Countless people have been exposed or introduced to Japanese culture either through food, popular media or individuals. It is these interactions and exposure that plant the seeds for thinking about traveling to Japan. The archipelago has been mentioned in so many mediums, but the information presented is the tip of the iceberg. Images of the nation, accessed through various means, create a picture of what we perceive of the country. | View more
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transportation like the bullet trains and buses are very reliable to the point that they are almost always on time. There are various places to go in the
country, but how do you decide on where to go. Destinations in Japan range from beautiful nature to technological hubs. Japan is a place where they
make efforts to preserve their history while making advancements in technology. It is a country that had accomplished so much in a few decades and
became a world leader in quality control. Keep in mind that the entire nation is not full of the latest technology, but has prevented areas from being
overdeveloped. It is because the people value their historical roots to the point of preserving and maintaining them in order to share it with the world.
The choice becomes easier when you look for places that match your fundamental interests.
Japan can be broken down to 9 regions, which are then split up into prefectures and lastly cities. The names of the regions are Hokkaido, Tohoku,
Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa. Some of you may recognize the region names, but do not know what city is in each
area. Each of the areas listed has a place that is unique to their location. When traveling to Japan you have an idea of a place you may want to go or are
interested in the culture and do not know where to start. Hokkaido is famous for their beautiful nature and winter festivities. Tohoku has historical ties
with some well-known samurai clans and three great summer festivals. Kanto is a densely populated area because the largest metropolitan city resides
in the region. Chubu has a combination of nature and historical structures. Kansai is known as the region where Japanese traditional culture thrived
and developed. Chugoku is separated into two distinct parts by mountains and has historical value both in modern and olden times. Shikoku has
modern art museums with a Mediterranean environment. Kyushu is the gateway to Asia from Japan and is famous for their hot springs. Okinawa has
subtropical weather and has beautiful beaches. These quick little summaries give you a general idea of the areas in Japan. Truthfully no matter where
you choose to go it will be an experience that will be worth it.
Sapporo | Otaru | Furano | Asahikawa | Sounkyo | Abashiri | Shiretoko | Kushiro | Noboribetsu | Lake Toya | Hakodate
The Hokkaido region is known for its beautiful nature and flowers like lavenders in Furano and Biei during the summertime. In the winter there are amazing snow festivals like the one in Sapporo, which attracts millions of visitors.
Sapporo is the largest city on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, home to the world-renowned Sapporo Beer and February’s Sapporo Snow Festival.
Otaru is a romantic port town famous for its canal, glass workshops, and music box museum.
Lake Toya is a volcanic caldera lake in Hokkaido’s verdant south, bordered on one side by picturesque Mount Usu.
Hakodate is a city and port in the Oshima Sub prefecture and is the third largest city in Hokkaido.
Asahikawa is a city in the center of Hokkaido, noted for the Otokoyama Sake Brewery, the wide popularity of the Asahikawa Zoo, and delicious ramen.
Furano is a farming town in the center of Hokkaido, popular in summer for fields of brilliant purple lavender blooms.
Abashiri is a pleasant region on Hokkaido’s east coast - the site of the notorious Abashiri Prison, as well as the dramatic drift ice off the coast.
Shiretoko is situated on Hokkaido’s eastern tip near the Sea of Okhotsk, an unspoiled region supporting a diverse ecosystem.
The Akan Mashu National Park in a forested park area in eastern Hokkaido well known for three pristine lakes – Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, and Lake Kussharo.
Kushiro is a wetlands region in southern Hokkaido, home to the Kushiro Marshlands – the nesting grounds for the Japanese red-crowned crane.
