Once a year, the grounds of Yasukuni Shrine are interrupted by the rhythmic stomp of sumo wrestlers and the murmur of picnickers staking out a view of the action. Wrestlers from across Japan descend on the Tokyo site to pray for strength and entertain the public with warm-up routines, mock bouts and mingling with fans.

Dubbed ScreenX, the entertainment system displays movies, concerts, sports and short films on screens at the front, left, right — and now above — the audience in roughly 30 theaters across South Korea.

The Sakura Festival at Tenbou Park on the 60th floor of Sunshine City’s Sunshine 60 skyscraper runs through May 11. The indoor display features faux cherry blossoms suspended from real branches, offering the look of hanami without the pollen.

Eunpa Lake Park, a peaceful retreat in Gunsan, South Korea, offers visitors a chance to unwind with scenic walks, local art and tranquil lakeside views.

It costs only a few hundred yen to explore Tokyo’s Fukagawa Edo Museum, a carefully reconstructed neighborhood from the late Edo period (1603-1867) — a time when samurai strolled the streets and merchants sold rice and vegetables out of wooden storefronts.

The Jinpo Maritime Theme Park, about 70 miles south of Camp Humphreys, is a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts, military buffs and families alike. The park offers a blend of historical exhibits, military vehicles and scenic waterfront views.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kure Museum opened on April 5, 2007, and is the only museum in Japan where you can board a real submarine. The JDS Akishio, commissioned in 1986, was in service until March 3, 2004.

Tumon’s Matapang Beach Park, almost dead center along Tumon Bay, offers crystal-clear waters, white sand and breathtaking views — but you might miss it if you don’t look closely.

Perched along the scenic coastline of Japan’s Iwate prefecture, the Taro Kanko Hotel once stood as a symbol of hospitality, offering guests views of the Pacific Ocean and the nearby Sannoiwa Rocks. But since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, it has been transformed into a poignant memorial.

For those traveling through Japan’s Iwate prefecture, a visit to Takata Matsubara Memorial Park for Tsunami Disaster and the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum serves as more than a history lesson. It is an encounter with resilience, a tribute to those lost and a call to never forget.