Selected places by the foreign media
The foreign media have selected recommended sightseeing spots in the world every year.
Some places in Japan have sometimes been introduced.
Tokyo and Kyoto have been well-known, so many tourists visit there every year.
Recently, a little unknown local cities and places are selected by the media.
The people in the places were surprised and very welcoming.
The result may be researched by the wtiters.
But, that may lead to overtourism in the spots.
Please, visit not only introduced spots but also the other various spots in Japan.
"Places to go" in Japan by the New York Times
2015
Shikoku island
Pilgrims of Shikoku 88 temples
Shikoku island is one of the main islands of Japan, and is located near Honshu and Kyushu islands in the western Japan.
The New York Times selected this place in Japan exceptionally for the first time.
They focused on the "Shikoku 88 temples pilgrimage".
The pilgrimage is to visit and worship the 88 temples in Shikoku related to the high priest in the 9th century.
The length of the route is about 1,400 km, and over 200,000 people make a pilgrimage every year.
The writer is also introduced the traditonal Dogo Onsen resort in Matsuyama city.
2019
The islands in Seto Inland Sea
Shimanami Kaido
Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内海) is between the western part of Honshu island and Shikoku island.
In Japanese, it is called "Seto-Naikai" and is also called "Setouchi" shortly.
The width of the sea is not so wide, so it is like a strait.
But, there are many islands in the whole area.
The calm nature is seen in the area and there is a few unique islands.
On the Hoshu island side, Okayama and Hiroshima Prefectures faces the sea.
On the Shikoku island side, Kagawa and Ehime Prefectures faces the sea.
There are various sightseeing islands and towns around Setouchi.
Especially, the following places have been introduced.
2023
Morioka city
Mt.Iwate & Kitakami River in Morioka city
Photo by Iwate Prefecture
Morioka (盛岡) is the central city of Iwate Prefecture in the northern part of Honshu island.
It is a castle town, and the ruin of the castle is the city park.
Kitakami River flows through the center of the city, and beautiful Mount Iwate is seen from the city.
The writer said that the city was walkable without the crowd like Tokyo.
And, he introduced the historical buildings and the cafes in the city.
Fukuoka city
Yatai in Fukuoka city
© Fukuoka City
Fukuoka (福岡) is the central city in Kyushu island and the population is over 1.6 million.
The central area is similar to the other big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, etc.
The writer focused on "Yatai" in Nakasu district in Fukuoka city.
Yatai is a food stall, and about 100 Yatais are opened on the street by the river every evening.
Popular Japanese foods such as Ramen, Yakitori (Grilled chicken), Oden are eaten, and there are also unique Yatais serving French menu, coffee, etc.
The writer said that such place was not seen in any other city in Japan.
2024
Yamaguchi city
Rurikoji in Yamaguchi city
Yamaguchi Prefecture is at the western end of Honshu island, and Yamaguchi city (山口) is the capital of the prefecture.
The city is located in a narrow basin and the size of the city is small.
A great civil war occured in Kyoto in the 15th century, so this town received many people of culture who escaped from Kyoto.
The culture in Kyoto prospered in this city, and Yamaguchi was called "Western Kyoto".
The writer introduced Rurikoji temple which is the national treasure, Yuda onsen in the city, etc.
2025
Toyama city
Toyama city & Tateyama Mountain Range
Toyama city (富山) is in the center of the Japan Sea side of Honshu island.
The city is around the foot of beautiful Tatyama Mountain Range, and faces deep Toyama Bay.
It is the prefectural capital of Toyama Prefecture.
The writer said that it was a compact and walkable city.
The cultural facilities such as Toyama Glass Art Museum, Fugan Unga Kansui Park, etc. and the traditional festival "Owara Kaze no Bon" are introduced by the writer.
In addition, "glass shrimp" in Toyama Bay and "Black Ramen" are introduced as the unique food.
Osaka city
Dotonbori in Osaka
Osaka (大阪) is the largest city in western Japan, but the atmosphere of the city is different from Tokyo.
It is already popular place for foreign tourists.
It has already been selected as one of "Places to go" in 2017.
At that time, they focused on the unique food culture.
As the reason of recommendation in 2025, the writer introduced the new advanced commercial complex "GRAND GREEN OSAKA" near JR Osaka station.
He said it was creating new culture in Osaka.
And, "Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan" was held in this year.
2026
Nagasaki city
Nagasaki (長崎) is the city located in the northweatern part of Kyushu island.
The atomic bomb destroyed the entire city of Hiroshima in August 6, 1945.
Only three days after, the US military dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki city.
About 73,000 people were killed by the atomic bomb.
The number is half of the victims in Hiroshima.
The writer says that the central part of the city escaped the damage.
But, he speaks too roughly.
Nagasaki had been the only city accepted the culture of Europe and China in the samurai period.
So, it is a popular city with an exotic atmosphere.
But, you must never forget the fact that the atomic bomb exploded in Nagasaki.
Okinawa island
Shuri Castle before the fire
Between Kyushu Island and Taiwan, many small islands lie in an arc shape.
The central island is Okinawa island (沖縄).
Ryukyu Kingdom was governed in the islands from 1429.
Japan annexed it in the 1870s.
Shuri Castle in Naha city of the prefecrural capital of Okinawa was the central casle of the kingdom.
But, it is said that it was burnt down by a short circuit in 2019.
It is designated as the World Cultural Heritage.
The castle will be restored in autumn in 2026.
So, the writer recommended Okinawa as the place to go.
"Best Trip" in Japan by National Geographic
2020
Tohoku Region
Kitayamazaki in Sanriku Coast
Tohoku Region is the northern part of Honshu island and the area is wide.
The area stretches about 500 km from north to south.
It consists on six prefectures.
From Tokyo, the visitors can go to the main cities in Tohoku within a few hours by Shinkansen train.
The magazine recommended the nature such as primeval forest, gorges, crater lakes, the temples and shrines having a history of over 1,000 years, and the traditonal festivals in some cities.
2025
Kanazawa city
Higashi-Chaya district in Kanazawa
Kanazawa (金沢) is an old city located on the Sea of Japan side.
Kanazawa Castle was built in the late 16th century and the city developed greatly.
The gorgeous industries such as Kimono, craft works with gold leaf, etc. were promoted and the cultures like Kyoto developed.
The magazine says "Kyoto has become so overtouristed that city officials are closing certain streets in the historic Gion quarter. But you can still get a taste of authentic Japan in Kanazawa."
2026
Yamagata Prefecture
Frost-covered trees in Mount Zao
Photo by Yamagata Prefecture
Yamagata Prefecure is one of the prefectures in Tohoku Region recommended in 2020.
Yamagata city (山形) is the prefectural capital and the tourists can go to there within 3 hours by Shinkansen train from Tokyo.
The magazine says it is the quiet world which is different from Tokyo, and recommeded the sacred mountains, the quiet temples and shrines, the photogenic onsen resort, etc.