Japan’s Craziest & Most Delicious Ice Creams – A Regional Round Up!
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CONTENTS
Spending time in Japan this summer? Or maybe you like a frosty sweet treat all year-round? Well, no matter when or where you’ll in Japan, we’ve got the ice cream for you! Uniquely Japanese treats, varieties made with special ingredients, and spectacular plating, these 16 different creamy treats are all worth a try.
Northern Japan
Let's start from the top and work our way down Japan! Northern Japan, Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, is the coldest part of the country, but it still gets warm in the summer. And thanks to famously high-quality dairy coming out of Hokkaido, the area makes some great refreshing treats.
Hokkaido: Melon and Lavender Ice Cream
Hokkaido might be known for dairy, but the island's lush fields are good for more than grazing cattle. The region is famous for its melon, and there's no better way to enjoy Hokkaido's bounty than this luxe soft-serve nestled right in a small cantaloupe half! Both the ice cream and the melon melted in our mouths. We found this at Popura Farm, in Furano, where it was a little expensive, but totally worth it.
Speaking of Furano, the area is most famous for its huge fields of lavender. So of course, you'll find some lightly fragrant and subtly purple lavender ice cream in the area as well.
▶ More things to do in Hokkaido, including Furano's famous "soup curry".
Akita: Rose-Shaped “Babahera” Ice Cream
This ice cream is an Akita street food specialty! The name, "babahera" (ババヘラ) ice cream, comes from a nickname for older women in Japanese, "baba", and the spatulas they use to spread the ice cream, "hera." These baba set up on the sidewalk and use their hera to make adorably rose-shaped cones. This one is strawberry and banana flavored!
▶ Find Akita cuisine right in Tokyo, too, at the Namahage Izakaya!
Yamagata: Rice and Cherry Ice Cream
Again we find ice cream made with local agricultural specialties, as Japan loves to do. Yamagata produces a fairly famous variety of rice in Japan, called Tsuyahime, so of course you'll find Tsuyahime soft serve there! The sweet ice cream has a bit of a savory rice grain undertone, and it's supposed to taste 100x more delicious if you dig in while soaking your feet in the footbath at Tendo Onsen!
Yamagata's Tendo City is also known for great cherries, so you'll find some cherry ice cream at the Ohsyo Fruit Farm (王将果樹園).
Ohsyo Fruit Farm doesn't skimp when it comes to its cherry ice cream parfaits!
▶ Learn more about the culture of foot spas, or "ashi-yu" (足湯)!
Eastern Japan
Next we'll be moving a little farther south, to the eastern Kanto region of Japan. Between the big city of Tokyo and the more rural surroundings, the area has plenty to offer!
Tokyo: Cookie Dough… and Ice Cream
Cookie Time was actually a brand born in New Zealand, and bubbly blondes are waiting to give you your sweet treats inside this Harajuku shop. Of course the real specialty at Cookie Time is no ordinary ice cream; they make special (safe to eat) raw cookie dough that you can get scooped into your cup alongside more standard ice creams. If you love raw cookie dough but salmonella makes you nervous, this is the place for you.
Kawagoe: Purple Sweet Potato Ice Cream
This ice cream might be a simple concoction flavored by Kawagoe's local famous sweet potatoes, but it's clean appearance hides a uniquely delicious flavor. Sweet potato makes some good ice cream!
▶ Learn more about Kawagoe, and some more sweet potato treats!
Chiba: Loquat Ice Cream
Have you ever tried loquat? In Japan it goes by the name biwa (ビワ), and it's a popular fruit when it's in season. In Chiba you'll find biwa ice cream, a great chance to sample this brand new fruity flavor. It's a little reminiscent of peach, which means it goes together with ice cream about as perfectly as peaches and cream!
▶ While you're in Chiba, say hi to our marine friends for us at the Katsuura UnderSea Observatory!
Nasu: Simple Milk Ice Cream
Nasu, in Tochigi Prefecture, is another place famous for high-quality dairy in Japan. The simple ice cream you'll find there has a light milk-centric flavor, and a decadent creaminess.
We recommend you try some of the ice cream at Nasu's Momoi Ice Cream Factory (アイス工房ももい), where you'll find a whole variety of flavors, all made with local dairy.
Western & Central Japan
Shizuoka: Green Tea Ice Cream
Green tea ice cream seems like a staple of Japanese sweets these days, but when you want the good stuff, head to Shizuoka. The region grows close to half of Japan's green tea, and the green tea ice cream comes in different levels of flavor-intensity! However sweet or strong you like your green tea ice cream, you'll find the perfect cone here.
Osaka: Loooooong Ice Cream
This soft serve is piled high, which means that unfortunately, you'll sometimes find it splattered on the nearby streets of Osaka's Amerikamura area. Make sure you don't drop yours too!
It's hard to resist getting a shot of the ice cream for your instagram.
▶ Osaka is known as a city of good food, so don't miss all the must-eats while you're there!
Nagano: Wasabi and Mocha Ice Cream
Nagano is a region of strong flavors, the first of which is none other than wasabi! That's right, spice up your day with a dollop of the green stuff in your ice cream. It lends the dessert an intriguing kick.
If you're a fan of the Beatles, or you just love coffee, don't miss the mocha ice cream at Karuizawa's Mikado Coffee. They started selling the ice cream in 1969, and it's said that John Lennon was a fan, as he frequented the shop.
▶ For a fully refreshing trip, cycle around Karuizawa after your mocha ice cream.
Kyoto: Tofu Ice Cream
The addition of tofu to this ice cream lends it a luxuriantly thick texture, so much so that you can turn it over without the ice cream falling to the ground. (Although we wouldn't risk leaving it that way for too long!) It's made right near Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine, a must-see spot in Kansai.
▶ Right nearby, you'll also find the true origin of fortune cookies – they actually come from Japan!
Kanazawa: Gold Leaf Ice Cream
The name Kanazawa (金沢) even includes the kanji character for gold (金), so it's no wonder the city's famous for sweets like ice cream covered in super-thin layers or flakes of gold leaf. Indulge yourself, and try a little gold on your next ice cream cone!
Shodoshima: Olive and Soy Sauce Ice Cream
That's right, your eyes aren't fooling you, this is a cone of olive-flavored ice cream. Shodoshima Island is home to a famous olive orchard, where they produce artisan olive products, including this very ice cream!
Aside from that orchard, Shodoshima is also famous for its soy sauce, so keep an eye out for the soy sauce ice cream as well! Of course it's not exactly salty, but it has a subtle soy flavor that's a bit addictive.
▶ In the region you'll find all sorts of good food, from rooftile soba to rakkyo pickles.
Southern Japan
Last but not least, we find ourselves in Southern Japan, on the island of Kyushu and far south in Okinawa. With the warmer weather down south, it's the perfect region to get frozen treats any time of the year!
Okinawa: Blue Seal Ice Cream
This local ice cream chain goes by the slogan "Born in America, Raised in Okinawa," and locals say that if you're visiting Okinawa, you should have at least one Blue Seal ice cream a day! The shops sell over 100 different flavors, and some of the most popular ones are Okinawan specialties: sweet potato and shio chinsuko. The latter, shio chinsuko, refers to a salty variety of local chinsuko cookies, making it kind of a delicious Okinawan cookies and cream.
Kagoshima: Shirokuma Shaved Ice
Our final treat isn't actually ice cream at all, but Kagoshima's shirokuma kakigori, or polar bear shaved ice! Shaved ice is a traditional summer treat in Japan, but this cute take on it gives the dessert a little bear's face. This particular kakigori has become so popular that you'll find it all over Japan now, but the best place to try it is of course the shaved ice specialty shop that created it, in Kagoshima!
▶ It's one of a few spots we recommend you see on Japan's island of Kyushu.
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✴Details accurate at time of publication. Please check the official website for up-to-date information.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and efforts to prevent the spread of infection, some facilities may have altered opening dates and times. Before leaving for your destination, please check its official website for the latest information. In areas still in some form of lockdown, we recommend you avoid leaving the house unless necessary. Look out for more Japanese travel information to plan future trips, new every day on Japankuru!
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MAP OF JAPAN
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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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