Famous things and places in Japan

We will introduce Japan’s world-class charm and characteristics, from famous spots, traditional culture, food, and technology from all over Japan.

August 30, 2021

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Hokkaido

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Hokkaido

〇 Potatoes じゃがいも
〇 Crab 毛ガニ
〇Sapporo Snow Festival (snow) サッポロ雪まつり
〇 Marine products 海産物
〇 Dairy products (milk, cheese, etc.) 乳製品（牛乳・チーズなど）
〇 Genghis Khan ジンギスカン
〇 Nature 大自然
〇 Corn トウモロコシ
〇 Shiroi Koibito 白い恋人
〇 It’s cold (cool even in summer) 寒い（夏でも涼しい）

Other famous things: From salmon, Sapporo ramen, melon, Asahiyama Zoo, Yo Oizumi, Susukino, lavender field, Sapporo Clock Tower, from the northern country

The production of potatoes, which represent Hokkaido, is of course the highest in Japan, and Hokkaido accounts for about 80% of the domestic production. The second place is “Crab”, the king of the taste of the sea. In Hokkaido, you can enjoy king crab, snow crab, horsehair crab, and Hanasaki crab all year round.

The winter tradition “Sapporo Snow Festival” is in 3rd place. The main venue, Odori Park, uses a large amount of snow for 6,000 5-ton trucks and is crowded with 2 million tourists. It is famous for its abundant “sea products” caught in the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Pacific Ocean that surround Hokkaido. In addition to crabs, Hokkaido is a treasure trove of marine products such as sea urchins, salmon roe and scallops. The fifth place was “dairy products” such as milk and cheese. Hokkaido has the highest milk production in Japan, and more than half of the dairy cows in Japan are bred in Hokkaido.

Aomori Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Aomori Prefecture

〇 Apples りんご
〇 Nebuta Festival ねぶた祭り
〇 Seikan Tunnel 青函トンネル
〇 Dialect (Tsugaru dialect) 方言（津軽弁）
〇 Tsugaru Strait 津軽海峡
〇Snow (heavy snowfall area) 雪（豪雪地帯）
〇 Tsugaru shamisen 津軽三味線
〇 Scallop ほたて
〇 Shirakami Mountains 白神山地
〇 Nambu sembei 南部煎餅

Other famous things: Osorezan, Lake Towada, Senbei soup

The first place in Aomori prefecture was the specialty “apple”. The production volume is the highest in Japan, and its domestic market share exceeds 50%. The second place is the Nebuta Festival, which has a history of 300 years. During the event, there are almost twice as many people as the total population of Aomori prefecture. The Seikan Tunnel, which connects Honshu and Hokkaido on the seabed, is a railway-only tunnel with a total length of approximately 53.9 km, and is the longest undersea tunnel in the world. The unique “dialect” that is often featured on TV has a stronger accent for older people, and changes to a language that is closer to the standard language for younger people. The “Tsugaru Strait” that stretches between Aomori Prefecture and Hokkaido has a “Seikan Tunnel” on the seabed.

Iwate Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Iwate Prefecture

〇 Wanko soba わんこそば
〇 Morioka cold noodles (cold noodles) 盛岡冷麺（冷麺）
〇 Kenji Miyazawa 宮沢賢治
〇 Chusonji Konjikido 中尊寺金色堂
〇 Ama-chan あまちゃん
〇 Nanbu Tekki (iron kettle) 南部鉄器（鉄瓶）
〇 Koiwai Farm 小岩井農場
〇 Jajamen じゃじゃ麺
〇 Nambu sembei 南部せんべい
〇 Shohei Ohtani 大谷翔平

Other famous things: Ryusendo Cave, Rias coast, big, Shohei Otani, Great East Japan Earthquake, Maesawa beef

Speaking of Iwate, it is Wanko soba. Wanko soba, which is one of the three great noodles of Morioka and is a gourmet representative of Iwate prefecture, is a rare local dish where you can enjoy eating at big eating competitions. “Morioka Reimen”, one of the Three Great Noodles of Morioka, is in second place, and “Jajamen”, the last of the three major noodles, is also in the top ten in eighth place. Kenji Miyazawa, a national writer from Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, is very famous for his masterpiece “The Restaurant of Many Orders” regardless of generation. “Chusonji Konjikido”, which is registered as a World Heritage Site as “Hiraizumi”, seems to be well known because it is a Buddhist temple that appears in historical test questions.

“Ama-chan,” set in Iwate Prefecture in the NHK TV series in the first half of 2013, has received a lot of attention from all over Japan along with Rena Nonen, who plays the main character.

Miyagi Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Miyagi Prefecture

〇 Beef tongue 牛タン
〇 Date Masamune 伊達政宗
〇 Zunda mochi ずんだ餅
〇 Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles 東北楽天ゴールデンイーグルス
〇 Matsushima 松島
〇Sasa Kamaboko 笹かまぼこ
〇 Hagi no Tsuki 萩の月
〇 Sendai City 仙台市
〇 Sandwichman サンドウィッチマン
〇 Sendai Tanabata 仙台七夕

Other famous things: Great East Japan Earthquake, Sasanishiki, oysters, Sendai Castle (Aoba Castle), Tohoku University

“Beef tongue” is attractive because of the thickness of Sendai beef tongue, which is overwhelmingly different from the grilled beef tongue eaten with lemon juice. Date Masamune, who became the first feudal lord of the Sendai domain, is still known as “Date Masamune”, a standard meeting spot at Sendai Station, even after the statue of Masamune Date was removed, and is rooted in the lives of citizens.

Sendai’s specialty “Zunda mochi” made from edamame is said to be one of the three major Sendai specialties, including Zunda mochi, 1st place beef tan, and 6th place Sasa Kamaboko. The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, a professional baseball team based in Miyagi Stadium, is the first professional baseball team in Japan to enter the market in 2004. Matsushima, a scenic spot that represents Miyagi Prefecture, is one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, with 260 large and small islands in a row, including Amanohashidate (Kyoto Prefecture) and Miyajima (Hiroshima Prefecture).

Akita Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Akita Prefecture

〇 Namahage なまはげ
〇 Kiritanpo きりたんぽ
〇 Rice お米
〇Beauty Akita 秋田美人
〇 Akita Inu 秋田犬

Other famous things: Iburigakko, Inaniwa udon, Magewappa, Yokote Yakisoba, Nyuto Onsen, Cold (Snow Country), Dialect, Countryside, Hatahatazushi

The traditional event “Namahage” held in a part of Akita Prefecture has an impressive scary face with a kitchen knife, but it seems that it is not a demon but a god’s messenger. Akita’s specialty, “Kiritanpo,” seemed to have few people who had actually eaten it, compared to the popularity of the national district. As for the special product “rice” of Akita prefecture, Akita rice such as “Akitakomachi” and “Hitomebore” is also popular overseas. “Akita Bijin” is one of her Akita beauties, “Nozomi Sasaki” who ranked in 10th place. The Japanese dog “Akita Inu” native to Akita Prefecture is designated as a national natural monument and is the only large dog of the Japanese breed.

Yamagata Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Yamagata Prefecture

〇 Cherry さくらんぼ
〇 Yonezawa beef (Yamagata beef) 米沢牛（山形牛）
〇 Rice お米
〇 La France (without pear) ラ・フランス（西洋なし）
〇 Zao 蔵王
〇 Yamagata ramen (cold meat soba, etc.) 山形ラーメン（冷たい肉そばなど）
〇 Imoni (Imoni) 芋煮（芋煮会）
〇 Hanagasa Festival 花笠まつり
〇 Montedio Yamagata モンテディオ山形
〇 Mogami River 最上川

Other famous things: Shogi pieces, cold (snow), Yamagata Shinkansen, Dadacha beans

Yamagata Prefecture’s special product “cherries” accounts for about 70% of the nation’s cherries production, and is famous for brands such as “Sato Nishiki”. Japan’s leading Japanese beef brand “Yonezawa beef” is one of the three great wagyu beef in Japan, along with Matsusaka beef (Mie prefecture) and Kobe beef (Hyogo prefecture). In Yamagata Prefecture, many famous brands of “rice” such as Tsuyahime, Haenuki, Hitomebore, and Koshihikari are produced. Yamagata Prefecture’s specialty fruit “La France” is said to account for 80% of the national production. Zao, a major tourist destination that represents Yamagata Prefecture, is home to popular spots such as Zao Onsen, Zao Mountain Range, and Okama (Goshikinuma).

Fukushima Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Fukushima Prefecture

〇 Great East Japan Earthquake (nuclear accident) 東日本大震災（原発事故）
〇 Kitakata ramen 喜多方ラーメン
〇 Peach 桃
〇 Spa Resort Hawaiians (Hula Girl) スパリゾートハワイアンズ（フラガール）
〇 Byakkotai 白虎隊
〇 Lake Inawashiro 猪苗代湖
〇 Mamador ままどおる
〇 Red beko 赤べこ
〇 Wakamatsu Castle (Aizuwakamatsu Castle / Tsuruga Castle) 若松城（会津若松城・鶴ヶ城）
〇 Cream box クリームボックス

Other famous things: Hideyo Noguchi, Mt. Bandai, Ouchi-juku,

The Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011 is of great interest to the nuclear accident, which has a particularly strong impression. Kitakata Ramen, a local ramen in Kitakata City, is said to be one of the three major ramen in Japan, along with Sapporo Ramen and Hakata Ramen. Fukushima Prefecture’s specialty “peach”, known for its varieties such as “Akatsuki,” is ranked second in Japan in terms of peach production. Fukushima Prefecture’s leading leisure facility, “Spa Resort Hawaiians,” became the setting for the movie “Hula Girls” in 2006. The Byakkotai, which cannot be excluded when talking about the history of Fukushima, is a unit at the end of the Edo period organized by the Aizu clan among boys aged 16 to 17 from the samurai family.

Ibaraki Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Ibaraki Prefecture

〇 Natto 納豆
〇 Mito Komon (Mitsukuni Mito) 水戸黄門（水戸光圀）
〇 Hiyokko ひよっこ
〇 Ushiku Buddha 牛久大仏
〇 Mito 水戸
〇 University of Tsukuba 筑波大学
〇 Tsukuba Science City 筑波研究学園都市
〇 Kasumigaura 霞ヶ浦
〇 Yankee ヤンキー
〇 Kashima Antlers 鹿島アントラーズ

Other famous things: Mount Tsukuba, Melon, Hitachi Seaside Park, Hoshi Imo, Kairakuen, Hitachi, Tsukuba Express

Japan’s representative food “natto”, which is said to be good for both health and beauty, is said to be the kingdom of natto, and Ibaraki Prefecture boasts the largest production of natto in Japan. “Mitsukuni Komon”, which is overwhelmingly well-known in historical drama, is a monster historical drama that has been broadcast on TV during the golden time for 42 years / 1227 times in total. The NHK TV series “Hiyokko” was set in Ibaraki Prefecture. The largest Buddha in Japan, “Ushiku Buddha,” has an unforgettable impact once you see the magnificent scale of 120m in height. Mito City is also the prefectural capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, and many people seem to associate it with words related to Ibaraki Prefecture, such as Natto (Mito Natto), which won first place, and Mito Komon, which ranked second.

Tochigi Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Tochigi Prefecture

〇 Utsunomiya dumplings 宇都宮餃子
〇 Nikko Toshogu 日光東照宮
〇 Strawberries (Tochiotome) いちご（とちおとめ）
〇 Kinugawa Onsen 鬼怒川温泉
〇 U-shaped construction U字工事
〇 Kegon Falls 華厳滝
〇 Nasu Plateau 那須高原
〇 Lemon milk レモン牛乳
〇 Nikko Edomura 日光江戸村
〇 Sano ramen 佐野ラーメン

Other famous things: Accent (dialect), Nikko Saru Gundan, Yuko Oshima,

Tochigi’s representative gourmet “Utsunomiya dumplings”. Utsunomiya City is known as the “Gyoza Town” that competes with Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture for the number one dumpling consumption in Japan. Nikko Toshogu, which is also registered as a World Heritage Site, is a shrine dedicated to the first shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who opened the Edo Shogunate. “Strawberry”, which Tochigi Prefecture boasts the largest production in Japan, is also the most produced variety in Japan, “Tochiotome”.”Kinugawa Onsen” is a hot spring that represents Tochigi Prefecture and is visited by as many as 2 million tourists annually. Manzai combination “U-shaped construction” from Tochigi prefecture is characterized by the artistic style of pushing local stories and Tochigi dialect to the front.

Gunma Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Gunma Prefecture

〇 Kusatsu Onsen 草津温泉
〇 Ikaho Onsen 伊香保温泉
〇 Konjac こんにゃく
〇 Gunma-chan ぐんまちゃん
〇 Udon うどん
〇Mt. Akagi 赤城山
〇 Karakaze からっ風
〇 Tomioka Thread Mill 富岡製糸場
〇Kakaa Tenka かかあ天下
〇 Countryside (nature) 田舎（自然）

Other famous things: Daruma, Yakimanju, Crane shape, Gunma Safari Park, Shimonita green onion,

Kusatsu Onsen, which is one of the three famous hot springs in Japan, is one of the most famous hot springs in Japan, which is said to be a hot spring powerhouse. Following Kusatsu Onsen, which is ranked first, Ikaho Onsen is second, and along with Kusatsu Onsen, it is a famous hot spring that represents Gunma Prefecture. Gunma Prefecture is said to account for 90% of the domestic production of konjac potatoes, which is a specialty of Gunma. Gunma Prefecture’s official mascot character “Gunma-chan” was selected as No. 1 in the Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2014 due to the overwhelming difference of winning the majority of the total votes. “Udon”, a specialty dish that represents Gunma Prefecture, has rooted in the udon culture in Gunma, which was a wheat-producing region, and includes “Mizusawa Udon”, which is considered to be one of the three major udon noodles in Japan, “Tatebayashi Udon” and “Himokawa Udon”. Many udon noodles are popular.

Saitama Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Saitama Prefecture

〇 Urawa Reds (Urawa Red Diamonds) 浦和レッズ（浦和レッドダイヤモンズ）
〇 Crayon Shin-chan クレヨンしんちゃん
〇 Saitama Super Arena さいたまスーパーアリーナ
〇 Saitama Seibu Lions 埼玉西武ライオンズ
〇 AEON Lake Town (Koshigaya Lake Town) イオンレイクタウン（越谷レイクタウン）
〇 Saitama Stadium 埼玉スタジアム
〇 Soka rice crackers 草加せんべい
〇 Omiya Ardija 大宮アルディージャ
〇 Fukaya Negi 深谷ねぎ
〇 Bed town ベッドタウン

Other famous things: Hot, Dasaitama, Ikebukuro, Saitama Shintoshin, Seibu Dome, Kawagoe (Little Edo), Nagatoro

Urawa Reds, a professional soccer club based in Saitama City, has the highest number of spectators and operating income among all J.League clubs. It’s full of energy. The popular anime “Crayon Shin-chan” set in Saitama Prefecture has many characters named after the place in Saitama.Saitama Super Arena, which is famous for holding large-scale events, is one of the largest multipurpose halls in Japan that can accommodate up to 37,000 people. The professional baseball team “Saitama Seibu Lions” is based in Seibu Dome (MetLife Dome) in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture. Opened in 2008, “AEON Lake Town” is Japan’s largest shopping center, which boasts the largest scale in Japan.

Chiba prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Chiba prefecture

〇 Tokyo Disney Resort 東京ディズニーリゾート
〇 Peanuts 落花生（ピーナッツ）
〇 Narita International Airport (New Tokyo International Airport) 成田国際空港（新東京国際空港）
〇 Chiba Lotte Marines 千葉ロッテマリーンズ
〇 Ciba-kun チーバくん
〇 Funassyi ふなっしー
〇 Mother Farm マザー牧場
〇 Sea 海
〇 Boso Peninsula 房総半島
〇 Makuhari Messe 幕張メッセ

Other famous things: Kujukuri Beach, Pear, Kamogawa Sea World

“Tokyo Disney Resort” is the largest theme park in Japan with “Tokyo Disneyland”, which has the third largest number of visitors in the world, and “Tokyo DisneySea”, which has the fifth largest number of visitors in the world. Chiba Prefecture’s specialty “falling raw” is said to produce about 80% of the domestic peanut production. “Narita International Airport” is the second largest terminal in Japan in terms of the number of departures and arrivals of aircraft and the number of passengers. The professional baseball team “Chiba Lotte Marines” is based in Chiba Marine Stadium (ZOZO Marine Stadium).

Chiba Prefecture’s official mascot character “Chi-ba-kun” won 5th place, ahead of Chiba Prefecture’s unofficial “Funassyi” (6th place), which caused a boom several years ago.

Tokyo

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Tokyo

〇 Tokyo Sky Tree 東京スカイツリー
〇 Tokyo Tower 東京タワー
〇 Kaminarimon / Sensoji Temple (Asakusa) 雷門・浅草寺（浅草）
〇Crowded (many people) 人混み（人が多い）
〇 Tokyo Olympics 東京オリンピック
〇 Urban 都会
〇 Shibuya Scramble Crossing (Shibuya) 渋谷スクランブル交差点（渋谷）
〇 Tokyo Station 東京駅
〇 Capital 首都
〇 Roppongi Hills (Roppongi) 六本木ヒルズ（六本木）

Other famous things: Odaiba, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Banana, Mt. Takao, Parliament Building, Ueno Zoo, Tsukiji, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

The 634-meter-high “Tokyo Sky Tree” opened in 2012 and is now a staple of sightseeing in Tokyo. The 333-meter-high “Tokyo Tower” is a new and old symbol tower together with the Sky Tree. “Kaminarimon / Sensoji Temple”, which retains the atmosphere of Edo, is popular as a tourist destination that represents downtown Tokyo. The “Tokyo Olympics” to be held in 2020 has always been a hot topic since the decision to hold it.

Kanagawa Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Kanagawa Prefecture

〇 Yokohama Chinatown 横浜中華街
〇 Yokohama City 横浜市
〇 Yokohama Minatomirai 21横浜みなとみらい21
〇 Enoshima 江の島
〇 Kamakura (Big Buddha) 鎌倉（大仏）
〇 Hakone 箱根
〇 Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse 横浜赤レンガ倉庫
〇 Shonan 湘南
〇 Bed town ベッドタウン
〇 Hakkeijima Sea Paradise 八景島シーパラダイス

Other famous things: Southern All Stars, Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, Yokosuka, Yokohama DeNA BayStars, Yokohama Stadium, Kawasaki Frontale, Sun Mamen

“Yokohama Chinatown” is the largest Chinatown in Japan, which has become a staple of sightseeing and dates in Yokohama.

“Yokohama City”, which is also the prefectural capital of Kanagawa Prefecture, has many items with the name “Yokohama” in this ranking. “Yokohama Minatomirai 21”, which is famous for its port and buildings that represent Yokohama, is a popular spot where the Landmark Tower, Ferris Wheel, and Red Brick Warehouse (7th) gather. “Enoshima” in Fujisawa City ranked 4th, and you can walk from the coast of Shonan (8th) when the tide is low and it continues to land. Kamakura, a tourist destination famous for the Great Buddha, is also known as the city where the Kamakura Shogunate was located.

Niigata Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Niigata Prefecture

〇 Rice (Koshihikari) お米(コシヒカリ)
〇 Sake 日本酒
〇 Ski resort スキー場
〇 Snow (snow country) 雪（雪国）
〇 Sado Island 佐渡島
〇Sasa dumpling 笹団子
〇 Bourbon ブルボン
〇 Kameda Seika 亀田製菓
〇 Albirex Niigata アルビレックス新潟
〇 Hegi soba noodles へぎ蕎麦

Other famous things: Nagaoka Festival (Fireworks Festival), Kenshin Uesugi, Rice Paddy Art, Toki

“Rice” is famous as a special product of Niigata prefecture. Niigata Prefecture is the top rice producer in Japan in terms of rice production. “Sake” is an exquisite product made from “rice” in Niigata prefecture, which won first place.

Many tourists from the Kanto and Kansai regions visit the “ski resorts” in Niigata prefecture in search of good quality snow. Niigata Prefecture is known as one of the most heavy snowfall areas not only in Japan but also in the world.Sado Island, which is also famous for its gold mine, is a large island with the largest area in Japan among the remote islands excluding the Northern Territories.

Toyama Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Toyama Prefecture

〇 Firefly squid ホタルイカ
〇 Kurobe Dam 黒部ダム
〇 Masuzushi ます寿司
〇 Toyama’s drug dealer (prescription drug) 富山の薬売り（置き薬）
〇 Mirage 蜃気楼
〇 Tateyama mountain range 立山連峰
〇 White shrimp 白えび
〇 Cold yellowtail 寒ブリ
〇 Hokuriku Shinkansen 北陸新幹線

Other famous things: Kurobe Gorge, Rie Shibata, Tulips, Snow (ski resort), Sea of Japan, Toyama Black, Shinosuke Tatekawa

The special product of Toyama Bay, “Firefly Squid,” is a firefly squid that has eggs and grows large and round, which is a characteristic of Toyama. The tallest “Kurobe Dam” in Japan is visited by 1 million tourists a year in search of an overwhelming scale of 186m in height. Toyama Prefecture’s local cuisine “Masuzushi” is also famous as an ekiben, and is sold not only at Hokuriku stations but also at Tokyo and Osaka stations. “Toyama’s drug dealer” is famous for “placed medicine (placed medicine)”. In Toyama, where the pharmaceutical industry has developed for a long time, a business model was born in which the amount of money used is paid later. In the “Mirage” seen in Uozu from spring to early summer, you can see the mysterious phenomenon that a virtual image that should not be seen appears due to the refraction of light.

Ishikawa Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Ishikawa Prefecture

〇 Kenrokuen 兼六園
〇 Noto Peninsula 能登半島
〇 Seafood 海鮮
〇 Gold leaf 金箔
〇 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa 金沢21世紀美術館
〇 Wajima lacquer 輪島塗
〇 Hot spring 温泉
〇 Kaga Hyakumangoku 加賀百万石
〇 Kanazawa Castle 金沢城
〇 Kaga Yuzen 加賀友禅

Other famous things: Hideki Matsui, Kanazawa Station, Ishikawa Million Stars, Hokuriku Shinkansen

Kenrokuen, a scenic spot that represents Ishikawa Prefecture, is one of the three famous gardens in Japan, along with Korakuen (Okayama Prefecture) and Kairakuen (Ibaraki Prefecture). Most of the “Noto Peninsula” protruding into the Sea of Japan is Ishikawa Prefecture, so it seems that there is a strong image that “Ishikawa Prefecture = Noto Peninsula”. Ishikawa Prefecture’s “seafood,” which is famous for crabs, sweet shrimp, and northern shrimp, is blessed with fresh seafood, centered on the Noto Peninsula (second place). Ishikawa Prefecture accounts for 99% of the domestic gold leaf production of “gold leaf,” which is also used in various situations such as cooking, souvenirs, and traditional crafts. The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, which has been selected as the number one popular museum in Japan, is visited by tourists from overseas as a museum where you can experience contemporary art.

Fukui prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Fukui prefecture

〇 Echizen crab (snow crab) 越前ガニ（ズワイガニ）
〇 Tojinbo 東尋坊
〇 Dinosaur (Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum) 恐竜（福井県立恐竜博物館）
Sabae’s glasses 鯖江のメガネ
〇 Wakasa Bay (Sea of Japan) 若狭湾（日本海）
〇 Eiheiji Temple 永平寺
〇 Nuclear power plant 原子力発電所
〇 Marine products (fishing) 海産物（漁業）
〇 Echizen soba 越前そば
〇 Mikatagoko 三方五湖

Other famous things: Echizen ware, mackerel heshiko, Maruoka castle, sauce cutlet bowl, birthplace of Koshihikari

As for the special product “Echizen crab”, only the male snow crab landed off the coast of Fukui prefecture is called “Echizen crab”. Famous for its suspense drama and suicide spots, Tojinbo is a world-famous rock wall created by nature over a period of more than 10 million years. Fukui Prefecture is famous for the “dinosaurs” that have the highest fossil excavation rate in Japan. The “Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum” owns more than 40,000 materials and is said to be one of the three major dinosaur museums in the world. “Sabae eyeglasses” account for more than 90% of domestic eyeglass frames. About 20% of eyeglass frames around the world are manufactured in Sabae City. Echizen crab (1st place) and abundant marine products (8th place) are landed in “Wakasa Bay”, which faces the Sea of Japan and is a large-scale ria coast, and a nuclear power plant (7th place) is installed. It supports the industry in Fukui Prefecture.

Yamanashi Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Yamanashi Prefecture

〇 Grape ぶどう
〇 Hoto ほうとう
〇 Mt. Fuji 富士山
〇 Peach 桃
〇 Takeda Shingen (Shingen-ko) 武田信玄（信玄公）
〇 Shingen mochi 信玄餅
〇 Fuji-Q Highland 富士急ハイランド
〇 Wine (winery) ワイン（ワイナリー）
〇 Fuji Five Lakes 富士五湖
〇 Fruit フルーツ

“Grape”, which represents Yamanashi, the fruit kingdom, has the highest yield of grapes in Yamanashi prefecture in Japan, and wine using grapes (8th) is also very popular. Yamanashi Prefecture’s local cuisine, “hoto,” is said to be a wheat flour noodle food that has a longer history than udon. Mt. Fuji, which straddles Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, is famous for the scenery seen from the Yamanashi side, such as Mt. Fuji drawn on the back of the 1000-yen bill. Another specialty fruit of Yamanashi prefecture is “peach”. Yamanashi Prefecture is also one of the largest peach producing areas in Japan with the highest peach yield in Japan. Kai’s guardian daimyo “Takeda Shingen” is known by the honorific title of “Shingen-ko” and can be seen in the Yamanashi specialty “Shingen Mochi”, which was selected as the 6th place.

Nagano Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Nagano Prefecture

〇 Ski resort (snowy mountains) スキー場（雪山）
〇 Karuizawa (summer resort / resort) 軽井沢（避暑地・リゾート）
〇Soba (Shinshu soba) そば（信州そば）
〇 Apples りんご
〇 Matsumoto Castle 松本城
〇 Nagano Olympics 長野オリンピック
〇 Zenkoji 善光寺
〇 Japanese Alps (mountain) 日本アルプス（山）
〇 Ueda Castle 上田城
〇 Nozawana 野沢菜

Other famous things: Oyaki, Yukimura Sanada, Shinshu (Shinano), grapes, lettuce, Lake Suwa

Regarding the number one “ski resort” in Nagano prefecture, there were many opinions that they had actually been to a ski resort in Nagano prefecture. Karuizawa, which is famous as a summer resort that represents Japan, is said to have a lower average annual temperature than Sapporo City, Hokkaido because of its highlands. Nagano Prefecture is said to have the largest number of soba restaurants per capita in Japan, as the representative Shinshu gourmet “soba” is a specialty.

Nagano Prefecture has the second largest apple production in Japan after Aomori Prefecture, and it seems that there are many shipments to western Japan in particular. “Matsumoto Castle”, also known as “Kashiro” because of its blackness, has been selected as one of the few “5 national treasures” among the many castles scattered all over the country.

Gifu Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Gifu Prefecture

〇 Shirakawa-go (gassho-zukuri) 白川郷（合掌造り）
〇 Hida beef 飛騨牛
〇 Hida Takayama 飛騨高山
〇 Cormorant fishing 鵜飼い（うかい）
〇 Gero Onsen 下呂温泉
〇 Ayu 鮎（アユ）
〇 Gifu Castle 岐阜城
〇 Nagara River 長良川
〇 Nobunaga Oda 織田信長
〇 Sarubobo さるぼぼ

Other famous things: Hoba miso, Dosan Saito, Yoro Waterfall, Aqua Totogifu, Uminashi prefecture, Takayama ramen, FC Gifu, Sekigahara

The world heritage site “Shirakawa-go”, where the gassho-style village remains in modern times, is still used as a place for people to live and live in its thatched-roof house.

From the gourmet foods of the Hida region, “Hida beef” is a Japanese black beef that is famous nationwide among many branded beef. “Hida Takayama” refers to Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. Takayama City, also known as “Little Kyoto of Hida,” is also the largest municipality in Japan with almost the same area as Tokyo, so it is blessed with tourism resources.I often see it on TV such as travel programs. (Osaka / Female) At the traditional event of catching fish using a bird called cormorant, the prey is sweetfish, which ranks 6th, and the Nagara River, which is 8th, is famous. Gero Onsen, which is famous as one of the best hot spring areas in Japan, has been selected as one of Japan’s three famous hot springs among the more than 3,000 hot springs nationwide.

Shizuoka Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Shizuoka Prefecture

〇 Tea (tea plantation) お茶（茶畑）
〇 Mt. Fuji 富士山
〇 Eel うなぎ
〇 Izu (Atami) 伊豆（熱海）
〇 Soccer サッカー
〇 Mandarin oranges みかん
〇 Shizuoka Oden 静岡おでん
〇 Charcoal-grilled restaurant refreshing 炭焼きレストランさわやか
〇 Unagi pie うなぎパイ
〇 Wasabi ワサビ

Other famous things: Chibi Maruko-chan, Lake Hamana, Hamamatsu dumplings, Sakura shrimp

The first place in Shizuoka prefecture is the special product “tea”! Shizuoka Prefecture has the highest production of tea leaves in Japan, and it is said that one out of every two cups of green tea is produced in Shizuoka. Japan’s highest peak, “Mt. Fuji,” straddles Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, and on the Shizuoka side, the scenery seen at “Miho no Matsubara” and “Lake Tanuki’s upside-down Fuji” is famous. Lake Hamana in Shizuoka Prefecture is said to be the birthplace of eel farming. At the same rate, Izu, a tourist destination that represents Shizuoka, was selected as the third place, and Atami’s hot springs are especially famous as one of the three major hot springs in Japan. Shizuoka Prefecture is said to be a soccer kingdom that has club teams such as “Shimizu S-Pulse” and “Jubilo Iwata” and produces a large number of professional players.

Aichi prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Aichi prefecture

〇 Nagoya Castle 名古屋城
〇 Miso katsu 味噌カツ
〇 Hitsuma ひつまぶし
〇 Miso nikomi udon 味噌煮込みうどん
〇 Toyota Motor トヨタ自動車
〇 Chicken wings 手羽先
〇 Kishimen きしめん
〇 Chunichi Dragons 中日ドラゴンズ
〇 Nagoya 名古屋
〇 Shachihoko しゃちほこ

Other famous things: Nagoya Cochin, Fried Shrimp, Shachihoko, Miso, Legoland, Coffee Shop, Nagoya Dome, Ankake Spaghetti, Uiro, Ogura Toast, Chubu Centrair International Airport

“Nagoya Castle”, a tourist destination that represents Aichi Prefecture, is also famous for “Shachihoko”, which is a part of Nagoya Castle, and is a symbol of Nagoya that everyone in Aichi Prefecture knows. “Miso-katsu” was selected as the second place in Aichi prefecture, which has many specialty dishes. As a result, many “Nagoya food” ranked in the top 10. The specialty dish “Hitsumabushi” is expensive among Nagoya foods, but it still seems to be top class in popularity. “Miso nikomi udon”, known as Nagoya food, has the image of “miso cuisine” in Aichi prefecture together with miso katsu (second place).

Since there is the largest company in Japan, Toyota Motor Corporation, many people think of the automobile industry as the industry of Aichi Prefecture.

Mie Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Mie Prefecture

〇 Ise Jingu 伊勢神宮
〇 Akafuku Mochi 赤福餅
〇 Matsusaka beef 松坂牛
〇 Nagashima Spa Land ナガシマスパーランド
〇 Suzuka Circuit 鈴鹿サーキット
〇 Toba Aquarium 鳥羽水族館
〇 Pearl 真珠
〇 Shima Spain Village 志摩スペイン村
〇 Thanks to Okage Yokocho おかげ横丁
〇 Ise lobster 伊勢海老

Other famous things: Ise Shima, Ise Udon, Kintetsu, Meotoiwa, Iga Ninja

The most famous in Mie Prefecture is the venerable “Ise Jingu”, which has a history of 2,000 years. It is a tourist attraction that is drawing attention from all over the world because the Ise-Shima Summit was held. Ise Jingu is a place that Japanese people want to visit at least once. The nationally famous Ise specialty is Akafuku Mochi. It has become a standard souvenir for Mie sightseeing such as visiting Ise. “Matsusaka beef” is a high-class Japanese beef that represents Japan. It has the nickname of “art of meat” and is one of the three great Wagyu beef in Japan. It is a Mie gourmet that you want to eat even in high class. “Nagashima Spa Land” is famous for its screaming machines and pools. It is a theme park that boasts the second largest number of users in Japan after Disney Resort and USJ. “Suzuka Circuit” is one of the leading race tracks in Japan. It is famous as a circuit that is highly evaluated in the world.

Shiga Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Shiga Prefecture

〇 Lake Biwa 琵琶湖
〇 Hikonyan ひこにゃん
〇 Hikone Castle 彦根城
〇 Funazushi 鮒寿司（ふなずし）
〇 Enryakuji Temple 延暦寺
〇 Omi beef 近江牛
〇 Water (water source) 水（水源地）
〇 Koga Ninja 甲賀忍者
〇 Otsu 大津

Other famous things: Azuchi Castle, Shigaraki Ware, Glamping, Michigan, Ritsumeikan

The most famous lake in Shiga prefecture is Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan that everyone knows. Lake Biwa occupies about one-sixth of the area of Shiga Prefecture. “Hikonyan” is an official mascot character of Shiga prefecture. As the first champion of the Yuru-chara Grand Prix, it became the igniter of the Yuru-chara boom.

It is a representative mascot character of the Yuru-chara world. “Hikone Castle” is one of the five national treasures.

Hikonyan was born as an image character for the 400th anniversary of the construction of Hikone Castle. It is a famous tourist destination nationwide. “Funazushi” is famous as a local dish of Shiga prefecture. The unique fermented odor that you like and dislike is addictive. “Enryakuji” is known as the head temple of the Tendai sect. Located on Mt. Hiei, it is registered as a World Heritage Site as part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto”

Kyoto

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Kyoto

〇 Temples and shrines 寺社仏閣
〇 Maiko 舞妓さん
〇 Yatsuhashi (Otabe) 八ツ橋（おたべ）
〇 Gion 祇園
〇 Kinkakuji Temple (Kaenji Temple) 金閣寺（鹿苑寺）
〇 Kiyomizu Temple 清水寺
〇 Matcha 抹茶
〇 Arashiyama 嵐山
〇 Ancient city 古都
〇 Japanese (Japanese culture) 和（日本文化）

Other famous things: Kyoyasai, Ginkakuji, Kimono, Amanohashidate, Nijo Castle, Yasaka Shrine, Fushimi Inari, Heian Shrine, Heianin Phoenix Hall

The “temples and shrines” that tell the history of the ancient city are the most famous in Kyoto Prefecture. Many of the world-class Japanese cultural properties are very popular not only in Japan but also with foreigners. You can feel the history of Japan’s historic buildings overflowing throughout the town. Since the appearance changes in all four seasons, you can enjoy the slightly different beauty of “temples and shrines” depending on the season. The next most famous in Kyoto is “Maiko”. This is also very popular with tourists. People in the apprenticeship stage to become geisha are called maiko. If you find a walking Maiko, you may be able to take a picture with him. “Yatsuhashi” is a classic Japanese sweet in Kyoto. Soft rice cakes that are thinly stretched are called “raw Yatsuhashi”, and “raw Yatsuhashi with red bean paste” that wraps bean paste is popular. The dough that is baked hard like Kawara Sembei is called “Yatsuhashi”. It is a classic Japanese sweet in Kyoto that is so famous that it is always sold at the Kyoto Bussan Exhibition.”Gion” is a red-light district that represents Kyoto. Gion is an old town full of tourists during the day, but at night it turns into a fantastic Japanese-style bar. “Kinkakuji” is a popular tourist attraction both in Japan and overseas. The famous Kinkaku-ji building, which is generally called Kinkaku-ji, is not a temple but a “Kinkaku”, which is one of the buildings on the site of Rokuonji.

Osaka

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Osaka

〇 Takoyaki たこ焼き
〇 Universal Studios Japan (USJ) ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン（USJ）
〇 Okonomiyaki お好み焼き
〇Owarai / Yoshimoto Kogyo (new comedy) お笑い・吉本興業（新喜劇）
〇 Tsutenkaku 通天閣
〇Cui-daore doll 食い倒れの街（くいだおれ人形）
〇 Osaka Castle 大阪城
〇 Kansai dialect (Osaka dialect) 関西弁（大阪弁）
〇 Abeno Harukas あべのハルカス
〇 Glico signboard グリコの看板

Other famous things: Kushikatsu, Tower of the Sun (Osaka Expo), Namba Grand Kagetsu, Danjiri, Kani Doraku, Leopard print, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Shinsekai

The powdered gourmet “Takoyaki” that originated in Osaka is the most famous in Osaka. You can easily eat it while you are sightseeing, and there are many variations in taste in Osaka. This is a gourmet that you definitely want to eat when you visit Osaka. The next most famous is “Universal Studios Japan”, a tourist destination that represents Osaka. In terms of the number of visitors, it is ranked second in Japan after “Tokyo Disneyland” and ranked first in Japan as a “popular theme park”. Osaka’s specialty, okonomiyaki, is a powdered gourmet that is known all over the country along with takoyaki. Speaking of Osaka, not only “food” but also “laughter / Yoshimoto Kogyo” is famous as the best “city of laughter” in Japan.”Tsutenkaku” is an observatory tower with a history of over 100 years. At the time of completion, it was the tallest building in Asia, and now Japan’s tallest skyscraper “Abeno Harukas” is located nearby.

Hyogo prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Hyogo prefecture

〇 Kobe’s port city, Port Island (Port Tower) 神戸の港町・ポートアイランド（ポートタワー）
〇 Himeji Castle 姫路城
〇 Awaji Island 淡路島
〇 Hanshin Koshien Stadium (Koshien) 阪神甲子園球場（甲子園）
〇 Mt. Rokko 六甲山
〇 Night view of Kobe 神戸の夜景
〇 Takarazuka Revue 宝塚歌劇団
〇 Akashiyaki 明石焼き
〇 Kobe Chinatown (Nankinmachi) 神戸中華街（南京町）
〇 Fashionable おしゃれ

Other famous things: Kobe beef, Hanshin Tigers, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Takeda Castle, hot springs (Kinosaki Onsen, Arima Onsen, etc.), Ijinkan, Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake

The most famous place in Hyogo prefecture is “Kobe’s port city, Port Island”, which is also the prefectural capital. Many votes were gathered to remind us of seaside spots such as the Port Tower, Ferris wheel, and skyscrapers.

Kobe is both a leading trading port and a tourist destination. “Himeji Castle” is a national treasure with a large castle tower built over 400 years ago. It is one of Japan’s leading cultural properties, which was first registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in Japan along with Horyuji Temple in Nara. “Awaji Island” is the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. In Japanese mythology, it is said to be the “starting place of Japan” created by Izanagi and Izanami. “Hanshin Koshien Stadium” is famous for Hanshin Tigers and high school baseball. It is the oldest existing baseball stadium in Japan and still has the largest capacity in Japan. “Mt. Rokko” is located in the northern part of the city of Kobe. It is a popular tourist spot where you can see the night view of Kobe and have plenty of leisure facilities such as ranches and ski resorts.

Nara Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Nara Prefecture

〇 Deer in Nara Park 奈良公園の鹿（鹿せんべい）
〇The Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple 東大寺の大仏
〇 Narazuke 奈良漬け
〇 Horyuji Temple 法隆寺
〇Yoshino Sakura 吉野の桜
〇 Persimmon leaf sushi 柿の葉寿司
〇 School trip 修学旅行
〇 pacific saury Akashiya 明石家さんま
〇 Heijokyo 平城京
〇 Kuzu (Kuzumochi) 葛（葛餅）

Other famous things: Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Shosoin

The most famous in Nara prefecture is “Deer in Nara Park”. Nara Park is more than 10 times as large as Tokyo Disneyland, and there are more than 1000 deer inhabiting it. In Nara Park, you can see deer up close and you can also get deer rice crackers. The next most famous is the Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple, which is also registered as a World Heritage Site. Todaiji Temple is said to be the largest wooden building in the world except modern times, and the Great Buddha is enshrined as the “honzon” of Todaiji Temple. “Narazuke” is a local dish of Nara prefecture. It is said to be a pickle with a history of 1300 years, which is the same as Heijokyo. “Horyuji Temple” is a World Heritage Site founded by Prince Shotoku. Built over 1400 years ago, it is still the oldest existing wooden structure in the world. “Yoshino Sakura” is said to be the best cherry blossom viewing spot in the world. As many as 30,000 cherry trees grow naturally around Mt. Yoshino, which is also registered as a World Heritage Site.

Wakayama Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Wakayama Prefecture

〇 Mandarin orange (Arita mandarin orange) みかん（有田みかん）
〇 Adventure World (Panda) アドベンチャーワールド（パンダ）
〇 Umeboshi / Ume (Nanko Ume) 梅干し・梅（南高梅）
〇 The sea of Shirahama (Shirarahama) 白浜の海（白良浜）
〇Mt. Koya 高野山
〇 Kumano Kodo 熊野古道
〇 Nachi Falls 那智滝
〇 Wakayama ramen 和歌山ラーメン
〇 Whale クジラ
〇 Cat Tama station manager 猫のたま駅長

Other famous things: Wakayama Marina City, Shionomisaki, Katsuura Fishing Port (Tuna)

The most famous product in Wakayama prefecture is the special product “Mikan”. Wakayama Prefecture has the largest production of oranges in Japan, and the regional brand “Arita oranges” is famous nationwide. “Adventure World” is a theme park where amusement parks, zoos and aquariums gather. Japan’s largest number of pandas is bred, surpassing Ueno Zoo (Tokyo), which is famous for pandas, and the number of pandas born is also the highest in Japan. Wakayama Prefecture has more than 60% of the domestic market share of “Umeboshi / Ume” and boasts the largest production in Japan. Especially famous “Nankoume” is used for pickled plums and plum wine as the highest quality varieties. “Shirahama Sea” is known as a resort area with blue sea and white sand beach. Shirarahama has a “friendship sister beach” relationship with the world-famous Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. Koyasan is known as a Buddhist sanctuary where Kukai (Kobo Daishi) opened the Shingon sect during the Heian period, and is registered as a World Heritage Site.

Tottori prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Tottori prefecture

〇 Tottori Sand Dunes 鳥取砂丘
〇 Shigeru Mizuki ・ Gegege no Kitaro (Youkai) 水木しげる・ゲゲゲの鬼太郎（妖怪）
〇 Nijisseiki pear 二十世紀梨
〇 Starbucks coffee スターバックスコーヒー
〇 Crab (Matsuba crab, snow crab) カニ（松葉ガニ・ズワイガニ）
〇 Camel ラクダ
〇 Marine products and fishing ports 海産物・漁港
〇 Hot springs (Kaike hot springs, Misasa hot springs, Hawai hot springs, etc.) 温泉（皆生温泉・三朝温泉・はわい温泉など）
〇 Daisen 大山（だいせん）
〇 Sunaba coffee すなば珈琲

Other famous things: Detective Conan (Gosho Aoyama), Countryside, Rakkyo, Watermelon

“Tottori Sand Dunes” is a tourist attraction that represents Tottori Prefecture. It is the second largest sand dune in Japan and the largest touristable sand dune in Japan. The next most famous is “Shigeru Mizuki / Gegege no Kitaro” from Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture. In Sakaiminato City, a shopping street called “Mizuki Shigeru Road” where many youkai objects are installed is also popular. “Nijisseiki Pear” is famous as a special product of Tottori prefecture. The 20th century pear flower is also designated as a “prefectural flower” in Tottori prefecture. “Starbucks Coffee” is famous as a coffee chain store, but since Tottori Prefecture was the only prefecture without Starbucks, the opening of the first store attracted national attention.”Crab” is famous as a specialty of Tottori prefecture. Tottori Prefecture has the largest amount of crabs landed in Japan, and is especially known as the home of snow crabs.

Shimane Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Shimane Prefecture

○ Izumo Taisha 出雲大社
〇 Matsue Castle 松江城
〇 Izumo soba 出雲そば
〇 Shimanekko (Yuru-chara) しまねっこ（ゆるキャラ）
〇 Lake Shinji 宍道湖（しんじこ）
〇 Iwami Ginzan 石見銀山
〇 Shijimi しじみ
〇 It is easy to mistake it for Tottori prefecture 鳥取県と間違いやすい
〇 Kei Nishikori 錦織圭
〇 Oki Islands (Oki Islands) 隠岐の島（隠岐諸島）

Other famous things: Loach / Loach Sukui (Yasugi Bushi), Secret Society Eagle Talon, Starbucks, Noboru Takeshita (former Prime Minister)

The most famous tourist destination in Shimane Prefecture is Izumo Taisha, a tourist destination that represents Shimane Prefecture. It is said to be a place where gods gather from all over the country, and it is also a popular spot as one of the best power spots in Japan. This is a must-visit tourist spot when you visit Shimane Prefecture. “Matsue Castle” is a castle where the castle tower of the early Edo period still exists.

The castle tower was designated as the fifth national treasure in Japan as a castle ruin in 2015. “Izumo soba” is a local dish of Shimane prefecture, which is one of the “three major soba noodles in Japan”. “Wariko soba” with round bowls stacked in three layers “Shimanekko” is a tourist mascot character officially recognized by Shimane Prefecture. He is the leader of the Shimane cheering party “Remember Shimane”. “Lake Shinji” is the 7th largest lake in Japan. It is also famous as the number one producer of “Shijimi” in Japan.

Okayama Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Okayama Prefecture

〇 Taro Momo もも太郎
〇 Kibi dango きびだんご
〇 Peach 桃
〇 Muscat マスカット
〇 Korakuen 後楽園
〇 Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter 倉敷美観地区
〇 Seto Ohashi 瀬戸大橋
〇 Hiruzen 蒜山（ひるぜん）
〇 Textile industry (jeans) 繊維産業（ジーンズ）
〇 Washuzan Highland 鷲羽山ハイランド

Other famous things: Okayama Castle, Fruit Kingdom (Fruits), Sunny Country, Hiruzen Yakisoba, Koshi Inaba (B’z)

The most famous in Okayama prefecture is “Momotaro”, which every Japanese knows. This old tale is set in Okayama prefecture. The next most famous item is the strongest item “Kibidango” that also appears in Momotaro. The effect of gathering friends is unknown, but it is a popular souvenir in the prefecture.

“Peach” is also famous in Okayama prefecture, probably because of the Taro effect. Okayama Prefecture is the 6th largest producer of peaches in Japan, but the most popular variety “white peaches” in Japan. “Muscat” is a special product of Okayama. In Okayama prefecture, Muscat’s domestic market share is said to be as high as 90%. “Korakuen” is a popular tourist destination in Okayama prefecture. It has been selected as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan along with Kairakuen (Ibaraki Prefecture) and Kenrokuen (Ishikawa Prefecture).

Hiroshima Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Hiroshima Prefecture

〇 Okonomiyaki お好み焼き
〇 Atomic Bomb Dome 原爆ドーム
〇 Hiroshima Toyo Carp 広島東洋カープ
〇 Miyajima (Itsukushima) 宮島（厳島）
〇 Momiji Manju もみじ饅頭
〇 Itsukushima Shrine 厳島神社
〇 Oysters 牡蠣
〇 Peace Memorial Park 平和記念公園
〇 Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C サンフレッチェ広島F.C
〇 Hiroshima dialect 広島弁

Other famous things: Rice scoop, Onomichi

The gourmet “Okonomiyaki” that represents Hiroshima Prefecture is the most famous in Hiroshima Prefecture. “Otafuku Sauce”, which is headquartered in Hiroshima City, is also famous nationwide. The next most famous is the “Atomic Bomb Dome,” which is also registered as a World Heritage Site. It is a valuable negative heritage that conveys the damage caused by the atomic bomb used in battle for the first time in the world to the present day. “Hiroshima Toyo Carp” is a professional baseball team based in Hiroshima. “Miyajima” is one of the most scenic spots in Hiroshima prefecture. “Miyajima” is a popular name for “Itsukushima” and is also famous as the place where Itsukushima Shrine is located. “Momiji Manju” is a standard souvenir from Hiroshima. It is said to be a specialty named after the famous autumn leaves in Miyajima, “Momijidani”. You can enjoy various flavors such as chocolate and cheese cream as well as azuki beans.

Yamaguchi Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Yamaguchi Prefecture

〇 Fugu フグ
〇 Kanmon Strait (Kanmon Bridge) 関門海峡（関門橋）
〇Choshu Domain (Bakumatsu / Meiji Restoration) 長州藩（幕末・維新）
〇 Shimonoseki City 下関市
〇 Akiyoshidai (Akiyoshido) 秋吉台（秋芳洞）
〇 Kawara soba 瓦そば
〇 Tsunoshima (Tsunoshima Bridge) 角島（角島大橋）
〇 SL (Yamaguchi) SL（やまぐち号）
〇 Kintaikyo Bridge 錦帯橋
〇 Many successive prime ministers 歴代総理大臣が多い

Other famous things: Dasai (Japanese sake), the westernmost part of Honshu, Uiro, summer oranges

The most famous dish in Yamaguchi Prefecture is the famous gourmet blowfish. Shimonoseki is the first land in Japan where the ban on blowfish food was lifted, and therefore it has a history of developing blowfish food culture. The “Kanmon Strait” that separates Honshu and Kyushu is the next most famous. Formed 6000 years ago by crustal movements, it is about 670 meters in its narrowest location. The Kanmon Strait from Mojiko to Yamaguchi is very beautiful and large.The “Choshu clan” was the centerpiece of the Meiji Restoration, and many clan men from Yamaguchi prefecture, such as Shoin Yoshida, Shinsaku Takasugi, and Takayoshi Kido, played an active role. “Shimonoseki City” boasts the largest population and economy in Yamaguchi Prefecture. It is also famous as a tourist city because it has the famous blowfish and the Kanmon Strait. “Akiyoshidai” is the largest karst land in Japan. Deep underground, Japan’s largest limestone cave “Akiyoshido” extends.

Tokushima Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Tokushima Prefecture

〇 Awa Odori 阿波踊り
〇 Naruto Whirlpools (Naruto Strait) 鳴門の渦潮（鳴門海峡）
〇 Sudachi すだち
〇 Naruto Kintoki (Sweet potato) 鳴門金時（サツマイモ）
〇 Kazura Bridge (Iya Valley) かずら橋（祖谷渓）
〇 High school baseball (Naruto High School, Tokushima Commercial High School, etc.) 高校野球（鳴門高校・徳島商業高校など）
〇 Onaruto Bridge 大鳴門橋
〇 Tokushima Vortis 徳島ヴォルティス
〇Thailand (Naruto Sea Bream) タイ（鳴門鯛）
〇 Pilgrimage お遍路

Other famous things: Oboke, Koboke, Awao chicken

“Awa Odori”, which has a history of 400 years and has spread all over the country, is the most famous in Tokushima Prefecture. The Awa Dance Festival in Tokushima City attracts more than 1.3 million people, far exceeding the city’s population of 260,000. The dancer’s serious and sharp movements are really cool. “Naruto Whirlpools” is known as a staple of sightseeing in Tokushima. The swirling appearance is also the origin of the kamaboko “Naruto”. Tokushima Prefecture accounts for 98% of the national production of Sudachi. It is also very useful as a topping for “Sanuki udon” in neighboring Kagawa prefecture. It is the most famous specialty of Tokushima. “Naruto Kintoki” is a type of sweet potato and is mainly produced in Tokushima prefecture. It is also used as a raw material for sweet potato shochu. “Kazura Bridge” is a bridge over “Iya Valley”, which is said to be one of the three major unexplored regions in Japan. It is also famous as a thrilling suspension bridge made by weaving chasubles (plant vines) as one of the three strange bridges in Japan. The Kazura Bridge is surrounded by trees, so you can enjoy the beautiful scenery no matter what season you visit.

Kagawa Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Kagawa Prefecture

〇 Udon (Sanuki udon) うどん（讃岐うどん）
〇Kotohiragu Shrine (Kotohiragu Shrine) 金刀比羅宮（金毘羅宮）
〇 Shodoshima 小豆島
〇Bone-in bird 骨付き鳥
〇 The prefecture with the smallest area in Japan 日本一面積が小さい県
〇 Seto Ohashi 瀬戸大橋
〇 Seto Inland Sea 瀬戸内海
〇 Jun Kaname (talent) 要潤（タレント）
〇 Olive オリーブ
〇 Reservoir ため池

Other famous things: Zentsuji Temple, Shikoku Pilgrimage, Marugame Castle

The most famous dish in Kagawa prefecture is udon. People from all over the country gather in search of authentic Sanuki udon noodles, so there is a tour bus that goes around famous restaurants. It is so symbolic of Kagawa prefecture that it is called Udon prefecture. The next most famous is “Kotohiragu”, which is also known as “Konpira-san”.There are 785 stairs leading up to Kotohiragu Shrine on the mountain, and the total number of stairs is 1368 when combined with the Gantama Shrine in the back. The remote island of Kagawa Prefecture, “Shodoshima,” is the setting for the novel “Twenty-four Eyes,” and is also famous for producing “olives.” “Bone-in bird” is a local gourmet in Marugame city. It is attracting attention as a specialty dish of Kagawa prefecture next to Sanuki udon. Kagawa Prefecture is “the smallest prefecture in Japan”.Until 1988, Osaka Prefecture was the smallest prefecture in Japan, but Kagawa Prefecture became the smallest prefecture in Japan as the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan reviewed the area calculation method.

Ehime Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Ehime Prefecture

〇 Mandarin oranges みかん
〇 Dogo Onsen 道後温泉
〇 Botchan (Natsume Soseki) 坊っちゃん（夏目漱石）
〇 Pon juice ポンジュース
〇 Imabari towel 今治タオル
〇 Shimanami Kaido しまなみ海道
〇 Matsuyama Castle 松山城
〇 Mr. Barry (Yuru-chara) バリィさん（ゆるきゃら）
〇 Tobe Zoo とべ動物園
〇 Iyokan 伊予かん

Other famous things: Jakoten, Mican (Yuru-chara), Bullfighting

The most famous mandarin orange is in Kagawa prefecture. Ehime Prefecture is one of Japan’s leading mandarin orange producing areas, and is a famous specialty of Ehime Prefecture. “Dogo Onsen” is said to be the oldest hot spring in Japan. Many people seemed to know the name even if they had never been there. Dogo Onsen is a must-see place when it comes to Ehime. “Botchan” is a masterpiece of Natsume Soseki. It is a novel that everyone knows so much that it appears in Japanese textbooks. It is set in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, and is famous for the stay of Soseki Natsume. “Pon juice” comes out of the faucet! It is so famous all over the country that it became news. Not only “mandarin oranges” but also the juice processed from them is the name of the national district. “Imabari Towel” is a specialty of Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. Imabari is said to be the largest towel producing area in Japan.

Kochi Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Kochi Prefecture

〇 Bonito (Katsuo no tataki) 鰹（鰹のたたき）
〇 Ryoma Sakamoto 坂本龍馬
〇 Shimanto River 四万十川
〇 Katsurahama 桂浜
〇 Yosakoi Festival よさこい祭り
〇 Yuzu ゆず
〇 Tosa dog 土佐犬
〇 Liquor (liquor) お酒（酒豪）
〇 Cape Muroto 室戸岬
〇 Ryoko Hirosue 広末涼子

Other famous things: Kochi Castle, Cape Ashizuri, Kashiwa Island, Manju None

The most famous product in Kochi prefecture is the specialty “bonito”. Kochi Prefecture is by far the largest bonito consumption nation in Japan, and is a bonito gourmet powerhouse with a large difference of more than twice the second place. It is also famous for bonito fishing and tataki. “Ryoma Sakamoto” is a priest at the end of the Edo period representing Tosa. He has always been at the top of the historical great rankings and is a must-have when talking about Japan. “Shimanto River” is a recommended sightseeing spot that is famous as a clear stream that represents Japan. Not only is it beautiful, it is said to be the 11th longest of the tens of thousands of rivers nationwide. “Katsurahama” is a scenic spot that represents Kochi Prefecture. The statue of Ryoma Sakamoto, which stands on the beach in the southern part of the prefecture overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is also popular. The “Yosakoi Festival” is popular all over Japan because of its gorgeous dance. The Yosakoi Festival in Kochi City is particularly hot, and the number of people is 1 million, which exceeds the total population of the prefecture.

Fukuoka Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Fukuoka Prefecture

〇 Tonkotsu Ramen (Hakata Ramen) とんこつラーメン（博多ラーメン）
〇 Mentaiko (Spicy Mentaiko) 明太子（辛子明太子）
〇 Motsunabe もつ鍋
〇 Food stalls 屋台
〇 Fukuoka Softbank Hawks 福岡ソフトバンクホークス
〇 Hakata Street Mon 博多通りもん
〇Mizutaki 水炊き
〇 Hakata Dontaku 博多どんたく
〇 Hakata beauty 博多美人
〇 Hakata dialect 博多弁

Other famous things: Tamori, Dazaifu Tenmangu, Hakata Hanamaru Daikichi, Space World

The most famous in Fukuoka prefecture is “Tonkotsu Ramen”. This taste, which originated in Fukuoka, has been established as a major ramen taste nationwide. Tonkotsu ramen is a typical gourmet food in Fukuoka.

“Mentaiko” is also very popular as an ingredient for ochazuke and rice balls. It is a national dish that has been ranked first in the “favorite rice companion ranking”. “Motsunabe” is a local dish of Fukuoka prefecture that is sometimes called “hormone pot”. “Food stalls” are also popular as sightseeing spots. More than 120 food stalls are open in Fukuoka City, and the number is said to account for 40% of all food stalls in Japan. If you walk around Hakata, Nakasu, Tenjin, etc., you will find various food stalls, and you can enjoy the scenery unique to Fukuoka. The professional baseball team “Fukuoka Softbank Hawks” is based in “Fukuoka Yafuoku! Dome” in Fukuoka City. Everywhere in the city of Fukuoka, there are Hawks-related items, and many people have Hawks goods.

Saga Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Saga Prefecture

〇 Hanawa (laughing entertainer) はなわ（お笑い芸人）
〇 Squid イカ
〇 Arita porcelain 有田焼
〇 Imari ware 伊万里焼
〇 Yoshinogari Ruins 吉野ヶ里遺跡
〇 Ureshino Onsen 嬉野温泉
〇 Yasuko Matsuyuki 松雪泰子
〇 Saga beef 佐賀牛
〇 Gabai Grandma がばいばあちゃん
〇 Yobuko Morning Market 呼子の朝市

Other famous things: Sagan Tosu, Mutsugoro, Egashira 2:50, Karatsu Kunchi

“Hanawa” is a comedian from Saga prefecture. The song material of “S ・ A ・ G ・ A ・ Saga”, which includes the local material of Saga, became a hot topic. “Squid” is a specialty of Saga prefecture. Among them, “Yobuko’s squid” is especially popular. “Arita porcelain” is a famous pottery. Saga Prefecture is said to be the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. “Imari ware” is the next most famous pottery. Imari ware and Arita ware are originally the same, and it seems that the difference is whether the production area is the Imari area or the Arita area. The “Yoshinogari Ruins” was excavated and restored from a village in the Yayoi period. It is also said to be one of the candidate sites for Yamatai, which was ruled by Queen Himiko.

Nagasaki Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Nagasaki Prefecture

〇 Castella カステラ
〇 Nagasaki Champon 長崎ちゃんぽん
〇 Huis Ten Bosch ハウステンボス
〇 Glover Garden (Glover House) グラバー園（グラバー邸）
〇 Peace Park / Peace Memorial Statue (Atomic Bomb) 平和公園・平和祈念像（原爆）
〇 Christianity / Church (Oura Church, etc.) キリスト教・教会（大浦天主堂など）
〇 Dejima 出島
〇 Masaharu Fukuyama 福山雅治
〇 There are many slopes 坂が多い
〇 Sara udon 皿うどん

Other famous things: Sasebo Burger, Gunkanjima (Hashima), Meganebashi, Night View, Chinatown (Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown)

The most famous in Nagasaki prefecture is the famous “castella”. It is said to have been introduced from Portugal and is one of the gourmet foods that represent the foreign culture of Nagasaki. Castella is a standard souvenir from Nagasaki prefecture.

“Nagasaki Champon” is a local dish of Nagasaki prefecture. It is said to be a dish that came from China and is a popular dish in Nagasaki Chinatown. “Huis Ten Bosch” is famous for its Dutch streets and illuminations.

It is a huge theme park with the largest site area in Japan, and it is a place you definitely want to visit when you go to Nagasaki. “Glover Garden” is the place where the old residences of British merchants gathered. The particularly famous “Glover House” was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2015 as one of the “Meiji Japan Industrial Revolutionary Heritage Sites”. The “Peace Park / Peace Memorial Statue” is located at the epicenter of the atomic bomb dropped in 1945.

Kumamoto Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Kumamoto Prefecture

〇 Kumamon くまモン
〇 Kumamoto Castle 熊本城
〇 Mount Aso 阿蘇山
〇 Horse sashimi 馬刺し
〇 Kumamoto earthquake 熊本地震
〇 Karashi Renkon からし蓮根
〇 Aso 阿蘇
〇 Hot spring 温泉
〇 Kumamoto ramen 熊本ラーメン
〇 Suddenly dumpling いきなり団子

Other famous things: Amakusa, watermelon, Aso Farm Land

“Kumamon” is a PR mascot character officially recognized by Kumamoto Prefecture. Yuru Chara Grand Prix 2011 Champion We are proud of the top class name in the mascot world. “Kumamoto Castle” is a castle built by Kiyomasa Kato, a master of castle construction. It is said that it will take 20 years to recover from the damage caused by the Kumamoto earthquake, and we are looking for a “reconstruction castle owner” with donations. “Mt. Aso” has the largest caldera in the world and is also a symbol of Aso. Many hot springs spring up in Kumamoto prefecture, benefiting from volcanic activity. It is a world-famous active volcano. “Basashi” is a representative of Kumamoto gourmet. It is said that Kumamoto Prefecture accounts for 40% of the horse meat production in Japan. The “Kumamoto Earthquake” is an earthquake that occurred on April 14, 2016 and observed a depth of 7. The damaged appearance of Kumamoto Castle and other areas seems to leave a strong impression on people all over the country.

Oita Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Oita Prefecture

〇 Hot springs (Beppu / Yufuin) 温泉（別府・湯布院）
〇 Mt. Takasaki (monkey) 高崎山（猿）
〇 Fried chicken から揚げ
〇 Toriten とり天
〇 Oita Trinita 大分トリニータ
〇 Kabosu カボス
〇 Shiitake しいたけ
〇 Seki mackerel 関サバ
〇 Shochu (Iichiko / Nikaido) 焼酎（いいちこ・二階堂）
〇 Futabayama 双葉山

Other famous things: Oita Marine Palace Aquarium (Umitamago), Yuzu Kosho

“Onsen”, which is famous for Beppu and Yufuin, is the most famous in Oita prefecture. Oita Prefecture has the largest number of hot springs and the largest amount of hot springs in Japan, and is also called “hot spring prefecture”. “Mt. Takasaki” is known as a tourist destination. There are as many as 1,300 Japanese macaques that have been fed and become accustomed to humans. “Karaage” is a very popular local gourmet in Oita prefecture. In particular, Nakatsu City has many karaage specialty stores and is also called the “sacred place for karaage.” “Toriten” is a gourmet that originated in Oita prefecture. Following the fried chicken, this is a local dish of chicken tempura. “Oita Trinita”, a member of the J League, is a professional soccer club based in Oita prefecture. It is famous as a professional soccer team.

Miyazaki prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Miyazaki prefecture

〇 Hideo Higashikokuhara (former governor)
〇 Chicken nanban
〇 Miyazaki Jidori
〇 Takachiho Gorge
〇 Miyazaki beef
〇 Giants camp
〇 Meat-wrapped rice balls
〇 Hiyajiru
〇 Dogenkasentoikan

Other famous things: Moai statue, sea, Hyuganatsu

The most famous in Miyagi prefecture is the tropical fruit “Mango”. Mango, which used to be a minor fruit, has surged in popularity and popularity nationwide as a new specialty of Miyazaki Prefecture. “Hideo Higashikokuhara” is a former governor who greatly contributed to raising the name of Miyazaki Prefecture. More than six years have passed since his term expired in 2011, but it seems that he still has a strong impression of Miyazaki Prefecture. Miyazaki gourmet “chicken nanban” is said to have originated in Miyazaki prefecture. Miyazaki’s chicken nanban is completely different depending on the store, and you can enjoy various chicken nanbans. “Miyazaki Jidori” is one of the gourmet foods in Miyazaki prefecture. You can also eat tataki and sashimi, but the most popular one is charcoal grill. “Takachiho Gorge” is famous as a natural tourist destination in Miyazaki Prefecture. A 100m high canyon formed by volcanic activity continues for about 7km.

Kagoshima prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Kagoshima prefecture

宮崎県

〇 Sakurajima 桜島
〇 Takamori Saigo 西郷隆盛
〇 Shochu 焼酎
〇 Yakushima (Yakusugi) 屋久島（屋久杉）
〇 Black pig 黒豚
〇 Ibusuki Onsen (sand bath) 指宿温泉（砂風呂）
〇 Polar bear 白くま
〇 Tanegashima Space Center 種子島宇宙センター
〇 Volcanic ash 火山灰
〇 Satsuma Domain 薩摩藩

Other famous things: Satsuma-age, Yoron Island, Atsushi, Shimazu

“Sakurajima” is a symbol of Kagoshima. Eruptions are repeated on a daily basis, and the number of eruptions exceeds several hundred to 1,000 times a year. “Saigo Takamori” is a great man representing Kagoshima. The effect of the 2018 Taiga drama “Segodon” has further increased the level of attention. “Shochu” is a special product of Kagoshima prefecture that is popular all over the country. Kagoshima Prefecture is famous as the home of shochu brewing, but it also boasts the highest consumption in Japan. “Yakushima” was registered as a World Heritage Site and became the setting for the movie “Princess Mononoke”. Yakusugi, which is thousands of years old, and the untouched nature where precious creatures live are at the level of tears. “Kurobuta” is popular regardless of age or sex because of its excellent meat quality. It is also a representative of Kagoshima gourmet, and Kagoshima prefecture has the largest number of pigs in Japan.

Okinawa Prefecture

Famous things that come to mind when you think of Okinawa Prefecture

宮崎県

〇 Sea 海
〇 Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium 沖縄美ら海水族館
〇 Soki soba (Okinawa soba) ソーキそば（沖縄そば）
〇 Shisa シーサー
〇 Goya (Goya Chanpuru) ゴーヤ（ゴーヤチャンプルー）
〇 Chinsuko ちんすこう
〇 US military base 米軍基地
〇 It’s hot 暑い
〇 Sata Andagi サーターアンダギー
〇 Remote island 離島

Other famous things: Citrus depressa, Mimigar, Shurijo Castle, Awamori, sugar cane, Orion beer, red potato tart, Kokusai-dori, typhoon, pig’s trotter

The “sea” that surrounds tropical Okinawa is the most famous in Okinawa Prefecture. It is the best “clean sea” and “blue sea” in Japan. “Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium” boasts the largest number of visitors in Japan as an aquarium. The appearance of whale sharks swimming in Japan’s largest aquarium is truly overwhelming. “Soki soba” is a popular Okinawan gourmet. “Soki” means pork ribs, and Soki soba is a kind of “Okinawa soba”. “Shisa” is the guardian deity of Okinawa. In Okinawa, you can see shisa with various expressions on the gate and roof. “Bitter gourd” is a representative of island vegetables. Now it’s easy to see in supermarkets and kitchen gardens in Honshu.

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