Tourism in Japan is booming, with visitor numbers approaching an unprecedented 40 million per year. Japan hosts more foreign visitors than Italy and nearly matches France and Spain. With a national population of 124 million people (as of 2025), foreign travelers now represent the equivalent of one-third of the country’s population. That’s one visitor for...
The Old Hida Kaido, running from Toyama Bay to Shinshu via the Hida area, was known as the “Buri Kaido” (Yellowtail Highway). Yellowtail, referred to as the “fish of the gods,” was transported by porters and oxen, and was eaten as an auspicious New Year’s Eve dish in the landlocked Shinshu region.
Shimane is known as one of Japan’s most spiritual destinations, and the prefecture is filled with unspoiled landscapes and rich historical sites. Located in the southwest of Japan’s main island of Honshu, it is especially appealing to travelers with an interest in sustainability and the preservation of culture. The city of Yasugi was once the...
We have been commissioned by Kiso Town’s Tourism Bureau to carry out the “2024 Old Hida Highway/Shiroyama Historical Forest Walking Route Information Dissemination Project,” and the first on-site survey was conducted over four days from Sunday 20th October to Wednesday 23rd. The aim of this project is to resolve the recent issue of overtourism on...
There is a rare gem hidden in the hills west of Hiroshima, an hour’s drive from the nearest fast food chain. This is Tsuwano, the “Little Kyoto” of the San’in area, a little town that was once the capital of a feudal lord’s domain, where their oldest traditions are still maintained with a passion...
Die wahre Art des Reisens für Japanexperten besteht darin, mehr als nur die Standardrouten nach Tokio, dem Mount Fuji, Kyoto und Hiroshima zu bereisen. Wenn Sie den berühmten Touristenzielen entkommen wollen und Japan so erleben möchten, wie es wirklich ist, empfehlen wir Ihnen einen Besuch in Hagi und Tsuwano, zwei Städte, die in der Nähe...
Die wahre Art des Reisens für Japanexperten besteht darin, mehr als nur die Standardrouten nach Tokio, dem Mount Fuji, Kyoto und Hiroshima zu bereisen. Wenn Sie den berühmten Touristenzielen entkommen wollen und Japan so erleben möchten, wie es wirklich ist, empfehlen wir Ihnen einen Besuch in Hagi und Tsuwano, zwei Städte, die in der Nähe...
The real Japan expert’s way of traveling is to go beyond the standard route of Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. If you want to escape from the famous tourist spots and experience Japan as it really is, we recommend visiting Hagi and Tsuwano, which are close to Hiroshima and can be reached in less...
The real Japan expert’s way of traveling is to go beyond the standard route of Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. If you want to escape from the famous tourist spots and experience Japan as it really is, we recommend visiting Hagi and Tsuwano, which are close to Hiroshima and can be reached in less...
Situated just a few hours from the bustling streets of Kyoto by rail lies the coastal city of Obama. Considerably quieter and smaller than its tourist-centric neighbour, Obama remains, for the most part, relatively undiscovered by visitors. Yet, what this city lacks in size it more than makes up for in history and charm. While...
Travelling to Japan for the first time can be daunting, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the local language or the country’s cultural norms. To help make your trip go as smoothly as possible, Heartland Japan has created a series of helpful guidebooks, covering a range of useful topics such as how to navigate around Tokyo’s...
