“Why Morioka?” was a question echoed not just by me, but by many Japanese.

Morioka, nestled in the scenic Tohoku Region, is a charming small city. Yet, it hasn’t been a top destination for Japanese tourists, lacking the plethora of historical landmarks like castles or traditional Japanese wooden architecture from the Edo period.

Instead, Morioka boasts a collection of western-style buildings. This architectural choice traces back to the involvement of notable architects during the Meiji era who contributed to the town planning and construction. However, this may not hold the same allure for European and American travelers.

For Japanese tourists, the allure of Morioka lies in several cherished activities:

Capturing moments against the backdrop of its western-style architecture, offering a taste of foreign exploration.
Indulging in the culinary delights of the “Three Great Noodles of Morioka”: Wanko Soba, Reimen, and Jajamen.
Embarking on a journey through the city’s handicraft shops, where traditional crafts like Nanbu ironware and Morioka inkstones await discovery.

However, the New York Times chose to highlight not these experiences, but rather the city’s modest size.

They celebrated Morioka as a compact urban oasis, perfect for leisurely strolls and unwinding—an endorsement echoed by a passionate journalist advocating for Morioka’s charm.

As I became aware of the differences in sensitivity between Japanese and foreigners, I found it intriguing. This realization prompted me to embark on journeys, seeking to ascertain whether I, as a Japanese person, could experience the same sensations.

Very affordable lodging options are still readily available in Morioka.

Upon arrival, I secured a room at the recently inaugurated  “Richmond Hotel Moriokaekimae” conveniently situated opposite Morioka Station.

To my surprise, the rate for two guests was ¥12,800 (approximately $83/€76) per night. The room exuded cleanliness and was stocked generously with complimentary amenities including shampoo, cosmetics, toothpaste, and even facial packs.

Moreover, the hotel boasted a ground-floor convenience store offering delectable rice balls, packed lunches, and confections at reasonable prices.

Despite the recent surge in tourism across Kyoto and Tokyo driving accommodation costs to exorbitant levels, Morioka remains largely unaffected. This realization brought me immense relief.

A taxi driver told me what happened in Morioka after “New York Times” .

I took a taxi to have lunch from the station. I asked the driver, “Are many foreign tourists coming to Morioka?” He chuckled and replied, “Not so many at the moment. However, they often choose to explore Morioka on foot, considering it a delightful city for strolling. Hence, encounters with them for me are relatively infrequent. The New York Times article was not a great boon for taxi drivers, ha-ha.”

Contrary to the common perception that people in the Tohoku region are reserved and reticent, I found the residents to be remarkably articulate and adept at conversing with strangers. This unexpected discovery added an intriguing dimension to my travel experience in Morioka.

During my three-day journey, I encountered few Western visitors in Morioka.

Upon my visit to Morioka in March 2024, it appeared that the buzz from the New York Times had already waned.

The tourist scene was predominantly Japanese, with Western travelers being a rare sight.

The only encounter with tourists from a Western country was at a quaint Izakaya.

However, the language barrier proved formidable as the staff couldn’t communicate in English, leading to our regretful exclusion from the establishment. This incident left me pondering Morioka’s limited readiness to accommodate international visitors, feeling its size and local infrastructure were somewhat inadequate.

Nonetheless, Morioka remains a hidden gem in Japan’s northern region, offering delightful experiences for domestic travelers. Its appeal lies in its culinary delights at reasonable prices, exquisite crafts for purchase, and the opportunity to savor fine Sake at Izakayas. However, it’s evident that Morioka poses challenges for foreign tourists, highlighting the need for enhanced accessibility and support for international visitors.

If you’re up for more than just strolling through the city and want to dive into Morioka like a Japanese tourist, I would introduce you to the perfect spot you should visit.

1. Kogensha   Map

KOGENSHA in Morioka is more than just a folk-crafts store. It’s a collection of charming buildings housing a coffee shop, gallery, and store, all surrounding a picturesque courtyard. If you want to buy some MINGEI items, here is the best place.

2. KAMASADA Map

KAMASADA  is a brand producing an iron kettle called “Nanbu Tekki”. (It is a great article to know what Kamasada is.).
Strolling down the street where Kamasada sits, you’ll find a delightful array of shops, perfect for a spot of shopping hopping.

3. Yakiniku Restaurant Yonai map

Indulge in Reimen, a beloved member of Morioka’s ‘Three Great Noodles’. And don’t miss out on Yakiniku, a local specialty of Iwate, renowned for its dairy farming. At this joint, you can savor both delights in one sitting. Just a heads up: be ready to queue up, as this spot is a local favorite!

4. Morioka Tenmangu Shrine Map

This shrine is famous among Japanese literature fans because one of the renowned poets, Takuboku Ishikawa, used to stroll around here. He had a particular fondness for the guardian dog with a comical face.

5. Due Mani  Map

Is it strange to savor Italian cuisine in Japan? Not at all. In fact, it’s an intriguing fusion of culinary cultures.

Here, Italian fare takes on a Japanese twist, with dishes characterized by simplicity in both ingredients and seasoning, akin to traditional Japanese cuisine.

Nestled in a quaint and bustling corner, this restaurant may be small, but it’s a beloved hotspot among locals and visitors alike.

Indulge in the flavors of the Tohoku region masterfully incorporated into Italian dishes. Just remember to secure your reservations ahead of time, as this gem tends to fill up quickly.

Have you caught on yet? For many Japanese travelers, the ultimate joys of exploring lie in the art of shopping and indulging in delicious cuisine！

The post Why New York Times featured Morioka? A Japanese journalist set out on a journey to find out why. appeared first on Trip Planner Japan.

Daiji Iwase, editor-in-chief of a web magazine specializing in Champagne and a writer on alcoholic beverage and travel, has selected five wineries in Japan where you can enjoy photogenic scenery and fine cuisine.

――What made you start paying attention to Japanese wine in the first place?

I think it was around 2005. Before then, “Japanese wine” had an image of being a tourist souvenir from the Showa era (1926-1989).
I had a negative impression of Japanese wine and did not think I would go out of my way to order it.

However, when I “had to” taste some of the wines because it was my job, I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious they were. I was shocked to find out that it was not that Japanese wines had not been updated, but that I had not been able to update myself.

Since then, I have considered Japanese wines to be unique among wines from the rest of the world.
At that time, there were still many old-fashioned wines, but in the past five years, I feel that some Japanese wines with truly wonderful characteristics have been introduced to the world as a matter of course.

――So, the level of Japanese wine today is improving rapidly… so in connection with this, what are the current trends?

Japanese wine can be broadly divided into two categories: craft wines made from local grapes, and those that aim for global standards, both of which produce excellent wines nowadays.

At present, wineries are actively trying out difficult varietals and techniques, and various experiments are being actively conducted, which is exciting.
I hope that while they continue to enthusiastically pursue these routes, they will also increase the number of wines that can be drunk easily and be loved by all.

――Finally, what is the appeal of “Japanese wine” from your point of view?

Because it originated in Japan, it goes well with Japanese food. Or should I say, rather than traditional Japanese food, it is more suitable for local cuisine or everyday dining.
Japanese wine producers, even the big ones, are small in scale. Because of this, the wines have an honest, handmade feel to them, and it is easy to see that the producers enjoy their closeness with the product.

The best part of it all is that it’s in a relaxed destination!
Wineries often grow their grapes on spacious slopes, on hills with spectacular views, or with restaurants and tasting corners, making them the perfect travel destination.

5 Wineries in Japan to Travel to and Fill Your Heart, as selected by Daiji Iwase.

1. SAYS FARM

This winery is located on a hill with a spectacular view overlooking Himi Bay, famous for its cold yellowtail; a real taste of winter.
This winery completely overturned my previous knowledge about Japanese wine. Not only the taste and balance of the wine, but also the design is all excellent.
It is a wine resort with lodging facilities and restaurants that anyone can enjoy.

2. Grace Wine

This long-established winery is located in Katsunuma, about two hours by train from Tokyo.
The sparkling wine is made by Ms. Ayana Misawa, a winemaker, using the Champagne method that is highly acclaimed around the world.
The wine made from grapes from the newly opened Akeno vineyard is also excellent.
Many of the wines sell out very quickly, so don’t forget to check out the store when you visit the winery.

3. Tsuno Winery

Tsuno Winery, located in Tsuno City, Miyazaki Prefecture, is recommended for those who want to taste the pairing of fine food and wine while traveling.
While looking out at the clear blue sky and the crystal blue sea, you can enjoy wine pairings with the food of Miyazaki, which boasts an abundance of ingredients from the mountains and ocean.
The highlight is the “Campbell Early Rosé”. It has a good balance of sweetness and freshness, and it is rare to find a wine made from this grape variety that is so lovely and gastronomic.
Speaking of gastronomy, I also recommend the Tamba Winery in Kyoto. This winery also has a restaurant where you can pair wine with local products of Tamba, such as Kyoto vegetables and wild game.
When you visit, be sure to pay attention to the Tana grape variety, which is rare in Japan and is grown on the winery’s own farm.

4. Osa Winery

This winery is owned by a couple who have worked in the restaurant, retail, and liquor industries.
They are now making wine in the city of Otaru. The grapes they use are a local Hokkaido variety, which are pretty, simple, and sparkling. While making the most of these merits, the wine also has the sophistication of northern Italy, which the couple loves.

The design of the wine is also beautiful, and it is now a rare wine that is hard to find nowadays, so you should definitely buy a bottle when you visit, or even several bottles as souvenirs.

5. Chateau Mercian Kikyougahara Winery

Japanese wine is becoming more and more popular because of its small scale and craftmanship. But if you know the power and quality of the big players, you can learn more about the world of Japanese wine.

Chateau Mercian, one of the biggest players in the industry, continues to produce wines that make the most of the charm of the land with the stable quality of its wines, which is the result of techniques cultivated over 140 years and its large harvest. The wineries are located in Katsunuma in Yamanashi Prefecture, and in Mariko and Kikyougahara n Nagano Prefecture.

Among them, the Chateau Mercian Kikokogahara Winery is still proud of its “fantastic Merlot,” which was depicted in the movie “The Usuke Boys“. The first thing to do when you visit this winery is to try the Merlot.
Incidentally, there are many other wineries in the area, so it is fun to visit several of them.

Meanwhile, don’t miss the nearby Chateau Mercian Mariko Winery (Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture).
This winery opened in September 2019, and it was the first Japanese winery to be selected in the World’s Best Vineyards 2020 competition to select the world’s best wineries for wine tourism, ranking 30th in the world and 1st in Asia. You can take a tour here all year round (reservations required).

Daiji Iwase

Wine Magazine Editor-in-Chief and Sake/Travel Writer.

He is also involved in the planning and management of various alcohol-related media and events.

The post 5 Wineries in Japan to Travel to and Fill Your Heart, as selected by Daiji Iwase, Alcohol Magazine Editor-in-Chief appeared first on Trip Planner Japan.

The latest trends? The best shops in the spotlight now? Masataka Sasaki, a Ramen Editor who has published many famous books has shared his top 5 ramen shops with us.

−−Why did you start following Ramen?

I liked ramen when I lived in Akita, where I lived until I finished high school, but not so much that I went around searching for new places to eat.

I then moved to Tokyo for university. After I first experienced authentic ramen at a specialty shop in Tokyo, I moved to Ogikubo which is an area with many famous ramen shops, and I started my days immersed in ramen.

Around the mid-1990s, it was the golden age of ramen when there was a “new vintage every year” with many legendary shops as “Aoba”, “Musashi”, “Kujiraken” (all of which opened up in 1996, as part of the legendary 1996 group of ramen shops) opening up and creating new trends.

Witnessing the process of modern ramen being born during this golden age was the starting point for me.

−−Every year was a vintage year! Sasaki-san, for someone who has experienced such excellent times in the past, what’s the attraction for “ramen” now?

Even for the major types of ramen broth, there are soy sauce-based, salt-based, miso, tonkotsu, chicken-bone broth (paitan), dried-sardine based, pork-bone (tonkotsu) seafood broths, and if you factor in the types of noodles, toppings as well, the variations are unlimited.

The more you walk around, you are sure to encounter a new bowl in this unlimited amusement park of ramen.

New shops open one after another and well-known shops continue to improve their flavor, and regional powerhouse shops continue to sharpen their blades. Despite your best efforts to go around to all of the ramen shops you want to visit around Japan and across the world, you probably won’t be able to finish trying them all during your own lifetime.

You may have heard of soup-less ramen (mazesoba) or noodles with buckwheat flour, but even noodle-less ramen is a type of ramen where “no rules is the rule”. If I ever find myself muttering “this isn’t ramen…”, I think it will be my last day as a ramen editor.

−−With a love for ramen as deep as the sea, it is unlikely that Sasaki-san will ever have to retire as a ramen editor. Please take a look at the latest ramen trends!

There are 5 major trends explained in detail.

●Japanese herbs

There are many ramen shops that have started to use Japanese herbs such as ginger and Japanese pepper. Recently, ramen featuring spices as the star ingredient have become popular and while we see many shops serving soup-less tantanmen that uses red chili pepper and Japanese pepper to add spiciness and a sense of numbing, creating bowls of ramen that feature a subtle, yet deep flavor of ginger as well as the refreshing flavor of Japanese pepper are particularly popular with woman.

●Western-style Broth

Recently, there have been many new types of broths appearing such as those made with prosciutto, animal-based ones made using pork or chicken bone and even broths made only with vegetables without using even seafood products such as dried fish or bonito flakes.

You will be surprised by the different impression you will get from each of these pork bone and seafood-based ramen soups in terms of taste and aroma compared to what you’ve tried so far.

●Pure hand-made noodles

There have been thick noodles in the past, but you might be fooled into thinking that your bowl is full of udon noodles, at some of the popular ramen restaurants that are serving very thick, hand-made noodles that have a delicious chew!

●Mini Rice Bowl

Rough and tumble side dishes such as having curry or rice with your ramen are a thing of the past. There are now many shops that serve cute looking mini rice bowls featuring toppings such as lamb confit, pecorino, mouth-watering chicken and clams.

●Hanging Skewer-Roasted Chashu Roast Pork

Chashu roast pork for ramen is typically fatty and voluminous, but around last year, the “hanging skewer-roasted” method appeared. This type of chashu roast pork is full of savory flavor and the slightly smokey taste is addictive.

5 of the Best Ramen Today, selected by Masataka Sasaki

1. King Seimen (Ouji,Tokyo) / キング製麺

The main specialty of the shop is a sophisticated white-dashi (white stock) broth, but the “Sansho (Japanese Pepper) Ramen” is recommended. As you slurp the curly noodles, you will feel the elegant fragrance of Japanese pepper through your nose with a fresh aftertaste. This dish is creating a lot of buzz in the world of Japanese herb-style ramen.

2. SAMAR（Ebisu, Tokyo）/SAMAR（サマル）

his is a variety of ramen served only at lunchtime by the popular shop “Sakana Bal”. The salt-flavored broth is made based on prosciutto enhanced with porcini mushrooms, fragrant vegetables and herbs has an exquisite taste! Enjoy adjusting the flavor to your liking with the tapenade (savory olive paste).

3. Dame na Rinjin(Ningyocho, Tokyo) / 駄目な隣人

This ramen shop features an adventurous broth made with bouillon de legume (vegetable stock) with a high quality soy sauce based seasoning (tare). The oil made with ginger confit creates a taste that will bring a smile to your face.

４．MEN CRY（Hamamatsucho, Tokyo）/MENクライ

You will be surprised when you see the hand-made noodles made with 100% Japanese flour! These unique, chewy noodles are as thick as Hoto noodles in Yamanashi prefecture. They complement the dashi flavored broth very well.  Also recommended are mini rice bowls such as the daily special, rice with raw egg and the marinated egg-yolk rice bowl.

５．Marue Chuukasoba (Sugamo, Tokyo) / 惠中華そば（まるえ中華そば）

Curly noodles swim in a highly-transparent, clear soup. You can enjoy this salt flavored ramen broth which has a distinct brininess. You will also be very satisfied with the hanging skewer-roasted pork, which is full of flavor, fragrant and smokey.

Text&Photographs by Masataka Sasaki   

Ramen editor.

A producer of a wide variety of content regarding ramen and food.  He has edited many books on the topic of ramen and writes a regular column for SanekiBiz.

The post The Best 5 Ramen Shops! Ramen Editor Masataka Sasaki shares the latest Ramen Trends appeared first on Trip Planner Japan.

It is a tropical place with beautiful coral reefs and a collection of resort hotels ranging from budget to luxury.

Naha, the largest city in Okinawa, is home to shopping streets and bars.

In addition to the main island of Okinawa, there are airports on both Miyako and Ishigaki islands, and many other remote islands.

The Kerama Islands, consisting of 20 islands of various sizes, are easily accessible by ferry from the main island of Okinawa, and the beauty of the sea attracts divers from all over the world.

Okinawa was called the Ryukyu Kingdom from 1429 to 1879, and as a result, this place boasts unique cultural features: sanctuaries called Utaki and shamans called Yuta.

Shuri Castle, where the king and his family lived, and Sefa-Utaki, the holiest site in Ryukyu mythology, are registered as World Heritage sites.

Kudaka Island is the sacred place where Amamikiyo, the god who created the Ryukyu Islands, is said to have landed.
It is a good destination to learn more about Okinawa, as many sacred places still remain and maintain their own unique culture.

Okinawa has many repeat visitors who are attracted to its spiritual culture and relaxing island time.

Okinawa was also the site of a fierce battle during World War II, in which more than 200,000 people died, and the tragic history of the war is still preserved in places such as the Peace Memorial Park.

If you like

Shopping:

Yomitan Village is known as the home of pottery and there are many kilns. There are also pottery stores along Tsuboya Yachimun Street in Naha.

Outdoor activities:

On the beautiful beaches, you can enjoy all kinds of marine sports such as scuba diving, sea kayaking, and fishing. Kayaking is also popular in the forest.

Traditional townscape:

The island of Taketomi is particularly beautiful, with many houses of traditional architecture unique to Okinawa remaining.

Gourmet food:

Okinawan specialties such as Okinawa soba noodles, chanpuru (a stir-fry dish containing vegetables (especially bitter melon), tofu, meat or fish), and rafute (Okinawan-style stewed pork broth) are popular, as well as steaks, burgers, and tacos and rice inspired by American food culture. Another drink that is unique to Okinawa is Awamori, a strong Okinawan liquor made from rice or millet.

Nightlife:

There is a live music club in Naha where you can enjoy Okinawa’s unique folk songs.

The post Okinawa- Travel guide appeared first on Trip Planner Japan.

It’s said “If you make pilgrimage to Ise in the West, you must make pilgrimage to the end of the East.” (here, that means Dewa Sanzan). It’s a mysterious and sacred site in the north, and it’s said that if you visit, you can be reborn.

Dewa Sanzan was originally an important site for Shugendo worshippers to be reborn while still alive, where the three mountains represent a person’s present (Mount Haguro), past (Mount Gassan), and future (Mount Yudono). Even now, mountain monks and people dressed in white can be seen coming to worship, which creates a very sacred atmosphere.

the official route is first to pray for the happiness of this world at Mount Haguro, the paradise and afterlife at Mount Gassan, and rebirth at Mount Yudono, but if you’re a beginner, it’s recommended to aim for the Dewa Sanzan Shrine on the summit of Mount Haguro.

The Dewa Sanzan Shrine houses the ‘Mount Haguro Sanjingosaiden’, a sanctuary which deifies the three gods of Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. You can more easily ‘tour’ the three mountains by visiting it.

After taking a 30-minute bus ride from the Tsuruoka Station, you arrive at the Haguro Center. Right before you is Zuijinmon, the main entrance to the holy precincts of the Dewa Sanzan Shrine.

Upon entering, a 1.7km(1mi), 2446 stair stone path begins. Along both sides of the stone steps are a series of 350-500 year old cedar trees awarded 3 stars by the Michelin Green Guide Japan.

The stairs going up are quite tough, but, strangely as you’re walking along the wide road surrounded by enormous cedar trees, you feel a sense of safety and relief akin to being in your mother’s womb.

If you’re feeling bored, watch the stone steps as you continue climbing, and you’ll surely sometimes notice small glasses and lotus flowers have been carved. It’s said that if you find 33 of them, your wish will come true. By the way, I only found about 5…

After climbing for about an hour, you’ll reach the Dewa Sanzan Shrine. Visit the Mount Haguro Sanjingosaiden set up amidst the magnificent shrine and experience rebirth.

The water level in the ‘mirror pond’ in front of the shrine has remained virtually unchanged over the years, and so has been worshipped for its mysterious nature. By the way, the mirror that was brought up from the pond can be viewed at the nearby Dewa Sanzan History Museum.

Well then, you could be satisfied and head back to Tsuruoka by bus at this point, but from July to September, there’s a bus from the summit of Mount Haguro to Mount Gassan, so I also recommend checking it out if you have the chance.

If you want to head to the summit, you’ll need to prepare for some real hiking, but it’s also fun to stroll about the area around the bus stop which has nearly the same elevation.

In shugendo belief, Mount Gassan represents the past and the afterlife, and it’s also the main peak of Dewa Sanzan. Mount Gassan Shrine is located at the peak, and it enshrines ‘Tsukuyomi No Mikoto’, the younger brother of the sun goddess ‘Amaterasu’ who is the highest deity in Japanese Shinto.

Although it had been sunny up until then, when I got off the bus at Mount Gassan, the sky suddenly became obscured by fog. The atmosphere was really like an entrance to the afterlife.

I was deeply moved by the mysterious scenery and atmosphere. It made me really understand why people in the past felt that this was the entrance to the afterlife.

This time I didn’t bring any sort of hiking equipment, so I gave up on going to the summit. Next time, I’d love to take the challenge.

If you visit during summer, you may want to experience a 3-day, 2-night traditional mountain pilgrimage tour package of Mount Haguro, Mount Yudono, and Mount Gassan.

I also recommend staying at pilgrimage-friendly accommodations called ‘Shukubo’, literally meaning ‘sleeping with monks’, or temple lodging.

The cuisine served is called ‘shōjin-ryōri’ and is typically vegetarian.

The post Experience a Pilgrimage of Rebirth at the Sacred site Dewa Sanzan. appeared first on Trip Planner Japan.

Kyushu is located in southern Japan and is known for its mild climate.

It is also a hot spring country with many famous hot springs, including Beppu, a place with one of the highest densities of hot springs in the world.

The level of food is generally high, and there are many gourmet dishes such as tonkotsu ramen (made from boiled pork bones) and Nagasaki chanpon (a dish of noodles, seafood and vegetables) that have spread throughout Japan.

There were many Christians in the area, and the churches of the Goto Islands have recently been registered as a World Heritage Site.

In the Edo period (1603-1867), Nagasaki was the only city in Japan that was allowed to trade with Europe, and it has a unique foreign culture. Castella, an updated version of the traditional Portuguese Pão de Castela sponge cake, is a local delicacy of the city.

Nagasaki, along with Hiroshima, was the site of the atomic bombing, and the Peace Park tells the sad history of the bombing to this day.

If you like ancient history, you may want to visit the Yoshinogari ruins in Saga.
Incidentally, Kansai and Kyushu are candidates for the location of the Evil Horse Kingdom, which is said to be the greatest mystery in ancient history.

There are also many places where myths have been set, such as Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki, where the legend of the first landing of the gods remains.

Kagoshima, which led the new government forces along with Choshu (now Yamaguchi Prefecture) in the civil war at the end of the Edo period, has a glorious history of many military victories, but it also bears the scars of its defeat in Japan’s last civil war, the Seinan War.

The largest city is Fukuoka, which has many tasteful specialty stores that are worth the trip from Tokyo. Since many Japanese celebrities are from Kyushu, it is recognized as a place of beautiful men and women.

Train travel through the mountains, along the sea and past many rivers is also popular, and there are many highly rated tourist trains such as the luxury cruise train “Nanastuboshi”, the SL Hitoyoshi, and the Hisatsu Line with its express trains Kawasemi and Yamasemi.
Kagoshima, the southernmost island, has islands such as Amami Oshima and Yoron Island, which have beautiful beaches on a par with Okinawa.

If you like

Shopping:

Kyushu is often called the “Kingdom of Pottery” because of its many ceramic production areas. There are many kilns in Karatsu, Arita, Hasami, and Onta.

Outdoor activities:
Trekking on the plateau in Aso, Kirishima and Ebino. Yakushima Island is registered as a World Natural Heritage site, and many people enjoy mountain climbing on Kyushu’s highest mountain of 2,000 meters.
In Amami Oshima, scuba diving and canoeing in the virgin mangrove forests are popular.

Hot springs:
Beppu, Yufuin, Kirishima, Takeo and Ureshino are just a few of the many famous hot springs.

Gourmet food:
Hakata ramen, motsu-nabe (hot pot stew made with offal, vegetables and often miso), and mizutaki (a dish of boiled chicken and vegetables), Kumamoto horse-meat sashimi, Miyazaki chicken nanban (a stew with chilli peppers and Welsh onions), Kagoshima  kurobuta pork,  and Nagasaki chanpon (a dish of noodles, seafood and vegetables) are just a few of the many specialties that are popular throughout Japan.

The post Kyushu Region – Travel Guide appeared first on Trip Planner Japan.

Across the Seto Inland Sea, it borders the Kansai and Chugoku regions, and is greatly influenced by both in terms of culture and economy. In addition to the sea, mountains, and rivers, there are many small islands, making it warm and rich in nature.

Due to the lack of accessibility from the most populous metropolitan area, there are very few tourists, making it a good destination for those who want to take a relaxing trip.
A drive along the coast with a spectacular view can be enjoyed without any traffic jams.

The area is also associated with Kukai, the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, and is known for its 1,400 km long pilgrimage route that takes you to 88 temples.

Kagawa is known for its world-famous art island, Naoshima, as well as for Sanuki udon noodles, which have spread all over Japan and are served at many famous restaurants, and calls itself “udon prefecture”.

Shimanami Kaido (Shimanami sea route), which connects the islands of the Seto Inland Sea via bridges, is a popular activity that can be enjoyed from Imabari City in Ehime.

Dogo Onsen, one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, has recently been the scene of many art events.

Shodoshima, with its olive groves and film locations, is a popular destination for women, and Iya, one of the three most unexplored regions in Japan, is popular among those who like spectacular scenery.

Tokushima is known for its famous summer festival, the Awa Odori dance, and recently, Kamiyama Town, which was revitalized by IT, has become a hot spot for satellite offices of companies from the Tokyo metropolitan area.

If you like

Arts and culture:
The islands of the Seto Inland Sea, including Naoshima, a mecca for contemporary art, are home to many museums. The Otsuka Museum of Art, where you can view “replicas” of Western masterpieces, is also very unique.

Outdoor activities:
You can enjoy cycling on the Shimanami sea route, canoeing down the Shimanto River, and surfing on the Anan Coast. The southwest coast of Kochi, famous for whale-watching, has magnificent coral reefs and is a good spot for diving

Traditional townscape:

Marugame Castle, Matsuyama Castle, Uwajima Castle, and Kochi Castle all have precious castle towers from the Edo period. The udatsu pillar-lined streets of Wakimachi are extremely good well preserved.

The post Shikoku Region – Travel Guide appeared first on Trip Planner Japan.

The classic tourist spots in the Chugoku region include Miyajima and the Atomic Bomb Dome, which are both World Heritage Sites, as well as Kurashiki, with its Edo-period townscape, Izumo Taisha Shrine, which is known for matchmaking, and the old, historical cities of Hagi and Matsue.

The Seto Inland Sea, is known for the beauty of the many islands located there. Westerners who visited Japan at the end of the Edo period praised the Seto Inland Sea as the “most beautiful in the world.”

Okayama prefecture is used by many as a base for trips to Naoshima and Inushima which are popular islands known for contemporary art.

Historically, this was the area of the Choshu Domain (present-day Yamaguchi prefecture), which led the new government army which prevailed victorious in the Japanese “Boshin War” civil war occurring in the late Edo Period and there are many related historical sites.

Kure City was also known as a military port town, and there are museums related to the the former Imperial Navy located there.

Okunoshima, where a factory manufacturing poison gas was located during World War II, is now popular as an island populated with rabbits.

For those who are lovers of breathtaking views, Motonosumi Shrine, famous for the red torii gate which extends into the sea is ever-popular. In addition, the Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge, and Bitchu Matsuyama Castle have recently gained much attention.

If you like

Shopping: The Chugoku region is often known as a “Sanctuary for Mingei”  and Tottori and Shimane prefectures are reknowned for many historic pottery kilns. Kurashiki City is famous for its glassware.

Arts and culture: In addition to the Adachi Museum of Art, which is famous for its Japanese garden and the Ohara Museum of Art , well-known for its Mingei collection, there is an increasing number of buildings being built around Hiroshima with stylish contemporary architecture designed by up and coming architects such as Shinshoji Temple.

Outdoor activities: The Shimanami Kaido, is a route over the sea which connects the six islands between Onomichi and Imabari, and is a popular with people around the world as a cycling and driving route.

Gourmet food: Unlike the Osaka style, the Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki is known for sandwiching a layer of yakisoba noodles. Other famous foods from the Chugoku region include oysters from Hiroshima prefecture (which make up about 60% of Japan’s oyster production), Fugu pufferfish from Yamaguchi prefecture, crab from Tottori prefecture, and fruit from Okayama prefecture.

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Kyoto is the most famous tourist destination in this region. When you think of Japan, you are probably picturing Kyoto.

It is not only known for its history. Japanese magazines run special features on Kyoto almost every month and there is always something new to talk about – from seasonal scenery and new restaurants and cafes, to museum exhibitions and hotel openings.

It is often said that Osaka is a city of commerce or a city of comedy. People in the city have relatively good communication skills, you may find yourself having pleasant conversations with them at Izakayas and such.
Osaka is also known for its local specialties such as Takoyaki (Fried Octopus Balls) , Okonomiyaki, and Kushiage.

They have the largest Korean neighborhood in Japan, Tsuruhashi. Eating Korean barbecue is also popular for food lovers. Japanese call Osaka a city of “kuidaore” (it means bringing ruin upon oneself by extravagance in food). It has recently become a destination well-known to Hollywood movie fans because there is the Universal Studio Japan.

Nara once had the capital of ancient Japan. Since it is an older capital than Kyoto, there are many ancient tombs and ancient ruins, giving it a mysterious charm. The quality of its Buddhist statues in particular is said to be the best in Japan.

Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture is a popular city for going on dates among people in Kansai. Because Kobe has many Western-style buildings that are exotic to the Japanese.
A scenic and fun drive on Awaji Island, and Rokko Mountains are famous for their night views. Both places places are also known as favorite destinations for dating.

Wakayama, with its many sacred places such as the World Heritage Kumano Kodo and Mt. Koya, is also known these days for its many pandas.

Shiga is renowned for Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan, Hikone Castle, a national treasure, and Hieizan Enryakuji Temple, a World Heritage site.

However, La Colina, a pastry store, is becoming popular for its unique architecture. It is said to be more popular than Hikone Castle and Hieizan Enryakuji Temple.

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Shopping:

Osaka, one of Japan’s three major cities, has department stores that are comparable to those in Tokyo. Kobe is famous as a fashion city, with the headquarters of many apparel companies and a museum dedicated to fashion.

In Kyoto, you can buy Japanese patterned tenugui, stationery made of Japanese paper, kitchenware made by artisans.
Tamba in Hyogo Prefecture, and Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture are known for their historic pottery.

Arts and culture:

Osaka has a lot of large museums. There are many small museums in Kyoto that make use of former private residences, such as Shigemori Mirei Garden Museum and Kawai Kanjiro’s house,  where you can enjoy viewing art that is unique to Kyoto and cannot be experienced anywhere else.

Hot springs:
Arima Onsen, which is one of the top three famous hot spring towns in Japan is particularly popular, however, Kinosaki Onsen has also recently been gathering attention due to the revitalization of the town encompassing the themes of art and architecture.

Traditional townscape:

While Kyoto and Nara are well-known, there are also many traditional townscapes that remain such as Omihachiman and Hikone in Shiga prefecture, Tondabayashi in Osaka prefecture, Yuasa in Wakayama prefecture, and Tatsuno in Hyogo prefecture.

Gourmet food:

Although there is a strong image of Japanese cuisine associated with Kyoto, the city is actually also well-known for its many famous bakeries and ramen shops.

Takoyaki from Akashi are fluffy like an omelet and have a completely different flavor from the Osaka version and are worth a taste. Kobe is a mecca for not only Kobe Beef but also Western-style pastries and cakes.

Shiga prefecture has its own unique fermented food products made from lake fish. On the Sea of Japan side of Japan, the fish caught are very delicious, and in the wintertime, crab is a specialty of the area.

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Located between the populous Kanto and Kansai regions, this is a popular area for weekend trips from both areas.  Aside from urban areas such as Nagoya, one of Japan’s three major cities, it is a mountainous area with the highest mountains in Japan, including Mt. Fuji, where you can enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and camping.

Aichi Prefecture was the birthplace of the three feudal heroes, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu.
The Chubu region also gave birth to many of the popular Sengoku era warlords who often feature as the protagonists of films and tv dramas such as Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenchi. These men were known as the most powerful of the military commanders of feudal times and the related historical sights will be enjoyed by history lovers.

You can enjoy riding on local train lines popular with railway enthusiasts such as the JR Iida Line which is famous for having secluded stations built in unforgiving surroundings and the Tenryu Hamanako Line where you can enjoy the sights of the idyllic rural scenery.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is loved by ride enthusiasts who enjoy a long journey of over 3,000 meters that uses 6 buses, cable cars, and ropeways.

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Shopping:

Tsubamesanjo in Niigata prefecture is well-known as a town of craftsmen skilled at metal processing, while Seto, Tajimi in Gifu Prefecture,  and Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture are known for their historic pottery.

Nagano prefecture is renown for lacquerware and woodwork furniture. Kanazawa prefecture retains an elegant samurai culture, and it’s known for its sophisticated traditional crafts such as Kaga Yuzen kimono and Kutani ware.

Arts and culture:

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa enjoys tremendous popularity from contemporary art lovers.  In addition, in Niigata prefecture, famous for its rice and Japanese sake, an arts festival has been held in mountain villages for over 20 years and has recently become a destination well-known to art lovers.  There are also many quality museums located in resort areas such as the Kiyoharu Art Village and the Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa.  

In the mountains of Gifu prefecture, there is a unique, one of a kind theme park known as the Site of Reversible Destiny created by contemporary artist Arakawa Shusaku.

Outdoor activities: There are many ski resorts in the mountainous areas such as Shiga Kogen and Hakuba, and Madarao. Fishing can be enjoyed at the seaside.

Hot springs:

There are many luxurious hot spring inns located on the Izu Peninsula, which is one of the most popular hot spring areas for residents of the Tokyo metropolitan area.
In mountainous areas with heavy snowfall, you can enjoy viewing the snow from within a hot spring bath and Jigokudani Hot Spring in Nagano prefecture is world-famous for its bathing monkeys.  There are also many hot spring inns where you can enjoy the view of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures.

Traditional townscape:

Ise Jingu Shrine, a sacred place that is representative of Japan, Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, with their photogenic thatched roof houses, Kiso, which still retains the remnants of a post town from the Edo period, and samurai residences in Kanazawa are some of the old townscapes that you can see. Matsumoto and Inuyama castles are national treatures remaining from the Edo period.

Gourmet food:

The coast area of the Sea of Japan is synonymous with delicious seafood and you can enjoy unforgettably sushi in both Kanazawa and Niigata prefectures.  Also, Nagoya has a distinct miso culture and you can enjoy dishes such as pork katsu with miso sauce, miso-flavored hot pot udon, and miso-flavored oden stew.

Niigata prefecture is a major producer of Japanese sake and Yamanashi is a major wine producer.  Nagano prefecture boasts one of the leading brands for soba noodles.

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