Search Results for: food

The Shirakami-Sanchi mountain range is a fabled UNESCO World Heritage Site straddling Japan's northern prefectures of Akita and Aomori. The untouched primitive beauty of nature here and the sheer scale of it all continues to mesmerize countless visitors to its lands, making it a prime destination for adventure tourism.
Here we'll provide a comprehensive guide that will help you make the most of a 2-day trip to Tohoku's Akita and Shirakami-Sanchi, including details on how to get there from Tokyo, what exciting foods to try out, and must-visit hotspots within the region.
More About Shirakami-Sanchi in the Tohoku Region
Tohoku refers to the northeastern tip of Japan's Honshu island, the Japanese archipelago's main and largest. Full of luxuriant nature that is beautiful all year round, the region is home to many hot spring areas, traditional festivals, and countryside cuisine, giving it a special allure that can't be found in modern cities. No wonder it came i..

The eclectic city of Naha is the capital of Okinawa and has no shortage of places to see and fun things to do in this island paradise.
Browse & Book hotels in Okinawa
1. Okuma Beach
Almost a kilometer long, Okuma Beach’s smooth white sand, sparkling waters, and colorful beach cottages are picture-perfect.
Popular due to its wide selection of marine sports and leisure activities, Okuma is guaranteed to help kick your vacation into high gear. And surrounded by pristine coral reefs with high visibility, it is also known as one of the world’s best windsurfing spots.
Okuma Beach
Kunigami Village, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa 905-1412, Japan
0980-41-22222. Emerald Beach
True to its name, Emerald Beach was selected as one of the 55 Best Beaches in Japan by the Environment Agency.
Every summer, it becomes a hot spot for various local festivals, parties, and fireworks. But at any time of year, visitors can enjoy swimming in its calm, pristine waters, relaxing in the shade, and watching the sunset over..

The Amami Islands are located between Kyushu and Okinawa, southwest of Yakushima. Their abundance of beautiful coral and tropical fish makes them a destination especially popular with divers and snorkelers. The largest city is Amami, on the main island of Amami Oshima.
Browse & Book hotels in Kagoshima
1. Sakibaru Beach
© K．P．V．B
Tucked away down a narrow footpath, very few tourists know about this hidden gem of a beach.
© K．P．V．B
Sakibaru Beach is a sure to make you say 'WOW' as the gorgeous scenery is revealed, of perfect blue seas and soft white sand. Enjoy this secluded piece of paradise!
© K．P．V．B
Sakibaru Beach
3622 Kasaricho Oaza Kise, Amami, Kagoshima 894-05072. Kasarizaki Lighthouse
Kasarizaki Lighthouse sits at a scenic spot on the most northern point of the island, known as 'Yo Misaki' Cape to the locals. From the top of the lighthouse you can get a fantastic panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. Ships sailing nearby have long relied on this historic light..

Kagoshima Prefecture is in southwestern Kyushu, and also includes islands such as Yakushima, whose untouched forests have been designated a natural World Heritage Site. In addition, Kagoshima has several volcanoes, including the famous Sakurajima.
Browse & Book a hotel in Kagoshima
1. Sakurajima
c K. P. V. B
An island just outside of Kagoshima with an active volcano frequently spewing ash-filled smoke from its peak.
c K. P. V. B
Despite this, people live comfortably on Sakurajima, and many travelers visit by ferry every year. The island has many onsens to soak in, and several shops sell fruits and vegetables grown there. Be sure to get some giant radishes made that way from the volcanic ash in the soil.
Sakurajima
Sakurajimaakamizucho, Kagoshima, 891-14202. Steam sand baths
c K. P. V. B
At Ibusuki Beach, the steam sand baths allow you to lie in the sand, while the hot geothermal steam from below heats you. Just lie down on the beach in yukata clothes; an attendant will use a shovel to ..

Kumamoto Prefecture's topography is dominated by volcanic Mt. Aso and is particularly famous for Kumamoto Castle, one of the greatest Japanese castles that has survived to the present day.
Browse & Book a hotel in Kumamoto
1. Yachiyoza Theater
Famous for its revolving stage, tatami “box seats,” and a corridor for the actors to pass through the audience to the stage, the Yachiyoza Theater first opened in 1911 as a popular center where residents could see Kabuki performances.
Reopened in the late 1980s, the theater is now designated an Important Cultural Property. Tours are available so you can view the traditional Japanese theater architecture. Also, be sure to check out the Yumekogura Museum with theater memorabilia.
Yachiyoza Theater
1499 Yamaga, Kumamoto 861-05012. Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle is known as one of the best castles in Japan.
The local feudal lord, Kato Kiyomasa, began constructing the castle in 1601, and it was completed seven years later. Although some of the ..

Occupying a northwest corner of the southern island of Kyushu, Saga Prefecture has coasts facing both the Sea of Japan and the Ariake Sea and is famous for Arita porcelain as well as its excellent seafood.
Browse & Book a hotel in Saga
1. Saga Castle History Museum
Photo courtesy of Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
This museum showcases Saga’s attractiveness and energy during the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate, a time in history that paved the way for Japan's modernization.
Photo courtesy of Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
Saga Castle History Museum is a faithful reconstruction of a part of Saga Castle's honmaru (main keep), which existed here during the end of the Edo Period. It boasts a status as one of the largest wooden reconstructions in Japan. The building is surrounded by historical scenes such as a tenshudai, moat, and Shachi no Mon, or Killer Whale Gate, which is a designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Photo courtesy of Saga Prefecture Tourism Federat..

Located in northeastern Kyushu, Oita prefecture is a largely agricultural region that is also known for the famous hot springs at Beppu.
Browse & Book a hotel in Oita
1. Oita (Funai) Castle Ruins Park
Also known as Funai Castle, Oita Castle was constructed by Takenaka Shigetoshi, who took over after Fukuhara Naotaka, the brother-in-law of Ishida Mitsunari, who served under Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
The main tower, or tenshukaku, has not survived to the present day, but visitors can still marvel at the impressive stone walls, which served as the castle's main line of defense, as well as side towers and the moat around the outer bailey.
Oita Castle Ruins Park is also known as a popular cherry blossom viewing spot, where over 70 trees of beautiful Yoshino cherry flowers bloom every spring.
Oita Funai Castle Ruins
4 Niagemachi, Oita, 870-00462. Oita City Art Museum
Located within Uenogaoka Park, Ōita City Art Museum is a place of tranquility in the midst of lush greenery.
Oita City Art Mus..

The largest city on the southern island of Kyushu, Fukuoka is a comfortable city with much more than delicious ramen to offer.
Browse & Book a hotel in Fukuoka
1. Fukuoka City Museum
At the Fukuoka City Museum, you will find permanent exhibits on Fukuoka's history and folk cultures, theme-based exhibits on the history, customs, and culture of Fukuoka and Japan, and other special large-scale exhibitions.
The two most notable items on permanent display are the Gold Seal, believed to have been presented to Japanese messengers by then Chinese Emperor in the first century CE and now a designated National Treasure, and a large spear called Nihongo. There is also a Touch and Experience room that allows visitors to play with traditional musical instruments and toys.
Fukuoka City Museum
3 Chome-1-1 Momochihama, Sawara Ward, Fukuoka, 814-00012. Kirin Brewery Fukuoka
You can learn about the fascinating process of making one of Japan's most popular beers in detail and also get to taste t..

Matsuyama is the capital of Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. It is most famous for its hot springs, which people have enjoyed for hundreds of years.
Browse & Book a hotel in Ehime
1. Dogo Onsen Honkan
Dogo Onsen Honkan is believed to be the oldest hot spring in Japan, going back as far as 3,000 years.
The main building, a three-story castle-style wooden structure, has been designated an Important Cultural Property.
After enjoying the smooth hot spring water, put on a Yukata robe, stroll around the local streets full of culture, and get into the spirit of this Onsen town. A new annex called “Asuka-no-Yu” adopts the architectural style of the 6th to 8th centuries.
Dogo Onsen Main Building
5-6 Dogoyunomachi, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-08422. Matsuyama Ropeway Shopping Street
The Matsuyama Ropeway Shopping Street is at the foot of Matsuyama Castle, leading to the cable car station for the castle.
The relaxing street is lined with chic independent shops. From the widely known “Uwajima ..