The Last Samurai Movie Film Locations in Japan - Day trip to Mount Shoshazan Engyoji temple in Himeji

In October 2017, I traveled in Japan using the JR pass. While I was planning my rail pass itinerary, I came across the idea of visiting The Last Samurai film locations at Mount Shoshazan 書写山 Engyoji 圓教寺 temple in Himeji 姫路. I realized travel blog resources were lacking on visiting many off the beaten path or road less traveled destinations in Japan, I decided to share my own day trip travel experience of visiting film locations of one of my favorite movies The Last Samurai, which embraces deep rooted Japanese culture of Bushido 武士道 or the way of Samurai warriors.

Tokyo Love Story - Day trip to Japanese Television Drama Film Locations of Baishinji station and Iyo Ozu Town near Matsuyama in Shikoku

In November 2015, I traveled to Japan using the Japan Rail Pass. When I was visiting Matsuyama 松山 in Shikoku 四国, I decided to follow Japan National Tourism Organization 日本政府観光局 (JNTO) and local tourism office's recommendation for sightseeing ideas of visiting Tokyo Love Story television drama filming locations. While majority of the television drama scenes took place in downtown Tokyo, some of the most important scenes were filmed at Baishinji station 梅津寺 駅 and in Iyo Ozu 伊予 大洲 area in rural Shikoku near Matsuyama. I am dedicating this article for my day trip to film locations of classic Japanese television drama of the 1990's, Tokyo Love Story, 東京 ラブ ストーリー, 東京 愛情 故事, 도쿄 러브 스토리.

Atami Onsen area - Hot Spring Day Trip from Tokyo

In November 2015, I traveled to Japan using the JR Pass. While I was staying in Tokyo area, I decided to take a day trip to the Atami Onsen 熱海 温泉 Hot Spring area because Atami is a much less traveled, off the beaten path area when compared to Hakone. I took the Kodama Shinkansen bullet train line from JR Shinagawa station in Tokyo to JR Atami station. The train ride was only 40 minutes and I soon arrived at one of the best coastal hot spring resort area in Japan.

Day trip to Atami Onsen Hot Spring area from Tokyo

Day trip to Shizuoka and viewing Fuji Mountain

In November 2015, I traveled to Japan using the JR pass. When I was going from Kansai area to Tokyo, I decided to stop by Shizuoka 静岡 on the way to Tokyo. Since Shizuoka is less than one hour away from Tokyo by bullet train, I figured that Shizuoka would be a perfect place for taking a day trip from Tokyo, especially for travelers who enjoy great food and great views of Fuji Mountain 富士山.

I was greeted by Fuji Mountain on the way to Shizuoka

Day Trip from Tokyo - Quest for Snow Monkey in Nagano Jigokudani Monkey Park

In November 2015, I traveled to Japan using the Japan Rail Pass. While I was staying the Tokyo area, I took a side/day trip to Nagano, hoping to see the amazing Jigokudani Snow Monkey bathing in hot spring.

Baby Japanese Snow Monkey