Saga Prefecture, previously known as Hizen Province, is located in Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost island. The prefecture borders Fukuoka Prefecture to the northeast and Nagasaki Prefecture to the Southwest.   Saga Prefecture is comprised of 10 cities with its capital being Saga City. Other major cities include Imari, Karatsu, and Tosu; and as of June 2023, the prefecture has a population of 795,378.  Famed for its production of ceramics and porcelain, …

Kagawa Prefecture resides in the northeast of Shikoku Island, which is across from Okayama and is connected to the mainland by the Great Seto Bridge. It is considered to be Japan’s smallest prefecture as it only encompasses 1,877 square kilometers. Kagawa is known for being the final destination point for the Shikoku Pilgrimage route, which takes pilgrims past 88 temples.  Kagawa boasts 8 cities, with its capital being Takamatsu. …

Shimane prefecture is a mountainous, sparsely populated, coastal prefecture located in the Western part of Japan’s Honshu Island in the Chugoku region. As of February 2022, it’s Japan’s second least populated prefecture with a population of 665,205 individuals.   Shimane borders Yamaguchi prefecture to the southwest, Hiroshima prefecture to the south, and Tottori prefecture to the east. 8 cities make up the prefecture, with the smallest being Goku and the …

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 to …