Stories

Help us develop new unique tours mainly for Europeans, North Americans and Australians & New Zealanders in Yatsugatake

Warmest greetings from Japan! Heartland Japan is a travel company and travel consultancy, devoted to bringing Japan’s lesser known secrets and hidden rural treasures to a global audience. We kindly request your participation in this questionnaire. This is a Japanese governmental project, initiated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT); to develop...

Heartland Japan July 14, 2021

Three Prefectures facing the Seto Inland Sea, offer precious experiences for you

The Seto Inland Sea is a body of calm water that lies between the Japanese main islands of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, stretching for 490 kilometers from Osaka to Kitakyushu. The Seto Inland Sea includes about 3000 islands – many of which are inhabited – blessed by a mild climate and a relaxed atmosphere, often...

Heartland Japan June 23, 2021

A Quick & Quirky History of the Nakasendo: A Deep Dive into the History of Nakatsugawa

Here at Heartland Japan, we pride ourselves on going that little bit deeper than everyone else. This time we hone our focus on some of the quirkier histories of Nakatsugawa, home to several post towns of the Nakasendo. In particular, we will look into the Naegi Castle Ruins and local kabuki theatre, known as jikabuki....

Heartland Japan April 2, 2021

Discover Owari Samurai & Timber

Samurai! Many places throughout Japan claim to have a strong samurai history, but looking at the history of the Owari domain (present day Aichi) and nearby Kiso Valley which they controlled, one can truly feel why this area was such a pivotal location throughout Japanese history, and thus, a place that bred strong samurai. First...

Heartland Japan March 16, 2021

6 Secrets of the Nakasendo – Hike from Nakatsugawa to Magome and Experience the Path Less Beaten

In southeast Gifu prefecture, the city of Nakatsugawa is a historical gem on the Nakasendo road. Too many travelers pass through without realizing what they are missing. Here are 6 little known reasons to hike from Nakatsugawa to Magome on the Nakasendo road. This hike passes through three old post towns. You can see rice...

Heartland Japan February 25, 2021

A Look Back at 2020 and Projects We’ve Been Doing

As we all welcome in the new year, the whole tourism industry looks forward to a safe recovery after the tumultuous year that was 2020. While there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel for the pandemic situation, it is still unclear how and when travel will return to normal. No...

Heartland Japan January 21, 2021

Three Great Ways To Explore Rural Japan

Watching stunning rural scenery fly past your window as you cut through the Japanese countryside on a train or in a car may be enjoyable, but here at Heartland Japan we strongly believe that there’s no better way to witness your surroundings than by fully immersing yourself in them. That’s why our package and custom...

Heartland Japan November 19, 2020

Japan’s Seasons

It’s often said that Japan is particularly noteworthy for its distinct and varied four seasons, each bringing a stark change in not only temperature and weather, but also in seasonal produce, flora and traditions as well. For this reason, the season during which you travel to Japan can have a considerable influence on what sort...

Heartland Japan October 6, 2020

Omotenashi – the Japanese concept for Hospitality, or something different?

Japanese people are very proud of many things that come from their country, and the concept of ‘omotenashi’ – identified as ‘hospitality – is most certainly one of them. While ‘omotenashi’ may translate best as ‘hospitality’, its true meaning is far deeper and more detailed. Omotenashi is a way of life in Japan, focussed on...

Heartland Japan September 18, 2020

Unexpected Items You Should Carry In Japan

Some holidays are easy to pack for. Two weeks of sun, sea and sand requires sun cream, sunglasses and a swimsuit. A winter break to a ski resort calls for gloves, thermal layers and waterproof clothing. A trip to Japan, however, can be a little bit difficult preparation-wise. Your clothing choices will need to consider...

Heartland Japan August 17, 2020

Matcha Green Tea

Have you heard of matcha? From cosmetics to frappuccinos and everything in between, the health benefits of Japan’s iconic green tea has helped it to become a firm favourite across the world. While matcha may be a new concept to you, the rich-green powder made from ground tea leaves has actually been popular in Japan...

Heartland Japan August 4, 2020

Tattoos – Why can’t they become “just fashion” in Japan

From tribal designs and ancient runes to meaningful lyrics and memorable dates, chances are high that either you or someone close to you has at least one tattoo. These special, personal artistic adornments are incredibly popular in the West and have become increasingly common in modern years, yet there are still many countries and groups...

Heartland Japan

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