Rakuno Oukoku Oratche (Dairy Kingdom Oratche)

Located in Tagata County, Kannami Town, Shizuoka Prefecture, at an altitude of 250 meters in the Tanadani Basin, Oratche is easily identified by its red roof, sitting nearly at the center of the area. There are no traffic lights, just an abundance of lush greenery and rich nature. Admission and parking are free. At the weekly farmers’ market held every Saturday and Sunday, you can meet dairy farmers’ mothers and find fresh, affordable, and lovingly-grown vegetables. At Oratche, you can engage in food production, interact with animals, touch the soil, and move your body. Surrounded by bountiful nature, this dairy farming village with a history of over 140 years invites you to relax and enjoy various experiences.

Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha (Fujisan Hongu Sengen Grand Shrine)

At Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha in Fujinomiya City, many traditional festivals have been passed down through the ages. The “Fujisan Omiya no Shinji-cho” from 1577 lists 65 different festivals, and the main ones are still observed today. The Otaue Matsuri (Rice Planting Festival) is a celebration expressing gratitude for the spring water gushing from Mount Fuji and praying for a bountiful harvest of grains. The festival features the ancient and graceful Otaue Shinji ritual and the planting dance performed by young female rice planters.

Izu City “Wasabi Fields”

The Amagi mountain range in Izu City is one of Japan’s most precipitous areas, with annual rainfall between 3,000 and 4,000 millimeters. This abundant rainfall feeds the springs that nurture Izu’s water wasabi. The beautiful landscape of the tatami-ishi style wasabi fields in this region, its rich ecosystem, and the skillful cultivation techniques have been recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System under the title “Traditional Cultivation of Shizuoka Water Wasabi.” This area boasts the largest cultivation area for water wasabi in Japan, with a history of over 250 years in wasabi farming. Please adhere to the rules when visiting the wasabi fields.

Inokashira, the Village of Spring Water: A Healing Experience for the Five Senses

Inokashira, the Village of Spring Water, is blessed with an abundance of springs brought forth by the sacred Mount Fuji and 1,000 hectares of forests, serving as the source of distinctive industries such as trout farming, which boasts top-class quality nationwide. Leveraging these rich natural resources and abundant food ingredients, the area has actively welcomed foreign visitors to Japan and residents using vacant houses. As part of its regional branding, the slogan “Healing with the Five Senses in Inokashira” has been adopted, focusing on promoting the rural lifestyle with Mount Fuji as a backdrop, the springs, and the hospitality of local cuisine.

Izu Peninsula Geopark Museum “Geo-ria”

Twenty million years ago, the Izu Peninsula was an active submarine volcano at the bottom of the distant southern sea. Riding on the Philippine Sea Plate, it collided with Honshu about one million years ago, and subsequent volcanic activity formed several land volcanoes, including Mount Amagi and Daruma Mountain. The volcanic activity that created the land of Izu and the movement of the plate that transported this land from the south have brought various blessings to the peninsula, not only in the form of beautiful landscapes but also in the form of spring water, hot springs, rich fishing grounds, fertile soil, and the agricultural, forestry, and fishery products produced there. “Geo-ria” is here to help you interpret and enjoy the Izu Peninsula even more.

Tsuyama Castle(Kakuzan Park)

Embraced by a thousand cherry blossom trees, this is Okayama’s premier cherry blossom viewing spot. A symbol of Tsuyama City, selected as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Castles” and “Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.” The castle was built in 1616 by Tadamasa Mori, the younger brother of Ranmaru Mori, who was killed in the Honnoji Incident. Although all the buildings were demolished under the Meiji government’s castle abolition order, the Bitchu Yagura turret was restored in 2005 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the castle’s construction. The turret, along with the impressive stone walls that stand about 45 meters high, has become a new popular spot. The castle is also known as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in the prefecture, with about 1,000 cherry trees in full bloom creating a spectacular view. The illuminated cherry blossoms viewed from atop the stone walls are also a magnificent sight.

Josai Romance Hall（Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings）

The townscape of the Josai district is woven together with temple and shrine architecture, traditional townhouses, and modern buildings. The building, constructed in 1917 (Taisho 6), is a two-story wooden structure featuring a dome at the front, with intricate decorations on the roof and windows. Each room has a fireplace made of different types of marble, and the building is registered as a cultural property by the national government. The café on the first floor is a lovely space, with walls made of traditional plaster and a high ceiling. Here, you can enjoy “Yōan Coffee,” named after Udagawa Yōan, a Western scholar from Tsuyama who is credited with coining the kanji characters for “coffee.” The townscape of the Josai district, which is a blend of temple and shrine architecture, traditional townhouses, and modern buildings, was selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 2020.

Shuraku-en Garden（Former Tsuyama Domain Villa Garden）

A daimyo (feudal lord) garden where you can enjoy the natural beauty of each season. This strolling garden was created by the second feudal lord of Tsuyama Domain, Mori Nagatsugu, who invited a landscape gardener from Kyoto. It was designed to resemble the Sentō Imperial Palace located within the Kyoto Imperial Garden. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of each season, including cherry blossoms in spring, water lilies in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy landscapes in winter. The garden is now open to the public for free and is visited by many people. In September 2002, it was designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government under the name “Former Tsuyama Domain Villa Garden (Shurakuen).”

(日本語) 「SAVOR JAPAN」映像が 日本航空国際線で配信開始！

Let’s ride around the seaside town on an electric kick scooter!

Join a guided electric kick scooter tour! Starting from the Michi-no-Eki in Abashiri, pedal towards the Ryuhyo Glass Museum, and head to Abashiri Port! Visit the Popo 260 breakwater where you can overlook the Clione Lighthouse and Abashiri Port! From there, you can ride around while looking at the port compliant with European HACCP standards, observe fishermen unloading salmon and scallops, and see the columnar joints of Ponmoi! Take a commemorative photo at the landing site of the Tondenhei in Abashiri. This is a convenient course that takes you around the port town.