Aug 18, 2024

Most underrated prefecture?

Piggybacking off ToneToEdo's question yesterday about tourism in our own corners of Japan, I wanted to get everyone's thoughts if you've done a bit of traveling during your time here. What prefecture would you say is the most underrated? It's hard for me to pick just one, but I really love the San'in Region (Shimane/Tottori) and feel that there are so many great gems there to enjoy. I'm also a big fan of our neighbor Gunma, which often gets overlooked but has some quality places to explore, especially for nature lovers.

0 5

genkidesu

Love to travel, interested in J-beauty products and consider myself a convenience store snack aficionado. Navigating the ever-present challenges of expat life, particularly about my TCK's (third culture kids).

5 Answers

Best Answer

TonetoEdo

on Aug 19

Thanks for starting this Q&A! I'd say an underrated prefecture is Tochigi outside of the big tourist draw, Nikko. This summer, I visited Ashikaga City and because it was so hot, I took it slow, only seeing the historic town center. I intend to go back when it's cooler to explore a bit more - Ashikaga Flower Park, some temples, and neighboring Sano for the regional ramen and "Koedo" atmosphere. Last summer I made a solo day trip to Tochigi City and brought a friend from abroad in autumn. We were enthralled by the kura storehouses, festival float museum, river boats (with singing boatmen!), and independent coffee shops and eateries. I've blogged and written reviews about both lovely places.

1

TonetoEdo

on Aug 24

Can I add one more neglected beauty? Ibaraki Prefecture is routinely the underdog when it comes to liveability and tourism. But I adore Ibaraki for the people and natural beauty. One of my favorite spots is Tsuchirura for the remains of the castle site and affability of the local people.

1
genkidesu

on Aug 24

@TonetoEdo I'm a big fan of Ibaraki! It always appears at (or close to) the bottom of most visited prefecture lists, but I can never really understand why. Tochigi I admittedly need to explore more of, I think you're right that the focus goes to Nikko and a lot of the rest gets missed!

0
TonetoEdo

on Aug 26

@genkidesu Anecdotes from Japanese people, including Ibaraki natives, and foreign residents suggest the car-dependent environment, low density of attractions, and on the coast, the typhoon and tsunami risks push Ibaraki down the list. The places of interest take a lot of time to get to and train connections are awkward. A head-scratcher is why the Joban line doesn't have a spur to Tsukuba City 10 km away. There's a bus that takes about 30 minutes.

0
BigfamJapan

on Aug 26

I agree with the places already mentioned - particularly Gunma, Ibaraki and Tochigi. I'll also add Fukushima to the mix. I had been to Fukushima many years ago, but it was only last year when I revisited it that I realized just how underrated it is.

0

Awaiting More Answers

3 Answers

Which pronoun do you use in Japanese to refer to yourself?

Are you 私 either watashi or atashi? Or are you 僕 or 内? Do you vary depending on who you're interacting with?

TonetoEdo

on May 22

7 Answers

Pubs yay or nay?

Have you had great experiences at approximation of "your local"? Found a gem of a British or Irish pub that bridges cultures?

TonetoEdo

on May 20

2 Answers

Taking the bitterness out of Goya?

Today is "Goya Day" and as I wrote in my post about it, my MIL is growing some this year so no doubt we'll be given some to cook. I am not a big fan, because I find it unpleasantly bitter. So, following in the same vein as tonetoedo's mentaiko / karako question - what way do you serve goya? Have you any tips for taking the bitterness out of it?

BigfamJapan

on May 8

5 Answers

Your 2026 food omiyage / souvenir picks?

I know this question has probably been asked several times in the past, but it is also the kind of question to which the answer changes frequently! So, I am curious - what are your top food souvenir picks for 2026? I am going home again soon, and I want to get food omiyage for several people, including the school where my son is about to finish a one-year exchange. I would love to hear your thoughts on the BEST Japanese food omiyage around this year! And / or the food omiyage you buy each and every time you are going home because it's always a big hit? I just had the photo in this post to hand, and it is not a recommendation per se, it's not bad and fits well into a suitcase, but it's not the best strawberry daifuku I ever had.

BigfamJapan

on Apr 24

5 Answers

What's your favorite 'kushiyaki'?

Just for fun; what type of skewered food do you like best in Japan? Or, if you feel like sharing, what are your top 3?

BigfamJapan

on Apr 11

2 Answers

Movie locations near you worth visiting?

The live action version of テルマエ・ロマエ Thermae Romae (2012) was shot at Nokogiriyama, Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture. It's one of my favourite getaways for hiking, the temple complex, and catching sea breezes. The movie is hilarious and heartwarming. Which Japanese live-action movies do you recommend, and are the filming locations worth a visit? Tell us the original title, English title, the year, and the location.

TonetoEdo

on Mar 23

4 Answers

Recent vending machine discoveries?

I always get a little kick out of finding a vending machine that dispenses something other than drinks or ice-cream. I have been seeing an increase in vending machines that sell religious items lately. I also like finding vending machines with unusual or attractive wrapping. Have you come across any unusual vending machines lately? Either vending machines that sell something other than the norm or a vending machine with eye-catching wrapping?

BigfamJapan

on Mar 21

5 Answers

What are our consumer rights in Japan?

Do you know your consumer rights in Japan? And if so, would you be willing to share anything about them? For example, what is the policy on returns? I am very familiar with my consumer rights in my home country, and they are very widely publicized back home, but information doesn't seem to be as transparent or readily available here. Or is that just me?

BigfamJapan

on Mar 15

18 Answers

What do you most associate with Ehime Prefecture?

Today, February 20th, is Ehime Prefecture Day. What do you most associate with Ehime Prefecture, what is the very first thing that comes to mind when I say "Ehime Prefecture"!?

BigfamJapan

on Feb 20

8 Answers

Do you have a favorite mascot?

The other day, on "Strawberry Day" I wrote about "Yoshimin", the strawberry mascot of Yoshimi. I thought it might be fun to introduce a few others, so I've just written about "Tokimo" the mascot of Kawagoe. And I plan to introduce a couple of my favorites. It begs the question, do you have a favorite mascot? And how about writing a post on City-cost about your favorite or a local mascot? Pictured "Umerin" who I plan to write about next!

BigfamJapan

on Jan 17

7 Answers

Growing Mushrooms

Here's for a weird hobby. I just saw a video by an American Youtuber that I plan to watch about growing shiitake mushrooms. From what I've seen, it probably needs a bit of space. There was a local market in Fukuoka Prefecture that had a "mushroom room" where they grew and sold mushrooms like maitake and eringi. I also saw a video of a couple in Paris that built a mushroom growing shower room! The local hardware store sells "seeded" logs and shiitake mushroom growing kits. I have seen the logs around people's homes on occasion. It seems like a very odd, but sustainable hobby. Has anyone tried it, or is anyone interested to try this? I wonder how involved or beginner friendly it is.

helloalissa

on Dec 29

6 Answers

Hair Color Treatments for Greying Hair

For those of you who have colored grey hair, I'm curious about the hair color treatments available in most drugstores. They seem simpler to use than box dyes. It's been many years since I've colored my hair. It's a chestnut brown and my grey is more silver. I don't hate it but the grey is dry and making me feel like I look older than I am. I'm especially interested in the natural brands that are non-permanent. For example Rishiri Kombu sounds like a decent option. Looking forward to your recommendations and experience.

helloalissa

on Aug 3

Most underrated prefecture?

5 Answers

Best Answer

Awaiting More Answers

Share Your Experience