prefectures of Japan

What colors come to mind when you think of Tokyo? For me, it’s Tokyo Tower’s brilliant red and the night sky's deep black. When I think of Kyoto, I imagine the vibrant red of Torii gates, the green of nature, and the noble purple. Like this, […]

The Japanese countryside offers unique culinary experiences. Read on to learn about natural farming in Shikoku, see delicious daily meals from an Ehime prefecture homestead, and consider the outlook for local foods of rural Japan. Make sure you bring along some snacks because believe me when […]

In this blog, I will introduce some of the special foods of Hiroshima Prefecture, which has overcome the tragedy of the nuclear bombing and has since come to inherit the technological industries of the next generation, along with its beautiful nature and rich culture. This prefecture […]

D&Department is a decades-long project founded by Nagoka Kenmei in 2002 and is known for its innovative focus on Long Life Design. D&Department's activities include workshops, exhibitions, travel guides, events — and much more — all of which foster the development of close relationships with producers, […]

Welcome to the final segment of our four-part series on notable tea regions in Japan! In this post, we land in Kyoto Prefecture’s Uji region to experience the cultural heart and history of tea in Japan. If you are just now joining us, check out our […]

Welcome to part three of our four-part series on notable tea regions in Japan. So far, we’ve covered both Kagoshima Prefecture and Fukuoka Prefecture. Today we will spend some time at the base of Mt. Fuji in the tea fields of Shizuoka Prefecture. Next time, in […]

Fukui prefecture, located along the coast of the Sea of Japan, is home to Nishiyama Park, Tojinbo Cliffs, Maruoka Castle and Echizen Daibutsu. Even though these sights are quite far from Fukui city, they can be easily accessed through local trains and buses! Not only does […]

Located on the coast of Japan’s southernmost island of Kyushu, Nagasaki Prefecture is full of delicious cuisines that are sure to please any traveling foodie. Nagasaki is packed with dishes that even some Japanese people have never tried, making it a perfect location for those wanting […]

Shimane is located in the western part of Honshu, Japan's main island. This region has a very long and rich history that started thousands of years ago. During the Jomon period (-13 000 to 400 before JC), the region was inhabited by hunter-gatherers and was also […]

Located in the south of Tokyo, made up of some of the country’s oldest port cities open to foreign trade, Kanagawa prefecture is a melting pot of local and foreign influences. Its capital is Yokohama, where Japan’s largest Chinatown is located, and home to some of […]