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Iwatayama Monkey Park
There is an attraction in Kyoto, not far from the famed bridge that people flock to. It’s somewhat touristy but not all that touristy, either. I say this because you have to actually walk quite a distance before you can get to Arashiyama’s Iwatayama Monkey Park. And once here, you’ll see that there are less tourists around compared to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove or any other popular Kyoto destination.
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The Cave Temples of Dunhuang
There’s a place I’d like to see in real life if I could. It’s known as the cave temples of Dunhuang. Located in northwestern China, I’ve heard it’s a bit difficult to get to but well worth the difficulty. For now, I’m content with coming as close as I can to experiencing the caves of Dunhuang.
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Nagasaki’s Chinatown
If you’ve been to a decent Chinatown, whether that be somewhere in Asia or California, you’re not going to be all that thrilled with the Chinatown in Nagasaki. People seem to rave about it, yet it was just another Chinatown to me. Perhaps, I didn’t care for the “upscale” authentic Chinese food and modern buildings infused with Chinese architecture and decor. That or the fact there was no special event going on which made the Chinatown area look rather bland, save for its neon entrance sign.
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Nagasaki’s Megane Bridge aka Spectacles Bridge
There’s a popular bridge in Nagasaki, called Megane Bridge or Spectacles Bridge. While it may seem like just another bridge, there’s a reason why this specific bridge is popular. The bridge has been around since 1634 and actually looks like spectacles. As long as you view the bridge from a place where the river shows a clear reflection of the bridge, you’ll be treated to the sight of spectacles. It might not seem like a biggie for us, but it probably was a big deal to people in the past.
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Nara: The Deer Roams Freely
Where can you find friendly deer in Japan? Nara. Located in Kansai, Nara is a popular tourist spot. Besides its many attractions, what seems to attract people is the many deer that exist in Nara. These deer roam about freely and are rather friendly. They’ll approach you, even bow to you in hopes for food. While the bulk of them are friendly, it’s best to keep in mind that they are still wild animals at the end of the day.