain meat or fish and also a chance to take part in the morning religious service. Koyasan/Kumano have been registered to The World Heritage as "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range, and the Cultural Landscapes that Surround Them" in July, 2004.

		Koyasan, Koya-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
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		- http://www.shukubo.jp/
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Kobe Located about 30 minutes west of Osaka by train, the port town of Kobe was first established in current form at the end of the Edo period. At the time, it played host to many visiting foreign registered ships and over time became one of the nation's greatest ports for international and domestic trade. The former settlements of the then foreign population provide for much romantic scenery around the city but not all is man made. The beautiful Mt. Rokkosan stands to the immediate north of the city and the ancient Arima- hot spring is also to be found in the Kobe area.

		Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
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		- http://www.kcva.or.jp/
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Himeji Castle Himeji is a city located some 80 km west of Osaka and is a place very well known due to its castle, a designated World Heritage Site. Construction was initiated in 1601 and took 9 years to complete and nowadays, as in older days, the castle is also known by the name of "Hakuro-jo" (the egret castle) due to its shape and form. Himeji castle is said to be the most beautiful castle of its type in Japan.

		68, Honmachi, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture
		9am-5pm (Admission until 4pm / Extended for one hour during June - August)
		Dec.29-31
		600 yen http://www.city.himeji.hyogo.jp/
		0792-85-1146 -

Nara Nara is an old city where Japanese culture first found its feet. Following a 710 move to Nara, the roughly 80 years the city flourished as the capital found it establishing Buddhism as one of the young nation's dominant religious forces. As such, many temples and shrines in Nara can now boast a history in excess of 1000 years with Todaiji Temple, Toshodaiji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine being prime examples.

		Nara City, Nara prefecture
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		- http://www1.sphere.ne.jp/naracity/j/n_hp.html
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