When it comes to soft-serve ice cream in Japan – known locally as soft-cream – Hokkaido holds a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of locals. With its rich agricultural heritage and countless dairy farms, Hokkaido is known for producing the highest quality milk in Japan. That milk doesn’t just go into cheese and yogurt – it’s also the reason why soft-cream here is so famously smooth, rich, and flavourful.

Ukiyo-e, also known as ‘pictures of the floating world’, are a style of woodblock prints in Japan, commonly depicting scenes such as landscapes, people, flora, fauna, and more. Today we focus on Utagawa Hiroshige, born in 1797, and most famous for his various depictions of the Japanese countryside and cities. His journeys and prints of the 53 Stations of the Tokaido Road between Tokyo (known as Edo during the Edo Period) and Kyoto are some of the most recognisable prints in the world. In this article, we’ll explore some of the locations that Hiroshige printed, ranging from Tokyo to Shikoku.

As we continue exploring the magical island of Kyushu in the south of Japan, we arrive in Kumamoto Prefecture. The 15th largest prefecture in Japan and with slightly under 1.8 million people, the prefecture has beaches, mountains, castles, and everything you could want from a trip to Japan. Kyushu is only a short flight away from Tokyo and other big cities, so make sure to explore and see all that Kumamoto has to offer!

We know that Japan is made up of four main islands, Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. There is a lifetime of travel between the four islands, from the snowy slopes of Hokkaido to the volcanoes of Kyushu. However, did you know that the total number of islands that comprise the Japanese archipelago total to more than 14,000 islands? With so many islands comprising Japan, there are so many magical places that are worth traveling to and discovering even more of the beauty and charm that Japan has to offer. So let’s take a look at some of the other islands of Japan!

Kagoshima Prefecture is the southernmost prefecture of the island of Kyushu, and a haven for natural beauty, deep history, and immersive culture. With a population of slightly over 1.5 million people, Kagoshima Prefecture is also the 10th biggest prefecture of Japan, and the largest in all of Kyushu. Famous for its pottery that made its way around the world, active volcano that occasionally coats the city in ash, and a revolt during the Meiji Period, Kagoshima is a must see for anyone visiting Kyushu.