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1,001 standing statues of the Thousand-Armed Kannon at Sanjusangendo, Kyoto, Japan! Enjoy this rare video of a camera sneaking into one of Kyoto's most popular tourist spots!
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The stained glass museum at Otaru Art Village, Otaru City, Hokkaido, is full of attractions! Watch the video to experience the beautiful and majestic world of light!
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Toji Temple” in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, a popular sightseeing spot selected as a National Treasure and Important Cultural Property. Also introduces traditional remains and art that you should know before sightseeing!
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The famous Nanao Castle, located in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture, was renowned as an "impregnable and impregnable amphitheater! The secret of Nanao Castle, where the famous warlord "Uesugi Kenshin" was forced to fight an uphill battle, is revealed!
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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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Video highlights of Nishi Honganji Temple in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan! Don't miss the majestic architecture and gardens, registered as a World Heritage Site and a National Treasure! A popular sightseeing spot in Kyoto you can't miss!
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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, a temple associated with the Tokugawa family located in Minato-ku, Tokyo, and the image of the child-rearing Jizoson with colorful windmills swaying is too beautiful to be true.
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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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Climbing the 1015 stone steps of "Hoshuzan Risshakuji Temple" in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, one is met with a spectacular view. The temple, built on a precipitous cliff, is a scenic spot where Matsuo Basho, the famous haiku poet, wrote a poem!
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Saruhashi Bridge - Stunning Japanese Architecture and Beautiful Autumn Leaves. Check Out One of the Three Most Unusual Bridges in Japan in Yamanashi Prefecture!
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Lifelike Goldfish Art That Looks Like It Could Come to Life Any Second! Goldfish Artist "Riusuke Fukahori" Shows Us How He Creates His Beautiful Works of Art!
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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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Nagoya Castle - Discover the Secrets of Japan's First National Treasure Symbolized by Golden Shachihoko Ornaments in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture! The Castle, Built on the Site Where the Warring States Period Took a Remarkable Turn, Is Reborn!
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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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Amazing Aerial Footage of "Sekiguchi Catholic Church, St. Mary's Cathedral Tokyo," Taken by Drone! A Look at the Beautiful Church in Bunkyo City, Tokyo Designed by Kenzo Tange!
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A young thatch-roofing craftsman preserves the gassho-zukuri tradition in Shirakawa-go, Ono-gun, Gifu Prefecture! World Cultural Heritage buildings filled with the wisdom of our ancestors are created by the high skills of craftsmen.
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Haruna Shrine - A Shinto Shrine and Power Spot in Gunma With Ancient Cedar Trees and Mysterious Rock Formations. Absorb the Power of the Earth via Video!
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Aizuwakamatsu Castle: One of Japan’s Top 100 Castles. Enjoy the Magnificent Stone Walls of the Impregnable Castle and the Red-Tiled Castle Tower in Fukushima- The Only One of Its Kind in Japan!
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The World Created by Miniature Photographer Tatsuya Tanaka Will Make You Feel Like You've Been Shrunk and Wandered Into a Magical World! His World of Miniatures and Amazing Ideas Will Have You Fascinated!
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Koji Yamami - The #1 Japanese Kaleidoscope Artist. His Beautiful Works, Made With Light and Mirrors, Will Take Your Breath Away!
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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!