DRONE | Ne Prenez Aucun Risque!

  • X
  • line

Une Révolution Audiovisuelle! 映像業界の革命!



Le monde de l'audiovisuel a largement évolué depuis l’arrivée des drones. Aujourd’hui le moindre spot publicitaire proposent des plans aériens et ce n’est pas tout! Aujourd’hui tout le monde peut se procurer un drone, les prix ayant drastiquement baissé ces trois dernières années.

Nous sommes passés d’un équipement professionnel à un équipement à portée de main. Le mois dernier l’annonce du Mavic AIR a marqué les esprits avec un prix inférieur à 1000€ et proposant la détection de son environnement, une vingtaine de minutes de vol ainsi qu’un enregistrement en 4K.

Cependant avec l’arrivée de ces drones à bas prix nous pouvons très certainement craindre une évolution des accidents par manque d’attention. 

ドローンが誕生してから映像業界がだいぶ変わりました。現在は、簡易なショートクリップ・CMでも空中映像が使われています。

それだけではなく、この3年間でドローンの平均価格がぐんと下がって、一般の方でも買えるようになりました。プロの機材も個人が使えるようになりました。

先月発表されたDJI Mavic AIRは衝撃的な値段で、誰でも手に入れる時代になりました。
センサー機能、20分程度の空中飛行、4K映像機能が付いているドローンが10万円で買えるのは数年前からすると夢のようです。ただ誰でも簡単に買えるドローンが出てきたからこそ、ドローンによる事故が増える可能性があると思います。







① L’importance du décollage/atterissagez 離陸・着陸の注意点

Vous voici avec votre drone en main, il ne vous reste plus qu’à le faire voler : PREMIERE ERREUR! Vous êtes sûrement impatient de faire décoller votre petit bolide mais prenez le temps de vérifier le fascicule, de comprendre les paramètres et les commandes de votre engin si vous ne souhaitez pas en racheter un dans les 10 minutes qui suivent votre premier décollage. 

ドローンを買って、家に帰ってすぐ試したい気持ちになったでしょう?

これは大きなの間違いです!買ったばかり新しい機材をすぐ飛ばしたい気持ちもわかりますが、一番最初に考えないといけないのは設定・操作の理解です。
説明書はもちろん、インターネットでの情報・経験者の意見をドローンを飛ばす前に聞いたほうがいいででしょう。

自分の機材を理解してから使うとより安全、より良い映像が撮れますし、離陸すぐクラッシュして、壊れてしまうなんてことには絶対なりません。



En parlant de décollage c’est certainement la partie la plus importante du vol, pourquoi? C’est au décollage mais aussi à l’atterrissage que vous risquez le plus d’heurter un obstacle et de dire au revoir à votre précieux appareil. Alors comment s’y prendre? 

⦿ Décoller dans un espace libre
Avoir de l’espace est la meilleure sécurité pour éviter tout désagrément. Décoller dans un parc, au milieu d’un champ enneigé ou sur un parking abandonné…
⦿ Ne JAMAIS décoller près de lignes à haute tension
Les lignes à haute tension sont peut-être l’un des pires ennemis du vol en drone. Elles sont présentes partout et les perspectives peuvent parfois jouer des tours, soyez prévenu! 
⦿ Prendre en compte votre environnement
On ne pilote jamais un drone en ville et encore moins au dessus des sites sensibles (aéroports, bases militaires, les gares ou encore les centrales nucléaires)  En dehors de ces sites garder à l’esprit que de nombreux sites interdisent strictement l’utilisation de drone. Nous ne pouvons que vous conseiller de jeter un oeil à la réglementation du lieu et à obtenir des autorisations officielles. 

離陸の話をすると、なぜそんなに大事かを説明したいと思います。離陸・着陸の時に周りの物にぶつかる可能性が一番高いです。そうならないようにどうやればいいですか?どうやってリスクを避けることができますか?JKで色んなルールを決めて飛ばしています。

⦿ 何もないところから飛ばしてください!
飛ばす時に周りに十分なスペースがあると問題なく飛ばせるだけではなくて、一番安全な行動です。公園・雪まみれの畑・使われていない駐車場からの離陸することで、クラッシュを避けることにつながります。
⦿ 電線があるところで絶対飛ばさないでください!
電線は自分の大切なドローンの一番の障害物です。どこでもありますし、たまに目で見えないぐらいケーブルがあります。
⦿ 環境を理解してから飛ばしてください!
人口集中地区、空港、軍隊施設、駅などの上空は基本的禁止されています。それ以外の場所でも禁止されているもしくは許可が必要なところが多いので飛ばす前にルールをちゃんと確認してからドローンの操作をしてください。

Qu'est-ce que la Licence pour Drone?
Pourquoi en 2018 encore tout le monde ignore la licence de drone?! A vrai dire au Japon, il est indispensable de posséder des autorisations pour voler au-dessus des zones sensibles comme les aéroports, les bases militaires et les zones d'habitation. Vous aurez besoin de 2 documents :
1. L'autorisation/accord de vol
2. Les accords des propriétaires du lieu que vous survolez
Vous obtiendreez l'autorisation de vol via le Ministère du Territoire, des Infrastructures, des Transports et du Tourisme
Concernant les différents accords des propriétaires, il est important de savoir que lorsque vous survolez certaines zones vous devrez avoir l'accord non seulement des propriétaires mais aussi par fois des autorités locales qui gèrent ou s'occupent de la zone.
Nous évoquerons ce sujet plus en détails dans un prochain article.

ドローン免許証?
2018年現在、日本でドローン免許証どうして人々はみな無視します。ふふふ、日本で許可が必要な空港周辺の軍事施設周辺駅周辺や人口密集地域でドローンを飛ばしために必要なのは2つあります。
1.無人航空機の飛行に関する許可・承認
2.施設の管理者の許可
上記2つの方法があります。
1番日本国の国土交通省から受けるだろうし、2回の飛行当該区域の各施設の許可を受けることです。
飛行禁止区域を飛行する場合、無条件1回が必要です。そして国道上を飛行する場合には警察庁の許可が必要。温泉施設の上を飛んでいる場合には温泉ホテルの許可が必要そのような概念でしょう。 1回の申請に関しては、かなりのテーマがカーカルんですけど(時間かかるという話です)代行してくれる行政書士もあり、実際の私は1番所持しており、2回を撮影するたびに許可されて撮影している状況です。
この部分は、別の記事で詳しく取り上げる予定です。

② Choisir son altitude 高さをちゃんと考えて!







La règle veut de faire voler son drone à une altitude précise. La règle change suivant les pays, ce que vous survolez et les autorisations locales. C’est parfois très compliqué de choisir son altitude mais nous sommes convaincu que le principal et de le faire voler à une altitude correcte. 

⦿ En basse altitude (-50 mètres) → garder toujours un oeil sur votre drone. Les obstacles (arbres, falaises, poteaux) sont présents partout. Si vous avez toujours l’oeil sur votre drone vous risquez beaucoup moins. 
⦿ En haute altitude (+50 mètres) → au dessus de cette altitude vous avez très peu de chance d’apercevoir votre engin. Votre seul indicateur est donc votre caméra et la connaissance de l’environnement. Il est parfois interdit de voler au dessus de 150 mètres même si dans certains cas c’est la solution la plus sécuritaire.

La règle au Japon veut de
❶ ne pas dépasser les 150 mètres
❷ ne pas survoler des zones sensibles
❸ ne pas survoler des zones de hautes concentration de population

Bref restez prudent!



日本だけではなくて他の国でもドローンを飛行の高さが決められています。国によって高さなどが変わるのでご注意ください。たまに高さを決めることは難しいので安全な高さで飛ばすことは一番大事だと我々が思います。

⦿ 低い高さ (50メートル以下) → その高さだとドローンから目を外したら危なくなるので十分気をつけてください。木、電線、山・岡などの障害物が色々あるのでドローンが目で見えるぐらいの高さだと事故を避けることができます。
⦿ 高い高さ (50メートル以上) → それ以上の高さで目で見えなくなるのでカメラが環境を確かめの上操作してください。カメラの他にも飛ばす前に環境の理解も大事だと思うのでよく分からないところに飛行しないほうが安全です。

日本のルールだと
❶ 空港周辺
❷150m以上の上空
❸人家密集地域 が禁止されています。



Si il y a bien un paramètre que vous devez prendre en compte lorsque vous faites décoller votre drone est votre indicateur de batterie. Chacun fera comme il le souhaite mais nous préférons avoir un bon stock de batterie et décoller plusieurs fois que d’utiliser 95% de notre batterie et risquer de ne jamais revoir notre drone. 

リモコン上での表示が1つしか選択できない場合は、必ずバッテリー表示にしましょう。これが、一番大切です。操作する人はみんなそれぞれだと思いますが、バッテリーを全部使うより余裕を持って早めに戻した方がいいと我々が思います。

Libre à vous de vous fixer une règle mais nous pensons réellement qu’il est important de fixer une limite de batterie pour ramener votre drone à son emplacement initial. Dans notre cas viser entre 30% et 35% de batterie restante n’a jamais posé de problème. En deux mots, pourquoi se fixer cette limite? 
⦿ Le trajet jusqu’à la base peut parfois prendre un certain temps et vos batteries ne vont pas vous attendre
⦿ Le vent peut parfois être un ennemi fatale. Nous en avons déjà fait les frais. Parfois avec toute la volonté du monde votre drone ne voudra pas retourner à sa base à cause du vent. Dans ce cas deux solution de secours s’offrent à vous (1. Retournez votre drone grâce à votre bouton ‘Home’ soit sur votre téléphone, soit sur votre joystick, 2. Jouez avec le vent pour le faire atterrir à un autre endroit)

Ceci étant dit la sécurité est de rigueur à chaque moment. Un drone n’est pas un jouet et même si les prix ont baissé personne ne peut se perdre de le faire tomber. Restez prudent et profiter de cette technologie exceptionnelle pour améliorer la qualité de vos vidéos. 

ドローンを無事に回収するためには、バッテリーの最低レベルを決めておくことがとても大事だと思います。私たちがのバッテリー残30〜35%を設定していて、今まで事故ることはほとんどありませんでした。
もちろんその代わりにバッテリーの数を多めに確保しなければいけませんが、バッテリーの値段はドローン修理に比べると全然安いです。しかし、なぜバッテリーがあるのに戻さないといけないのかという疑問が出てくるかもしれません。

⦿自分の元までの飛行時間を忘れてはいけないから
⦿風でドローンを戻すことができないことがあるから→
 私たちもそういう経験がありました!どうしても自分の方向にドローンを戻すことができない場合は、2つのやり方があります。
(1. リモコンか携帯のホームボタンで戻すこと。2. 風の流れに沿って着地させるにすること

長い記事になりましたが、まとめていうと安全第一!ドローンはおもちゃではありませんし、クラッシュすることを絶対避けないといけません。十分注意すれば何の問題もなく、素敵な素材が撮れるので、この技術を上手く使って自分の映像をワンランク上にしてみてください。



Restez connectés pour de nouveaux articles originaux tous les jours sur JAPANKURU🐶.

N'hésitez pas à nous suivre également sur nos réseaux Facebook et Instagram pour plus d'histoires japonaises!

 

  • facebook
  • line

COMMENT

S’abonner
Notification pour
guest
0 Comments
Le plus ancien
Le plus récent Le plus populaire
Commentaires en ligne
Afficher tous les commentaires

FEATURED MEDIA

VIEW MORE →

A Tokyo Winter Must-See: Tokyo Mega Illumination

Event Period: November 2, 2024 ~ January 12, 2025
 *Closed Nov 4~8, Dec 1~6, Dec 25~ Jan 1. End date may be subject to change.
Hours: 16:30 – 21:00 (final admission 20:00)
 *Opening hours may vary depending on scheduled events or congestion, please check the official website for details.
Directions: 2 min. walk from Tokyo Monorail Oikeibajo-Mae Station, 12 min. walk from Keikyu Tachiaigawa Station

#japankuru #tokyowinter #tokyomegaillumination #megaillumination2024 #tokyocitykeiba #도쿄메가일루미네이션 #tokyotrip #oiracecourseillumination

A Tokyo Winter Must-See: Tokyo Mega Illumination Event Period: November 2, 2024 ~ January 12, 2025  *Closed Nov 4~8, Dec 1~6, Dec 25~ Jan 1. End date may be subject to change. Hours: 16:30 – 21:00 (final admission 20:00)  *Opening hours may vary depending on scheduled events or congestion, please check the official website for details. Directions: 2 min. walk from Tokyo Monorail Oikeibajo-Mae Station, 12 min. walk from Keikyu Tachiaigawa Station #japankuru #tokyowinter #tokyomegaillumination #megaillumination2024 #tokyocitykeiba #도쿄메가일루미네이션 #tokyotrip #oiracecourseillumination

Tokyo Shopping Spot Recommendation: New Balance Kichijoji
#newbalance #newbalancekichijoji #newbalancejapan #japanesesneakerheads #shoppinginjapan #japantrip #도쿄여행 #도쿄쇼핑 #뉴발란스 #일본한정 #일본패션 #日本購物 #日本買衣服 #NB #日本時尚 #東京購物 #รองเท้าnewbalance #นิวบาลานซ์ 
#รองเท้าผ้าใบ #ช้อปปิ้ง #คิจิโจจิ #japankuru

Tokyo Shopping Spot Recommendation: New Balance Kichijoji #newbalance #newbalancekichijoji #newbalancejapan #japanesesneakerheads #shoppinginjapan #japantrip #도쿄여행 #도쿄쇼핑 #뉴발란스 #일본한정 #일본패션 #日本購物 #日本買衣服 #NB #日本時尚 #東京購物 #รองเท้าnewbalance #นิวบาลานซ์ #รองเท้าผ้าใบ #ช้อปปิ้ง #คิจิโจจิ #japankuru

See Kyoto Clearly With Your New Glasses
#japankuru #kyoto #jins #교토여행 #진즈 #京都 #교토수족관 #가모가와 #kamogawa #kyotoaquarium

See Kyoto Clearly With Your New Glasses #japankuru #kyoto #jins #교토여행 #진즈 #京都 #교토수족관 #가모가와 #kamogawa #kyotoaquarium

The First Japanese Converse Flagship: CONVERSE STORE HARAJUKU
#japankkuru #conversejp_pr #conversejapan #harajuku #tokyotrip #converse #tokyoshopping #匡威 #帆布鞋 #東京購物 #原宿 #日本時尚 #일본쇼핑 #일본컨버스 #일본한정 #하라주쿠 #일본패션 #일본스트릿 #รองเท้าconverse #รองเท้าผ้าใบ #ช้อปปิ้ง 
#ฮาราจูกุ #คอนเวิร์ส

The First Japanese Converse Flagship: CONVERSE STORE HARAJUKU #japankkuru #conversejp_pr #conversejapan #harajuku #tokyotrip #converse #tokyoshopping #匡威 #帆布鞋 #東京購物 #原宿 #日本時尚 #일본쇼핑 #일본컨버스 #일본한정 #하라주쿠 #일본패션 #일본스트릿 #รองเท้าconverse #รองเท้าผ้าใบ #ช้อปปิ้ง #ฮาราจูกุ #คอนเวิร์ส

Japanese Makeup Shopping • A Trip to Kamakura & Enoshima With Canmake’s Cool-Toned Summer Makeup
#pr #canmake #enoshima #enoden #에노시마 #캔메이크 #japanesemakeup #japanesecosmetics

Japanese Makeup Shopping • A Trip to Kamakura & Enoshima With Canmake’s Cool-Toned Summer Makeup #pr #canmake #enoshima #enoden #에노시마 #캔메이크 #japanesemakeup #japanesecosmetics

⚔️The Robot Restaurant is gone, but the Samurai Restaurant is here to take its place. Check it out, and don't forget your coupon!
🍣신주쿠의 명소 로봇 레스토랑이 사무라이 레스토랑으로 부활! 절찬 쿠폰 발급중
💃18歲以上才能入場的歌舞秀,和你想的不一樣!拿好優惠券去看看~
#tokyo #shinjuku #samurairestaurant #robotrestaurant #tokyotrip #도쿄여행 #신주쿠 #사무라이레스토랑 #이색체험 #할인이벤트 #歌舞伎町 #東京景點 #武士餐廳 #日本表演 #日本文化體驗 #japankuru #japantrip #japantravel #japanlovers #japan_of_insta

⚔️The Robot Restaurant is gone, but the Samurai Restaurant is here to take its place. Check it out, and don't forget your coupon! 🍣신주쿠의 명소 로봇 레스토랑이 사무라이 레스토랑으로 부활! 절찬 쿠폰 발급중 💃18歲以上才能入場的歌舞秀,和你想的不一樣!拿好優惠券去看看~ #tokyo #shinjuku #samurairestaurant #robotrestaurant #tokyotrip #도쿄여행 #신주쿠 #사무라이레스토랑 #이색체험 #할인이벤트 #歌舞伎町 #東京景點 #武士餐廳 #日本表演 #日本文化體驗 #japankuru #japantrip #japantravel #japanlovers #japan_of_insta

Japanese appliance & electronics shopping with our KOJIMA x BicCamera coupon!
用JAPANKURU的KOJIMA x BicCamera優惠券買這些正好❤️
코지마 x 빅 카메라 쿠폰으로 일본 가전 제품 쇼핑하기

#pr #japankuru #japanshopping #kojima #biccamera #japaneseskincare #yaman #dji #osmopocket3 #skincaredevice #日本購物 #美容儀 #相機 #雅萌 #日本家電 #일본여행 #면세 #여행꿀팁 #일본쇼핑리스트 #쿠폰 #일본쇼핑 #일본브랜드 #할인 #코지마 #빅카메라 #japankurucoupon

Japanese appliance & electronics shopping with our KOJIMA x BicCamera coupon! 用JAPANKURU的KOJIMA x BicCamera優惠券買這些正好❤️ 코지마 x 빅 카메라 쿠폰으로 일본 가전 제품 쇼핑하기 #pr #japankuru #japanshopping #kojima #biccamera #japaneseskincare #yaman #dji #osmopocket3 #skincaredevice #日本購物 #美容儀 #相機 #雅萌 #日本家電 #일본여행 #면세 #여행꿀팁 #일본쇼핑리스트 #쿠폰 #일본쇼핑 #일본브랜드 #할인 #코지마 #빅카메라 #japankurucoupon

Odaiba's DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is home to the famous real-size 20m-tall Unicorn Gundam, and the popular shopping center has even more Gundam on the inside! Check out the Gundam Base Tokyo on the 7th floor for shelves upon shelves of Gunpla, and the Gundam Base Tokyo Annex on the 2nd floor for cool anime merchandise. Both shops have tons of limited-edition items!
#pr #odaiba #tokyo #tokyotrip #japantrip #japantravel #PR #divercity #divercitytokyoplaza #tokyoshopping #gundam #unicorngundam #gundambasetokyo #anime #otaku #gunpla #japankuru #오다이바 #다이바시티도쿄 #오다이바건담 #건담 #일본건담 #건프라 #건담베이스도쿄

Odaiba's DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is home to the famous real-size 20m-tall Unicorn Gundam, and the popular shopping center has even more Gundam on the inside! Check out the Gundam Base Tokyo on the 7th floor for shelves upon shelves of Gunpla, and the Gundam Base Tokyo Annex on the 2nd floor for cool anime merchandise. Both shops have tons of limited-edition items! #pr #odaiba #tokyo #tokyotrip #japantrip #japantravel #PR #divercity #divercitytokyoplaza #tokyoshopping #gundam #unicorngundam #gundambasetokyo #anime #otaku #gunpla #japankuru #오다이바 #다이바시티도쿄 #오다이바건담 #건담 #일본건담 #건프라 #건담베이스도쿄

|

MAP OF JAPAN

SEARCH BY REGION →

    • HOKKAIDO

      VIEW MORE →

      Hokkaido (北海道) is the northernmost island in the four main islands that make up Japan. Famous for Sapporo Beer, NIKKA WHISKY, and the winter festival "Yuki Matsuri" in Sapporo, Hokkaido is also known for their beautiful national parks. Potatoes, cantaloupe, dairy products, "Genghis Khan", soup curry, and miso ramen are their known famous foods!

    • SAPPORO

      VIEW MORE →

      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 6 prefectures, the Tohoku region (東北地方) is located in the northeastern part of Japan's main island. Being a beautiful source of nature and agriculture, the region is well known for its 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

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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.

    • Being the most densely populated area, the Kanto region (関東地方) includes the Greater Tokyo Area and 7 prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa. It is considered to be the cultural, political, economic heartland of Japan due to each prefecture offering something different from their neighbor.

    • 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

      VIEW MORE →

      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) est la capitale animée du Japon et la région métropolitaine la plus peuplée du monde. Alors que la ville dans son ensemble est assez moderne, bondée de gratte-ciel et de foules animées, Tokyo conserve également son côté traditionnel dans des endroits tels que le palais impérial et le quartier d'Asakusa. C'est l'une des meilleures villes du monde en matière de culture, d'arts, de mode, de jeux, d'industries de haute technologie, de transport et plus encore.

    • The Chubu region (中部地方) is located in the center of Japan's main island and consists of 9 prefectures: Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Yamanashi. Being primarily famous for its mountains like Mount Fuji and the Japanese Alps, and ski resorts in Niigata and Nagano, it is a popular winter destination for tourists.

    • 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

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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 (関西地方) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo and Shiga prefectures. Gradually becoming one of the most popular areas of Japan, Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and feeding the deer in Kobe are considered a must. Many say the people in Kansai are more open and friendly, making it a fun place to hang out at night.

    • 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.

    • 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

      VIEW MORE →

      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.

    • SHIKOKU

      VIEW MORE →

      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) has 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki and Kagoshima. Famous for its unique culture and history of Chinese and Dutch trade and Western missionaries, Kyushu offers many historic treasures and beauties. It is also home to some of Japan's most famous natural hot springs due to all the volcanos.

    • FUKUOKA

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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.

MOST POPULAR

RELATED ARTICLES

PARTNERS