Ishikawa Prefecture and its main city Kanazawa have some of the best charms and attractions in the Hokuriku region. From the famous Kenrokuen garden to the many relaxing onsens in the area, let’s look at some of the famous Ishikawa and Hokuriku charm!

Fukui Prefecture, nestled in the Hokuriku region of Japan, will soon be a short train ride away from Tokyo with the new opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension next month. From a museum all about ancient dinosaurs, to a secluded island accessed only by a bridge, Fukui Prefecture has everything you need for a fulfilling trip. Let’s take a look at some things you can do in the dinosaur prefecture!

Sustainability has been a hot topic in recent times, with people, places, and countries becoming more environmentally aware of waste and plastic usage. Especially in terms of single use plastics and plastic water bottles, the movement to reduce the number used is growing. We talked with Robin and Mariko, who created the company mymizu, which through its app helps people to find water refill stations all across Japan and the UK to limit plastic usage.

Just over an hour from Tokyo is the charming resort town of Karuizawa. Nestled among tranquil forests and undulating mountains, this small town (pop. 19,684) is most famous for its summer vacation villa homes (offering refreshing retreats for Japan’s rich and famous) and glamourous shopping mall. But what it also boasts is an abundance of nature that is accessible to everyone.

Continuing in our series of travel Japanese, we introduce some more handy words and phrases to make your trip to Japan even easier - and even more memorable and enjoyable.