A Trip To The Past – The Golden Town Kanazawa – Day 1 –
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CONTENTS
Kanazawa – Preserved Japanese history and traditions
Kanazawa is located in the central part of Japan in Ishikawa Prefecture. It is also selected by UNESCO as a City of Craft and Folk Art. Therefore, all kinds of traditional handcraft can be found here.
Moreover, Kanazawa was not involved in any wars or natural disasters in the last 400 years, so it is said that Kanazawa is a city of luck! It is also called a second Kyoto since streets and buildings in style of Edo period can still be seen there today.
From Tokyo to Kanazawa
From Haneda Airport to Komatsu Airport
It takes about one hour by plane.
From Tokyo Station to Kanazawa Station
It takes about 2.5 hours by Shinkansen.
(Highly recommended you to use the "Hokuriku Arch Pass", details here)
Car Rental Trip in Kanazawa
There is free shuttle service from Komatsu Airport to NISSAN Rent-A-Car Komatsu outlet.
NISSAN Rent-A-Car
Komatsu Airport Outlet
Address: 164-1 Ha, Ukiyanagimachi, Komatsu, Ishikawa 923-0993 Japan
Tel.: 0761-24-4123
Regular Hours: 8:30 – 19:00
Rent your dream car for the trip!!
NISSAN SERENA (8-seater family MPV)
Driving Wheel: Front/Fulltime 4WD
Capacity: 8-persons
Fuel consumption: 13.6km/L
Total Displacement: 2,000cc
Gas Tank: 60L
One of the good things about NISSAN SERENA is the spacious truck! See how many luggage and bags it can carry!
When you back your car into a parking space, a video which is showing the back and sides of your car appears. It helps you to park your car safely.
Arrived in Komatsu Airport (Rental car pickup)
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Higashi Tea House Street – (東茶屋街 Higashi Chaya Machi)
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Lunch at Sawanoya （澤ノ屋）
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Kenroku Garden – (兼六園 Kenroku-en)
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Chiri Beach Driveway – (千里浜なぎさドライブウェイ Chiri Hama Nagisa Driveway)
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Stay at Hot Spring Hotel KAGAYA – （加賀屋）
Movie Shooting Spot – Higashi Tea House Street (東茶屋街 Higashi Chaya Machi)
You can see and feel the traditional Japanese streets on this 200 meters long street in Kanazawa. It is a great photo spot if you especially like the Edo period. Other than many different tea houses can be found here, you can also find luxurious restaurants run by Geisha. Even the Hollywood movie, Memoirs of a Geisha, was shot here.
By the way, there is parking space nearby, so don't worry about where to park your rental car.
Big size seafood rice bowl topped with gold foil
This special rice bowl has appeared on TV and magazines for many times in Japan! All seafood are caught in the Nanden Peninsula! Freshness is guaranteed! If you wanna try the limited menu, you better make a reservation in advance!
Since Kanazawa is famous for the gold foil, you can find it on all kinds of food here.
Premium Seafood Rice Bowl (Miso soup included): 3,000 yen + tax
Crab, Salmon and Salmon roes Rice Bowl (Miso soup included): 1,500 yen + tax
Grilled Nanden Beef Rice Bowl (Miso soup included): 1,800 yen + tax
Other than seafood rice bowl, you can also try the salmon and crab rice bowl or even the beef rice bowl too!
Sawanoya （澤ノ屋）
Address: 3-2-21 HIgashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture
Tel.: 076-255-0009
Map Code: 41560334*82
Homepage (Japanese): http://www13.plala.or.jp/sawanoya/index.html
Four Seasons of Edo Period – Kenroku Garden (兼六園 Kenroku-en)
Known as one of the best 3 gardens in Japan, no matter it is the sakura season in Spring, or the red leaves season in Autumn or even the snow season in Winter, you can see amazing views in this garden.
Q: Which are the best 3 gardens in Japan?
A: They are Kenroku-en in Ishikawa Prefecture, Kairaku-en in Ibaraki Prefecture, and Koraku-en in Okayama Prefecture.
Q: What kind of garden Kenroku-en is?
A: It is the garden of Kanazawa castle, and it is famous by the preservation of garden in Edo Period. Starting on 7 May 1874, Kenroku-en was first opened to public. In 1922, it was named one of the National Site of Scenic Beauty, and in 1985, it was selected as the most honorable rank equivalent to a National Treasure.
Q: What is special about Kenroku-en?
A: There are three special things about this garden!
01. Beautiful Flowers and Plants
Just like popular sakura and cuckoo flowers in Spring, these can be seen in Kenroku-en. Actually you can see different types of flowers and plants here in all seasons. The best time to see the special sakura "Somei Yoshino Sakura"is between June and August every year.
02. Traditional Tea House Experience
There are many traditional styled tea house in Kenroku-en. Just sit on the bench and enjoy the hot green tea and Japanese rice cake, how relaxing it is! You can also buy some souvenirs here too.
03. Very close to Kanazawa Castle
Just 10-minute walk, you can reach Kanazawa Castle from Kenroku-en! We suggest you to buy the pass which allows you to visit both Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en at 500 yen!!
Free admission for early visit is available. Please check out the date and time here.
Kenroku Garden (兼六園 Kenroku-en)
Address: 1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture
Tel.: 076-234-3800
Map Code: 41 529 085 * 12
07:00 – 18:00 (March 1 to October 15)
08:00 – 17:00 (October 16 to 28 February)
Admission: 310 yen for adults, 100 yen for children
Homepage: http://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/kenrokuen/e/index.html
Driving on Sand Beach – Chiri Beach Driveway
(千里浜なぎさドライブウェイ Chiri Hama Nagisa Driveway)
Actually this is the only beach where you can drive your car on in Japan! Enjoy a new driving experience on this 8 kilometers long beach along the coast! It is a popular spot for many commercial and movies shooting too.
Enjoy driving and the beautiful sunset on this beautiful beach. However, you still need to be careful with other cars and the sands!
Actually you can come here and swim in summer. There are Japanese style beach cafes opening in the summer too. Sometimes you can find sand sculpture events here too. Also, this is the home of sea turtles, so maybe you can get a chance to see them here!
Chiri Beach Driveway (千里浜なぎさドライブウェイ Chiri Hama Nagisa Driveway)
Address: Chiri-Hama Machi, Hakui District, Ishikawa Prefecture, 925 0054
Tel.: 0767-22-1118
Map Code: 135182759*02
Recommended Hot Spring Hotel – KAGAYA
Kagaya has been ranked No.1 overall for 36 consecutive years in the "Top 100 Hotels and Ryokans Voted by Industry Professionals". So you can imagine how good their services and facilities are!
Both Japanese style dinner and hot springs near the sea are amazing!
KAGAYA (加賀屋）
Address: 80 Yo-bu, Wakura-Machi, Nanao-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture
Tel.: 767-62-1111
Map Code: 590305393*81
Homepage: http://intl.kagaya.jp/
The banquet dinner made with local fresh ingredients is delicious!! We were so lucky to have such nice meal on our first night in Kanazawa.
Before we came to Kanazawa, we just heard about the history and stories about Kanazawa. After coming here and seeing it by ourselves, we understood why this place is famous. Japanese history and traditions are all well preserved in this Golden Town!
We will share our car rental trip day 2 with you very soon! Please come back again!
By the way, if you still haven't read our other Kanazawa sharing, please feel free to click:
# Travel ♪ A Walk In The Golden Town – Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture! Presented to you by CANMAKE Cosmetics
Wanna get more and share your Japanese stories with us? Please join us on Google+ too!!
See you there! 🙂
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HOKKAIDO
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Hokkaido (北海道) is the northernmost of the four main islands that make up Japan. The area is famous for Sapporo Beer, plus brewing and distilling in general, along with fantastic snow festivals and breathtaking national parks. Foodies should look for Hokkaido's famous potatoes, cantaloupe, dairy products, soup curry, and miso ramen!
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NIKI
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Niki, in south-west Hokkaido, is about 30 minutes from Otaru. The small town is rich with natural resources, fresh water, and clean air, making it a thriving center for fruit farms. Cherries, tomatoes, and grapes are all cultivated in the area, and thanks to a growing local wine industry, it's quickly becoming a food and wine hotspot. Together with the neighboring town of Yoichi, it's a noted area for wine tourism.
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NISEKO
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Niseko is about two hours from New Chitose Airport, in the western part of Hokkaido. It's one of Japan's most noted winter resort areas, and a frequent destination for international visitors. That's all because of the super high-quality powder snow, which wins the hearts of beginners and experts alike, bringing them back for repeat visits. That's not all, though, it's also a great place to enjoy Hokkaido's culinary scene and some beautiful onsen (hot springs).
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OTARU
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Otaru is in western Hokkaido, about 30 minutes from Sapporo Station. The city thrived around its busy harbor in the 19th and 20th centuries thanks to active trade and fishing, and the buildings remaining from that period are still popular attractions, centered around Otaru Canal. With its history as a center of fishing, it's no surprise that the area's fresh sushi is a must-try. Otaru has over 100 sushi shops, quite a few of which are lined up on Sushiya Dori (Sushi Street).
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SAPPORO
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Sapporo, in the south-western part of Hokkaido, is the prefecture's political and economic capital. The local New Chitose Airport see arrivals from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, alongside international flights. Every February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Odori Park―one of the biggest events in Hokkaido. It's also a hotspot for great food, known as a culinary treasure chest, and Sapporo is a destination for ramen, grilled mutton, soup curry, and of course Hokkaido's beloved seafood.
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TOHOKU
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Consisting of six prefectures, the Tohoku Region (東北地方) is up in the northeastern part of Japan's main island. It's the source of plenty of the nation's agriculture (which means great food), and packed with beautiful scenery. Explore the region's stunning mountains, lakes, and hot springs!
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AKITA
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Akita Prefecture is on the Sea of Japan, in the northern reaches of Japan's northern Tohoku region. Akita has more officially registered important intangible culture assets than anywhere else in Japan, and to this day visitors can experience traditional culture throughout the prefecture, from the Oga Peninsula's Namahage (registered with UNESCO as a part of Japan's intangible cultural heritage), to the Tohoku top 3 Kanto Festival. Mysterious little spots like the Oyu Stone Circle Site and Ryu no Atama (Dragon's Head) are also worth a visit!
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FUKUSHIMA
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Fukushima Prefecture sits at the southern tip of Japan's northern Tohoku region, and is divided into three parts with their own different charms: the Coastal Area (Hama-dori), the Central Area (Naka-dori), and the Aizu Area. There's Aizu-Wakamatsu with its Edo-era history and medieval castles, Oze National Park, Kitakata ramen, and Bandai Ski Resort (with its famous powder snow). Fukushima is a beautiful place to enjoy the vivid colors and sightseeing of Japan's beloved four seasons.
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YAMAGATA
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Yamagata Prefecture is up against the Sea of Japan, in the southern part of the Tohoku region, and it's especially popular in winter, when travelers soak in the onsen (hot springs) and ski down snowy slopes. International skiiers are especially fond of Zao Onsen Ski Resort and Gassan Ski Resort, and in recent years visitors have been drawn to the area to see the mystical sight of local frost-covered trees. Some destinations are popular regardless of the season, like Risshakuji Temple, AKA Yamadera, Ginzan Onsen's nostalgic old-fashioned streets, and Zao's Okama Lake, all great for taking pictures. Yamagata is also the place to try Yonezawa beef, one of the top 3 varieties of wagyu beef.
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KANTO
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Japan's most densely populated area, the Kanto Region (関東地方) includes 7 prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa, which means it also contains the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. In modern-day Japan, Kanto is the cultural, political, and economic heartland of the country, and each prefecture offers something a little different from its neighbors.
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GUNMA
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Gunma Prefecture is easily accessible from Tokyo, and in addition to the area's popular natural attractions like Oze Marshland and Fukiware Falls, Gunma also has a number of popular hot springs (Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, Shima)―it's even called an Onsen Kingdom. The prefecture is popular with history buffs and train lovers, thanks to spots like world heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill, the historic Megane-bashi Bridge, and the Watarase Keikoku Sightseeing Railway.
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TOCHIGI
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Tochigi Prefecture's capital is Utsunomiya, known for famous gyoza, and just an hour from Tokyo. The prefecture is full of nature-related sightseeing opportunities year-round, from the blooming of spring flowers to color fall foliage. Tochigi also has plenty of extremely well-known sightseeing destinations, like World Heritage Site Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Ashikaga Flower Park―famous for expansive wisteria trellises. In recent years the mountain resort town of Nasu has also become a popular excursion, thanks in part to the local imperial villa. Tochigi is a beautiful place to enjoy the world around you.
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TOKYO
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Tokyo (東京) is Japan's busy capital, and the most populous metropolitan area in the world. While the city as a whole is quite modern, crowded with skyscrapers and bustling crowds, Tokyo also holds onto its traditional side in places like the Imperial Palace and Asakusa neighborhood. It's one of the world's top cities when it comes to culture, the arts, fashion, games, high-tech industries, transportation, and more.
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CHUBU
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The Chubu Region (中部地方) is located right in the center of Japan's main island, and consists of 9 prefectures: Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Yamanashi. It's primarily famous for its mountains, as the region contains both Mt. Fuji and the Japanese Alps. The ski resorts in Niigata and Nagano also draw visitors from around the world, making it a popular winter destination.
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NAGANO
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Nagano Prefecture's popularity starts with a wealth of historic treasures, like Matsumoto Castle, Zenkoji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine, but the highlight might just be the prefecture's natural vistas surrounded by the "Japanese Alps." Nagano's fruit is famous, and there are plenty of places to pick it fresh, and the area is full of hot springs, including Jigokudani Monkey Park―where monkeys take baths as well! Thanks to the construction of the Hokuriku shinkansen line, Nagano is easily reachable from the Tokyo area, adding it to plenty of travel itineraries. And after the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, ski resorts like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are known around the world.
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NAGOYA
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Aichi Prefecture sits in the center of the Japanese islands, and its capital city, Nagoya, is a center of politics, commerce, and culture. While Aichi is home to major industry, and is even the birthplace of Toyota cars, it's proximity to the sea and the mountains means it's also a place with beautiful natural scenery, like Saku Island, Koijigahama Beach, Mt. Horaiji. Often used a stage for major battles in Japanese history, Sengoku era commanders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu left their own footprints on Aichi, and historic buildings like Nagoya Castle, Inuyama Castle, and those in Meiji Mura are still around to tell the tale.
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NIIGATA
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Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.
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SHIZUOKA
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Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.
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KANSAI
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Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.
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KYOTO
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Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.
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NARA
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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OSAKA
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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CHUGOKU
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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HIROSHIMA
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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