Discover Japan’s Unique Masterpieces of Nature

Beyond the Beaten Path: Japan's Hidden Treasures

While Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Mount Fuji, and Hokkaido represent the classic Japanese travel experience, there's so much more to discover. The western regions of Japan, collectively known as the "GOLDEN ROUTE to WEST JAPAN," are also gaining recognition among travelers. These areas, blessed with mild climate, showcase authentic Japanese experiences through their distinctive natural landscapes, rich historical heritage, and renowned culinary traditions. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned Japan traveler, these regions promise fresh perspectives and memorable experiences that capture the true essence of Japan.

Click here to visit the official website for the "GOLDEN ROUTE to WEST JAPAN" for an authentic Japanese experience.

Kobe: A Compact City Where Mountains Meet the Sea

Nestled west of Osaka, Kobe is a vibrant metropolis with a fascinating international heritage. Opening its port to the world in 1869 after Japan's two centuries of isolation, Kobe emerged as a crucial gateway for foreign trade and cultural exchange. This rich history is still visible today through the preserved Western-style architecture scattered throughout the city, creating an enchanting fusion of Eastern and Western influences. While primarily known for its stunning harbor, Kobe is equally blessed with mountain landscapes, offering visitors a unique blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty in one compact setting.

▼Click here for detailed sightseeing information on Kobe City:
https://www.feel-kobe.jp/en/

Click here to visit the official website for the "GOLDEN ROUTE to WEST JAPAN" for an authentic Japanese experience.

Mount Rokko: Nature's Retreat in the Heart of the City

Mount Rokko, rising from Kobe's city center, offers an accessible escape into nature without leaving the urban area. Begin your journey with a walk to the majestic Nunobiki Falls, one of Japan's Three Great Waterfalls, before taking a scenic cable car ride up the mountain.

The summit area is a treasure trove of attractions, featuring an observation deck with sweeping panoramic views, a botanical garden, museums, and an authentic English garden. Visitors can also enjoy Rokkosan Pasture where they can interact with animals, alongside numerous cafes and restaurants scattered throughout the mountain. This diverse range of attractions makes Mount Rokko perfect for a full day of exploration and escape from city life. Adventure seekers can enjoy the athletic facilities, while winter visitors can experience skiing, making it a year-round destination.

The mountain takes on a different character after dark, particularly at the Mayasan Kikuseidai Observatory, located 700 meters above sea level. This vantage point offers one of Japan's Three Great Night Views, where visitors can enjoy a romantic evening gazing at what's known as the "Ten Million Dollar Night View" - a spectacular panorama of Kobe and Osaka Bay illuminated under the stars.

Nada: Experience the World's Premier Sake Region - A Legacy from the 17th Century

Nada stands as Japan's leading sake production area, both in volume and sales. At its heart lies "Nadagogo " (Five Villages of Nada), which includes Kobe City, where the art of sake brewing has flourished for approximately 700 years.

The sake produced in this region, known as "Nada-no-shu," gained its legendary status thanks to three crucial elements: pristine water, premium rice, and favorable winds. Combined with its strategic location near Kobe Port, which facilitated nationwide distribution by sea, Nada's reputation for excellence spread throughout Japan.

Today, 26 breweries continue to uphold these centuries-old traditions while crafting their distinctive sake. For those eager to explore the world of sake, the region's flagship breweries - Kiku-Masamune and Hakutsuru - offer fascinating brewery tours, museum visits, and sake tasting experiences. For an immersive dining experience, visit Nadagogo Sakedokoro, a renovated sake brewery with over 500 years of history. Here, you can discover the perfect pairing of local ingredients with sake from all 26 Nadagogo breweries, experiencing firsthand the profound depth and complexity of sake.

Tottori Prefecture: A Natural Paradise Where the Sea of Japan Meets Majestic Mountains

Tottori Prefecture is a treasure trove of natural wonders, offering visitors a perfect blend of outdoor activities, hot springs, and delectable local cuisine nurtured by its rich environment. Along its northern border, the San'in Coast - designated as a UNESCO World Geopark - stretches along the Sea of Japan, presenting one of Japan's most spectacular coastlines. To the south, impressive mountain ranges complete this diverse landscape.

The prefecture has also made its mark in popular culture as the birthplace of renowned manga artists, including the creators of "GeGeGe no Kitaro" and "Detective Conan," making it a pilgrimage site for anime enthusiasts. Food lovers shouldn't miss the region's culinary specialties: the distinctive Tottori beef bone ramen, the sweet and juicy Nijisseiki (20th Century) pears, and the prized Matsuba crab.

▼Click here for detailed sightseeing information on Tottori Prefecture:
https://www.tottori-tour.jp/en/

Click here to visit the official website for the "GOLDEN ROUTE to WEST JAPAN" for an authentic Japanese experience.

Tottori Sand Dunes: A Magnificent Natural Artwork Sculpted by Wind and Earth

The Tottori Sand Dunes stand as the prefecture's most iconic tourist attraction, featuring an impressive expanse of 131 hectares of sand dunes facing the Sea of Japan. As visitors ascend the entrance stairs at the Visitor Center, they're greeted by a breathtaking panorama that defies imagination.

While simply strolling through the dunes while enjoying the refreshing sea breeze can transport you to another world, the real excitement lies in the unique sand-based activities available. The dunes offer extraordinary experiences impossible to find elsewhere: conquering steep slopes with sandboards, racing across the sand on fat bikes, or soaring through the air on paragliders.

One of the dunes' most captivating features is their ever-changing appearance, shaped by the direction and strength of the winds. To witness the mesmerizing "wind ripples" - natural artworks created by the interplay of wind and sand - early morning visits are recommended when fewer visitors are present, allowing you to appreciate these ethereal patterns in peaceful solitude.

Sand Museum Official Website:
https://www.sand-museum.jp/en/

Mt. Daisen: The Majestic Peak of Western Japan

Standing at 1,729 meters, Mt. Daisen reigns as the highest mountain in the Chugoku region and Tottori Prefecture. This impressive peak has earned its place among Japan's top three famous peaks and is included in the prestigious "100 Famous Mountains of Japan." Its graceful silhouette has earned it the nickname "Hoki Fuji," leading to the saying "Fuji in the East, Daisen in the West."

The mountain's well-maintained trails make it accessible even to novice hikers, while offering year-round activities for visitors of all interests. Summer brings camping opportunities, autumn showcases spectacular fall colors, and winter transforms the slopes into a paradise for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts.

The area surrounding Mt. Daisen is a national park, home to numerous spiritual shrines and temples considered powerful sacred sites. Even those who prefer not to climb can find solace in exploring the base of the mountain, where nature's healing presence can be felt throughout the surrounding forest.

Okayama City: Where Premium Fruits Meet Natural and Historical Heritage

Okayama Prefecture holds the distinction of having Japan's highest number of days with minimal rainfall (less than 1mm), earning it the nickname "Okayama, the Land of Sunshine." Within this sun-blessed region, Okayama City has made its name as a producer of premium fruits, particularly muscats and white peaches, thanks to its mild climate. The city offers a harmonious blend of nature and culture: its center proudly features Okayama Castle and Okayama Korakuen, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, while the southern area opens to the bountiful Setouchi region with its rich marine resources.

▼Click here for detailed sightseeing information on Okayama City:

https://okayama-kanko.net/sightseeing/
 

Click here to visit the official website for the "GOLDEN ROUTE to WEST JAPAN" for an authentic Japanese experience.

Okayama Korakuen Garden: A Garden Masterpiece Shaped by Generations of Lords

Okayama Korakuen Garden stands among Japan's "Three Great Gardens," alongside Mito's Kairakuen (Ibaraki Prefecture) and Kanazawa's Kenrokuen (Ishikawa Prefecture). This classic Japanese stroll garden features a circular path around a central pond, allowing visitors to enjoy its beauty from various vantage points. Spanning approximately 130,000 square meters, the garden offers magnificent views incorporating Okayama Castle and surrounding mountains as "borrowed scenery."

The garden's diverse landscape includes artificial hills, a 640-meter-long stream, and scattered tea pavilions. Seasonal flowers such as plum and cherry blossoms, along with verdant lawns, paint the garden in ever-changing colors throughout the year. Historical features such as the feudal lord's quarters, a Noh stage, and wooded areas make it perfect for contemplative walks through Japan's past.

Kibitsu Shrine: A National Treasure with Unique Architectural Style

Kibitsu Shrine holds deep historical significance as the setting of the legend that inspired Japan's beloved folk tale "Momotaro," in which a young hero defeats ogres who had been terrorizing the region with looting and brings peace to the land. While its exact founding date remains unknown, some theories place it in the early 5th century. The shrine's main hall and worship hall, reconstructed in 1425, are designated National Treasures and showcase the unique Kibitsu-zukuri architectural style - the only example of its kind in Japan - characterized by two parallel roofs nestled closely together.

Another remarkable feature is the 360-meter-long corridor that extends from the main hall, winding like a wave along the mountainside. In June, the shrine grounds become a popular destination for viewing hydrangeas in full bloom.

Takamatsu: Small City, Big Charm in Japan's Smallest Prefecture

In a delightful contrast, Kagawa Prefecture - Japan's smallest prefecture by area - could fit into Hokkaido, Japan's largest prefecture, an astonishing 44 times! At its heart lies Takamatsu City, a compact yet vibrant center that perfectly illustrates how great things come in small packages.

This charming city offers a diverse landscape: its downtown area faces the serene Seto Inland Sea, while peaceful rural vistas stretch toward the Sanuki Mountains. Historical sites like the Takamatsu Castle Ruins in Tamamo Park add cultural depth to the city's appeal. No visit to Takamatsu would be complete without sampling its famous Sanuki udon noodles - a culinary experience that should definitely be part of your travel memories.

▼Click here for detailed sightseeing information on Takamatsu City:
https://www.my-kagawa.jp/en

Click here to visit the official website for the "GOLDEN ROUTE to WEST JAPAN" for an authentic Japanese experience.

Ritsurin Garden: A Masterpiece of Feudal Lords' Gardens Drawing Global Acclaim

Ritsurin Garden has earned three stars in internationally renowned guidebooks and been designated as a "Special Place of Scenic Beauty" - equivalent to a national treasure among Japanese gardens. The flat garden area alone spans 16.2 hectares, featuring meticulously designed ponds and artificial hills that create ever-changing views as visitors stroll through the grounds. Two must-see viewpoints include the panorama of the South Pond from Hiraiho (an artificial hill said to be modeled after Mount Fuji) and the gracefully arched Engetsukyo Bridge spanning the South Pond.

Yashima: A Peninsula of Natural Wonders and Historical Significance

Jutting into the Seto Inland Sea from northeastern Takamatsu, Yashima Peninsula is a designated National Natural Monument renowned for its distinctive topography. This unique landscape offers visitors diverse activities including hiking, mountain climbing, and wildlife observation, particularly for bird watching and botanical exploration. Cycling is another popular activity, with coastal roads offering refreshing sea breezes and stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea's countless islands.

The peninsula also holds significant cultural value, featuring the Nagasaki no hana Kofun (a keyhole-shaped burial mound from the early 5th century) and a 12th-century battlefield site. The mountain summit offers spectacular views that have earned recognition in three prestigious lists: "Japan's 100 Best Sunsets," "Japan's 100 Best Night Views," and "Japan's 100 Best Moon-Viewing Spots.

Feel Nature's Power Under the Watch of Mt. Yufu

Located in the heart of Oita Prefecture, Yufu City is home to Yufuin, one of Japan's most celebrated hot spring destinations. The city's natural grandeur is dominated by its symbolic Mount Yufu, complemented by the awe-inspiring Yufu River Gorge - nicknamed the "Tyrol of the East" for its dramatic rock faces ranging from 15 to 60 meters in height. The landscape is further enhanced by the pristine waters of Oike Spring, known for its remarkable clarity. Together, these natural wonders create an environment where visitors can deeply connect with the raw energy of the natural world.

▼Click here for detailed sightseeing information on Yufu City:

https://yufu-tic.com/

Click here to visit the official website for the "GOLDEN ROUTE to WEST JAPAN" for an authentic Japanese experience.

Mt. Yufu: A Mountain Revered as Sacred

Rising majestically from the northeastern part of the Yufuin Basin, Mt. Yufu (elevation 1,583m) stands as the iconic symbol of Yufu City. Known locally as "Bungo Fuji" for its striking resemblance to Mt. Fuji, the mountain is distinguished by its unique double-peaked summit formation. The mountain's grandeur can be best experienced through the "Experience tour of the pastoral fields at the foot of Mt. Yufu," a premium guided experience that combines local Yufuin cuisine with natural exploration (English-speaking guides available, reservation required).

After your mountain adventure, soothe your tired muscles in the renowned hot springs of Yufuin Onsen at the mountain's base, one of Japan's most celebrated hot spring destinations.

Premium Tour Operator "Tabikurasu" Website (English): https://enjoy.tabiclass.jp/en/

Take a Leisurely Stroll Down Yufuin's Atmospheric Streets

Yunotsubo Kaido, stretching approximately 800 meters at the foot of Mt. Yufu, is a charming street lined with an eclectic mix of restaurants, souvenir shops, and galleries. The streetscape, reminiscent of traditional Japanese row houses, draws crowds with its perfect blend of classic Japanese establishments and modern boutiques. While enjoying local treats and regional delicacies, visitors can take a peaceful walk to Lake Kinrin, one of Yufuin's most popular attractions. Just one street over, along the Oita River, you'll discover serene rural landscapes that capture Yufuin's distinctive character. Alternative ways to explore the area include sightseeing horse-drawn carriages, rental bicycles, or traditional rickshaws.

The " GOLDEN ROUTE to WEST JAPAN" offers unique natural experiences in each region. These moments of wonder can only be fully appreciated by being there in person, providing experiences distinctly different from urban sightseeing and shopping. It's sure to create lasting memories of your journey through Japan.