When the weather turns cold in Japan, many people naturally start craving “nabe,” or hot pot.
Gathering around a steaming pot is a beloved winter ritual that warms both body and heart.
Winter is also the season when seafood and vegetables are at their best, and hot pot is one of the finest ways to enjoy these seasonal ingredients.
For people in Japan, autumn foliage is a cherished seasonal scene that embodies the beauty of change and transience. As mountains and temple gardens turn red and gold, many set out for “momijigari,” the joy of seeking autumn leaves.
Follow the north-to-south “foliage front,” and you can enjoy peak colors across the country over an extended period.
Shikoku offers outstanding cuisine (from Sanuki udon to seared bonito), dramatic nature, the culture of the pilgrimage, and soothing hot springs. Highlights include Kagawa’s Kotohira-gu Shrine, Tokushima’s Naruto Whirlpools, Ehime’s Dogo Onsen, and Kochi’s Katsurahama Beach.
The Chugoku region blends powerful history with beautiful nature, soothing hot springs, and excellent seafood—from Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima’s Itsukushima Shrine to Okayama’s Korakuen Garden, Yamaguchi’s Hagi and Akiyoshidai, Shimane’s Izumo Taisha, and the Tottori Sand Dunes.
The Chubu region features the Japanese Alps, historic towns, the Sea of Japan, Mt. Fuji, and Yamanashi’s famed fruits and wine. Feel tradition in Kanazawa and Takayama, learn history in Shirakawa-go and Matsumoto Castle, and enjoy nature at the Fuji Five Lakes, Shosenkyo Gorge, and the Yatsugatake Highlands.
The Kanto region, centered on Tokyo, offers a wide range of attractions: historic temples and shrines, modern cityscapes, mountains, seasides, and hot springs. Feel history in Asakusa and Kamakura, enjoy nature and hot springs in Nikko and Hakone, and experience modern urban sights in Yokohama or Odaiba.
The Tohoku region offers magnificent nature, four distinct seasons, historic culture, hot springs, and great local food. Highlights include Lake Towada and Oirase Gorge (Aomori), Chuson-ji Golden Hall (Iwate), Matsushima (Miyagi), Yamadera (Yamagata), Kakunodate samurai district (Akita), and Ouchi-juku (Fukushima).