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.

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.

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

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.

If you like

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.

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

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.

If you like

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.

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

Iwate Prefecture is the second largest prefecture in Japan, and Fukushima Prefecture is the third largest. These six prefectures alone account for about 18% of Japan’s total area, but they are not densely populated and are recommended for those who want to travel without congestion.

The area is blessed with abundant nature and hot springs, and there are many places with spectacular views, such as Matsushima, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, Zao‘s tree ice, Hakkoda‘s Tsuta-numa, and the Shimokita Peninsula’s Butsugaura.
Iwate’s Sanriku Railway, which runs along the coast, and Akita’s JR Gono Line are popular among railroad fans.

Along with Ise Jingu Shrine, to which since ancient times it has been said that you should pay homage, Yamagata’s Dewa Sanzan has a long history as a sacred site of Shugendo. Yamagata is also famous for its many Sokushinbutsu(a kind of Buddhist mummy).

The Tohoku region is also a holy land of folklore with unique culture and folklore, such as Osorezan in Aomori, known for its “necromancer” shaman who talks with the dead, Kappa in Tono, Iwate, and Namahage in Akita.

Kokeshi dolls are one of the most famous local toys in the Tohoku region, and Naruko and Togatta in Miyagi Prefecture and Tsuchiyu in Fukushima Prefecture are known as the “Three Great Kokeshi Dolls of Japan.

Many areas were defeated by the new government forces in the civil war at the end of the Edo period, and there are many historical sites related to the sad history of the region, especially in Aizu Wakamatsu. On the Pacific side, there are still scars from the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011.

With the exception of the urban areas, the region is said to have a large number of introverted people, and many people find its shy character and simplicity, which is less touristy than other areas, attractive.

If you like

Shopping:

Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture), the largest city in the Tohoku region, has department stores that are comparable to those in the Tokyo metropolitan area, offering everything you need. In Morioka(Iwate Prefecture), there are many handcraft workshops, including Nanbu Ironware, which are popular among folk art lovers.

Arts and culture:

Aomori Prefecture has recently become a popular destination for art fans. In addition to the Aomori Museum of Art and the Towada Museum of Contemporary Art, which attract many tourists from outside the prefecture, the Hirosaki Renga Soko Art Museum, designed by world-renowned architect Tsuyoshi Tane, has opened in Hirosaki. The memorial museum of Domon Ken, one of Japan’s most famous photographers, is small but highly regarded for its architecture and views.

Outdoor activities:

There are many ski resorts in the mountainous areas such as Abi Kogen and Zao. Canoeing can be enjoyed at Lake Towada, and fishing can be enjoyed at the seaside.

Hot springs:

Nyuto Onsen-Kyo, Naruko Onsen-kyo, Ginzan Onsen, etc. are famous and hidden hot springs with a unique Tohoku flavor, and are especially photogenic during the snow season.

Traditional townscape:

Popular destinations include the World Heritage site of Hiraizumi, mountain temples with spectacular views, the temples and shrines of Dewa Sanzan, the samurai residences of Kakunodate, and Ouchi-juku, an inn town with a series of thatched-roof houses.

Gourmet food:

Seafood is excellent along the coast. Yonezawa beef from Yamagata, gyutan (beef tongue) from Sendai, and local ramen from Fukushima and Yamagata are also famous throughout Japan. Yamagata’s Tsuruoka City is the only city in Japan designated as a “UNESCO City for the Creation of Food Culture” and has many nationally renowned restaurants.

Blessed with rice, water, and a cool climate, the region is also home to many highly regarded sake breweries.

Nightlife:

Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region, has many live music venues and clubs, as well as retro drinking areas such as Bunka Yokocho.

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

Many people come here to escape the heat of summer and to enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding during winter.

If you like

Shopping: You can buy very sophisticated artisan products and clothes in Sapporo, the biggest city in Hokkaido. Asahikawa is famous for its woodworking furniture. One of Hokkaido’s most famous handicrafts is “Kibori kuma“(wooden carving of a bear).

Arts and culture: Moerenuma Park in Sapporo, CHAPEL ON THE WATER in Tomamu, Nakasatsunai Art Village in Obihiro are popular art spots.

Outdoor activities:In addiction to the skiing , snowboarding and hiking activities that the area is renowned for, there are also rivers in Niseko and Kushiro where you can enjoy canoeing and rafting. Seeing drift ice in Abashiri and trekking in Kushiro Marsh are also popular.

Hot springs: Noboribetsu Onsen  is the most famous hot spring resort, but there are about 250 hot spring resorts in Hokkaido.

Traditional townscape: In general, Hokkaido is a land that began to be fully developed in the late 19th century, and there are few historical sites. However, there are a few places where you can get in touch with the history of the Ainu, the indigenous people. Such as , National Ainu Museum,
Lake Akan Ainu Kotan, Shiraoi Porotokotan.

Gourmet food: Exhibitions displaying Hokkaido products are held almost every day all over Japan. That’s how popular Hokkaido’s food is among Japanese people.

The extensive list of local gourmet foods include, miso ramen, soup curry and jingisukan. In addition, parfaits are also becoming popular these days. Sapporo has a unique habit of eating perfait after drinking an alcholic beverage. They call this custom “Shime Pafait”.

Places to go on a date: Night view in Moiwa Mountain,Mt. Hakodate.
Nightlife: Susukino is one of the most popular entertainment districts in Japan, along with Kabukicho in Tokyo and Nakasu in Fukuoka.

Popular places

Popular among Japanese people: Walking around the towns of Sapporo, Hakodate and Otaru, the flower fields of Furano, and the spectacular scenery of Kushiro and Tokachi, Asahiyama Zoo.

Popular among foreigners: Niseco. Shirogane Blue Pond, Asahiyama Zoo.

Films about Hokkaido

・Detective in the Bar
・Love Letter
・The Yellow Handkerchief

The post Hokkaido – Travel guide appeared first on Trip Planner Japan.

The Kanto Region includes the seven prefectures of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Gunma.

Among these, the prefectures of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama are collectively referred to as the Tokyo metropolitan area. Many people who live within this area find themselves going to Tokyo whether it’s to get to their workplace, school, for shopping, or otherwise, even if they don’t live in Tokyo itself.

The area has a total population of around 36 million people, more than the entire population of Australia, despite it containing just four prefectures.

As the area has such a huge population, many would imagine that there is a lack of nature, but there are in fact a full range of exciting tourists sites such as mountains, rivers, the sea, and traditional townscapes.

Check!
⇒Tokyo Guide

If you like

Shopping: Tokyo is by far number one. The city is the birthplace of many trends and there are shops for all audiences from those who enjoy partying to those with nerdier interests.

Arts and culture: Tokyo has by far the most museums, art museums, and bookstores. However, there are also a number of museums aimed at more niche interests in tourist spots such as Hakone, too.

Outdoor activities: Hiking is popular in the mountains of the Kanto Region with many camping sites scattered around.

In Gunma Prefecture, you can enjoy skiing, and Chiba Prefecture is home to a plethora of surfing spots, too. In addition, you can enjoy paragliding in Nasu Kogen, Tochigi Prefecture, with fishing being popular in the seas of Kanagawa, Chiba, and Ibraki prefectures. Tokyo is also home to the seven Izu Islands – an isolated island chain where there is a rich scuba diving culture.

Hot springs: By far the most popular hot spring areas are Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture, Kusatsu and Ikaho in Gunma Prefecture, and Nasu and Kinugawa in Tochigi Prefecture. Even so, there are public baths in Tokyo where you can enjoy hot springs, in addition to facilities that have a number of open-air baths and deluxe public bathhouses (which are known as “super public baths”).

Traditional townscape: As Tokyo was destroyed during the air raids in the WWII, the traditional pieces of architecture that remain here are relatively few in number.

Kamakura was home to, and the birthplace of, the first samurai government, the Kamakura Bakufu. It is also one of the best historic spots in the Tokyo metropolitan area for historic shrines and temples.

Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture, Sawara in Chiba Prefecture, and Tochigi in Tochigi Prefecture still have traditional townscapes that are used as filming locations that are set in olden times. All of these are accessible from Tokyo on a day trip.

Gourmet food: Tokyo has by far the most options for domestic and international specialty dishes. However, each prefecture has its own unique B class gourmet food with a common touch (hearty, reasonably priced, and with local touches) . For example, Saitama is home to many udon noodle restaurants and Takasaki in Gunma is famous for its large number of pasta restaurants.

Places to go on a date: Places popular to go on dates among Japanese are plentiful in Kanagawa Prefecture, including Kamakura, which has a blend of mountains, the sea, and historical sites; port town Yokohama; and Hayama, a good spot for enjoying a drive by the beach. In Tokyo, Odaiba, which is located by the sea, and areas near Tokyo Tower that are known for their night view are popular.

Nightlife: The majority of clubs, concert venues, bars, and other nightlife spots are focused in Tokyo. If you venture out into the countryside, you will find “Snack” bars, which have a manager who is always present in the bar (usually a woman; referred to as a “mama”) and where karaoke is a given. These “Snack” bars are unique Japanese-style bars that attract many people. They are often the only type of bar in the area in the countryside.
However, Japanese-style pubs (known as izakaya), which allow you to enjoy both alcohol and food, can be found in almost all Japanese towns of a reasonable size and are open until late.

Popular places

Popular among Japanese people: Hot springs (Hakone and Kusatsu), Tokyo Disneyland (Chiba), visiting museums and art museums (Tokyo), shopping (Tokyo for fashion), visiting shrines and temples (Kamakura and Nikko), picking fruit (almost all prefectures except Tokyo, with strawberries particularly popular), going for a walk with food in hand (all prefectures), famous spots for flowers (Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi, rape flower fields in southern Chiba, and Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki)

Popular among foreigners: The brightly lit streets of Shinjuku, the retro shopping district in Asakusa, Shibuya’s scramble crossing, Nikko Toshogu Shrine, temples and shrines in Kamakura, and hot springs in Hakone.

Editor’s recommendation

Walking around and enjoying the modern architecture in Tokyo also comes highly recommended. Japan is the world’s top countries for winners of the Pritzker Architecture Prize along with the United States. This prize is called the Academy Awards of the field of architecture.
There are many buildings and forms of architecture that celebrated architects have works on in Tokyo, including many facilities such as stations and art museums that you can actually enter and enjoy.

Films about the region

・TOKYO:  “Your Name”  “Shin Godzilla” “Lost in Translation”
・SAITAMA：”Fly Me to the Saitama”
・CHIBA：”Kisarazu Cat’s Eye”
・TOCHIGI：”5 Centimeters Per Second”
・IBARAKI：”Kamikaze Girls”
・GUNMA：”Hōtai Club”

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