Hello everyone. I would like to share with you the top 5 prefectures in Japan that I recommend for traveling in Japan. I love to travel and have been to all 47 prefectures in Japan Based on my experience, I would like to introduce some places that I find particularly interesting, impressive, and that I would like to visit again If you look up famous sights on the Internet, you will find a lot of information about them However, there are times when you go to a popular sightseeing spot only to find that you are tired and not refreshed at all because of the crowds In fact, there are many fascinating places in Japan that are surprisingly unknown What I will introduce here are places that are just as attractive as the famous tourist spots but where you can avoid the crowds and enjoy yourself at a leisurely pace For this reason, I have left out famous tourist destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto If you are interested in traveling to Japan, please use this video as a reference Recommended prefectures for traveling in Japan No.5 Ehime Prefecture No. 5 is Ehime Prefecture The recommended sightseeing spot is "Dogo Onsen" (Dogo Hot Springs) Dogo Onsen is said to be the "oldest hot spring in Japan" with a history of approximately 3,000 years The symbol of Dogo Onsen is the Dogo Onsen Honkan, a historic three-story wooden hot spring facility The amazing thing about Dogo Onsen is that the historic and stately building is still in use as a bathhouse, and is open to a wide range of bathers When I visited there, the main Dogo Onsen building was under renovation, so I went to the annex, which was different from the main building in that it was more luxurious and gorgeous The bathroom walls were decorated with cutting-edge projection mapping, making it a space where you can enjoy both healing and art. There are many "day-trip" bathing facilities in Dogo Onsen, so I would recommend taking a stroll around the hot springs in a yukata or going for a bite to eat in the shopping arcade And then there are the local gourmet foods of Ehime Prefecture, Ehime is very famous for "mikan" (mandarin oranges). In the hot spring resort area, there are many sweets using Ehime's mikan and many stores that really focus on mikan You can even turn on the tap and get "mikan juice" The hotel I stayed at, "Dogoyaya," offered unlimited mikan juice during my stay Another local delicacy is tai meshi(Sea Bream Mixed Rice) There are two types of "tai meshi", one eaten mainly in the east, such as in Matsuyama City, where the sea bream is cooked and cooked over a fire and the other eaten in the south, such as in Uwajima City that is "raw sea bream sashimi dipped in sauce" These are completely different foods Personally, I was very impressed with the sashimi version of "tai meshi" If you visit Ehime, please try to compare the two types As for the recommended season, Ehime is a year-round tourist destination because it is not affected by the seasons Personally, I think that you can enjoy visiting hot springs more in the cooler seasons of fall and winter than in the hot summer season So, Ehime Prefecture came in at No. 5 No. 4 Miyazaki Prefecture The fourth place is Miyazaki Prefecture Miyazaki has a mild climate throughout the year, making it ideal for sightseeing trips The number of sunny days per year is one of the highest in Japan, and the coastal beaches have a resort-like atmosphere The roads along the coast are decorated with palm trees, hibiscus, and other plants, creating a tropical atmosphere Sun Messe Nichinan, located along the coast, is a theme park with seven moai statues The park is the only place in the world where seven moai statues, fully restored with permission from the Easter Island Presbytery, stand with the Pacific Ocean in the background The moai statues at Sun Messe Nichinan are said to be beneficial for "luck in work," "health," "love," "overall luck," "marriage," "money," and "academic luck," and touching the statues is said to make wishes come true Next is Aoshima Island Aoshima is a small island that has been designated as a special natural monument The island is surrounded by wavy rocks called "devil's washboard," which is a unique and impressive sight that is unforgettable Aoshima Island itself is said to be a power spot, where you can feel the majestic power of nature with your whole body The most impressive sightseeing spot in Miyazaki is "Cape Toimisaki," a paradise for wild horses Cape Toimisaki is a large promontory jutting out into the Pacific Ocean and is home to wild horses, a natural treasure that is rarely seen anywhere else in the world The horses live peacefully against the vast expanse of ocean, and it is truly a paradise for horses. Visitors can enjoy the sight of the horses grazing without being seen and the spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean in the background The entire 550 hectares of Cape Toimisaki is a habitat for horses, so if your timing is right, you may encounter them on the road You have to be careful when driving, but it is also a rare experience Please enjoy the luxury of a relaxing and spectacular view while feeling the wind blowing through Cape Toimisaki And Miyazaki Prefecture's local delicacy is "Chicken Nanban" Juicy chicken is fried in oil, quickly dipped in sweet vinegar, and then served with a dollop of tartar sauce Chicken Nanban has now become a staple menu item for bento boxes and set menus throughout Japan, but Miyazaki Prefecture's Chicken Nanban is said to be exceptionally tasty because it is said to be the origin of the dish Another representative gourmet dish of Miyazaki is char-grilled chicken, which is roasted in a pillar of fire The chicken meat, covered with the fragrance of charcoal, has a firm and elastic texture, and the more you bite into it, the more the juices fill your mouth This is a menu item that is becoming increasingly popular at chain restaurants, but it is a must-try because it is so different from the real thing As I have mentioned, Miyazaki is often referred to as the "Hawaii of Japan" because of its strong tropical image Personally, I love Miyazaki Prefecture so much that it is the most memorable place I have ever visited, and in fact, I wanted to rank it a little higher, but I felt that it might be a little lacking in the sense that people from overseas can enjoy the Japanese flavor, which is why it is ranked this high So, if anything, I would recommend this place to those who have been to Japan several times and would like to experience a different atmosphere So, Miyazaki Prefecture came in at No. 4 No. 3 Fukushima Prefecture The third place is Fukushima Prefecture Fukushima Prefecture, the third largest prefecture in Japan, is divided into three areas, each with different attractions and characteristics within the same prefecture It is a place where Japan is condensed, with towns lined with old buildings, historic castles, scenic spots with spectacular views of nature, hot springs with a sense of history, and exquisite gourmet food that can only be found in this area Tsurugajo Castle, the symbol of Aizu Wakamatsu, is an impregnable castle with a beautiful red-tiled castle tower, the only one of its kind in Japan. It is also beautiful during the season of autumn leaves and cherry blossoms, and the view from the castle is superb Fukushima is also famous for its gourmet food, "wappameshi," which is made from "kenkenge-wappa," a local handicraft The ingredients used in this dish include wild vegetables and river fish, which are unique to the area, and there is a wide variety of filling options The interesting thing about wappameshi is that the individuality of the restaurant or household where it is made comes out as it is One of the best places in Fukushima is Ouchi-juku Ouchi-juku is a traditional inn town with thatched-roof old houses, where you can experience the lifestyle, scenery, and culture of 400 years ago Along the road, you will find a wide variety of stores, including restaurants where you can taste local specialties and souvenir shops selling Japanese accessories The compactness of Ouchi-juku from one end to the other makes it easy to stroll around "Negi-Soba" is a typical gourmet food of Ouchi-juku The famous "Takato soba" is characterized by using a whole leek as a chopstick to taste the soba Known as the store where it originated, "Misawaya" is a popular place to eat, it is recommended that you receive a number slip at the reception desk and wait your turn while strolling around You can also enjoy many other local delicacies such as "tempura manju" and "shingorou," which is made of kneaded Uruchi rice and coated with miso paste From the gazebo, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the thatched-roof townscape and the nature of Minamiaizu Located on top of a small hill, you can enjoy a different view depending on the season So, the third place was "Fukushima Prefecture No. 2 Taketomi Island The second place is Taketomi Island Taketomi Island is a remote island in Okinawa Prefecture, with impressive traditional villages with red tile-roofed houses and white sand To get there, take a ferry from Ishigaki Island It is a small island that cannot be reached directly by plane I have been to the main island of Okinawa before, but the main island is too developed as a tourist spot, where there are many foreigners, whereas Taketomi Island has a relaxing atmosphere as if the time has stopped in the old days Since the island is flat, it is easy to go sightseeing on foot, and it takes about one hour to visit all the villages on the island Since there is relatively little traffic, sightseeing by buffalo cart or bicycle is also recommended And the beaches of Taketomi Island are the ones you should definitely visit The first one is "Kondoi Beach” Kondoi Beach is located on the west side of Taketomi Island and is a beautiful beach with white sand and clear water The waves are calm, so it is a recommended beach for snorkeling beginners and families with children And "Kaiji Beach," located about a 9-minute walk south of Kondoi Beach, is also recommended Also known as "Star Sand Beach," you can find many star sands Swimming is prohibited due to the fast current, but it is recommended for those who want to spend a relaxing and luxurious time looking for star sands and admiring the scenery in the shade of trees Since star sand is not allowed to be taken home, if you want it as a memento, please purchase it at the store Lastly, "Nishi-Sanbashi (West Pier)," Nishi-Sanbashi (West Pier), located on the northwest side of Taketomi Island, is designated as a national tangible cultural property and is a popular spot to watch the beautiful sunset The pier stretches straight out to the sea, offering a spectacular view of the beautiful sunset It is a photogenic and spectacular view that you cannot find in the city, so it will heal your body and soul There are many other activities to enjoy Taketomi Island, so it is a great place to make memories And the accommodations are also excellent There are many hotels operated by the famous "Hoshino Resort" and all-room cottage type hotels where you can spend a luxurious time Day-trip sightseeing is fine, but if you go to the trouble, you may as well stay overnight and spend a luxurious time on the island So, the second place was "Taketomi Island No. 1 Yamanashi Prefecture No. 1 is Yamanashi Prefecture The charm of Yamanashi Prefecture is its abundance of spots that take advantage of its magnificent nature and scenery Not only Mt. Fuji, hot springs and some activities are also popular Yamanashi Prefecture, which has the longest hours of sunlight in Japan, is also blessed with agricultural products such as vegetables and fruits There are many recommended sightseeing spots, but first and foremost are those related to Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko, one of the Fuji Five Lakes, is a popular viewpoint for Mt.Fuji, and its charm lies in the variety of faces that can be enjoyed throughout the year The Kawaguchi Lake area is also famous for its hot springs There are also hot springs with a nice view of Mt. Fuji where you can take a day trip, so why not soak in a hot spring while enjoying the spectacular view and relaxing from the fatigue of daily life? "Oshinohakkai" is the collective name for eight spring-fed ponds, which are fed by melted snow water from Mt. Fuji The thatched-roof water mill huts and other structures create a unique rural landscape, making the area a relaxing place just to stroll around Niikurayama Sengen Park is famous for its spectacular view of Mt. Fuji, where you can enjoy the combination of nice view of Mt. Fuji, the five-story pagoda, and cherry blossoms at the same time Aokigahara Sea of Trees is a vast virgin forest at the foot of Mt. Fuji It is also known as a famous suicide spot in Japan, and is actually designated as a national natural monument A promenade has been established so that visitors can enjoy strolling through the forest while taking a walk in the forest This is a spot where you can feel a fantastic atmosphere as if you have entered the world of an animated movie In addition, there are theme parks such as "Fujikyu Highland," which is famous for its thrilling attractions The world's largest roller coaster and a horror attraction, the Haunted House, are also popular Yamanashi is also rich in gourmet food Especially famous is the local cuisine "Houtou" It is a dish of thick, long, flat noodles and a lot of vegetables stewed in miso The gentle and deep flavor of stewed vegetables is loved not only by people in Yamanashi but also by those outside the prefecture And "Kusa-mochi" is a steamed bun with red bean paste wrapped in a dough made of boiled mugwort and rice flour The baked part is slightly crispy and savory, and the red bean paste is elegantly sweet Yamanashi is also famous for its wine Yamanashi Prefecture is the birthplace of Japanese wine and is also called "wine prefecture" because of its many wineries Koshu wine, made from high quality grapes, is recommended for its fruity aroma and refreshing taste The reason why we recommend Yamanashi is its convenient accessibility One of the advantages is that it is close to the Tokyo metropolitan area and can be visited while sightseeing in Tokyo For example, it takes about 1.5 hours from Shinjuku in Tokyo by train, or about 2 hours by car or highway bus, making it an easy one-day trip "Ehime" and "Miyazaki," which are ranked No. 4 and No. 5, cannot be visited on the sidelines of other standard sightseeing spots, so Yamanashi can be recommended in terms of its convenient accessibility Besides its numerous ways to enjoy, like Mt. Fuji, hot springs, World Heritage sites, and theme parks The accessibility is also very convenient, so I selected as No.1 So, I introduced the top 5 recommended prefectures Of course, the spectacular scenery and the gourmet food were also important criteria for my choice, but the main point was whether or not I could feel the uniqueness of Japan In particular, speaking of the top three Ouchi-juku in Fukushima Prefecture is a charming town with an emotional atmosphere that still retains traces of old Japan, Taketomi Island is a place where you can enjoy the original landscape of old Okinawa And in Yamanashi, you can enjoy Mt. Fuji, which represents Japan, and feel the atmosphere of a Japanese hot spring resort, as well as a World Heritage site It is truly a place where Japaneseness is condensed Actually, I would like to introduce many more places, but the video is going to be long, so I will leave it at this I'll put the VLOG videos of the prefectures I introduced today in the overview section There you will find more detailed introductions, so if you are interested, please take a look If you are thinking of traveling to Japan in the future, especially if you have been to Tokyo or other standard tourist destinations and would like to visit other places, I hope you will find this information useful If you have any other recommendations for places to visit in Japan other than the ones I introduced today, please let me know in the comments section That's all for today's video See you in the next video. Bye-bye~!
