3 of the (Official) Most Beautiful Villages in Japan, and Why They’re Worth Visiting

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These tiny villages dot Japan like beautiful jewels woven into the countryside, each one a unique destination!

Any traveler that has ventured out of the big city and into Japan's countryside can tell you that rural Japan is full of picturesque mountains, endless expanses of verdant rice paddies, and any number of inviting tiny villages. These little communities are filled with a jumble of modern homes and traditional houses built in centuries past, with unique local landmarks and surprising histories, and while more and more young people have fled the countryside to Japan's urban areas in recent years, warm welcomes still await the ambitious traveler who ventures off the beaten path to a tiny village in Japan.

Now that Tokyo has become a mainstream travel destination for international sightseers, and other big cities like Kyoto and Osaka are quickly following suit, some of Japan's smallest towns are looking for ways to find their own niche. To help, one nonprofit is working to target some of Japan's most appealing little villages, and support the communities as they protect their heritage while working to welcome in the world. Called "The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan," this NPO was inspired by a similar organization in France, and so far it has identified more than 60 of Japan's "Most Beautiful Villages" for support and preservation. Each of these spots, scattered from the tip of Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido to the southernmost islands of Okinawa, has its own unique draw and plenty to charm travelers, so we picked just a handful of our favorites to share with you in this list!

① Biei, Hokkaido (北海道美瑛町)

Biei was the very first "Most Beautiful Village in Japan," as the town's mayor jumpstarted the local Japanese chapter of the organization in 2005, simultaneously inviting another seven communities to join. But of course, Biei isn't only on this list because it was the birthplace of the Most Beautiful Villages in Japan – it really might be one of the country's most beautiful villages. The town is known for the beautiful scenery that tourists flock to Hokkaido for throughout the year, including bucolic green fields in the warmer months and heavy blankets of white, fluffy snow each winter. Like much of Japan's countryside, local public transportation just can't compare to fantastic network of trains and buses found in Japan's bigger cities, but that makes it a particularly popular stop on any road trip through Hokkaido! With the help of a rental car, travelers can slip between the area's green expanses and race past iconic rows of trees.





One of Biei's most popular destinations is this lake that almost looks like a spot on another planet, but is really found in the town's Shirogane area. Called Aoi Ike (青い池) or Blue Pond, trees grow up out of a pool of bright blue waters, giving the pond its very literal name, and during the summer the shining daylight sets off the magical blue tone. When the weather turns cold, however, the pond is even more popular at night. The water freezes over, snow piles up on top, and then colorful lights are set up to reflect off of each of the tiny snowflakes upon the pond's surface for a dazzling display.

Aoi Ike / Shirogane Blue Pond (白金青い池)
Shirogane, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido
Biei Official Website (en)



Shirahige Falls are just five minutes from the Shirogane Blue Pond by car, and the waterfall is famous for the blue hue of the water at the base of the cliff. The source of these falls is an underwater river that flows out through small cracks in the dark 30m (98ft) rock face, causing a rare variety of waterfall as the many white tendrils flow to the ground. This unique appearance is what earned the waterfall its name, Shirahige (白髭), which literally means "white beard." 

Shirahige Waterfall (白ひげの滝 )
Shirogane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido



② Ine, Kyoto (京都府伊根町)



The little town of Ine has a long history as a fishing village, and as a stop on the trade routes between Kyoto and parts of Europe and Asia, and to this day the community has held onto and preserved the area's famous "funaya" (舟屋) – traditional wooden boathouses that still sit right on and even over the water. The amazing cultural heritage of these traditional homes earned Ine the very first official Japanese historic preservation designation of a group of traditional buildings in a fishing village, and a few years later the spot officially became one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Japan.



While traditional Japanese farmhouses and the old residences found in many regions of Japan tend to share certain designs and styles, the unique look and functional architectural quirks of Ine's funaya houses make them an unusual sight, and you won't find a scene quite like this anywhere else in Japan. Visitors who want to see the houses from another angle can take one of the town's water taxis out onto the bay for a truly splendid view of the scenery, as the water sparkles in the sun. (Water taxi drivers might even hand you some shrimp chips to feed the seagulls as you ride through the water, and they swoop past to grab the snacks right out of your hand!)



As a fishing village on the water, perhaps it's no surprise that Ine is also an excellent place to indulge in some fresh seafood! Just across the street from the water, with a wall of windows looking out over the bay, Funaya Shokudo is a popular spot for kaisen-don (海鮮丼) seafood bowls and dishes of squid and udon.

Funeya Shokudo (舟屋食堂)
491 Hirata, Ine, Yoza District, Kyoto
Hours: 8:00 – 16:00 (closed Thursdays)
Official Website



For travelers visiting the picturesque streets of Ine, Mukai Shuzo Sake Brewery is often a last stop before leaving the area. The 250-year-old brewery makes a few different varieties of Japanese sake, including a rather unusual brew with a tinge of red color and a surprisingly fruity flavor, which brings to mind the mellow aromas of red wine. It makes a great souvenir!

Mukai Shuzo Sake Brewery (向井酒造)
67, Hirata, Ine, Yoza District, Kyoto
Hours: 9:00 – 12:00 / 13:00 – 17:00

③ Kitashiobara, Fukushima (福島県北塩原村)



The western Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture is known for its samurai history, historic sake breweries, and savory bowls of breakfast ramen, but local villages like the rural Kitashiobara also attract visitors thanks to their gorgeous natural features – which are what earned it a place among the Most Beautiful Villages in Japan in 2010. Spread out flat at the foot of the active volcano Mount Bandai, the green sprawl of Kitashiobara's endless rice paddies is uniquely Japanese, while the colorful marshes and lakes formed by volcanic activity are uniquely Kitashiobara.
 



Kitashiobara's Goshiki-numa (五色沼), also called the Five Colored Marshes, became a part of the local landscape after a historic eruption from Mount Bandai back in the 1880s. Though the volcanic eruption was a tragic natural disaster at the time, killing hundreds and destroying the villages of many more, it left the area littered with hundreds of beautiful lakes and marshes (numa/沼 in Japanese) that now dot the landscape like brilliant jewels.



The Goshiki-numa are known for the range of brilliant blue-green hues that color each body of water, big and small, and travelers now traipse through the wooded countryside to see some of the more popular spots. The largest lake is Bishamon-numa, where visitors can head down the rocky steps to rent rowboats on the lakeshore and get out on the water, enjoying the dramatic backdrop created by the craggy shape of Mount Bandai. Bishamon-numa is also home to the "Goshikinuma Heart Koi", a white koi fish with a distinct orange heart on its side, and spotting the koi is said to bring good luck!

Bishamon-numa Rowboats (毘沙門沼 貸ボート受付)
1093 Kengamine, Hibara, Kitashiobara, Yama District, Fukushima
Hours: 8:00 – 16:30 (closed Dec. to Mar.)
Price: 700 yen/30 minutes or 1,300 yen/1 hour



Hiking trails thread through the forest connecting many of the smaller marshes, which reflect the surrounding foliage in their brilliant surfaces. Ao-numa (青沼) and Ruri-numa (るり沼) are popular destinations, but Haha-numa (母沼) and Yanagi-numa (柳沼) are worth a look too, and a little further into the woods, past Ruri-numa, the uneven lakebed of Benten-numa (弁天沼) gives the view some colorful variety.



When the weather is nice, the trails through the woods are well-tread without being overly crowded – but for those worried about meeting a less friendly hiking companion, there are bear bells available at the trailhead for visitors to borrow as they explore the area!

★ Most Beautiful Village Bonuses ★



Looking for a most-beautiful destination for enjoying Japan's cherry blossom season? Takato Castle Site Park (高遠城址公園), in Most Beautiful Village Takatomachi, was the spot of the first Japanese cherry blossoms to ever bloom – according to local legend, at least. These days, the castle ruins are a particularly popular destination for night-time cherry blossom viewing, and the park is said to be one of the top three cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. During the annual Takato Sakura Festival, the park opens during the day and stays open past sunset so that visitors can see the beautifully lit blossoms reflected in the water.

For those arriving in Japan during the colder months of the year, blankets of white snow and maple trees make Takato Castle Site Park a charming wintertime destination as well!

Takato Castle Site Park (高遠城址公園​)
Higashi Takato, Takatomachi, Ina, Nagano
Hours: 8:00 – 21:00
Price: adults 500 yen/children 200 yen (admission is free outside of the sakura viewing period)
Official Website / Takato Sakura Festival Website



For those who like to get hands-on during their travels, the Most Beautiful Village of Koisago has a history entwined with local artisans and pottery culture, as the home of the Tochigi's popular Koisago-yaki ceramics. The local ceramics are known for colored glazes that shine with rich cinnabar reds and warm, golden yellows, a tradition passed on through generations of potters, and visitors can experience a little bit of the history for themselves by trying their own hands at Koisago-yaki. Fujita Pottery was founded 170 years ago, and now visitors can tour the artisan studios, paint dishes using the area's deeply pigmented glazes, try hand-sculpting, or even whip up their own cup or bowl using a pottery wheel (with some helpful tips from the workshop's experts).

Fujita Pottery (藤田製陶所)
2710 Koisago, Nakagawa, Nasu District, Tochigi
Official Website (jp)



The Most Beautiful Village in Japan?

It turns out, finding the "Most Beautiful Villages in Japan" isn't really about weighing the pros and cons of each little village, and it's more about finding what makes each of Japan's tiny communities special and worth exploring. The NPO The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan adds new spots to their list every year, helping those regions to protect their cultural heritage and helping visitors to appreciate what each has to offer – and the list is just one great way to start looking for a unique destination outside of Japan's big cities. So, where do you think is the most beautiful village in Japan?

For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

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    • HOKKAIDO

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      Hokkaido (北海道) is the northernmost of the four main islands that make up Japan. The area is famous for Sapporo Beer, plus brewing and distilling in general, along with fantastic snow festivals and breathtaking national parks. Foodies should look for Hokkaido's famous potatoes, cantaloupe, dairy products, soup curry, and miso ramen!

    • Niki, in south-west Hokkaido, is about 30 minutes from Otaru. The small town is rich with natural resources, fresh water, and clean air, making it a thriving center for fruit farms. Cherries, tomatoes, and grapes are all cultivated in the area, and thanks to a growing local wine industry, it's quickly becoming a food and wine hotspot. Together with the neighboring town of Yoichi, it's a noted area for wine tourism.

    • Niseko is about two hours from New Chitose Airport, in the western part of Hokkaido. It's one of Japan's most noted winter resort areas, and a frequent destination for international visitors. That's all because of the super high-quality powder snow, which wins the hearts of beginners and experts alike, bringing them back for repeat visits. That's not all, though, it's also a great place to enjoy Hokkaido's culinary scene and some beautiful onsen (hot springs).

    • Otaru is in western Hokkaido, about 30 minutes from Sapporo Station. The city thrived around its busy harbor in the 19th and 20th centuries thanks to active trade and fishing, and the buildings remaining from that period are still popular attractions, centered around Otaru Canal. With its history as a center of fishing, it's no surprise that the area's fresh sushi is a must-try. Otaru has over 100 sushi shops, quite a few of which are lined up on Sushiya Dori (Sushi Street).

    • SAPPORO

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      Sapporo, in the south-western part of Hokkaido, is the prefecture's political and economic capital. The local New Chitose Airport see arrivals from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, alongside international flights. Every February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Odori Park―one of the biggest events in Hokkaido. It's also a hotspot for great food, known as a culinary treasure chest, and Sapporo is a destination for ramen, grilled mutton, soup curry, and of course Hokkaido's beloved seafood.

    • Consisting of six prefectures, the Tohoku Region (東北地方) is up in the northeastern part of Japan's main island. It's the source of plenty of the nation's agriculture (which means great food), and packed with beautiful scenery. Explore the region's stunning mountains, lakes, and hot springs!

    • Akita Prefecture is on the Sea of Japan, in the northern reaches of Japan's northern Tohoku region. Akita has more officially registered important intangible culture assets than anywhere else in Japan, and to this day visitors can experience traditional culture throughout the prefecture, from the Oga Peninsula's Namahage (registered with UNESCO as a part of Japan's intangible cultural heritage), to the Tohoku top 3 Kanto Festival. Mysterious little spots like the Oyu Stone Circle Site and Ryu no Atama (Dragon's Head) are also worth a visit!

    • FUKUSHIMA

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      Fukushima Prefecture sits at the southern tip of Japan's northern Tohoku region, and is divided into three parts with their own different charms: the Coastal Area (Hama-dori), the Central Area (Naka-dori), and the Aizu Area. There's Aizu-Wakamatsu with its Edo-era history and medieval castles, Oze National Park, Kitakata ramen, and Bandai Ski Resort (with its famous powder snow). Fukushima is a beautiful place to enjoy the vivid colors and sightseeing of Japan's beloved four seasons.

    • YAMAGATA

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      Yamagata Prefecture is up against the Sea of Japan, in the southern part of the Tohoku region, and it's especially popular in winter, when travelers soak in the onsen (hot springs) and ski down snowy slopes. International skiiers are especially fond of Zao Onsen Ski Resort and Gassan Ski Resort, and in recent years visitors have been drawn to the area to see the mystical sight of local frost-covered trees. Some destinations are popular regardless of the season, like Risshakuji Temple, AKA Yamadera, Ginzan Onsen's nostalgic old-fashioned streets, and Zao's Okama Lake, all great for taking pictures. Yamagata is also the place to try Yonezawa beef, one of the top 3 varieties of wagyu beef.

    • Japan's most densely populated area, the Kanto Region (関東地方) includes 7 prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa, which means it also contains the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. In modern-day Japan, Kanto is the cultural, political, and economic heartland of the country, and each prefecture offers something a little different from its neighbors.

    • Gunma Prefecture is easily accessible from Tokyo, and in addition to the area's popular natural attractions like Oze Marshland and Fukiware Falls, Gunma also has a number of popular hot springs (Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, Shima)―it's even called an Onsen Kingdom. The prefecture is popular with history buffs and train lovers, thanks to spots like world heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill, the historic Megane-bashi Bridge, and the Watarase Keikoku Sightseeing Railway.

    • TOCHIGI

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      Tochigi Prefecture's capital is Utsunomiya, known for famous gyoza, and just an hour from Tokyo. The prefecture is full of nature-related sightseeing opportunities year-round, from the blooming of spring flowers to color fall foliage. Tochigi also has plenty of extremely well-known sightseeing destinations, like World Heritage Site Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Ashikaga Flower Park―famous for expansive wisteria trellises. In recent years the mountain resort town of Nasu has also become a popular excursion, thanks in part to the local imperial villa. Tochigi is a beautiful place to enjoy the world around you.

    • Tokyo (東京) is Japan's busy capital, and the most populous metropolitan area in the world. While the city as a whole is quite modern, crowded with skyscrapers and bustling crowds, Tokyo also holds onto its traditional side in places like the Imperial Palace and Asakusa neighborhood. It's one of the world's top cities when it comes to culture, the arts, fashion, games, high-tech industries, transportation, and more.

    • The Chubu Region (中部地方) is located right in the center of Japan's main island, and consists of 9 prefectures: Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Yamanashi. It's primarily famous for its mountains, as the region contains both Mt. Fuji and the Japanese Alps. The ski resorts in Niigata and Nagano also draw visitors from around the world, making it a popular winter destination.

    • Nagano Prefecture's popularity starts with a wealth of historic treasures, like Matsumoto Castle, Zenkoji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine, but the highlight might just be the prefecture's natural vistas surrounded by the "Japanese Alps." Nagano's fruit is famous, and there are plenty of places to pick it fresh, and the area is full of hot springs, including Jigokudani Monkey Park―where monkeys take baths as well! Thanks to the construction of the Hokuriku shinkansen line, Nagano is easily reachable from the Tokyo area, adding it to plenty of travel itineraries. And after the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, ski resorts like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are known around the world.

    • Aichi Prefecture sits in the center of the Japanese islands, and its capital city, Nagoya, is a center of politics, commerce, and culture. While Aichi is home to major industry, and is even the birthplace of Toyota cars, it's proximity to the sea and the mountains means it's also a place with beautiful natural scenery, like Saku Island, Koijigahama Beach, Mt. Horaiji. Often used a stage for major battles in Japanese history, Sengoku era commanders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu left their own footprints on Aichi, and historic buildings like Nagoya Castle, Inuyama Castle, and those in Meiji Mura are still around to tell the tale.

    • NIIGATA

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      Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.

    • SHIZUOKA

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      Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.

    • Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.

    • Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.

    • Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.

    • Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.

    • CHUGOKU

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      The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.

    • HIROSHIMA

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      Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.

    • SHIKOKU

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      On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).

    • Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.

    • Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!

    • FUKUOKA

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      Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.

    • KAGOSHIMA

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      Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.

    • OKINAWA

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      The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.

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