IWATE
Masanori Aoyagi on Japan's World Heritage
World Heritage Temples & Shrines
When the sites of Japan’s Meiji industrial revolution were added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, Highlighting Japan spoke with then-Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Masanori Aoyagi about the significance of World Heritage Sites in Japan.
Top Places to Visit in Each Prefecture (Pt. 1)
The folks over at RocketNews24 have compiled a bucket list for the top places to visit in each prefecture—and we have to say these pictures have us already packing our bags!
Super Cheap Japan's Top Fall Spots in Tohoku
Places in Tohoku can be quite spread out, so if you're traveling through a number of spots in the area, a train pass or bus pass is your best bet.
The True 'Deep' North: Caving in Tohoku
Big, small, weird, wonderful, and beautiful! Welcome to the world of caving in Tohoku!
6 Must-Try Local Specialties in Tohoku
To learn the heart of a region, you gotta eat like a local! Here are six ways to make sure you eat right in Tohoku.
Hiraizumi: Pure Land Heritage
Located in Iwate Prefecture, Hiraizumi was the administrative center of northeastern Japan in the 12th century, said to have rivaled the splendor of Kyoto at its peak.
The 10 Best Spring Spots in Tohoku
Cherry Blossoms Spring in Tohoku
With some of the best nature and scenery in all of Japan, spring is particularly spectacular in Tohoku, with a magnitude of cherry blossom viewing spots that typically bloom a few weeks later than Tokyo and Kyoto.
Japan's Fertility Festivals: The Hard Facts
Japan is a festive nation, home to countless different festivals. However, some of them, while safe to visit, aren't exactly safe for work!
Full List—Japan's Intangible Cultural Heritage
Beyond its 20 spectacular World Cultural Heritage Sites, Japan has 21 traditions recognized by UNESCO as elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
4 Cool Things You Probably Missed on SnowJapan
As with any big site, there are many great parts of SnowJapan that get overlooked, even by frequent users. Here are four things you probably didn't know you could do!
Top 5 Multiple-Hot-Spring Hotels
Sometimes one 'onsen' just isn't enough—which is why these places have numerous hot spring baths to soak in!
The 11 Best Things to See in Golden Week
Golden Week is the biggest holiday of the year in Japan, and these 11 spots and events each offer something unique that can only be experienced at this time of year. You don't want to miss them!
6 Sublime Views in Tohoku
The northeast region of Honshu, Tohoku, is a destination for all seasons. If you're looking to see nature at its finest, head north!
Samurai Signs Teach Bathing Etiquette & More
Trying to navigate your way through the myriad rules in Japan? These signs are hilariously informative!
Explore the Mysteries of Tohoku
If the heavy winter snow or rugged mountains didn’t keep you away, the stories of roaming bandits and forest monsters would! But nowadays people come to Tohoku to explore folklore, sacred rituals and natural wonders thousands of years in the making.
Different Types of Soba Around Japan
Soba Beyond Sushi: Best Eats & Treats in Japan
Do you know that there are places across Japan with local ways to enjoy soba? Let's go on a tour together to check out several delicious kinds of unique soba!
Discover the Beauty of Tohoku
Japan's northeastern Tohoku region offers the comforts of refreshing nature, beautiful scenery and time-tested traditions—concentrating the best of Japan into a single incredible area!
Japan's 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
World Heritage Temples & Shrines
Every traveler to Japan should be sure to visit at least a few of the nation's stellar World Heritage Sites, ranging from 1,000-year-old temples and shrines to breathtaking natural biospheres.
The 6 Greatest Snowscapes in Tohoku
Tohoku is an incredible area to experience the harshness and beauty of nature—particularly in the winter!
Jodogahama: A View Withstanding the Tides
In my early 20s, I decided to use my summer holiday to travel the coast of Iwate on my own. I bought the JR Seishun 18 Ticket, which meant I had free range of almost all the JR stations in Japan—and I chose Miyako as my first stop.
