Japan by prefecture

Each prefecture in Japan has a profound sense of identity, far greater than the comparable allegiances that we have in the UK to our counties. At the very least, each prefecture in Japan will have a few foods for which it is, rightly or wrongly, famed, and many have unique dialects, sights and festivals that reinforce the connection of people and place.

This is my guide to each of Japan’s 47 prefectures. For each I give a short introduction, at least one famous attraction, one lesser known, “off the beaten track” attraction, a famous local product or thing, and a rating (entirely subjective) showing how worthwhile I think a visit is. The ratings are;

1 = Few sights, none of great significance, only worth a visit if passing through

2 = Few sights, but at least one worth making a detour for

3 = More sights, with at least one of significance

4 = Numerous sights, with one or more of significance

5 = Numerous sights, with one or more of great significance

Click on the links below the map to find out more

 

Japan’s 47 prefectures

Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli itinerary

Visiting the places which have inspired the films of Hayao Miyazaki is not just for fans of the great animator’s films, but for anyone who wants to visit some of the most stunning natural landscapes and interesting cities in Japan. This tour takes in the Ghibli Museum and Sayama Hills in Tokyo, the Totoro House in Nagoya, Tomonoura, Matsuyama, Kagoshima and finally the magical woodlands of Yakushima. The basic itinerary is 12 days, with suggested extra excursions that you can add on as you please, and assumes arrival and departure from Narita Airport in Tokyo.

Itinerary map

Welcome to Japanese Travel!

Helping you make the most of your Japanese holiday

Package holidays to Japan tend to tread a well-worn path from Tokyo through Kyoto to Hiroshima and back again. This website aims to help you get off the beaten track, to some fantastic parts of Japan that most visitors never get to see.

Take a hot spring bath in the shadow of a volcano in Kagoshima;

Sakurajima volcano across the city of Kagoshima