Discover Japan Beyond the Guidebooks - Hidden Gems Await!

Discover Japan Beyond the Guidebooks
-Hidden Gems Await!

Uncover Japan's best-least local secrets, from serene countryside spots to bustling hidden districts. Find your next adventure off the beaten path!

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Osaka

Osaka Prefecture developed as a commercial center from ancient times, and during the Sengoku period Toyotomi Hideyoshi built the Osaka Castle. During the Edo period, it became the cornerstone of Japanese logistics and commerce as the "kitchen of the world", and the merchant culture took root. Today, the city is still lively, and you can enjoy takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu as "the city of eating and eating." it is also dotted with many tourist attractions, including Universal Studios Japan and the World Park Park, Shitennoji, Daisen Kofun and Tōtenkaku. In addition, businesses and commercial establishments gather in Umeda and Namba, making a significant contribution to the Kansai economy. The Kansai Expo will be held in 2025.

Mie

Mie Prefecture has attracted a large number of worshipers from all over the country as "Ose-sari", with a flourishing visit to Ise Shrine since the Edo period. There is a world cultural heritage site, Kumano Kodo, and you can feel the history of the ancient pilgrimage. The undulating coastline continues from Toba to Shima, and the Shima Peninsula is also known as the first place in the world to successfully cultivate pearls. In addition, Yokkaichi Complex is popular as a shooting spot where you can enjoy the night view of the factory. Matsusaka beef and Ise shrimp are famous for their specialty products. With the development of the manufacturing industry centered on the automobile industry, Suzuka Circuit has become a base for motor sports in Japan and abroad.

Shiga Prefecture is a thriving area of freshwater fisheries such as Ayu, centered on Lake Biwa, which accounts for about one-sixth of the prefecture's area. In addition to historical landmarks such as Azuchi Castle, built by Oda Nobunaga during the Sengoku period, and Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple, which is listed as a World Heritage Site, there are also scattered temples and shrines such as Mii-ji, Ishiyama-ji, and Sakamoto's Hiyoshi Taisha. Hikone Castle, a national treasure, is popular as a tourist destination with the style of a castle town from the Edo period. It is also known as the cradle of Omi merchants, and the spirit of "Mikata Yoshi (Seller Yoshi, Buyer Yoshi, Seika Yoshi)" has also influenced the management of Japanese companies. Among its specialty products, Asamiya tea, one of Japan's five major namesakes, is famous.

Kyoto Prefecture has developed as a political and cultural center in Japan for over a thousand years since the establishment of Heiankyo in 794. Many historical monuments, including Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, and Byodo-in, are listed as World Cultural Heritage Sites. In addition, there are famous places such as Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, which attracts many tourists from Japan and abroad as cities that symbolize Japanese culture. It is also a region where traditional culture is passed down with a rich color, including the Kyung cuisine, tea ceremony, Hua-do, Nishi-Shiori, and Kyung-Yuzen. In addition, traditional events such as the Gion Festival and the Five Mountains are also flourishing. You can also enjoy traditional food cultures such as matcha, pickles and kaiseki dishes.

The city of Kobe, the seat of the prefectural capital, developed as an international trading port, and the prefecture of Hyogo is characterized by its exoticism of outlandish streets such as Kitano-Kankan-gai and Nanjing-cho. Himeji Castle, a world cultural heritage site, is also referred to as "White House Castle" because its white stucco outer walls look like egrets. The prefecture has famous oyu such as Kinosaki Onsen and Arima Onsen, which is visited by many tourists. The nature is also rich, and you can enjoy seasonal views on the Sanin Coast, Mount Rokko, and Awaji Island. It is also attractive in the fields of sports and arts, with high school baseball and professional baseball being played at the Hanshin Koshien Stadium, and a glamorous stage at the Takarazuka Theater. In food culture, Kobe beef is popular as a fine Japanese beef.

Manufacturing, Tourism & Hospitality, Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry, Healthcare & Biotechnology

Nara Prefecture was developed as a political and cultural center during the Nara period, with Heijokyo. Many historical monuments remain, including Todai-ji, Hōryū-ji, Kōfuku-ji, and Kasugai-sha, which are listed as World Heritage Sites. Hōryū-ji in particular now conveys the technology and culture of the Asuka period as the world's oldest wooden structure. Nara Park is home to deer and is a familiar tourist attraction. The tradition of fine arts and crafts is also deep, as represented by the Tōdai-ji Shōkura-in Gomono, and the Nara brush and Nara ink are known. In the food culture, persimmon leaf sushi and Naraku are famous as specialty products. On the industrial side, the manufacture of socks and other items is thriving.

Wakayama Prefecture is an area that has been visited by people since ancient times, with the Kumano Sanzan of Kumano Honmiya Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and the Kumano Kodo connecting them, listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Mount Koya is home to the temple of the Shingon sect, the main temple of the Shingon sect, and is considered one of the important bases of Japanese Buddhism opened by the Kōho Daishi (Kōkai). In addition, there are many tourist attractions and traditional events, such as Wakayama Castle, which was developed as the seat of the Kishu Tokugawa family, and the Oshō Festival, known as the Genshou Fire Festival. In addition, Wakayama Prefecture is also referred to as the "fruit kingdom", and the production of mandarin oranges, plums, persimmons, etc.