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May 5, 2024

What are the must-sees in your prefecture (beyond the big three)?

Sustainable tourism is a hot topic that some City Cost members have covered in their blogs. For those correspondents outside the Big Three - Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka - what do you recommend visitors must see in your prefecture? My home base is Chiba Prefecture. I highly recommend visitors check out Narita Omotesando to connect with Edo's past and visit Shinshoji to get a sense of the history of Japan. The adjacent city, Sakura, is another I recommend for the National History Museum and Edo to Taisho era streetscapes.

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TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

Living between the Tone and Edo Rivers in Higashi Katsushika area of Chiba Prefecture.

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on May 5

    Niigata has a growing reputation for its skiing, which is nice as I think other places like Niseko in Hokkaido get quite swamped with international visitors during snow season. We have lots of resorts that aren't anywhere near as crowded, which makes for a much nicer overall experience in my opinion! One thing I would highly recommend visiting Niigata for is the Echigo Tsumari Art Triennale. This year it's set to run from July 13 until November 10, and there are so many world class art displays to check out. If you come in the summertime, we also have one of Japan's best fireworks events (the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival). I think the nature is probably the best part of Niigata, and because it isn't crowded it makes it even more appealing.

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on May 6

    @IndayPerry This reads like AI and various plagiarism detectors flagged it. It doesn't even mention where the place is...

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  • IndayPerry

    IndayPerry

    on May 6

    As I searched for the nearest park in my area, I came across Ozekiyama Park in Miyoshi, Hiroshima City on Google Maps. Curious about what it had to offer, I suggested to my friends that we visit after work since it is close to our place . Before heading to the park, we stopped by a convenience store to pick up some food. Navigating there was straightforward, thanks to the clear roads and accurate directions on the map. Upon ascending the stairs, we were greeted by the breathtaking beauty of nature. The panoramic view of Miyoshi City from the top left me in awe, surrounded by beautiful trees and impeccably clean surroundings. Visiting the park for the first time in my area left me thoroughly impressed by the splendor of nature. Absolutely, Ozekiyama Park is definitely worth a visit and is considered a must-see destination in Miyoshi City. Its stunning views, serene atmosphere, and opportunities for outdoor activities make it a delightful place to spend time with friends and family. Whether you're enjoying cherry blossoms in spring or taking in the scenic beauty throughout the year, it's an experience you won't want to miss in Miyoshi City.

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on May 12

    @TonetoEdo Check the recent Chocopie review they wrote, and it actually has "ChatGPT 3.5 User Long review about No negative feature of Choco pie" copied and pasted into the text...

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on May 12

    @IndayPerry Did you edit your text since I first saw it? Is my memory faulty?! I can't recall reading the name of the city in your initial comment...

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on May 12

    @genkidesu Woah. I noticed a lot of the new posts and reviews are overly long, lack personal anecdotes and a general feel of authenticity. Good on you for spotting the telltale Chat GPT footnote that the person carelessly missed.

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  • helloalissa

    helloalissa

    on May 24

    I'm in Osaka now, but I've lived in Ibaraki Prefecture and Fukuoka Prefecture. I recommend Koga Park especially for the Momo Matsuri in Koga, Ibaraki. In Fukuoka, Yanagawa for the Hina Matsuri Season was great, and there is an article about it here. I also recommend checking out Kobe and Nara instead of Kyoto and Osaka, by the way!

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on May 25

    @helloalissa I'm next door to Ibaraki Prefecture and visit sometimes. Koga Kubo Park is lovely in autumn, too. I wrote some reviews after visiting Koga City. This year, I'll go again. Watarase Yusuichi, the wide wetland near Koga, looks like a good cycling route.

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  • helloalissa

    helloalissa

    on Jul 20

    @TonetoEdo I have been around the "south block" of that heart shaped Yusuichi near ShinKoga Station - it was really big! If you use the free bike rentals near JR Koga Station it would be possible to ride over while visiting. I saw your Tenkoku Museum review - I used to live near there and attended a workshop to carve a seal. When I told a tenkoku teacher here in Osaka he just about fainted in jealousy. It was really cool but I had no idea it was such an important and historical place at the time.

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2026 songs that turn you on or off?

What Japanese pop, alternative, or novelty songs did you turn up or turn off so far this year? I'm a fan of 打首獄門同好会 - Uchikubi Gokumon Dokokai. The name, loosely translated, is Severed Heads at the Prison Gate. They came out with a novelty song earlier this year, in anticipation of their US tour, "I Wish I Could Speak English", hard rock with AI lyrics. A chill song I like is ブルーアワー "Blue Hour". The song comes from the project adieu headlining Kamishiraishi Moka. How about you? What Japanese songs or musical projects appeal to you in 2026?

TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

on Sep 5

8 Answers

"How To" Posts for the pick-up

City-cost are great for taking our recommendations on board. Now that the first thing you see when you click is on to the blog section is "popular" posts, maybe next we can get the "How To" section refreshed! Its been stuck with the same old "How To" posts for more than two years now. Have you any "How To" posts that you would like to see highlighted in that section? Or have you written any "How To" posts recently? I am dreadful for remembering so while I think of it, my most recent post is "How to Turn Your Home Toilet Into an Emergency Toilet" https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/GbeN9-living_saitama

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Sep 1

7 Answers

Favorite Japanese artists, past or present

With Yayoi Kusama's passing being covered in the media today, I wanted to know about your favorite Japanese artists, past or present. Obviously Kusama is one of mine, but I always like hearing about other artists that I haven't been introduced to before.

genkidesu

genkidesu

on Aug 27

10 Answers

What do you most associate with Shizuoka?

Today, is also Shizuoka Citizen's Day, so - the same as Fukushima - what first comes to mind / do you most associate with Shizuoka Prefecture?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

10 Answers

Car Essentials for a Road Trip?

I feel like this may have been asked before, but I can't find it through a search. Or maybe I thought of asking it and never did! Either way, tell us what things you like to have in your car when you are going on a road trip?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

4 Answers

What do you MOST associate with Fukushima Prefecture?

Given that today is Fukushima Prefecture Citizen's Day; what is the FIRST thing that comes to mind when you hear Fukushima? And / or what do you most associate with the prefecture?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

3 Answers

Throwback Thursday - Sustainability blogs

@Genkidesu posted about the desire for simpler packaging this week. This reminded me of our blog theme about sustainability back in 2022. A little sleuthing turned up the main link: https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/search/tag/SustainableLife Have you kept up your good habits? In the last few years, what have you observed about how you use resources or reduced waste? Me? The photo is a takeout bento box I will reuse for lunch!

TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

on Aug 20

5 Answers

Summer Festival Changes - Yay or Nay?

Earlier I wrote about how my neighborhood's "summer" festival has been moved to autumn. I also wrote a separate post about a summer festival in Kasukabe that has been moved indoors. I know there is a bittersweetness about these changes, but some would argue that something needs to change in the face of rising temperatures. So, I am curious, what would you vote for: 1) Leaving Summer Festivals exactly as they are - same date, same set up etc. 2) Shifting the time of day the festival is on, say for example, from afternoon until after dark 3) Moving the festival from summer to another season or at least to earlier in summer, such as June 4) Moving summer festivals indoors - not really possible for the larger festivals especially those with large floats etc. but maybe they could shift some elements indoors

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 3

10 Answers

Favorite Noodles

Chilled noodles because it's summer, hot noodles are also accepted. Is it somen or chukasoba or zarusoba? Reimyun or pasta salad? Chanpon or udon or ramen? Pad Thai or Pho?! This year I made somen for the first time! I'm a soba fan. I used to love ramen and tsukemen but for some reason I'm not as into the rich and oily noodles anymore.

helloalissa

helloalissa

on Jul 30

11 Answers

What are the pros and cons of Japanese Citizenship for you?

Most of the people I know here are foreign residents, have foreign family members, or have foreign coworkers, friends or employees. A handful of those have become Japanese citizens. We've been chatting about things like ethnic identity and Japanese citizenship. I don't plan to become a citizen, but it made me wonder, what are the pros and cons for changing your citizenship? Is it something you've given any thought to? (What might make you consider it?)

helloalissa

helloalissa

on Jul 30

5 Answers

Which movie will you see this summer?

I am not a movie-goer at all, but every year I bring the kids to see a film (and they often go with their friends too) during the summer holidays. There seems to be a good choice this year, including Toy Story 5, the Chiikawa movie, the real live action adaption of Moana and the usual annual Crayon Shinchan movie among others. Which movie are you planning to see this summer? Or have you already been to see one (or more)? If so, which one?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Jul 30

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

TonetoEdo

on Mar 23