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1,001 Statues of the Thousand-Armed Goddess of Mercy in the Main Hall of Sanjusangendo! Explore One of Kyoto's Foremost Sightseeing Destinations With This Awesome Video!
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Highlights of Otaru Art Base and Its Stained Glass Museum in Hokkaido! Enjoy the Beautiful and Majestic World of Lights via Video!
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Toji Temple - A Popular Sightseeing Spot Selected as One of Kyoto's Representative National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. We'll Also Introduce the Traditional Remnants and Art of Kyoto That You Should Know About Before Traveling There!
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Nanao Castle - One of the Most Famous Castles in Japan and Once an Impregnable Fortress in Ishikawa! Discover the Secrets of Nanao Castle, Where the Famous Warlord Uesugi Kenshin Fought for His Life!
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The Jet-Black Okayama Castle Standing Beautifully in the Darkness of Night! Discover the Amazing Light Up Event That Turns This Travel Destination Into a Land of Fantasy!
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The War-Torn "Takechi Maru" Reborn as a Breakwater! Exploring the History of the Takechi Maru, a Ship That Watches Over the People as a Guardian Deity of the Sea!
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Nishi Honganji Temple - Explore the Popular Travel Destination in Kyoto, Japan! A Look at the Majestic Architecture and Gardens of This World Heritage Site and National Treasure!
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Experience the Large Weeping Cherry Blossoms at Joenji Temple in All Their Beauty in the Metropolis of Shinjuku, Tokyo! Enjoy Beautiful Cherry Blossoms Lit up to "Sakura Sakura," a Japanese Folk Song!
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Feel the Charm of Oita Prefecture's Rokugo Manzan, Celebrating Its 1300th Anniversary. The Magnificent Temples and Historic Festivals Dating Back to Ancient Times Create a Fascinating Sightseeing Spot Where You Can Learn About Japanese Culture
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Zojoji Temple – Explore a Temple in the Heart of Tokyo Dotted With Buddhist Statues, Colorful Pinwheels, and Ties to Famous Warlords
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Zuiryuji Temple - A National Treasure and Popular Tourist Destination in Takaoka, Toyama. Built From the Wealth of the Kaga Domain, This Amazing Example of Japanese Architecture Is Bursting With History!
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Hamamatsu Castle, Built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, Made a Name for Itself in the Warring States Period as a Castle of Prominence. Discover the History of the Former Ruler at Hamamatsu Castle in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka!
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A Close Look At the Master Craftsmanship of Japan's Temple & Shrine Carpenters! Discover the Amazing Traditional Japanese Technique of Building Without Using Nails
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Ueda Castle: A Hot Topic After Being Featured in the Historical Drama "Sanadamaru"! If You Want to Learn More About Yukimura Sanada, a Famous Warlord in the Warring States Period, Don't Miss Out on This Historical Sightseeing Destination in Ueda, Nagano!
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1,015 Steps to the Top of Risshaku-ji Temple in Yamagata, Yamagata Prefecture. A National Site of Scenic Beauty, With a View That Moved Even the Famous Poet Matsuo Basho!
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Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine: The Setting for a Popular Anime, This Shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture Is a Must-See for Anime Fans. Enjoy the Mystical Atmosphere That Will Transport You to Another World!
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Ise Jingu Shrine in Mie Prefecture Has a Long History Dating Back 2,000 Years. As One of Japan's Most Popular Tourist Destinations, This Power Spot Needs To Be on Your Bucket List!
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Hill of the Buddha - A New Attraction in Sapporo, Hokkaido Designed by a World-Famous Architect. Come Check Out the Buddha as He Pokes His Head Out From a Hill Surrounded by Lavenders!
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The Internationally Recognized, Two Michelin-Starred Temple in Tsuruoka, Yamagata – Churenji Temple, Built by Koubou Daishi/Kukai, Is a Sacred Spot Dedicated to "Sokushinbutsu," aka Living Buddhas!
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21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa: Full of Japanese Contemporary Art That Will Look Great on Your Instagram! This Popular Tourist Destination in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Is Great for Families and Dates, and Has Even Been Featured on TV and in Magazines!
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The Shoto Museum of Art in Shibuya - Paintings, Sculptures, and Other Exhibitions in a Museum Where Even the Building Is a Work of Art!
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Art & Architecture Overview
Japan's World-Class Works of Art
Japan is home to many world-famous works of art, including traditional crafts and culture passed down from generation to generation, as well as works of art created by the world renowned artists of today.
One of the most famous art forms in Japanese history is ukiyo-e, a genre of painting that was established during the Edo period.
"Ukiyo-e" also means "modern," "modern style," or "fashionable," and ukiyo-e paintings offer a glimpse into the life and fashions of the Edo period.
Ukiyo-e depicts a wide variety of themes from that time period, including plays, classical literature, waka (Japanese poetry), customs, local legends, and stories, as well as portraits, still life, landscapes, civilization, the imperial family, religion, and more.
There are two types of ukiyo-e: woodblock prints and paintings. Paintings were one-of-a-kind, and works by famous artists were extremely expensive.
On the other hand, woodblock prints were inexpensive because they were printed in large quantities with the same pattern and were readily available to the general public in the Edo period.
Today, there are many overseas collectors of Japanese art, and the ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai, in particular, is immensely popular overseas.
In the West, he is praised as the world's greatest painter, and is ranked number one as the greatest artist in Japanese history.
Other famous artists in the history of Japanese art include Sen no Rikyu, Ito Jakuchu, Matsuo Basho, Utagawa Hiroshige, Sesshu Toyo, Ogata Korin, Murasaki Shikibu, and Kano Eitoku.
Some of the world's most famous contemporary Japanese artists include Yayoi Kusama, Tadanori Yokoo, Takashi Murakami and Taro Okamoto, who have fans all over the world.
Other notable contemporary artists include Shozo Shimamoto, Jiro Takamatsu, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Saburo Murakami and Koichiro Kondo.
Contemporary Japanese artists are active around the world in a variety of genres, including contemporary art, art direction, spatial production, 3D art, filmmaking, film directing, flower arrangement, design, and sculpting.
In the world of traditional culture and crafts, many artists have been selected as living national treasures.
Works That Have Fascinated the World
In recent years, food samples (plastic food) have been attracting a lot of attention from foreigners as works of art originating from Japan.
Food samples were originally displayed on the menus of restaurants and other establishments, but on Kappabashi Utensils Street, near Asakusa, Tokyo, many foreign tourists can be seen buying them as souvenirs.
In this way, Japanese culture and popular Japanese works have become well known to foreigners.
Beautiful Japanese Architecture
Japanese architecture is also sometimes considered art.
The following is a list of popular historical and traditional buildings:
Tsunoshima Bridge [Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture]
The Atomic Bomb Dome [Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture]
The main hall of Zenkoji Temple [Nagano, Japan]
Seto O Hashi Bridge [Sakaide, Kagawa Prefecture]
The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine [Oda, Shimane Prefecture]
Kazurabashi Bridge [Miyoshi, Tokushima Prefecture]
Sado Gold Mine [Sado, Niigata Prefecture]
Shosoin Shoso Repository [Nara City, Nara Prefecture]
Harimaya Bridge [Kochi, Kochi Prefecture]
The Mausoleum of Emperor Nintoku [Sakai, Osaka Prefecture]
Tokyo Tower [Minato, Tokyo]
Tokyo Station [Chiyoda, Tokyo]
Kobe Port Tower [Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture]
Tomioka Silk Mill [Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture]
Natsume Soseki Former Residence [Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture]
Yakushi-ji Temple's Eastern Pagoda [Nara City, Nara Prefecture]
Togetsu-kyo Bridge (Arashiyama) [Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture]
The Birthplace of Yataro Iwasaki [Aki City, Kochi Prefecture]
Tsujun Bridge [Yamato, Kumamoto Prefecture]
Former Senyko Elementary School [Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture]
Other popular destinations include temples and shrines throughout Japan.
Popular temples and castles have been repeatedly repaired/restored, but still retain their original forms, and you can still feel the Japanese spirit of "Wa."
The traditional skills of Japanese carpenters are said to be among the best in the world, captivating people around the world with their craftsmanship that has been passed down through the centuries.
Some of the most famous and popular buildings in modern Japan are:
Sky Tree [Tokyo]
Seto O Hashi Bridge [Okayama, Kagawa Prefecture]
The National Art Center, Tokyo [Tokyo]
Umeda Sky Building [Osaka]
Kushiro City Museum [Hokkaido]
Aomori Tourist Information Center ASPAM [Aomori Prefecture]
Art Tower Mito [Ibaraki Prefecture]
Abeno Harukas [Osaka]
The Asahi Beer Hall [Tokyo]
Aoyama Technical College [Tokyo]
Odate Jukai Dome [Akita]
Tokyo Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower [Tokyo]
Sunshine 60 [Tokyo]
Roppongi Hills Mori Tower [Tokyo]
Abeno Harukas is the tallest building in Japan, standing at 300 meters tall, and the spectacular night view from the observatory is a popular tourist attraction, ranking alongside Tokyo Sky Tree.
Some world famous architects and builders include Kenzo Tange (Yoyogi National Stadium), Hiroshi Hara (Umeda Sky Building, Kyoto Station), and Kengo Kuma (New National Stadium, Starbucks Coffee Dazaifu Omotesando Store).
COOL JAPAN VIDEOS is a site that introduces the charms of Japan through videos related to Japanese art and architecture!