Introduction  Fukui Prefecture, often overlooked by both local and international travelers, remains one of Japan’s best-kept secrets. Situated along the scenic Sea of Japan coast, this quiet yet captivating region is rich in history, natural beauty, and unique attractions. In the first installment of our guide, we uncovered some of Fukui’s most well-known sites, from ancient castles to prehistoric discoveries. Now, we’re taking you further off the beaten path …

Introduction  Located on the Sea of Japan coast, Fukui Prefecture is part of the historic Hokuriku region of Japan and presides in the Chubu region of Honshu. Its capital city is Fukui City with other major cities being Sakai, Echizen, and Sabae.  Fukui arguably remains one of Japan’s hidden travel destination gems, with not many tourists, both local and international, even so much as glancing in its direction on …

Introduction  Tohoku is a region of Japan’s Honshu Island, known for its winter sports, harsher climates, and mountainous terrain. It traditionally consists of the following 6 prefectures: Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi, and Yamagata.   Literally named, North East Region or Tohoku Chiho in Japanese, it’s unsurprising that the region has marketed itself as a prime winter destination for both local and international tourists due to its geographical location that …

Introduction  According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of international visitors to Japan reached a record-high of 3,292,500 in July 2024 on a single-month basis. Many of these visitors hailed from nearby countries – China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea, but statistics also showed a 60.1% increase in visitors from America.   Unsurprisingly, Tokyo, Japan’s capital city, sees most of these visitors and plays host to …