Feb. 17 06:00 am JST Feb. 25 | 06:46 am JST MATSUMOTO
Come with us on a journey back into history as we visit Matsumoto City in Nagano Prefecture. Matsumoto lies along the Mitsuboshi Kaidou, otherwise known as Three Star Road, which received three well-deserved stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
The Mitsuboshi Kaidou stretches from Kanazawa to Nanto, Shirakawa, Takayama and Matsumoto. Along the way are many World Heritage Sites and National Treasures, some of the best-preserved Edo-period districts, fun cultural attractions, an abundance of nature and community, hot springs and local food specialties.
Matsumoto is home to two of Japan s national treasures, Matsumoto Castle and the former Kaichi School building.The outskirts of the city are filled with a variety of scenic natural landscapes, allowing for trekking and hiking in areas like Kamikochi, one of Japan s most famous mountainous regions.
Matsumoto Castle: An irresistible air of composure and grace Feb. 16 07:01 am JST Feb. 16 | 07:01 am JST MATSUMOTO, Nagano
Matsumoto Castle (松本城, Matsumoto-jo) in Nagano Prefecture is one of the best-known of Japan’s historic castles, alongside Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture and Kumamoto Castle in Kyushu.
The castle is a National Treasure of Japan and is the oldest surviving six-story castle in the country, as well as one of the most complete.
Its imposing silhouette, combined with its characteristic black wainscoting, lend it an irresistible air of composure and grace.
Photo: George Lloyd
The castle has its origins in the Sengoku period, when Japan was wracked by a series of long-running wars. It started out in 1504 as a fort for the Ogasawara clan, but was seized by the Takeda clan in 1550. It later fell into the hands of Tokugawa Ieyasu, before being captured by the Matsumoto clan.
Nagano: Monkey business in the mountains Feb. 4 05:14 am JST Feb. 4 | 07:14 am JST NAGANO
Nagano hosted the Winter Olympics back in 1998, and the various ski resorts bear the hallmark of international public interest. The prefecture is equipped with a diverse range of accommodation, restaurants, and other facilities catering to foreign visitors while working hard to offer a distinct Japanese winter experience.
In the summer, Nagano provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Hiking, rafting, canyoning, and camping all come with a jaw-dropping backdrop.
Nagano is notable for its high-quality soba noodles, grown in the prefecture’s fertile highlands, and the less tasty
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Japan is well-known for its extensive and incredibly efficient transportation network. It is renowned for its quirky line-up of fun, and creative themed trains.
Here are the top three must-try train lines around Japan from a food lover’s dream on the Rail Kitchen Chikugo in Kyushu to gorgeous sightseeing along the Three Star Road to fine dining and sightseeing all in one of the Tohoku Emotion Train. These are something to look forward to when we can all travel again.
Rail Kitchen Chikugo, Kyushu
Food lovers visiting Fukuoka Prefecture should book their tickets for the Rail Kitchen Chikugo; a beautifully designed sightseeing train that celebrates both local cuisine and craftsmanship. Rail Kitchen Chikugo is effectively a mobile restaurant operated by the private railroad company Nishitetsu Railway, that runs along scenic rural routes on the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line and Daizafu Line. The train is named after the historic Chikugo Province that once covered the southern
When to view cherry blossoms: Flowering – 21 March; full bloom – 29 March
2. Fukuoka
When to view cherry blossoms: Flowering – 21 March; full bloom – 31 March
3. Hiroshima
When to view cherry blossoms: Flowering – 23 March; full bloom – 1 April
4. Okayama
When to view cherry blossoms: Flowering – 25 March; full bloom – 2 April
5. Nara
Where to view cherry blossoms: Nara Park, Nara Himuro-jinja Shrine, Wakakusa-yama, Koriyama-jo Castle Ruins, Further afield – Yoshino
When to view cherry blossoms: Flowering – 26 March; full bloom – 6 April
6. Kyoto
When to view cherry blossoms: Flowering – 27 March; full bloom – 4 April
7. Osaka
Where to view cherry blossoms: Expo ’70 Park, Kema Sakuranomiya Park, Osaka Castle, Osaka Mint Bureau, Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park