Sponsored

Tokyo Shopping ・ Popular Creative Label NouNou’s First Japanese Pop-Up at GINZA SIX

This article contains sponsored content.

  • facebook
  • instagram

NouNou meets GINZA SIX! Enter the world of artist Jean Jullien in the heart of Tokyo.



The latest fashion trends, the most luxurious designers, restaurants, cafes, a bookstore that feels like an art library, and more – GINZA SIX is the largest commercial complex in Ginza, and it even has its own traditional Japanese Noh theater.



It's in this unique facility that we find the first-ever Japanese pop-up shop for NouNou, a brand developed by Korean creative director Jae Huh and French artist Jean Jullien.

The Brand’s First Pop-Up in Japan



The NouNou pop-up store is full of original designs based on Jean Jullien's cute illustrations, with a wide variety of products ranging from clothing and accessories to home goods and everyday items. Offerings include some of the brand's most popular items, as well as a selection of new products from NouNou's FW 2023 collection, some of which are first seen at this pop-up.

To celebrate the grand opening, the shop is even exhibiting original art editions for sale from Jean Jullien and some related merchandise, courtesy of the contemporary art gallery NANZUKA.









An Extra Surprise: Jean Jullien Art Furniture





”The Departure“



Jean Jullien's playful touch has actually been present at GINZA SIX since 2022, when his installation art piece "The Departure" was hung in the wide-open atrium from floors two to five. Visitors can still see it throughout the duration of the pop-up shop, and enjoy the unique decorations that bring life to this space at the heart of GINZA SIX. Now that the huge installation piece is surrounded by the art furniture and the NouNou pop-up itself, there's a lot of Jean Jullien to enjoy at GINZA SIX.

NouNou?




A creative label born from a Korean creative director and a French visual artist, NouNou has collaborated with brands and shops around the world, but its origins began in a London studio. There, Jae Huh and Jean Jullien shared a working space and became fast friends, and when Jae Huh returned to Korea in 2016 after 11 years abroad, he invited Jean Jullien to collaborate with his brand Stereo Vinyls. Inspired by his Korean friend's culture, Jean Jullien decided to use traditional Korean masks as a theme, resulting in a collection replete with faces making all the expressions found in daily life.

After that first project was completed, while waiting at the airport for Jullien's return flight to London, the two men came to a decision: they would take this simple collaboration to new heights, turning it into a whole new brand, and basing their operations out of Seoul. The brand's name NouNou comes from the nickname that Huh's daughter gave to Jullien's son Lou, "NuNu," combined with the French word for we/us, "nous."

NouNou
Official Website: https://nounou.kr  
Instagram: @nounou_official

Jean Jullien?



Born in 1983 in Nantes, France, Jean Jullien is an illustrator, graphic designer, and general visual artist active in the UK. The artist's journey began at the school Le Paraclet in Quimper, where he studied graphic design before moving across the channel.



In the years since his graduation from Central Saint Martins (University of the Arts London) in 2008 and the completion of his studies at the Royal College of Art in 2010, Jullien's illustration work has been associated with a variety of brands and media outlets, including the New York Times, National Geographic, RCA Records, Le Centre Pompidou, Hermes, Petit Bateau, and Vogue. At the same time, Jean Jullien has continued to pursue fine art with a passion, exhibiting work in San Francisco, London, Berlin, Singapore, and galleries all over the world.

Jean Jullien's wit-filled works are steeped in a stew of cultural influences, with inspiration coming from a diverse selection of sources. The artist cites influences including Japanese manga like Saint Seiya, Dragon Ball, and City Hunter, along with Franco-Belgian bande dessinée comics, and the likes of French poster artist Raymond Savignac, picture book author Tomi Ungerer, and illustrator Jean-Jacques Sempé. The result is a portfolio that defies the stereotypes of fine art.

Notable Works



Painted straight onto the wall of the Yvon Lambert Gallery in Paris during a solo exhibition, this work was created to commemorate the May 2022 publication of "Jean Jullien" from Phaidon Press, and it tells the story of Jullien's iconic characters, the Paper People.



Jean Jullien's love of surfing, born from a childhood by the sea, is a theme that shows up frequently in the artist's work. This April 2022 painting, found on the wall of the Alice Gallery in Brussels, is the latest wall painting exhibited at his solo exhibition "Bye Bye Blue."



Flexibly integrating painting and illustration while incorporating strong influences from his days growing up in a seaside town, Jean Jullien's paintings sometimes burst beyond the borders of his canvases to fill the surrounding walls. This novel work was a part of the Bye Bye Blue solo exhibition at Alice Gallery.

GINZA SIX’s Art Project Continues



GINZA SIX is already known as a Tokyo shopping landmark, always a step ahead of the latest fashion trends. It has quickly become beloved among Tokyo locals and shoppers from all over the world, offering a lineup of luxurious brands and a shopping experience that never fails to excite. But perhaps it's the sense of style cultivated and inspired by a constant connection to the world of art, like this unique pop-up shop, that's the true driving force at GINZA SIX, and what pulls in a crowd on top of the latest trends.



PROFILE

Follow us @Japankuru on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

  • facebook
  • instagram

COMMENT

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

FEATURED MEDIA

VIEW MORE →

・Accommodations for Odaiba Sightseers: Mitsui Garden Hotel Toyosu PREMIER
・住宿推薦 三井花園飯店 豐洲普米爾
・오다이바 관광 맞춤 숙소: 미츠이 가든 호텔 토요스 프리미어
・ค้างคืนที่ Mitsui Garden Hotel Toyosu Premier โรงแรมสำหรับผู้มาเยือน Odaiba
#japankuru #odaiba #tokyo #tokyotrip #japantrip #japantravel #mitsuigardenhotel #mitsuigardenhoteltoyosupremier #tokyohotel #odaibahotel #toyosu #tokyoview #tokyobay #rainbowbridge #미츠이가든호텔토요스프리미어 #오다이바 #오다이바맛집 #오다이바건담 #오다이바해변공원 #오다이바야경 #오다이바온천

・Accommodations for Odaiba Sightseers: Mitsui Garden Hotel Toyosu PREMIER ・住宿推薦 三井花園飯店 豐洲普米爾 ・오다이바 관광 맞춤 숙소: 미츠이 가든 호텔 토요스 프리미어 ・ค้างคืนที่ Mitsui Garden Hotel Toyosu Premier โรงแรมสำหรับผู้มาเยือน Odaiba #japankuru #odaiba #tokyo #tokyotrip #japantrip #japantravel #mitsuigardenhotel #mitsuigardenhoteltoyosupremier #tokyohotel #odaibahotel #toyosu #tokyoview #tokyobay #rainbowbridge #미츠이가든호텔토요스프리미어 #오다이바 #오다이바맛집 #오다이바건담 #오다이바해변공원 #오다이바야경 #오다이바온천

Nagano Prefecture is famous for delicious soba noodles, and in the city of Ueda, you can learn from the experts! Local aunties run this cooking class, teaching you everything you need to know to make your own delicious plate of soba noodles entirely from scratch.
#japankuru #soba #sobanoodles #japanesefood #travelexperience #japan #japantrip #ueda #nagano #japaneseculture #japanexperience #daytrip #daytour #cookingclass #japanesecookingclass #上田市 #そば作り #소바체험 #우에다시 #나가노여행 #일본소바

Nagano Prefecture is famous for delicious soba noodles, and in the city of Ueda, you can learn from the experts! Local aunties run this cooking class, teaching you everything you need to know to make your own delicious plate of soba noodles entirely from scratch. #japankuru #soba #sobanoodles #japanesefood #travelexperience #japan #japantrip #ueda #nagano #japaneseculture #japanexperience #daytrip #daytour #cookingclass #japanesecookingclass #上田市 #そば作り #소바체험 #우에다시 #나가노여행 #일본소바

Kuramae Shrine is known for its early-blooming cherry blossoms and its gorgeous golden mimosa blooms, making it a great sakura spot for travelers arriving in Tokyo a little early for the main cherry blossom season.
It’s also tucked away in a neighborhood packed with trendy cafes and coffee shops. Kuramae is a lovely place to spend the day. 🌸☕️
・
#japankuru #kuramaeshrine #kuramae #tokyo #tokyotrip #cherryblossom #cherryblossoms #mimosa #tokyocherry #花見 #蔵前神社 #ミモザ #桜 #東京 #Japan #日本 #일본 #Japon #ญี่ปุ่น #Japão #Japón #япония #japantravel #日本旅行 #日本旅遊 #일본여행 #japan_of_insta #japantrip #traveljapan

Kuramae Shrine is known for its early-blooming cherry blossoms and its gorgeous golden mimosa blooms, making it a great sakura spot for travelers arriving in Tokyo a little early for the main cherry blossom season. It’s also tucked away in a neighborhood packed with trendy cafes and coffee shops. Kuramae is a lovely place to spend the day. 🌸☕️ ・ #japankuru #kuramaeshrine #kuramae #tokyo #tokyotrip #cherryblossom #cherryblossoms #mimosa #tokyocherry #花見 #蔵前神社 #ミモザ #桜 #東京 #Japan #日本 #일본 #Japon #ญี่ปุ่น #Japão #Japón #япония #japantravel #日本旅行 #日本旅遊 #일본여행 #japan_of_insta #japantrip #traveljapan

Local Japanese Favorites at the Okinawa Don Quijote
② Ohta’s Isan, the digestive aid of the Japanese people
・
・
2024唐吉訶德不可不知的好物推薦②
日本國民消化小幫手:太田胃散
・
・
오키나와 돈키호테 숨은 꿀템2.
일본 국민 소화제! 오타이산
#japankuru #okinawa #donki #沖縄 #오키나와 #오키나와여행 #오키나와돈키호테 #일본쇼핑리스트 #오타이산 #일본소화제 #太田胃酸 #ohtasisan

Local Japanese Favorites at the Okinawa Don Quijote ② Ohta’s Isan, the digestive aid of the Japanese people ・ ・ 2024唐吉訶德不可不知的好物推薦② 日本國民消化小幫手:太田胃散 ・ ・ 오키나와 돈키호테 숨은 꿀템2. 일본 국민 소화제! 오타이산 #japankuru #okinawa #donki #沖縄 #오키나와 #오키나와여행 #오키나와돈키호테 #일본쇼핑리스트 #오타이산 #일본소화제 #太田胃酸 #ohtasisan

Happy Valentine's Day from the Japankuru team! May your day be full of sweet chocolates and sweet nothings. 💕
Or, if you're like a rising number of women in Japan, take the opportunity to treat yourself! 🍫💝💆
•
Find out more at Japankuru.com! (Link in bio.)
•
#japankuru #valentinesday #valentineschocolate #japanesechocolate #japaneseculture #バレンタイン #バレンタインチョコ #メリーチョコレート #Japan #日本 #일본 #Japon #ญี่ปุ่น #Japão #япония #japantravel #日本旅行 #日本旅遊 #일본여행 #japan_of_insta #japantrip #traveljapan #japan🇯🇵 #japanlife #igerstokyo #explorejapan #japanfocus #enjoyjapan #japantravelphoto

Happy Valentine's Day from the Japankuru team! May your day be full of sweet chocolates and sweet nothings. 💕 Or, if you're like a rising number of women in Japan, take the opportunity to treat yourself! 🍫💝💆 • Find out more at Japankuru.com! (Link in bio.) • #japankuru #valentinesday #valentineschocolate #japanesechocolate #japaneseculture #バレンタイン #バレンタインチョコ #メリーチョコレート #Japan #日本 #일본 #Japon #ญี่ปุ่น #Japão #япония #japantravel #日本旅行 #日本旅遊 #일본여행 #japan_of_insta #japantrip #traveljapan #japan🇯🇵 #japanlife #igerstokyo #explorejapan #japanfocus #enjoyjapan #japantravelphoto

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

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

|

MAP OF JAPAN

SEARCH BY REGION →

    • HOKKAIDO

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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

      VIEW MORE →

      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.

EVENT CALENDAR

VIEW MORE →

MOST POPULAR

RELATED ARTICLES

PARTNERS