Saga is the prefectural city of Saga Prefecture. It is packed with its own charms both obvious and obscure. Saga City is more urban than the smaller, rural towns close by, so there is plenty of dining and nightlife. You can also get in touch with nature, enjoy some leisureContinue Reading
The capital of Fukushima Prefecture is a compact city center surrounded by lush mountains, fruit orchards and healing hot springs. Known as the “Fruit Kingdom,” delicious fruits can be tasted throughout the year. While the city, with its traditional festivals, horse races, and flower parks, draws visitors from around theContinue Reading
Situated in the middle of Oita Prefecture, Oita city is blessed with a warm climate, lush greenery and an abundance of fresh, natural products from both land and sea. With the influence of trading ships from the West and the conversion of a local feudal lord in the 16th century,Continue Reading
Okayama is the capital of Okayama Prefecture and the largest city in the Chugoku Region after Hiroshima. The city is the site of Korakuen, known as one of the top three traditional gardens in Japan (along with Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen and Mito’s Kairakuen), and Okayama Castle, which is ranked among theContinue Reading
Niigata is the capital and largest city of Niigata Prefecture. It is a beautiful city whose northwest faces the Sea of Japan. As Japan’s largest agricultural city, Niigata is covered largely by rice fields. Yet, this port town is a sophisticated transportation hub, easily accessible by air, sea and rail.Continue Reading
Translates into “the entrance to the mountain,” Yamaguchi is the prefectural capital, the academic and cultural heart of Yamaguchi Prefecture. During the 14th century, Yamaguchi prospered under the rule of the Ouchi clan with international trading routes mainly towards China. Modelled after Japan’s old capital, Yamaguchi City was then knownContinue Reading
The capital of Yamagata Prefecture is also home to the prefecture’s largest metropolitan population. Offering a wide range of activities, cuisine, nightlife, lodging accommodations, sightseeing and historic points of interests, Yamagata City makes a nice home base for exploring the prefecture and the Tohoku region. Yamagata has scenic mountain andContinue Reading
Amami Oshima is located in the East China Sea between Kyushu and Okinawa. Its climate is similar to balmy Okinawa’s, and its white beaches, beautiful coral reefs, and crystal-clear sea make it one of Japan’s most popular snorkelling and scuba-diving retreats. Belongs to Kagoshima Prefecture, Amami Oshima’s beaches tend toContinue Reading
With a population of one million, Sendai is the largest city in the Tohoku region and the political and economic centre of Japan’s northeast. Known as the “City of Trees,” Sendai is also the capital of Miyagi Prefecture and an ideal base for exploring Tohoku. The modern city of SendaiContinue Reading
Beppu is one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts, producing more hot spring water than any other resort in the country. There are close to 3,000 hot spring vents in Beppu City, representing more than 10% of all vents in Japan. Beppu City boasts the largest volume of hotContinue Reading