A large prefecture on the Pacific Coast in the Tohoku region, Iwate is a former cultural and political centre of northern Japan with many surprises hidden up its sleeve. 

With the end of the year quickly approaching, it is now time to look ahead, and see what Japan in 2024 has to offer - And the answer is quite a lot! In this article, we’ll cover a few of the many exciting openings that are coming your way in 2024, and even beyond. From new luxury resorts to rugged hiking trails, from the northern tip to the southernmost islands, Japan is ready for a new year and new adventure!

Early in November in London, the Toyama Week event was held. Showcasing the beautiful craft and food of the prefecture, we got a taste of Japan, and a preview of all things Toyama. One popular aspect of the week was having the wagashi chef Yasuhiro Hikiami visit to conduct workshops on wagashi at Japan House, and his own wagashi pop-up at Pantechnicon, where he took live orders from customers. Chef Hikiami was kind enough to sit down with us and answer a couple of questions about both wagashi and his experience in London!

For the first time in the UK, discover the Ainu culture of today through personal stories from this indigenous community from the southern Hokkaido region of Biratori at Japan House London.

Easily accessible from Tokyo, the Tohoku region is a true gem that visitors to Japan should not miss out on. Stretching from the prefecture of Fukushima, just north of Tokyo, to Aomori Prefecture, south of Hokkaido, the Tohoku region offers heaps of sublime natural landscapes every season and off-the-beaten-path travel opportunities. A must-see destination all year long, with enjoyable local festivals and delicious culinary specialties, read through our Tohoku travel guide to plan your next Japan vacation!