Held every summer in the picturesque riverside town of Gujo Hachiman in Gifu Prefecture, Gujo Odori is one of Japan’s largest and most famous traditional folk dance festivals.

Located in Aichi, the Ichinomiya Tanabata Festival is one of Japan’s three largest and most famous Tanabata Festivals, celebrating the one day a year when the celestial lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi can meet.

While June to mid-July can be a drizzly experience in much of Japan, there are a few spots that look their very best at this time of year.

These tasty treats feature local ingredients to create out-of-this-world burger sensations.

Oharai-machi and Okage-yokocho are two fantastic places that transport you back in time along the bustling shopping streets of Ise Grand Shrine.

Check out this historical theme park that recreates the golden age of samurai!

These 'wedded rocks' near Ise Grand Shrine are tied to the origin story of Japan.

Called 'sanmeijo' in Japanese, the three castles on this list have been chosen based on their significance to history and culture, as well as their scale and grandeur.