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Kotohira Shrine金刀比羅宮alternative words: Kotohiragu Shrine, Kotohira-gu Shrine, Konpira Shrine, Konpira-sama, Konpira sama keywords: shikoku, shrine related topics: Kagawa Prefecture related web sites: http://www.konpira.or.jp explanation: Well known with is popular name "Konpira-sama", Kotohira Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Japan. Some books say it should be 3000 years old. In the old times, it had been venerated by all the sea men who were navigating in the Inland Sea, i.e. Setonaikai. It is considered now efficient against a car accident, too. Kumamoto Castle熊本城alternative words: Kumamotojo Castle, Kumamoto-jo Castle, Kumamotojo, Kumamoto-jo, Kumamoto jo keywords: castle, kyushu related topics: Kumamoto Prefecture related web sites: http://www.manyou-kumamoto.jp/castle/ explanation: Castle located in Kumamoto City. It was built by Kiyomasa Kato between 1601 and 1607. and used by Hosokawa family since 1632. Though renowned as one of the most beautiful castles of Japan, unfortunately, most of the structure has been burned out during Seinan war of 1877 and WWII. Kumamoto Prefecture熊本県alternative words: Kumamotoken prefecture, Kumamotoken, Kumamoto-ken, Kumamoto ken, Kumamoto keywords: kyushu, prefecture related topics: Mt. Aso , Kumamoto Castle related web sites: http://www.pref.kumamoto.jp explanation: Kumamoto prefecture occupies the western part of Kyushu region, facing East China Sea. Its surface is 7,407 km2 and the population 1.8 million. The prefectural office is at Kumamoto City. Farmers were producing mostly rice and potatoes before. Now they are producing more and more fruits and vegetables. The culture of fishes is active. There exist some industries like chemistry and paper manufacture. Tourism is prosperous thanks to a magnificent landscape created by Aso Volcano. Kumano Hongu Shrine熊野本宮大社alternative words: Kumanohongu shrine, Kumano shrine, Kumano hongu taisha Shrine, Kumano hongu taisha, Kumano keywords: shrine, wakayama related topics: Wakayama Prefecture , Shimane Prefecture related web sites: http://www.aikis.or.jp/hongu/ explanation: One of the oldest shrines in Japan located in Wakayama Prefecture. It worships Japanese Sea God and the founder of Izumo dynasty in Shimane, Susanonomikoto. It is one of the historical mysteries because Shimane, which is far from Wakayama, possesses also an own Kumano Shrine. With Kumano hayatama shrine and Kumano nachi shrine, it forms one of the 3 centers of Kumano faith which had been very popular during the Middle Ages. Kunashiri Island国後島alternative words: Kunashir Island, Kunashirito Island, Kunashiri to Island, Kunashiri to, Kunashiri, Kunashir keywords: hokkaido, island, territorial dispute, volcano related topics: Hokkaido Prefecture , Kuril Island , Etorofu Island related web sites: http://www.hoppou.go.jp/index.shtml , http://www.kashmir3d.com/panorama/kunashiri/knspanorama.html explanation: The most southern island of Kuril chain. The culminate point is Mt. Chacha of 1,882m. In the north, it is separated with Etorofu Island by Kunashiri Strait while in the south with Hokkaido by Nemuro Strait. Between winter and spring, its coast is covered with ices coming from the north. Main towns are Tomari and Furukamappu, and its surface is 1550 km2. With Etorofu, Shikotan and Habomai islands, it forms so called "northern territory", of which return back is always claimed by Japan. Kuonji Temple久遠寺 身延山久遠寺 身延山alternative words: Kuon-ji Temple, Minobusan Kuonji, Minobu-san Kuon-ji, Kuonji, Kuon-ji, Kuon ji, Minobusan, Minobu-san, Minobu san keywords: temple related topics: Yamanashi Prefecture , Taisekiji Temple related web sites: http://www.kotobuki-p.co.jp/jiin/kuonji/kuonji.htm , http://www.nichiren.or.jp explanation: Located in Yamanashi Prefecture in face to Mt. Fuji, this temple was owned by the famous Japanese priest, Nichiren which founded an important Buddhist School (Nichirenshu). After power struggles of his successors, it has been split to several sects. Now the most powerful one is Nichiren Shoshu of which head temple is Taisekiji in Shizuoka Prefecture. Kurashiki city倉敷市alternative words: Kurashikishi city, Kurashikishi, Kurashiki shi, Kurashiki keywords: tourist resort, town related topics: Okayama prefecture , Inland sea related web sites: http://www.city.kurashiki.okayama.jp explanation: Located in southern Okayama prefecture, Kurashiki was a prosperous merchant town during Edo period. It keeps still many old warehouses of that period. Kurashiki is also reputed for its rich folklore museums. The view from Mt Washuzan on Inland sea is splendid. Kurashiki is also known as a center of textile industry but recently petrochemical has developed on Mizushima district. The rural area is cultivating "igusa" with which "tatami" is made. The population is 423,000. Kuril Island千島 千島列島alternative words: Kuril Islands, Kuril, Kurile, Kurils, Koorile, Chishima, Chi-shima, Chi shima, Chishima retto keywords: hokkaido, island, territorial dispute, volcano related topics: Hokkaido Prefecture , Kunashiri Island , Etorofu Island , Nemuro city related web sites: http://www.hoppou.go.jp/index.shtml , http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Ginza/1253/ , http://artedi.fish.washington.edu/okhotskia/ikip/ explanation: A chain of volcanic islands spreading from Kamchatka peninsula to Hokkaido on 1200 km long. It separates Okhotsuk sea from the Pacific Ocean. The total surface is 15,600 km2 and composed of about 30 main islands. Its climate is very harsh: in summer, fogs, and in winter, ice and snow. Japanese word "Chishima" means "thousand islands" while Russian word "Kuril" comes from Ainu tribe living in Kamchatka, "kuri". Japan is still claiming the southern part of Kurils. Kusatsu spa草津温泉 草津alternative words: Kusatsu onsen, Kusatsu town, Kusatsu city, Kusatsucho, Kusatsu cho, Kusatsu keywords: hot spring, ski resort, tourist resort, town related topics: Gunma prefecture , Shiga highland related web sites: http://www.town.kusatsu.gunma.jp , http://www.interq.or.jp/kanto/sakura/gunma/kusatsu.html , http://www.eat-p.com/kusatsu/ explanation: Located in north west of Gunma prefecture on the southern skirt of Shiga highland, Kusatsu has been renowned for its rich thermal sources since 12th century. Belonging to "Joshinetsu national park", Kusatsu is also a tourist base for Shiga highland and owns many ski grounds. Folklore song, "Kusatsu bushi" is well known, too. You can get there in train via Agazuma line then bus from Naganohara station. The population is 8,000. Kyoto City京都市 京都alternative words: Kyotoshi city, Kyotoshi, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto shi, Kyoto, Kioto keywords: kyoto, tourist resort, town related topics: Kyoto Prefecture , Kinkakuji Temple , Ginkakuji Temple , Nishi Honganji Temple , Yasaka Shrine , Heanjingu Shrine , Nijo Castle related web sites: http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/ , http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/people/kazuoy/garden1.html , http://www.heiankyo.co.jp explanation: Town where the office of Kyoto Prefecture is situated. The population is 1.5 million. Kyoto has been built by Emperor Kanmu in 794 and remained as Japanese capital during more than 1000 years until 1869. By imitating Chinese capital, the town is divided into districts by horizontal and vertical streets as a checkerboard. As an old political center, there exist innumerable temples and shrines like Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji. Traditional cloth and pottery manufactures are notorious too. | |
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