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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Akita Prefecture Banner2
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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Aomori Prefecture
All Blog Posts, History in Japan, Japan Geography

Aomori Prefecture – Culture, History, Sightseeing and More

Aomori Nanbu and Tsugaru Clan Regions Geography and MoreAomori Japan – History, Cities, Festivals, Food and more.

Aomori 青森市 is the capital city of the Prefecture Aomori in Japan. It’s also the northern most part of the Tohoku region of Japan. Aomori can be translated “Green Forest”. Aoi being ‘Blue or Green’ and Mori as ‘Forest’. Settlement has been dated to possibly as late as 5500 to 4000 BC. The land form of Aomori was said to be created around the Cenozoic Era, Paleozoic Era and the Mesozoic Era. It was said to be at the bottom of the sea and over the many many years of volcanic eruption from Mt. Iwaki, Mt Osore and from the Hakkoda Mountains the land mass finally appeared.

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Aomori was not called Aomori until after 1624 in the early Edo period. It was noted that during these days there was green forests near the current city on Honcho in Aomori. This was used as a landmark for ships that came into the ports that were being constructed at that time. The eastern side of Aomori prefecture is called ‘Nanbu’ the western side is called ‘tsugaru’. In 1495 to 1575 there was a a civil war between the Nanbu clan which controlled most of Aomori, Akita and Iwate regions in Japan. In 1590, a vassal of the Nanbu clan started a rebellion his name was Oura Tamenobu, he quickly became the lord of the area and then soon after called himself Tsugaru Tamenobu at this same time Nanbu Nobunao was becoming the lord of the Nanbu region in Northern Japan.

During the beginning of the Meiji Period (1868), these two regions finally merged and became what is now called Aomori prefecture. These events strongly influenced the Matsuri/Festivals that are still taking place today in Aomori. Such as the Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri, Aomori Nebuta Matsuri and the Goshogawara Tachineputa Matsuri which are held yearly in August. These matsuri have a long history.

Nanbu and Tsugaru Regions of Aomori JapanMany individuals claim that these matsuri begun when Tsugaru Tamenobu commissioned a huge lantern and ordered it to be taken to Kyoto in 1593. With that, there is a few interesting differences between the matsuri in Nanbu region and Tsugaru region. Neputa and Nebuta matsuri of the tsugaru region is to be said to be the brave festival/matsuri as it’s held in the night. Where as the Nachinohe Sansha Taisai matsuri is very elegant and it takes place during the day time. These are the historical matsuri that have taken place in the past and have been passed on until today.

Almost ten years after the Meiji Era begun, Aomori begun to start the first apple farm/cultivation in Japan, and still even today Aomori is the main apple production of Japan. This site here has a great amount of information regaring water ways, trains, highways and airports and a bit more about the mountain ranges, click here to check it out.

For additional information about Aomori you can check out:

Wa Raase Nebuta House

Aomori Museum

Jomon Site

You can click here to check out other areas of Japan.

Festivals in Aomori:

Aomori Nebuta Festival
Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival
Hachinobe Sansha Taisai Festival

Aomori has 8 different ski resorts:

Hakkoda Ski Resort
Aomori Spring Ski Resort
Moya Hills
Makado Onsen Ski Area
Towada Onsen Ski Area
Mutsu Kamfuse Mountain Ski Area
Iwaki Mountain Kyakuzawa Ski Area
Owani Onsen Ski Area

Aomori Japan Cities History Festivals and MoreCities Inside Aomori Prefecture:

I broke the cities into their original regions from when the two clans had control over the Aomori prefecture. I mixed up the sides, but the left side of the Aomori was controlled by the Tsugaru clan and on the right side of Aomori the Nanbu clan.

Nanbu & Shimokita Region (right side)
Tsugaru Strait (left side)
Kazamaura Hirakawa
Oma Owani
Takko Inakadate
Sannohe Fujisaki
Nanbu Itayanagi
Hashikami Tsuruta
Hachinohe Hirosaki
Shingo Ajigasawa
Gonohe Nishimeya
Oirase Fukaura
Rokunohe Imabetsu
Towada Sotogahama
Shichinohe Nakadomari
Noheji Yomogita
Misawa Kuroishi
Tohoku Aomori
Rokkasho Tsugaru
Yokohama Goshogawara
Higashidori
Mutsu
Sai

Tatehana Morning Market + Aomori Apples

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