Iwate Prefecture is part of the Tohoku region of northern Japan. It’s the second least densely populated prefecture (Hokkaido is number one!) and has several unique tourism destinations, like Morioka Castle, Fujiwara no Sato theme park and movie set, and several major Buddhist temples. The prefecture has several local legends and myths, one of which […]

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Nagasaki Prefecture has played a pretty big role in Japan’s history. Before the Meiji Period, Japan closed itself off from the rest of the world and when it finally reopened during the Meiji Restoration, Nagasaki was one of the main ports receiving foreign goods – this piece of history has lasting effects as Nagasaki Prefecture […]

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Shikoku Island is often forgotten about as a tourist destination, but Ehime Prefecture might just make the top of your to-go list. Since before even the Heian Period (starting in the year 794), Ehime Prefecture has had a large fishing culture and was strategically important for Japan, defending against pirates and Mongolian invasions. The oldest […]

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Ichibandori is on Neutral Bay’s main strip of restaurants, Military Road. Despite having a lot to compete with – Neutral Bay has endless choices to eat at – Ichibandori offers a standout menu. Head chef Shota serves up generous portions of izakaya style yakitori sticks, as well as fresh sashimi and a few left of […]

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One of the few landlocked areas of Japan, Nagano Prefecture is right in the middle of Honshu Island in the Chubu region. In 1998, Nagano Prefecture hosted the Winter Olympics, gaining it a spot on the international map for winter sports lovers, and with many snow capped mountain ranges to choose from, it’s great for […]

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In the south of Japan, Miyazaki Prefecture sits on the eastern coast of Kyushu Island. It’s a scenic region that was once the top honeymoon destination for Japanese newlyweds in the 70s, and Miyazaki Shrine is where the mysterious first emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu, is enshrined. There’s not a lot of tourism in Miyazaki […]

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Yamanashi Prefecture is located right in the middle of Japan’s main island, Honshu. It’s one of the few landlocked prefectures, shares a border with Shizuoka Prefecture and as such part of Mount Fuji is in Yamanashi Prefecture. Be prepared for a lot of jewellery and robotics when you visit – these are the two largest […]

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Mie Prefecture houses the biggest and most important god in Japanese mythology, Amaterasu the sun goddess and mother of the other gods and goddesses! You can visit the shrine (which is huge and was built in the 7th century!) dedicated to her in the city of Ise. The prefecture has five major geographical regions – […]

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Ramen Toriichi is about to become your new favourite ramen shop. While Sydney has been going crazy for tonkotsu pork broth ramen, Toriichi has been developing the recipe for their rich chicken broth. While chicken broth isn’t anything new, here in Sydney we’re most accustomed to clear chicken broths. Toriichi is a chicken paitan specialist – thick, […]

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Okayama Prefecture is located on the main island of Japan, Honshu, in the Chugoku region, a small area near Hiroshima. Okayama Prefecture is best known for a local type of pottery and swordsmithing, though you may be more familiar with the story of Momotaro (peach boy). It is said that the story, whereby Momotaro is […]

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