Map of Japan

Hokkaido

Hokkaido is Japan’s second largest and most northern island. During winter the island is covered in a blanket of thick white snow and its surrounding seas turn to ice. Those who like to ski and snowboard will definitely find their next mountain to slide down. more

Tohoku | Sendai

The region of Tohoku is in the northern part of Japan’s main island (Honshu) and consists of the prefectures Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, and Fukushima. Encompassing the northern tip of Honshu, Tohoku is surrounded by the Sea of Japan, the Pacific and Tsugaru Strait but also features a mountain range through its middle. more

Kanto | Tokyo

Apart from the metropolitan Tokyo, Kanto consists of the prefectures Chiba, Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Saitama and Tochigi. A bit of trivia for the Pokemon fans amongst us, the name Kanto may sound familiar to you as the original region the story took place in Kanto. Although you will pretty much find anything you could ever wish for in Tokyo, exploring the rest of Kanto is well-worth doing. more

Koshinetsu | Nagano

Yamanashi’s most liked experiences is picking grapes, peaches and plums during the harvest seasons.For those coming to Japan during the summer and need an escape from the heat, Nagano Prefecture is your place to go.Moving slightly towards the east you come across Niigata prefecture, home to the Japanese most important food: rice. more

Kenroku-en Garden, Hokuriku area, Japan.

Hokuriku | Kanazawa

The Hokuriku region is located in the northwestern part of Honshu, the main island of Japan and consists of the prefectures Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui. Faced in Sea of Japan, seafood is so delicious, and it snows a lot in this region, the attractive onsen or ski place are welcome to you. more

Tokai | Nagoya

The Tokai region is in the middle part of Japan that runs along the pacific ocean: Mie, Gifu, Aichi, and Shizuoka prefecture. The biggest city in this region is Nagoya-city where you can see some local specialities: Eel, Miso-Katsu, Chicken wings, and some Anko sweets. more

Kinki | Kyoto

The Kinki region, also known as Kansai, is one of Japan’s most popular destinations with the metropolitan aspiring Osaka and the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara at its center. Osaka is Japan’s second largest city and much like Tokyo buzzes with activity throughout the year. more

Chugoku | Hiroshima

As Japan’s main island’s most western region, Chugoku remains an off-the-beaten-path destinations for many visitors. Nonetheless, even outside its most-known city Hiroshima the region has plenty to offer in terms of vast nature and memorable sights. more

Shikoku | Naoshima

The island of Shikoku consisting of the four prefectures Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, and Kochi is rich of both history and natural beauty. With the completion of several expressway bridges the island has become easily from several major cities on the western side of Honshu, such as Kobe and Okayama. more

Kyushu | Fukuoka

As the gateway between Japan and Asia, Kyushu is located southwest of Japan’s main island Honshu and has a slightly warmer tropical climate. Kyushu is also known as the “Land of the Seven Prefectures” as it encompasses the seven prefectures: Fukuoka (the island’s largest city), Saga, Nagasaki, Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima. more

Okinawa

The prefecture of Okinawa is made up of about 160 islands also known as the Ryukyu Islands between Kyushu and Taiwan. The islands harbor a subtropical climate making it both comfortable throughout the year as well as lush in nature. more

Sightseeing

Oita’s Magical Islands of Cats and Seashells

Sponsored by Tourism Oita A Tale of Two Islands Located on the south east coastline of Oita Prefecture, Fukashima and Yakatajima islands are well ... more

Takachiho Gorge: Natural Beauty that Inspired Legends

Sponsored by Takachiho Tourist Association While Kumano Kodo is one of the most famous places for pilgrimages in Japan, the Takachiho area in Miyaz ... more

# Old Town

Narai Post Town – Explore an old post town of the Nakasendo Highway

Narai (Narai-juku) is a post town found along the Nakasendo Highway, one of the main inl ....

Looking Back on Taketa, Oita’s City of Secrets

Sponsored by Tourism Oita When arriving in Taketa city for the first time, the best ....

Accommodation

Refined Relaxation at a Luxury Ryokan in Takachiho

Sponsored by Takachiho Tourist Association Located south of Fukuoka city between Oita and Kumamoto prefectures on the island of Kyushu, the village o ... more

Discovering Shikoku: where to stay near the Iya Valley

Visiting Shikoku, specifically Tokushima Prefecture's remote Iya Valley, is a commitment. Hundreds of miles from the big metropolises of Japan, you ca ... more

# Farmstay

Traditional Hospitality at a Sake Producing Farm in Takachiho

Sponsored by Takachiho Tourist Association Authentic traditional Japanese family accommod ....

A Farm Stay Experience in Bungo-ono, Oita

Sponsored by Tourism Oita From budget and quirky capsule hotels to extravagant and ....

Transport

Embarking on the most scenic train ride along the Nagasaki Bay

Sponsored by Higashisonogi Town. Sitting in a comfortable seat, watching the landscape whizzing by at high speed, all the while getting from point ... more

Riding the Rails on 2 Amazing Trains of Akita Prefecture

Sponsored by Semboku City I have a little secret to spill. When my son was a toddler, we bought him a Tomy Plarail toy train set from Japan. He was ... more

# Near Tokyo or Osaka

A Day or Weekend Trip from Tokyo: Hakone, Enoshima, Oyama by Odakyu Railway

Sponsored by ODAKYU ELECTRIC RAILWAY Japan prides itself on excellent service and hospi ....

Which Way is the most Convenient from Narita Airport to Tokyo?

Sponsored by Keisei Railways. Narita International Airport is 65km from the ....

Activities

Tunnel Hike on the Old Fukuchiyama Railway!

In southern Hyogo Prefecture, between Kobe and Osaka, the old JR Fukuchiyama Line has emerged as a popular hiking trail for adventurous locals. Th ... more

Kamui Ski Links Asahikawa Deep Powder Snow Alpine Skiing Hokkaido

Experience the Kamui Ski Links, Amazing Powder Snow in Hokkaido

Sponsored by Asahikawa City As my taxi pulled up to the Kamui Ski Links, I was immediately taken by the number of families preparing for a day on t ... more

# Outdoors

Everything You Need To Know About Shikoku’s Oboke Gorge

While driving on the steep curves of highway 32 in Tokushima Prefecture, you might spot so ....

Uncover the Mysteries of Tokushima’s Iya Valley

Deep in the heart of Tokushima Prefecture lies one of the most remote places in Japan, a w ....

Culture

Saiki by Bicycle: Samurai and Zen Tea Experiences

Sponsored by Tourism Oita Saiki, coastal city in Oita prefecture Located in the southeast part of Oita Prefecture on Kyushu island, Saiki is a small ... more

Takachiho’s Kagura: An Artistic Story of Japanese Mythology

Sponsored by Takachiho Tourist Association While Takachiho is mainly known for its sumptuous gorges and wagyu beef, Japanese mythology lovers will ... more

# Tips

The Top 5 Travel Apps for Japan

Using mobile apps can make your life in Japan a lot easier. In this article I will show yo ....

ATM: Wondering Where to Withdraw Cash in Japan?

Carrying Cash in Japan Carrying cash in Japan can be really useful. There are plenty of r ....

Food

Experience Takachiho Wagyu Beef

Sponsored by Takachiho Tourist Association I usually eat little meat, but when I heard about Takachiho beef, one of the most famous brands of "wagy ... more

Vegan Food at Satta Yard in Nakatsu, Oita

Finding Vegan Curry and Coffee in the Mountains of Nakatsu, Oita

Finding Vegan Fare in the Mountains of Nakatsu If anyone is looking for a Rastafarian inspired Japanese restaurant, look no further than Satta Y ... more

# Local specialities

Mars Tsunuki distillery, Japanese whiskey distillery in Minamisatsuma, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan.

Visit a Whisky Distillery in Minamisatsuma, Kyushu

Sponsored by the Minamisatsuma Tourism Board. If Japan is mainly known for sake, made f ....

The Farm To Table Cuisine of Akita’s Semboku City

Sponsored by Semboku City This past year, a second ramen shop in Tokyo earned a Micheli ....

Shopping

Murakami Tea Matcha Traditional Teahouse Local Cuisine Niigata Prefecture

Discovering Japanese Tea Culture in Murakami

Sponsored by Murakami city Among the things that are fundamentally associated with the Japanese archipelago, tea probably takes one of the top spot ... more

Victoria Ski Snowboard Shop Equipment Tokyo Resort Gear Boots

Victoria Main Store – Eight Floors of Ski and Snowboard Equipment in Central Tokyo

It is a little-known fact among foreigners that 73% of Japan is mountainous. With most of the Japanese residential population scattered between these ... more

# Local crafts