Niigata新潟

From Tokyo Station to Niigata Station, it’s just a 1 hour and 30-minute ride on the Shinkansen. Niigata Prefecture, the fifth largest in Japan, spans approximately 250 kilometers from north to south along the Japan Sea coast.
Each region in Niigata offers a unique experience. The ‘Nagaoka Area’ hosts one of Japan’s top three fireworks festivals, the Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks, attracting over a million visitors annually. The ‘Yuzawa and Uonuma Area’ is home to the world’s largest art festival, the ‘Echigo Tsumari Art Triennale,’ held once every three years. The ‘Yahiko and Tsubame-Sanjo Area’ is known for its thriving production of high-quality metal Western-style tableware, capturing a 90% share of the domestic market and gaining international attention for its design and functionality.
With distinct climates and diverse landscapes across the prefecture, Niigata presents a different face in every season. It’s a place where the scenery changes with each visit, and there’s something captivating to discover year-round.

Tochigi栃木

Tochigi Prefecture, known for its diverse attractions, offers carefully selected hot springs like Nasu Onsen, Shiobara Onsen, and Kinugawa-Kawaji Onsen. It is also famous for local delicacies such as the best strawberries in Japan from Ichigo and gyoza from Utsunomiya. Traditional crafts like Mashiko pottery and historical sites like the Japan Heritage Site “Historical School of Ashikaga” add to its charm. Particularly, Nikko City, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site ”Shrines and Temples of Nikko,” is an area not to be missed.

Tokyo東京

When you think of ‘Tokyo,’ each of us envisions a different landscape, from the dazzling high-rise neon lights of the metropolis to the nostalgic ambiance of the old-fashioned downtown areas where rickshaws still traverse the streets. The fact that such a diverse range of scenes can become someone’s signature image of this city is truly remarkable and unparalleled worldwide. In a ranking by readers in the U.S.-based travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler known as ‘The Readers’ Choice Awards’ for 2023, Tokyo was ranked as the second-best global city in the Urban category. Tokyo invites you to discover your own favorite ‘Tokyo’ in this multifaceted metropolis.

Kagawa香川

Kagawa Prefecture, the smallest in Japan, is a treasure trove of charm: ‘Mt. Shiude,‘ which has been featured in the French daily newspaper Le Figaro and The New York Times for its breathtaking cherry blossom views; ‘Ritsurin Garden,’ a garden so rich in diversity that every step unveils a different landscape; and don’t forget ‘Naoshima,’ famous for the Setouchi Triennale (Setouchi International Art Festival), where the entire island is adorned with art installations, drawing over 700,000 art lovers from around the world every year.
Exploring the diverse islands of the Seto Inland Sea, once referred to as the ‘Aegean Sea of the Orient,’ each boasting its unique history, culture, and ecosystem, is an absolute must to truly appreciate the allure of Kagawa and, indeed, the Seto Inland Sea. I strongly encourage you to experience it for yourself. In this tiniest of Japan’s prefectures, the abundance of allure is nothing short of remarkable.

Hiroshima広島

Hiroshima is a city with a history of atomic devastation that many foreigners may be familiar with, yet it has forged a resilient path of recovery, transforming into one of Japan’s premier metropolises, brimming with lush greenery and abundant water. On the “Island of the Gods,” Miyajima, you’ll discover the striking Great Torii Gate seemingly floating in the sea, along with the picturesque Itsukushima Shrine in vibrant vermilion. I highly recommend staying on the island, allowing you to explore the Itsukushima Shrine during the tranquil hours of morning and evening, hike up the sacred Mt. Misen, also the shrine’s main deity—savor a truly luxurious experience at this enchanting destination.

Kyoto京都

For over a millennium, Kyoto, the ancient city that once served as Japan’s capital, thrived as a hub of politics and culture. Many associate Japan with Kyoto’s iconic cityscapes and shrines. In Kyoto, you can’t miss a total of 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the world-renowned “Kiyomizu Temple” with its captivating the ‘Hinoki Wooden Stage of Kiyomizu,’ perched on a cliff or the awe-inspiring “Silver Pavilion,” known for its exquisite Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetic and beautiful gardens. The “Fushimi Inari Taisha,” famous for its thousands of vermilion-painted torii gates, and the “Sanjusangen-do” housing 1,000 one-thousand-armed Kannon statues, each with its unique history and characteristics. With over 4,700 diverse shrines and temples, complemented by the enchanting cherry blossoms in spring and fiery autumn foliage, Kyoto offers an inexhaustible treasure trove of charm that continues to captivate no matter how many times you visit.

Kagoshima鹿児島

Covering an area approximately four times that of Tokyo and being the largest prefecture in Kyushu, Kagoshima is a globally unique region with three distinct climates due to its elongated north-south expanse. Renowned for its iconic active volcano, Sakurajima, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Yakushima with ancient Jomon Sugi trees said to be around 7,200 years old, and Amami Oshima known as the ‘closest island to paradise’ in Japan, Kagoshima is a diverse treasure trove of nature. Nurtured by its rich natural surroundings, the prefecture boasts a vibrant array of cuisine and a variety of diverse hot springs, proudly ranking second in the nation for the number of source springs. The region is brimming with robust charm derived from its bountiful natural wonders.

Yamaguchi山口

Yamaguchi Prefecture boasts breathtaking natural wonders, including the awe-inspiring “Motonosumi Shrine” with its 123 vibrant red torii gates, recognized by CNN in 2015 as one of ‘Japan’s 31 most beautiful places?’, and is also the epicenter of Fugu cuisine in Shimonoseki, where fresh seafood gathers, and a region celebrated for sake production, featuring the highly regarded Dassai brand. Don’t miss the soulful experience of savoring ‘Kawara Soba’ a local delicacy served steaming hot on heated roof tiles. It’s worth noting that Yamaguchi is where Japan first celebrated Christmas, adding a touch of historical romance to the region. Exploring Yamaguchi reveals not only its natural wonders but also its profound influence on Japanese history.

Ehime愛媛

Ehime Prefecture, embraced by the captivating aroma of citrus, proudly stands as a leading producer of citrus fruits nationwide. Upon arriving at Matsuyama Airport, the gateway to Ehime, you are instantly immersed in the region’s essence—tap water infused with mandarin juice (available for a fee), monumental mandarin sculptures, and an abundance of mandarin-themed sweets. From the moment you touch down, you’re greeted with the title of the ‘Mandarin Prefecture.’ However, Ehime offers more than just citrus delights. With a history spanning 3000 years, you can experience Japan’s oldest hot spring, Dōgo Onsen, or explore historical gems like Matsuyama Castle, standing for over 400 years. Ehime beckons with its profound allure, inviting you to uncover the rich tapestry of its history and the hidden charms that await.