Things to do in Koka

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Shiga Prefecture

Miho Museum

Mixiu Art Museum is a legendary building. In addition to being far away from the city, it is very special that 80% of the building is buried underground, but it is not a real underground building, but because the ground is a nature reserve, in Japan There are many restrictions on the nature conservation law of the china and the construction method is adopted in order to protect the natural environment and integrate with the surrounding scenery. This design clearly reflects the concept of designer IM Pei: to create a paradise on earth.

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Kansai Region

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari Taisha is located at the western foot of Mount Inari in southern Kyoto and serves as the head shrine of all Inari shrines across Japan. According to legend, in 711 AD, the deity Inari, who governs bountiful harvests and prosperous commerce, was enshrined here, and the shrine has thrived with worshippers for centuries. Its signature view is the vermilion "Senbon Torii," a seemingly endless tunnel of torii gates stretching up the mountain behind the main hall. This iconic scene is not only one of Kyoto's most representative images but also widely recognized due to the famous scene in the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha," where a young girl runs through the torii gate tunnel. A short walk east from JR Inari Station brings you to the entrance. Passing through the towering vermilion torii gate and proceeding along the main approach, you'll encounter the romon gate, said to have been donated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1589 to pray for his mother's recovery. Beyond it lie the main hall and other principal structures. Stone fox statues are ubiquitous throughout the shrine, as foxes are considered messengers of the rice god Inari, often depicted holding keys or rice ears in their mouths. Before worshiping, visitors can purify their hands at the temizuya beside the main hall following the illustrated instructions, then clap their hands to pray at the main hall - prayers here often relate to business prosperity and financial fortune. Drawing omikuji fortunes and writing ema votive tablets are common practices; fox-faced ema can be personally decorated with expressions, while miniature torii-shaped ema are equally charming. Fox-shaped omamori amulets make popular souvenirs. Go around to the back of the main hall to find the entrance to the Senbon Torii. Hundreds upon hundreds of torii gates line the path all the way to the summit of Mt. Inari, with weathered, faded gates densely interwoven with bright vermilion ones. When sunlight filters through the gaps, the scene is particularly spectacular, making it a popular spot for photography enthusiasts. Each torii gate was donated by an individual or company, with the donor's name and date inscribed on the back. The path up the mountain is not a straight line; it includes both wide passages that seem to stretch on forever and smaller, parallel paths. Rest areas and sacred sites are scattered along the way, and most travelers come specifically for this mountain trail. After walking for about half an hour, the torii gates gradually become sparse. Upon reaching the Yotsutsuji intersection halfway up the mountain, you can overlook the Kyoto cityscape. Many people also make a special trip up the mountain at night to see the night view. Many travelers turn back here, but if you persist to the summit, the mountain path forms a loop. Several small shrines are distributed around the summit area, and a round-trip generally takes two to three hours, which is also equivalent to experiencing a traditional "Oyama Meguri" (mountain pilgrimage).

No. 3 of Activities in Japan

Maple Leaf Viewing in Kyoto

Kyoto has a wide variety of maple leaves, from the crimson Japanese maple to the orange-yellow triangle maple, with colorful colors. When the maple leaves turn red, the whole city seems to have overturned the palette of nature, which is gorgeous and dazzling. The beauty of Kyoto's maple leaves lies not only in the richness of their colors and the changes in levels, but also in their perfect integration with ancient buildings. The ancient shrines and temples are more solemn and majestic against the backdrop of maple leaves. Whether you are walking through the maple leaf streets, strolling on the paths with towering ancient trees, or quietly watching the beautiful scenery of maple leaves falling on the water by the river, you can immerse yourself in the autumn atmosphere of Kyoto. The maple leaves are in full swing, as if you are in a flowing painting, feeling the quiet and romantic poetry.

No. 1 of Activities in Japan

Temples in Kyoto

Kyoto's temples are the core carriers of the ancient capital's culture,and a perfect fusion of Zen Buddhist thought and Japanese aesthetics. These ancient temples,mostly constructed of warm wood,have retained their rustic and orderly appearance despite the passage of time. Some buildings even incorporate earthquake-resistant features,testifying to the exquisite craftsmanship of traditional techniques. Throughout the temple grounds,meticulously maintained gardens evoke the imagery of countless landscapes. Stepping into a temple,a tranquil atmosphere envelops you. Moss-covered stone paths meander,connecting halls and courtyards; every detail carries historical memories. Here,there is no hustle and bustle,only dappled sunlight filtering through the eaves,blending with the changing seasons in the gardens,making it the perfect place to experience Kyoto's slow pace of life and profound cultural heritage.

Konan Parking area (up)

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Universal Studios Japan

Here you'll find not only heart-pounding attractions themed around Hollywood blockbuster movies, but also live shows featuring popular cartoon characters—fun for everyone from kids to adults! This is home to the world's first Nintendo theme park, where you can immerse yourself in the world of Super Mario! Here we have holiday-exclusive parades and float tours! Everyone here is the star—join the passionate parade, ignite your excitement together, and feel full of energy! Located in OsakaUniversal Studios Japan("Universal Studios Japan") is one of the Universal Studios theme parks. It opened in 2001 and is a classic and wonderful world of fun in the hearts of many visitors. Its design is similar to Universal Studios Orlando in the United States, and it features popular areas such as "Jurassic Park," "Hollywood," and "Waterworld." With more than 60 fun attractions, you can keep playing and exploring all day long. Universal Studios JapanThere are also much-loved themed IP areas such as "Super Nintendo World (Mario/Super Mario)", "Minions", and "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter". Whether you're having fun interacting with the Minions, racing through the Mario Kart adventure, or weaving through the magical world of Hogwarts, these are all wonderfully unforgettable experiences. △The Nintendo area is a collaboration between Nintendo andUniversal Studios JapanThe world's first Nintendo theme park, jointly built, features the globally popular Super Mario as its main character. It offers a 1:1 ultra-realistic recreation of Bowser's Castle, Princess Peach's Castle, and the Mushroom Kingdom from the game, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of Super Mario! △"Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" and "Freeze Ray Sliders" pull you into the Minions' gigantic chaos and whip up a heatwave! A huge swarm of Minions is running wild and turning everything upside down in every street, alley, and corner! In the joyful and boisterous Minion Park, every visitor can't help but join in the mischievous mayhem! △Welcome to the magnificent area—The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, which faithfully recreates the world of the Harry Potter™ stories with overwhelming scale and meticulous attention to every detail. The towering Hogwarts™ castle stands tall, and in front of it lies the vast Hogsmeade™ where wizards live, along with many ride attractions and various shops. Here, you can step into "that world" from the films, as if everything is happening right before your eyes.

2026 Global 50 - Spring Outings

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera is an ancient temple that represents Kyoto. It was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1994. The main hall, famous for its stage that juts out from the mountain slope, is designated as a national treasure. Surrounded by trees, you can enjoy cherry blossoms in full bloom in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall. Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto's most famous historical sites, along with Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama. There is a constant stream of worshippers and tourists throughout the year.

Ainotsuchiyama Rest Area

Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Tokai region

Suzuka Circuit Park

Suzuka Circuit, located in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, is one of Japan's leading racing circuits, established in 1962 by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Its unique "figure-eight" layout, rare in the world, and the exquisite combination of technical corners and high-speed sections, have earned it high praise from drivers and fans alike. Suzuka Circuit is a sacred place that motorsport fans must visit at least once. With its thrilling straightaways where F1 cars race, the exquisite maneuvering around the S-curves, and the famous 130R corner, this course is full of highlights and will keep you excited just by watching! It is known as the venue for many prestigious motorsport events both domestically and internationally, including the F1 Japanese Grand Prix, SUPER GT, and the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race. In addition, it boasts an adjacent amusement park "Motopia," a hotel, and hot spring facilities, making it a comprehensive leisure complex that can be enjoyed by families. Furthermore, there are plenty of activities that allow you to experience the joy of actually driving, such as circuit racing and go-karting. Even if you visit with your family, you can relax at the amusement park or hot springs, making it a place that everyone can enjoy. For a weekend getaway or to create summer vacation memories, be sure to visit Suzuka Circuit!