All Blog Posts, Japan Geography

Chugoku Region of Japan – An Unseen Rural Beauty for Travelers Near and Far

Chugoku Region of Japan – An Unseen Rural Beauty for Travelers Near and Far

Enriched with unseen magnificence and least explored beauty, Chugoku is located in the western border of Honshu. Chugoku (中国地方, Chūgoku Chihō) covers prefectures Hiroshima and Okayama are well known for its history whereas Yamaguchi, Shimane and Tottori are rear stopover by most of the Japan’s travelers.

It’s rather easy to see how this area of Japan, “Chugoku” was given it’s name, Chuu mean Middle and Koku turns to Goku under Japanese rendaku which means “Middle of Country” which as you can see it literally is the middle of Japan, however it is interesting to note that the word Chuugoku also means China. Throughout Japans history it was alienated into various provinces known as Koku that was further divided based on supremacy and distance from the main island Kansai. This was through Japanese civil war “Sengoku” of the 1467 to 1615 where you would have ruling parties trying to gain control of the area through the use of samurai and ninja tactics.

If you are willing to take a break from the norm like visiting places like Kyoto and Tokyo. Then I highly recommend visiting the tranquil coastal regions in the south of Chugoku. The inland sea separates the three of five main inland’s i.e. Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu in Japan and is a main source of trading and transportation across sea routes.

Many fantastic tourist location abound in Chugoku like onsen/hot springs, fishing & sailing spots as well as water sports like sea kayaking. Of course you can’t discount the incredible sea views and Mount Ishizuchi (which is the highest mountain in western Japan).

One of Bitchu Kokubunji temples. Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, Chūgoku region, Japan.

Chugoku also has some of the best foods you can sample while in middle Japan. You will find most of the seafood and local cuisine made of vegetables and Tofu. Some of the best appetizing food that will ever hit your taste buds:

  • Hiroshima Okonomiyaki (Hiroshima)
  • Izumo Soba (Shimane)
  • Fruit Parfait
  • Bara-Zushi (Okayama)
  • Matsuba Gani (Tottori)
  • Tecchiri (Yamaguchi)
  • Kaki no Dotenabe (Hiroshima)
  • Tofu Chikuwa (Tottori)

One of the Chugoku prefecture, Hiroshima prefecture due to its tragic past of the Atomic bomb blast in 1945 has now become a popular metropolitan city which now attracts many visitors (similarly as does Nagasaki in Kyushu). Sparing extra time, travelers also love to visit Okayama prefecture which is famous for Korakuen (Japan’s Top Landscape Gardens). Next subsequent location to look into is Kurashiki, which a gorgeous city known for momentous fort and some of the biggest marketplace in Japan.

Shimane prefecture is enclosed with the coastal region surrounded by Sea of Japan. Renowned for its ancient castles like Izumo-taisha, which is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, and Tokugawa-era Matsue Castle. In its close proximity, you will find Iwami Ginzan complex known as World Heritage spot. Adding more zeal, visit the historic buildings which were used by silver miners in ancient times.

Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, Chūgoku region, Japan.

Tottori prefecture is covered with heavy sand regions across the coastal area of the Sea of Japan. Tottori also is covered with 50 meter high sand dunes as well, which appeals to travelers. Due to ample sand in the area, activities like camel riding and sand boarding has become popular among the locals and foreigners to the area.

Last but not the least; Yamaguchi prefecture is a land of Natural Parks as written below:

  • Setonaikai National Park
  • Akiyoshidai
  • Kita-Nagato Kaigan
  • Nishi-Chūgoku Sanchi
  • Quasi-National Parks
  • Chōmonkyō
  • Iwakiyama
  • Rakanzan

There are a number of festivals celebrated in Chugoku area that are famous for lights and traditional dance. A few of matsuri (festival) are below:

  • Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima: Kangensai Festival
  • Kochi City, Kochi: Yosakoi Matsuri
  • Tokushima: Awa Odori
  • Niihama, Ehime: Taiko Festival
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All Blog Posts, Japan Geography, Japanese Culture

Honshu, Japan – Where Past And Future Meet

Honshu, Japan – Where Past And Future Meet

When you think about the country of Japan, what do you picture? A futuristic city full of robots, anime culture and the hippest restaurants? Or perhaps you are picturing pristine historic Buddhist temples, cherry blossoms and the sun rising over Mt. Fuji. Honshu, Japan’s largest, and most populated, island is home to all of the above – and so much more.

Honshu is located between the Sea of Japan and the Northern Pacific Ocean. Honshu is not only home to Tokyo, the world’s largest city, it is also the 7th largest island in the world. The island of Honshu is considered the historical and cultural heart of Japan. Ancient former capitals of Kyoto and Nara stand alongside Tokyo, the modern day home of Japan’s Imperial family and the center of government.

The island is composed of 34 different prefectures and is famed for its diverse natural beauty. With temperate climates, lush plant life and miles of beach coastline, the island of Honshu truly has something for everyone.

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Honshu is the home of Japan’s most revered mountain, Mt. Fuji, which is located within a few hours shinkansen (bullet train ride) from the Tokyo Metropolitan area. Climbing Mt. Fuji to see the sun rise is an unforgettable experience for any adventurer. The hike up takes around eight hours and, while difficult, does not require any specialized hiking or climbing experience. But Mt. Fuji is not the only attraction in this area, which is known as the Fuji Five Lakes, is full of breathtaking scenery, small traditional inns and outdoor activities. Adventurous travelers will be excited to hear about Fuji-Q Amusement Park. This park is famous for its not-for-the-faint-of-heart selection of extreme thrill rides and coasters.

Travel a bit further east from Mt. Fuji (also known as Fujisan) and you will run right into the greater Tokyo Metropolitan area. The largest city in the world, Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis where things seem to move at hyper speed. It’s a city of contrasts, made up of a collection of 23 “special wards” each of which is then subdivided even further into different neighborhoods.

Neighborhoods are the center of life in Tokyo and each has its own unique flavor. Yanaka, Asakusa and Kawagoe are among the oldest of the Tokyo neighborhoods where you can still see Edo style buildings, theaters, shops and antique stores. If you want a little taste of what feudal Tokyo was like, these are the places to check out. You may also enjoy partaking in one of the traditional public baths that can be found in neighborhoods both old and new throughout the city. Or take a tour of one of Tokyo’s world-famous museums. The Edo Museum is full of immersive English language exhibits on the culture, history and peoples of Japan.

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The history of Tokyo can be seen on its streets, in traditional architecture and in the ubiquitous presence of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. You can scarcely walk more than a block in any populated area of Japan without running into one or the other and Tokyo is no different.

shopping in ginzaBut Tokyo is definitely not a city that is stuck in its past. It has earned its reputation as a high-tech wonderland and center of innovation for fashion, technology and manufacturing. The Ginza shopping district is an upscale stretch of shopping and Michelin star rated restaurants. Here you will find the very best of everything – from sushi to sunglasses. If cute is more your style, then you can go anime and kawaii-crazy in Japan’s youth-crazy “kawaii neighborhood” of Harajuku. Here stuffed animals, cute cosplay dresses and manga books will view for your attention. With so many shopping and dining options, you will be lucky if you have a single yen left after exploring these two neighborhoods. And that is just the tip of the iceberg!

Of course, Tokyo is not the island of Honshu’s only city of note. Kyoto, which has long been considered Japan’s most tradition-heavy city, is located just a few hour’s train ride from the Tokyo metro area. Walking down the streets of Kyoto, one might feel that she’s been transported back in time. As a former capital of Japan, and one of the few Japanese cities that was not heavily bombed during World War II, Kyoto is home to numerous historic sites, castles, temples and buildings.

You can take a rickshaw ride around Kyoto’s riverfront area, you will see parades of women in traditional yukatas (simple summer kimono) being pulled around by rickshaw drivers. There are numerous free or very inexpensive entertainment options for young and old alike, from shopping for traditional Japanese goods to checking out a samurai movie studio, touring a bamboo forest and visiting free-ranging monkeys at Sara Monkey Park. Kyoto is also home to Gion, the famed “geisha district” where – if you are very lucky – you might just catch a glimpse of a geisha on her way to an early evening engagement.

But Kyoto is just one of many very different cities on the island of Honshu. Hiroshima, site of Peace Park, a memorial to those lost in war. Hiroshima Castle was rebuilt after World War 2 and remains one of the country’s most beautiful examples of traditional feudal castles and is open daily for public tours. To experience a modern, hipper version of the Japanese city, you will want to check out Osaka, which is known for its more laid back vibe and friendly nightlife.

You might be surprised at how easy, and relatively inexpensive, it is to travel throughout the island. In the metropolitan areas. subway and bus systems are fast and efficient and for longer trips, the bullet train can get you where you are going in much less time than it would take to drive. Taking the shinkansen from Tokyo down through Osaka, Kyoto and on to Hiroshima is an adventure in itself. On a clear day, you may even get a good (albeit quick) glimpse of Mt. Fuji through your train window. Domestic flights are another option for intra-island travel and several airlines operate regular flights to and from Honshu’s major destinations.

Whatever your interests – nightlife, Japanese culture, outdoor adventure, shopping and dining, art or history – the island of Honshu is truly a dream destination.

The regions and its prefectures are:

Tōhoku region consists of six prefectures:

Akita Prefecture
Aomori Prefecture
Fukushima Prefecture
Iwate Prefecture
Miyagi Prefecture
Yamagata Prefecture

Kantō region consists of seven prefectures:

Chiba Prefecture
Gunma Prefecture
Ibaraki Prefecture
Kanagawa Prefecture
Saitama Prefecture
Tochigi Prefecture
Tokyo

Chūbu region consists of nine prefectures:

Aichi Prefecture
Fukui Prefecture
Gifu Prefecture
Ishikawa Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture
Niigata Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture
Toyama Prefecture
Yamanashi Prefecture

Kansai region consists of seven prefectures:

Hyōgo Prefecture
Kyoto Prefecture
Mie Prefecture
Nara Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture
Shiga Prefecture
Wakayama Prefecture

Chūgoku region consists of five prefectures:

Hiroshima Prefecture
Okayama Prefecture
Shimane Prefecture
Tottori Prefecture
Yamaguchi Prefecture

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All Blog Posts, Japan Geography, Japanese Culture

Akita Prefecture – Culture, Sightseeing and History

Akita, Japan – History, Cities, Festivals, Food and more.

When you ask most people if they’ve ever heard of a place called Akita, Japan, many people will either say no, or they’ll say isn’t that a dog breed’s name? But, if you were to ask people if they ever heard of the famous statue of Mary Magdalen that cried real human tears, you’ll have a lot of people saying yes. If you were to ask them where this happened, many will tell you… I don’t know.

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So besides having the name of a type of dog breed, this rather large prefecture in Japan gets very little recognition in terms of it’s existence yet so many people are influenced by the area. This area’s largest attraction is the statue of Mary who has cried real tears. Many documentaries have shown and showed cased this statue, and the tears that have come from it, are actually human tears. So either it’s an epic hoax or that’s one interesting statue.

There are a few other things about Akita, Japan that are mildly interesting. Because honestly, this place of Japan besides its absolute beauty is not a very happening place. In fact it’s more so a major farm Prefecture, as it’s one of the largest growing Prefectures of rice in Japan. With that in mind it shouldn’t surprise you to know it’s also well known for it’s sake breweries. It’s also noted that Akita has the highest consumption rate of sake per person in the whole of Japan.

Again doesn’t surprise me after learning about this prefecture, there is nothing to do but drink and work! Since the 1945 the population has slowly been declining. Theory? Kids grow up and say…. “Screw this” and move to the city. If that’s the truth of the matter or not, I’d say it’s in the top 5 reasons why population has been declining. This area of Japan only has 1 million people who reside there, so if you’re looking to move somewhere in Japan that is not that crowded, you found it!

But this area despite it’s children not wanting to take up the family business (which is only about 11 percent of the population) Akita, is Akita Prefectureteeming with festivals, onsen, sightseeing, culture and women hunting >_<…

 

Let me explain a bit on the last part. In Akita, the women there are called Akita Bijin which means ‘beauties of Akita’. It’s well known across Japan that they are renowned for their white skin, rounded faces and high voices. These traits in Japan are highly desirable.

The sightseeing besides the geography of Akita which is absolutely amazing, has mostly increased because of a popular Korean TV drama called Iris. A few scenes just so happened to be filmed in Akita at a Lake called Tazawa and at the Oga GAO Aquarium.

Here is a great blog about Akita, Japan for additional information

READ MORE ABOUT JAPANESE PREFECTURES HERE

Learn about the history and culture of Akita JapanMain Cities of Akita:

Akita
Daisen
Katagami
Kazuno
Kitaakita
Nikaho
Noshiro
Oga
Oudate
Semboku
Yokote
Yurihonjou
Yuzawa

Famous Festivals and Events:

Kariwano Big Tug Destival – Daisen (February)
Amekko Festival, Odate (February)
Kamakura Snow Statue Event, Yokote (February)
Tsuchizaki Shinmei Festival, Akita (July)
Akita Kanto Festival, Akita (August)
Nishimonai Bon Dancing Festival, Ugo (August)
Kemanai Bon Dancing Festival, Daisen (August)
All Japan Firework Competition, Daisen (August)
Kakunodate Festival, Senboku (September)

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