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Fukushima Expo Fukuhaku 2020 in Aizu: Gourmet Treats & Traditional Culture in Northern Japan

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In the Aizu area of northern Japanese prefecture Fukushima, the Fukushima Expo Fukuhaku 2020 in Aizu took place over the course of a month this fall, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 20. The expo explored history, traditional crafts, and culture in four Aizu areas (Nishiaizu, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Aizumisato, Okuaizu) through events and exhibitions throughout the region, diving deeper into the allure of each area’s traditional culture and local specialties. Read on for just a glimpse of what this major Aizu event had to offer!

Aizu: Just Waiting to Be Explored

The Aizu area (会津地方) is the western-most region of Fukushima Prefecture, a part of Japan that has just about dropped off the map for many tourists. But travelers who underestimate the charms of this region are, without question, missing out on something great. Fukushima as a whole has rebuilt and regrown, and Aizu―a region of volcanos and lakes far from the ocean―has only become more attractive to tourists. The Aizu area is off the beaten path, but friendly locals always give travelers a warm welcome, and the combination of fresh water and fertile land has long made Aizu famous for delicious local food and drink (along with gorgeous natural scenery like Aizumura and the Goshiki-numa Ponds). If you're ready to escape crowded city streets and instead indulge in top-notch nihonshu sake (日本酒), breakfast ramen (!?), and luxurious onsen (温泉, hot springs), then head to Aizu!

Here at Japankuru, we timed our visit to Aizu to coincide with the 2020 "Fukushima Expo Fukuhaku 2020 in Aizu", a cultural event with a lineup of discussions, workshops, and more, to help spread the fun of Aizu culture. After learning more about the area, exploring for ourselves, and tasting quite a bit of good food and drink, we've got some recommendations for your next trip to Japan's north.

History & Traditional Culture



Aizu has a long history and a strong regional identity. It's not just a part of Fukushima―for hundreds of years the "Aizu Domain" (会津藩) of Edo-era Japan was its own region, ruled from Aizuwakamatsu Castle (also known as Tsuruga-jo Castle) as a part of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The castle still remains standing (many times rebuilt and renovated) as a tribute to the past, alongside other historic spots and monuments. Scattered across the city of Aizu-Wakamatsu you'll also find memorials to a 150-year-old tragedy, when 19 samurai under the age of 18 committed seppuku after wrongly guessing that they had been defeated, still remembered today. The people of Aizu clearly still feel connected to local history.

Traditional Shimenawa (しめ縄)



It may surprise you to find that hemp has long been used for spiritual purposes in Japan, and Aizu actually has a history of growing hemp used for things like this "shimenawa". The term shimenawa (しめ縄) refers to Japanese rope made from rice straw and hemp, and used for purification in Japan's traditional Shinto religion. Knowledge of Aizu's connection to hemp, and the importance of these materials, is lost to many modern residents of Japan, but Kumiko Inomata is out to change that. Smiling, patient, and incredibly deft at manipulating hemp fibers and strands of rice straw, Inomata is a craftsperson and a workshop leader who twists these traditional materials into shimenawa and other more decorative Japanese handicrafts. In collaboration with the Fukushima Expo, Inomata led this workshop at iRansho, an Aizu tourism center, teaching the Japankuru team how to make shimenawa, and why they're so meaningful.



Shimenawa can vary in size―Izumo Taisha Shrine maintains an enormous hemp rope that weighs around 5 tons! But instead of worrying about upping the size, Inomata encouraged us to think carefully about each rope of the shimenawa, forging our own paths through the way we twisted the makomo (真菰, wild rice straw) and seima (精麻, processed hemp). We braided the straw together with other workshop participants into the shape of a burdock root (called gobo-jime, ごぼう締め), careful to twist the ropes the right way for both the gods and ourselves, and we each left with our own lovely shimenawa to hang at home and remind us of lovely times in Aizu.

Kumiko Inomata / Yuimaru (ゆいまーる)
Official Website / Workshop Reservations (jp)

Nihonshu Sake, Fresh Water, Fragrant Rice

Generally called "sake" in English, the true name of Japan's much-beloved rice wine is nihonshu (日本酒). Local nihonshu was one of the major themes of the Fukushima Expo Fukuhaku 2020 in Aizu, and through the expo the Japankuru team experienced sake in a variety of ways. Unlike grape wine, nihonshu experts recommend that most varieties of the Japanese drink be enjoyed within a year of production. That means the selection can be limited overseas―export can be a slow process. But in Japan, like wine in France, there are endless varieties of nihonshu. Thanks to high-quality rice crops and fresh, clean water from the mountains running through the region, Fukushima is particularly well-known for its fantastic sake.



Another Fukushima Expo Fukuhaku 2020 in Aizu event, we started our Fukushima sake studies by attending the discussion "Aizu x Liquor Journey" (会津×酒旅). Akiko Onodera led a conversation with local female sake brewer Yuri Hayashi and soccer celebrity Karina Maruyama, exploring the joys of finding new local brews while traveling, and trying them at the source. It wouldn't be a proper trip to a sake brewery if you didn't do a little tasting (generally offered for free), and these three take it literally when they look for a little local flavor! After the lively discussion, we were ready to see some of Aizu's breweries for ourselves, and sample sips of Japan's best nihonshu.

Suehiro Brewery (末廣酒造)



If you're considering touring some of the Aizu area's most beloved sake breweries, we recommend you start with Suehiro. They've been brewing sake for 170 years, and frequently been at the forefront of new nihonshu methods and practices. These days, the main brewery for Suehiro nihonshu is a fairly modern facility, but their original historic brewery is still open, just a kilometer or so from Aizuwakamatsu Castle. While they brew some specialty batches on-site, the beautiful old building they call the "Kaeigura" (嘉永蔵) functions mostly as a museum and specialty shop. If you can speak some Japanese but aren't yet an expert on the nihonshu brewing process, Suehiro's guided tour is a great place to learn, offering lots of interesting tidbits of information.



Japankuru Recommends:
・Yamahai Junmai Ginjo, their classic recipe using ambient yeast.
・Namazake, unpasteurized fresh nihonshu.

Visit Highlights: 
The educational tour. Did you know that sake is made out of special rice, and there are visibly different varieties?

Suehiro Brewery (末廣酒造)
Official Website (jp)

Tsurunoe Brewery (鶴乃江酒造)



For a closer look at a traditional, small-scale nihonshu brewery in action, look no further than Tsurunoe―just two blocks away from Suehiro. This little brewery has been in business for 200 years, and they still use traditional hands-on methods and genuine vintage machinery to brew new batches of sake every year. The cozy shop space has brewers passing through going to and from the brewery buildings out back, and you might just recognize one of them―this is where Yuri Hayashi (from the discussion) brews her sake! The small scale of the Tsurunoe Brewery absolutely does not mean that they're a minor player in the world of nihonshu, however. Tsurunoe's nihonshu regularly wins prizes in sake competitions.



Japankuru Recommends:
・Aizu Chujo Junmai Ginjo, Tsurunoe's classic nihonshu.
・Yuri Junmai Daiginjo, a little less sweet than many Aizu nihonshu varieties, and easy to drink. (Yes, it's named after the brewer herself!)
・Amazake, a sweet non-alcoholic version of sake. Amazake can be drunk warm on cold days, and it's popular with kids!

Visit Highlights:
A chance to chat with Yuri Hayashi about Tsurunoe's brewing methods, and their many varieties of sake. (Don't miss the old-fashioned machinery, either!)

Tsurunoe Brewery (鶴乃江酒造)
Official Website (jp)

Homare Brewery (ほまれ酒造)



A little closer to Aizu's northern border is the city of Kitakata, where you'll find the fresh water of the Iide mountain range, and Homare Brewery―a newer addition to the world of Fukushima nihonshu. Kosaku Karahashi founded Homare in 1918 after working as a wholesale rice dealer, a miso maker, and a manufacturer of koji (the mold used in the nihonshu brewing process). Only in business for a little over a century, Homare is still considered young for a brewery! But the brewery has expanded quickly, and the compound that started as old fashioned buildings and Kosaku Karahashi's own house is now a modern factory-like setup with a fashionable shop taking over the traditional home. Homare nihonshu has even won a number of awards from the International Wine Challenge, in their sake category.



Japankuru Recommends:
・Junmai Daiginjo Kiwami, an award-winning nihonshu, in Japan and abroad.
・Chocolat Nigori, a sweet chocolate liqueur made with unrefined nigori-sake for a rich mouthfeel.

Visit Highlights:
The modern industrial facilities, enormous tanks holding enough sake for 250,000 bottles, and the elegant traditional garden (named Unreian) attached to the house-turned-shop―all juxtaposed together in one spot. (Plus, don't miss their vintage sake posters!)

Homare Brewery (ほまれ酒造)
Official Website (jp)

Yamatogawa Brewery (大和川酒造)



Another Kitakata establishment, Yamatogawa Brewery has a longer history than Homare―they've been making nihonshu for 220 years. Since 1990, their main brewing facility has been a larger space further out in the countryside, but that means that visitors can now enjoy the Yamatogawa Hoppo Cultural Pavilion. The building is a beautiful collage of old structures and new additions tacked on throughout the decades, filled with displays of Yamatogawa's sake, a shop and tasting area, plus exhibitions on the tools and methods once used to make nihonshu. A large part of the building is still the original Edo-era structure, with other parts from Japan's Taisho and Showa periods, making it a great place for anyone who loves history or architecture.



Japankuru Recommends:
・Daiginjo Yamada Nishiki, a flagship nihonshu which they describe as "containing the dignity of true premium sake"!
・Junmai Kasumochi Genshu Yaemon, brewed using a traditional secret formula, with a mix of sweet and savory.

Visit Highlights:
Historic buildings from throughout the past 200 years, and a great collection of brewing history.

Yamatogawa Brewery (大和川酒造)
Official Website (jp)

Culinary Experiences, Casual and Gourmet

Kitakata Ramen (喜多方ラーメン)



If you're heading to Kitakata for the nihonshu, you certainly won't want to miss out on Kitakata ramen, one of Japan's "Top Three Ramens." This local recipe is known throughout the country, and here at Japankuru we've sung its praises before! On this trip, we visited local Kitakata ramen joint Tanpopo-tei (たんぽぽ亭), and we were not disappointed. Every bowl is a bomb of intense umami flavor, with delicious slices of chashu pork and menma bamboo shoots complimenting the uniquely crimped noodles. Many varieties of ramen use extremely rich and heavy broths (we're looking at you, Hakata ramen), which is delicious but can really weigh you down. Kitakata's ramen is a little bit lighter, with its clear, savory broth―just watch out if you're on a low-sodium diet!

Tanpopo-tei (たんぽぽ亭)
Tabelog Page



If you're just looking for a tiny taste of Kitakata ramen, or you've fallen so deeply in love with it that you want to take Kitakata ramen home with you, then head next door―next to Tanpopo-tei is the Aizu Kitakata Ramen-kan. Throughout the warmer months of the year they serve small free samples of Kitakata ramen from the stall outside, but if you head inside, it's like entering Kitakata ramen wonderland.



Kitakata ramen DIY kits, Kitakata ramen bowls and chopsticks, Kitakata ramen t-shirts and socks, Kitakata ramen-flavored snacks, Kitakata ramen-flavored candy!! You name it, they got it.

Aizu Kitakata Ramen-kan
Official Website (jp)

Aizu’s Fruit, Vegetables, and Wine



Kitakata ramen is perfect for a quick lunch (it's even quite popular as breakfast!), but the Japankuru team went a little more high-end when it came to dinner, and joined in on one last Fukushima Expo Fukuhaku 2020 in Aizu event. The dinner event was just as described, titled "An evening with Aizu wine served in Aizu Hongo yaki horse riding cups." The same fertile soil and clean water that makes Aizu's rice delicious also produces flavorful fruits and vegetables, with some of the produce officially recognized by the shogunate back in samurai days. In modern times, fruits like persimmon and Japanese ume plum are local specialties, making their way onto classy dinner menus like this one. The grapes grown in Aizu have long been used to make wine, as well, and these days Niitsuru Winery makes Aizu wines and hard ciders.

This meal was made extra special by the inclusion of table settings of Aizu Hongo-yaki pottery, a colorful and varied style. Instead of regular wine glasses, we used traditional Hongo-yaki horse-riding cups to sample chardonnays and a particularly caramelly Steuben rosé.



To add even more Aizu fun to the event, we first heard the story of Gamo Ujisato―a rare Christian figure in Japanese history, said to be the first to drink red wine in Japan. In the late 16th century, Gamo Ujisato was given a castle then called Kurokawa Castle, which he proceeded to rename (Aizu-)Wakamatsu Castle―a name still used today! To get really into the samurai spirit, we even got to see genuine Japanese katana, including a genuine historic dagger once owned by a royal maid.

Niitsuru Winery (新鶴ワイナリー)
Restaurant Hours: 11:00 – 15:00 (regularly open for lunch only)
Official Website (jp)
 

Hot Springs & Hospitality

After a long day of sake tasting and a few too many Kitakata ramen samples, there's nothing better than a warm bath and a cozy Japanese futon, so it's a good thing that Aizu has its own popular onsen area: Higashiyama Onsen. This hot springs retreat has historically been listed as one of the top three onsen towns of Tohoku (northern Japan), and is said to have been established by the Buddhist monk Gyoki over 1,300 years ago. These days it's a neighborhood in eastern Aizu-Wakamatsu, filled with bathhouses and ryokan hotels. If you're thinking of staying over for a luxurious bath in the natural spring water, here are a few places to try.

Onyado Toho (御宿東鳳)



Onyado Toho is a classic Japanese ryokan, a traditional hotel, but the onsen baths are a modern update on the traditional, styled a little more like 21st-century infinity pools. The two baths look out over the castle city of Aizu-Wakamatsu, with terraced pools styled like hillside rice paddies, and steaming hot water to keep the chill of the wind at bay. Don't miss the steamy sauna room, either, where you can breathe in the sweet smell of warm wood while looking out the window!



The hotel has its own little shop that sells Aizu souvenirs (there's a whole shelf of Fukushima's famous red "akabeko" cow figurines) and convenient amenities, but most notably the shop contains an area dedicated to retro Japanese snacks. If you've been meaning to try Japanese candy that's been popular for half a century, you'll find a good selection!

(The hotel also offers Kitakata ramen as part of breakfast!)

Onyado Toho (御宿東鳳)
Official Website (jp)

Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki (くつろぎ宿 千代滝)



Like Onyado Toho, Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki also has an outdoor bath overlooking the city. In fact, Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki is built high on a hill and the outdoor onsen is on the top floor, meaning it has wonderful views of the mountainside and the city below. But we were just as charmed by the Fumoto-yu bath on a lower floor, which has a tranquil, cozy atmosphere that was described as "so calm it's perfect for meditation." Just make sure you don't stay in the hot water for too long!



After a meditative soak in the baths, Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki has an impressive selection of 30+ kinds of local Aizu nihonshu at their sake bar, so you can always try one or two from breweries you haven't toured yet.

Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki (くつろぎ宿 千代滝)
Official Website (jp)

Harataki & Konjakutei (会津東山温泉 原瀧・今昔亭)



Harataki and Konjakutei are a pair of ryokan with slightly different styles, but equally great views of the river running right past the complex. They've also got their own private onsen source! This bath at Harataki has a wall of windows looking out onto the mountainside and the water rushing below, and the outdoor bath below feels like it's right on the river. It's a lovely place to watch the seasons pass―an important Japanese pastime.



With two whole buildings at their disposal, Harataki and Konjakutei offer a variety of rooms in different Japanese styles. Harataki is a bit more convivial and lively, whereas Konjakutei is smaller-scale and made to offer more of a private experience. Wherever you choose to stay, you're likely to have a uniquely Aizu experience!

Harataki & Konjakutei (会津東山温泉 原瀧・今昔亭)
Official Website (jp)

Visiting Aizu



Coming to a close at the end of November, the Fukushima Expo Fukuhaku 2020 in Aizu was declared a roaring success. Through the expo, we traveled Aizu and got to see a little of what makes the region so wonderful, but with so many chances to experience Fukushima's culture in a variety of ways, every one of the Fukushima Expo Fukuhaku 2020 in Aizu events looked like fun.

Japan's northern regions still have that feeling of untouched beauty, with fresh clean water running down from the mountains and steaming hot springs bubbling up from the ground. Aizu takes full advantage of those resources, and the fruits of that labor are clear with just one sip of the local nihonshu (or wine!), or a bite of the incredible food made with local ingredients. Every person we met on our trip to Aizu was incredibly friendly and clearly excited to welcome visitors to the area―so next time you're ready to escape the city and get some fresh air, head up to Aizu and say hello for us!

For more stories from another part of Fukushima, check out our series on Joban-mono, and to see more updates and info from Japan, don't forget to follow Japankuru on twitter, instagram, and facebook!

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NAME:Aizu Region, Fukushima (福島県会津地方)

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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!

    • 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.

    • 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).

    • 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).

    • 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.

    • 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!

    • 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!

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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).

    • 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.

    • 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)!

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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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