MOA Museum of Art

A castle with a National Treasure keep, nicknamed 'Crow Castle' for its striking black lacquered exterior. It houses Japan's oldest existing five-story, six-floor castle tower, and its beautiful setting against the Northern Alps backdrop attracts visitors year-round.

A National Treasure castle with an original five-story, six-floor keep. The striking black-and-white contrast against the Northern Alps backdrop makes it a beloved subject for photographers and a symbol of Japanese castle aesthetics.

One of Japan's five National Treasure castles in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. The beautiful black-and-white five-story six-floor keep is the oldest existing five-story castle tower. Set against the Northern Alps, it represents the pinnacle of Japanese castle aesthetics. Night illumination is also popular, and the keep surviving from the Sengoku period is a precious historical structure.

A contemporary art museum in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, opened in 2004. Embodies a revolutionary museum model integrating art with daily life. Features iconic works including Ryoji Satoh's installations and the famous 'Swimming Pool.' Attracts over 1 million visitors annually, establishing itself as Kanazawa's premier contemporary art institution.

Known affectionately as the 'White Heron Castle,' Himeji Castle was one of Japan's first UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites. Combining an elegant white-plastered exterior with sophisticated defensive architecture, it is regarded as the finest surviving example of Japanese castle construction. After major restoration in 2015, it attracts around two million visitors annually.

An ancient Nara temple originally vowed by Emperor Tenmu for the recovery of his empress. The East Pagoda, a surviving National Treasure from the Nara period, is praised as 'frozen music' for its graceful form. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage 'Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.'