Himeji Castle in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 1601, it's one of the oldest surviving castle keeps in Japan, fully restored between 2009 and 2015.

Remains of Kobe's old quay have been preserved in Meriken Park at Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, as a memorial to the 1995 earthquake.

The Kobe Bridge (1970) links Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, to Port Island in Osaka Bay. Automated trains between the city's main railway station and Kobe Airport cross the bridge.

The Kobe Port Terminal receives cruise ships calling at Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

Miho Beach at Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, stretches seven kilometers along Suruga Bay. On a clear day Mount Fuji is visible here.

A placard on Miho Beach in Miho no Matsubara, the Miho Pine Forest, at Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, tells the legend of Hagoromo.

Hagoromo no Matsu, the pine tree of the robe Hagoromo, is said to be 650 years old. According to legend, a celestial maiden hung her robe in this place at Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

The Path of the Kami passes the 300-year-old Hagoromo pine in Miho no Matsubara, the Miho Pine Forest, at Shimizu, Japan. Legends claim that the tree serves as a landmark for Kami (Shinto spirits) which emerge from the sea on their way to Miho Shrine.

Long ago, fascinated by the fine scenery of Miho Beach at Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, an angel came down from heaven and hung her robe of feathers (Hagoromo) on this pine tree (Matsu) to have a bath. So this place is called "Hagoromo no Matsu".

A sweeping view of Suruga Bay is obtained from the Kunozan Toshogu Shrine on Mount Kuno in Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.