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Shopping, Theme Parks, & Relaxation at This Convenient Hotel Outside Tokyo ・ Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay

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This Tokyo Disney Resort® Partner Hotel is near the train station and lots of great shopping, with all the fresh air of Tokyo Bay!

A Tokyo Disney Resort® Partner Hotel Next to the Station



Shopping, sightseeing, and a trip to Tokyo Disney Resort® – there's a lot to consider when planning a visit to Tokyo, and finding the perfect accommodations can make or break a trip. Fortunately, Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay is a Tokyo Disney Resort® Partner Hotel next to the train station, which means it's not only a quick trip to Tokyo's most popular theme park, but also conveniently close to plenty of shopping, and even has great access to popular Tokyo sightseeing spots. With an interior styled to make you feel like you're vacationing in Provence and along the French Riviera, newly renovated rooms with comfortable amenities, and a truly bountiful breakfast buffet, consider Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay for your next visit to Tokyo Disney Resort®, or your whole trip to Tokyo!

Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay (オリエンタルホテル 東京ベイ)
1-8-2, Mihama, Urayasu, Chiba
Access: directly connected to Shin-Urayasu Station (17 min from Tokyo Station), or accessible via limousine bus from Haneda Airport/Narita Airport (40 mins/60 mins)
Check-in/Check-out: 15:00~ / ~12:00
Official Website (en) | Reservations (en)

Freshly Renovated Guest Rooms



After a full day riding rollercoasters or exploring the streets of Tokyo, there's nothing better than getting back to a comfortable hotel room each evening. After a recent renovation, the 99 rooms on the hotel's Oriental Floors are the ideal place for some serious rest and relaxation. These rooms come in five types and sizes, sleeping up to four adults, and the soothing blue walls with gold accents inspired by the Mediterranean and the southern coast of France provide a serene atmosphere with a chic sense of French style.



Slip off your shoes (Japanese-style) at the entrance, and you'll be welcomed by a spacious room, soft fluffy beds, and a comfortable sofa to kick back and relax at the end of the day. Each of the rooms even comes equipped with a foot massager and an air humidifier for the ultimate relaxation experience. (Considering how many hours you spend on your feet walking around Tokyo or Tokyo Disney Resort®, after trying the hotel's foot massager, you won't want to stay anywhere else.) Use the TV's phone mirroring option to watch your favorite shows as you settle in for the night, or check out some local Japanese TV instead!



In the morning, getting ready is a pleasure thanks to ReFa showerheads, blow dryers, and even flat irons.

Hotel Conveniences & Amenities for All



At Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay, they've found a way to turn their environmentally-conscious efforts into something that's fun for guests as well. In order to cut down on waste, the hotel only keeps a few amenities inside the guest rooms, but that doesn't mean you have to do without! Guests looking for anything other than basic toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, and toothbrushes) need only visit the Tiroir amenity room, off the lobby on the 2nd floor. Tiroir looks like a cute French boutique, with the same Mediterranean blue and gold as the Oriental Floor rooms, but the items stocked inside are all free for guests to use during their stay. The shelves are filled with packets of skincare and hair oils, mouthwash and Q-tips, conveniences like paper plates and disposable cutlery, and extra towels galore. You can "shop" the selection at Tiroir and take whatever you might need, without having to waste all the toiletries and extras you won't use.



For any necessities not found at Tirior, or a whole world of other conveniences, Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay actually has a Lawson convenience store inside the building, and it's even open 24/7! Just off of the 2nd floor lobby, stop into the convenience store in the morning for drinks to stay hydrated while exploring Tokyo, or snacks to keep your energy up when taking a break from Tokyo Disney Resort®.



Between the check-in desk and Tiroir, the hotel's luggage room is high-tech and super convenient. Use a QR code to gain access to the room, then set your own password for lockers of all sizes and luggage locks for larger suitcases. The whole setup makes travel a breeze, especially when you're hoping to arrive early, stash your bags at the hotel, and then head out to explore.

Nearby, the laundry room is especially popular with guests staying in Japan for more than a few days. If you packed light or you're traveling with messy kids, or even if you're just running out of clean socks, it's always nice to have easy access to laundry machines.



Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay is actually home to Japan's first-ever interactive projection mapping inside a hotel! This spot next to the check-in desk is great for keeping kids entertained while parents check in and grab their room keys, but the fun interactive scenes with swooping birds and boxing kangaroos are pretty entertaining for people of all ages. Wave your hands and watch the animals react! (Some hidden characters only respond to secret gestures.)

A Hearty Breakfast & a Welcoming Lounge



Whether you're visiting Japan to see the sights in Tokyo, spend your days at amusement parks, or just enjoy the fantastic flavors of Japanese food, a full breakfast is the best way to start the day. Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay's breakfast buffet is offered in the restaurant Grand Cinq, which has just recently been renovated to match the blue interiors of the Oriental Floors, with a new kid's corner and open kitchen counters. Breakfast buffet offerings include a variety of cuisines, but some of the most popular dishes are prepared before your eyes by chefs at the counter, like the hearty hamburger sliders, and eggs benedict atop "croffles" (croissant waffles). Their whole rack of colorful mini donuts is also a perennial favorite!

We also recommend trying some of the more local dishes in the breakfast buffet, which you won't find outside the region. Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay (and Tokyo Disney Resort®) is actually located just outside of the city proper, in the neighboring prefecture of Chiba. Just a few decades ago, the area was all little fishing villages and lagoons on the edge of Tokyo Bay, so the hotel breakfast buffet now offers regional specialties like fried noodles with seaweed and shellfish. Before heading out for a day of Japanese culture, there's nothing better than starting with a breakfast full of local flavor!



Grand Cinq also offers lunch and dinner buffets with a variety of Japanese specialties, like freshly prepared sushi, tempura, and teppanyaki. It's not the only restaurant option at the hotel, however! Chinese Table offers a buffet of Chinese food featuring the eight major cuisines of China, whereas HUB is a British pub that offers classic pub food and sometimes live music.



Heading back to the hotel for an afternoon break? Done for the day, but not quite ready to return to your room? The Welcome Lounge offers a comfortable place for all hotel guests to relax, chat, or even get some work done from the early afternoon to late at night (14:00~23:00). And best of all, the lounge offers complimentary drinks and snacks! Grab a draft beer, a glass of sparkling wine, or a soft drink, and sit down with some cookies or candy from the little snack bar. (Kids are especially enamored with the do-it-yourself cotton candy machine.) When you're ready to head back to your room, you can even bring a drink to go. The cozy space and all the sweet treats offer everything you need to bring a fun day in Japan to a satisfying close.

Shop, Relax, and See the Sights Around Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay



Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay is a convenient place to stay when it comes to amenities, but also in terms of location. The Tokyo metropolitan area is huge, and there are popular sightseeing spots and attractions scattered all over the map, so proximity to a good train station is one of the most important factors when choosing a hotel. This hotel is literally connected directly to Shin-Urayasu Station by a bridge (with a roof, great on rainy days), which means it couldn't get much closer. Some of Tokyo's most exciting destinations are just a quick train trip away, and the busy station area is crowded with shops and restaurants. Plus, the hotel is easy to get to, thanks to "limousine" buses that arrive at Shin-Urayasu Station straight from both Haneda and Narita Airports. With the city at your fingertips, why bother staying anywhere else?

Tokyo Disney Resort®



As a Tokyo Disney Resort® Partner Hotel, Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay is located right in the same neighborhood as Tokyo Disneyland® and Tokyo DisneySea®, which makes it a perfect place for fans of the parks to stay while visiting Japan. By train, Tokyo Disney Resort® is just a single stop away, and the whole trip takes less than ten minutes – you can jump out of bed and find yourself enjoying all the rides, food, and fun in a matter of minutes! But why take the train when there's an even more convenient way to travel? The official shuttle bus service runs as many as 69 times a day, bringing hotel guests to and from Tokyo Disney Resort® entirely for free. (Check the schedule here.) Guests at Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay can even use the baggage delivery service at the parks to send their bags to the hotel while they spend the day out and about, so they can enjoy everything Tokyo Disney Resort® has to offer before heading back to find their bags waiting at the hotel. Staying at a Tokyo Disney Resort® Partner Hotel has its perks!

Urayasu Sightseeing & Shopping



Travelers who find themselves in the city of Urayasu, where Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay is located, tend to focus on Tokyo Disney Resort®. But while a day at the amusement park might be one fun way to spend time in the area, it's not the only way! Some visitors even plan an extra night or two at the hotel so there's ample time to explore the surrounding neighborhood.

Among Tokyo-area destinations, Urayasu is a little bit off the beaten path (aside from the theme parks), which means sightseers in the area often get to feel like they have it all to themselves. Make the most of your time in this bayside town on the edge of the big city by visiting Kasai Rinkai Park, with its fresh greenery and huge Ferris wheel! The park is big enough to also include a fabulous observatory looking out onto Tokyo Bay, and even the Tokyo Sea Life Park aquarium. Next, step back in time and spend an afternoon visiting Urayasu as it once was in eras past, at the Urayasu City Folk Museum. The museum has an inside area with exhibits on local history and culture, but the open-air area is a true hidden gem, with a whole chunk of the old village impeccably preserved. Visitors are free to enter the traditional old Urayasu homes and shops, sit on the tatami mats, and even open the cabinets and poke around. It's an incredible way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture, without any crowds to get in your way!



Ready for some serious souvenir shopping? Hoping to stock up on Japanese fashion at Uniqlo and GU? Just looking for a good bite to eat? The Shin-Urayasu Station area next to the hotel has three different shopping complexes, complete with plenty of places to buy clothing, food, and cosmetics, so you can shop till you drop without having to drag your purchases all over the city. (Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay is just across the street!)

The Atre Shin-Urayasu shopping mall is a part of the train station, but the broad selection includes fashion options, a bookstore, and a 300-yen store (selling home goods, accessories, and more at affordable prices). Next to the station, MONA Shin-Urayasu has a popular 100-yen shop and drugstore, good for cosmetics or any medicine/first-aid you might need. Just across the way, Aeon Style Shin-Urayasu is the station area's third shopping center, built around the large Aeon supermarket at its heart. On top of snacks, drinks, and prepared food at the supermarket, the facility also houses restaurants, a drugstore, and convenient clothing options like H&M. Whether you realized there's something you forgot to pack, or you're hoping to fill up your suitcases with lots of new Japanese purchases instead, Shin-Urayasu station is a great place to go shopping without the inconveniences of central Tokyo crowds.

Head Into Tokyo



Tokyo is a big city, but despite being located just outside the city limits, Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay's direct connection to Shin-Urayasu Station means that many of Tokyo's most popular spots are still easily accessible. The Keiyo Line train actually goes directly to Tokyo Station in about 17 minutes, and from there the city is your oyster. The majestic red brick building of Tokyo Station itself is already a landmark, but if you hop on the Yamanote Line to take a loop around Tokyo, you can stop in at all the must-see destinations. Start at Shibuya Station to see one of the city's busiest shopping and entertainment districts, including the huge crowds that sweep across the Shibuya crossing intersection, and the iconic Shibuya 109. Then you can either walk or take the train to Harajuku Station to see Japan's wildest street styles along with the high-fashion looks of Omotesando. A walk down the busy street of Takeshita-dori is a lesson in Japanese pop culture!



Next, hop back on the Yamanote Line to see springtime cherry blossoms at Ueno Park (Ueno Station) or Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (Shinjuku Station) if the season is right, or soak up the otaku culture around Akihabara Station any time of year! This nerdy neighborhood is full of shops selling used and new anime merchandise and video games, along with some of Japan's more unique inventions, like maid cafes. There's a lot to see in Tokyo, which means you'll probably be crisscrossing the city no matter where you stay. At the end of the day, you'll be happy to head back to Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay's comfortable rooms (and foot massagers)!

Make Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay Your Home Base!



Close to Tokyo Disney Resort® and so much else, Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay is a great place to call home while staying in Japan. Start the day with a luxurious breakfast before you see the theme parks, fill your suitcase with souvenirs, and explore the Tokyo area – from go-to destinations to Urayasu's best-kept secrets. Then come back to an oasis of French Riviera style and a cozy lounge, before resting your head in one of the hotel's chic newly renovated rooms. Stay an extra night or two and forget the stress of dragging your suitcase all across Tokyo – you might just want to make Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay your home away from home!

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

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NAME:Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay (オリエンタルホテル 東京ベイ)

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Japankuru Coupon: BEAMS fashion, accessories, lifestyle goods, and more! BEAMS 5% Discount Coupon ▶︎ Validity Dates: February 1 ~ February 29, 2024 ▶︎ Discount: 5% off all products in-store ▶︎ Usable At: BEAMS stores throughout Japan (all stores except BEAMS JAPAN Izumo and BEAMS JAPAN Nikko) ▶︎ Details: Please present this coupon page before payment to receive your discount! This coupon is also valid in combination with tax-free discounts/refunds for foreign tourists. (Tax-free shopping is only available at some BEAMS locations.) Some products may not be eligible for discount. ・ ・ ・ BEAMS - JAPANKURU優惠折扣券 BEAMS 2024年2月限定特別優惠券 店內全部商品95折 ▶︎使用期間:2024/2/1到2024/2/29 ▶︎使用範圍:日本全國店舖 ▶︎使用方法:結帳時請務必事先向店員出示本優惠券,若未出示本優惠券恕無法享有本優惠。本優惠券可搭配免稅優惠一併使用,但不排除特定門市無法使用本優惠券。此外,不排除特定商品不適用本優惠券。 ・ ・ ・ 「빔즈(BEAMS) x 재팬쿠루(JAPANKURU)」스페셜 할인 쿠폰 빔즈(BEAMS) 5% 할인 쿠폰 ▶유효기간: 2024년 2월 1일 ~ 2월 29일(한 달 동안) ▶︎할인율: 매장 내 전 상품 “5% 할인" ▶︎해당 매장: 일본 전국 빔즈 (BEAMS) 매장 (BEAMS JAPAN이즈모、BEAMS JAPAN닛코는 쿠폰 할인 대상 제외 점포입니다) ▶︎상세 내용: 결제 전 본 쿠폰 페이지를 제시하면 정가대비 5% 할인된 금액에 구매하실 수 있습니다! 본 쿠폰은 외국인 관광객들을 대상으로 하고 있으므로 면세 혜택(빔즈 일부 매장)과 별도로 추가 할인이 가능합니다. (일부 매장 및 제품은 대상에서 제외될 수 있습니다.) #japankuru #beams #beamsjapan #beamsginza #coupon #재팬쿠루 #빔즈재팬 #빔즈 #일본여행 #일본쇼핑 #일본쇼핑리스트 #銀座 #東京 #tokyoshopping #japankurucoupon

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MAP OF JAPAN

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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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