Naoshima Island

Home Naoshima Island Naoshima Island: Japan’s Dreamlike Art Island for First-Time Visitors Off the coast of Okayama, floating in the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea, Naoshima Island has quietly become one of Japan’s most inspiring destinations. Once a sleepy fishing community, it is now world famous as an “art island” where cutting-edge contemporary art, bold architecture and traditional village life blend into a single, walkable landscape. For first-time travelers to Japan, Naoshima offers something rarely found in the big cities: time and space to slow down, wander, and experience art at your own pace with the sea as a constant backdrop. This guide explains what Naoshima is, how to get there, where to stay, and how to make the most of a one- or two-day visit. Why Naoshima Belongs on Your Japan Itinerary Naoshima is part open-air museum, part quiet island retreat. The highlight is the collection of museums and installations created in collaboration with celebrated architects and a

Kotohira-gu Shrine

Home Kotohira-gu Shrine Kotohira-gu Shrine: A First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Japan’s Legendary Stairway Shrine Perched on the forested slopes of Mount Zozu in Kagawa Prefecture, Kotohira-gu Shrine is one of Shikoku’s most beloved spiritual sites. Known affectionately as “Konpira-san,” this hilltop shrine rewards determined visitors with sweeping views, elegant shrine buildings and a deep connection to Japan’s maritime history. For international travelers, especially first-time visitors to Japan, Kotohira-gu offers a powerful mix of culture, nature and local town charm. This guide explains how to visit, what to expect from the famous 1,368 steps, and how to make the most of your day in this historic pilgrimage town. Why Visit Kotohira-gu Shrine? Kotohira-gu is dedicated to a deity associated with seafaring, safe voyages and prosperous business. For centuries, sailors, merchants and ordinary people have climbed its long stone stairway to pray for protection and good fortune. For modern t

Sanuki Udon Tour

Home Sanuki Udon Tour Sanuki Udon Tour: A First-Timer’s Noodle Pilgrimage in Japan If you love noodles, a Sanuki Udon Tour in Kagawa Prefecture belongs at the top of your Japan itinerary. On the northeastern corner of Shikoku Island, Kagawa is small in size but huge in culinary influence: this is the undisputed homeland of Sanuki udon, Japan’s most beloved chewy wheat noodles. Locals eat them for breakfast, lunch, quick snacks, and late-night comfort food, and visiting bowl after bowl is an unforgettable – and very affordable – way to experience everyday Japanese life. What Is Sanuki Udon? Udon are thick wheat noodles eaten all over Japan, but Sanuki udon from Kagawa are famous for their firm, elastic bite, known in Japanese as koshi. The name “Sanuki” comes from Kagawa’s old provincial name, a reminder that this style has deep roots. The noodles are made from high-protein wheat flour, salt, and water, then kneaded, rolled, and cut into thick strands before a brief boil and cold-water

Ritsurin Garden

Home Ritsurin Garden Ritsurin Garden: A Perfect Day Trip to Old Japan in Takamatsu Hidden on the island of Shikoku, far from Tokyo’s neon glow, Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu is one of Japan’s most enchanting traditional gardens. Designed over centuries for feudal lords, it is a place where every stone, tree, and reflection in the water has been carefully composed. For first-time visitors to Japan who want to step into a calmer, older world, Ritsurin is an unforgettable day out. Why Ritsurin Garden Belongs on Your Japan Itinerary Japan officially recognizes three “great gardens” (Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, Korakuen in Okayama, and Kairakuen in Mito), but many garden lovers quietly add a fourth name to that list: Ritsurin. Spread over more than 75 hectares with six ponds and thirteen man-made hills, this is one of the largest and most refined daimyo (feudal lord) gardens in the country. Ritsurin Garden offers: A classic Japanese landscape of ponds, pines, and miniature “borrowed scenery” of