Tottori City, the capital of Tottori Prefecture, is in western Japan along the coast of the Sea of Japan. Tottori is most famous for its sand dunes, the largest in Japan, which cover over 30 square kilometres of coast to the north of the city centre. Tottori may be oneContinue Reading
Kumamoto City is the second-largest city in Kyushu island and the prefectural capital of Kumamoto. The city is most famous for its restorative hot-spring baths, authentic eateries, and especially its castle, which is one of Japan’s largest and most complete. With an active volcano at its periphery, Kumamoto is knownContinue Reading
Kagoshima is Kyushu’s southernmost major city and the capital of Kagoshima Prefecture. It has been nicknamed the “Naples of the Eastern world” for its bay location (Aira Caldera), hot climate, palm tree-lined streets, warm-hearted locals and symbolic stratovolcano, Sakurajima. Kagoshima is very famous for its history, with the Satsuma Clan.Continue Reading
Ikeda city is located in the north of Osaka Prefecture. The city was founded formally on April 29, 1939. It was developed as an urban town by a local railway company, Hankyu Dentetsu. Its founder Kobayashi Ichizo (Itsuo) lived there. It is now a centre for politics, economy, and cultureContinue Reading
A former castle town that was inhabited mostly by merchants, Kawagoe of Saitama Prefecture is a day-trip location that is not too far from Tokyo. Its main street, lined with Kurazukuri (clay-walled warehouse-styled) buildings, retains an ambience reminiscent of an old town from the Edo Period (1603-1867) and allows usContinue Reading
Karuizawa is an upmarket mountain resort located in Nagano Prefecture. Located at an altitude of roughly 1000 meters, the town provides a pleasant escape from the summer heat. Karuizawa has been popular with wealthy urbanites since the 19th century. At that time, Tokyo’s foreign expats were seeking an escape fromContinue Reading
Mount Koya is a large temple settlement in Wakayama Prefecture. It is the centre of Shingon Buddhism, an important Buddhist sect that was introduced to Japan in 805 by Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), one of Japan’s most significant religious figures. A small, secluded temple town has developed aroundContinue Reading
Akita City is a refined prefectural capital of Akita. Akita is mostly known for snow, onsen (hot springs), great sake, a sturdy breed of dog, and the widely acknowledged beauty of its women. Bordered by the sea and mountains, this peaceful city is home to major local festivals, museums ofContinue Reading
The southern part of Wakayama Prefecture known as Kumano has gathered the faith of people as a dwelling place of the gods over the centuries. Kumano is centred around three shrines, Hongu Taisha, Nachi Taisha and Hayatama Taisha, collectively known as the Kumano Sanzan. Kumano is often called “The LandContinue Reading
Naha is the capital city of the Okinawa Prefecture, the southernmost prefecture and a popular starting point for tourists wanting to explore the sub-tropical part of Japan. Naha is by far the biggest city in Okinawa, home to 60 per cent of the main island’s residents. It is also homeContinue Reading