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Planning a Trip to Japan?
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Escape the daily grind and experience the tranquility, history and natural wonders Japan offers off the beaten track. From serene sacred sites and unspoiled nature to centuries-old traditions, encounter new ways to find your inner balance in a revitalizing journey of discovery.
Shimane
Mie
Marie Kondo
Marie Kondo is a tidying expert, bestselling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, star of Netflix’s Tidying Up With Marie Kondo. She was also named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People. She began her tidying consulting business at 19 and has since helped people create homes filled with calm and inspiration. With the goal of organizing the world, she now oversees the KonMari Consultant Program with certified tidying experts in more than 50 countries. In her latest book, Letter from Japan, she shares the cultural traditions that have inspired her philosophy.
Izumo, Shimane
Featuring prominently in Japan's earliest creation myths, the Izumo region is a place where ancient traditions live on against a backdrop of natural beauty and serenity. Embark on a journey of discovery and let the spirit of gratitude heal you in the “land of the gods”, and immerse yourself in the cultures and traditions that tie the age of mythology to the present day.
Inasa-no-hama
Experience tranquility on the white sands of Inasa-no-hama, a beach central to the creation mythology of Japan. This gently arching shoreline hosts some of the country's most beautiful sunsets, where the setting sun backlights the majestic rock Bentenjima with its own shrine and torii gate.
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Izumo Oyashiro Shrine
Step into legend in one of Japan's oldest and most significant Shinto shrines, dedicated to Okuninushi, the creator of the land of Japan and deity of marriage. In the expansive shrine grounds, rows of pine trees guide deities and pilgrims alike towards the grand halls.
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Izumo Soba Tanakaya
Savor the timeless flavors of Izumo-style soba noodles at Tanakaya, where handmade soba made of wholegrain buckwheat is served with a sauce made with local ingredients. Enjoy the traditional Izumo styles of warigo-soba in three tiered bowls, or kamaage-soba in the water in which it was boiled.
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NIPPONIA Izumo Hirata Cotton Road
Indulge in local delights in this traditional inn, set in a two-and-a-half-century-old former sake brewery. Each character-filled suits blends natural wood architecture with contemporary aesthetics and conveniences, and handcrafted meals highlighting the best of local produce and enduring culinary traditions top off an unparalleled experience.
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Momen Kaido
Walk in the footsteps of centuries of artisans and merchants along the historic streets of the 'cotton road', where a vibrant market town of centuries past comes alive. These picturesque streets of well-preserved shops, warehouses and homes are a haven for independent local food and drink producers, craftspeople, and restaurants.
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Mie
Against a backdrop of forested mountains and bountiful seas, Mie Prefecture boasts unique cultural experiences from the sacred history of Ise to the livelihoods of those who dedicate themselves to the harvests of sea and land alike. Engage your senses in the traditions of this region through culture, food and craftsmanship, and become part of living history through unique hands-on experiences.
Ise Jingu
The largest sacred precinct among Japan's approximately 80,000 shrines, Ise Jingu consists of 125 shrines and enshrines Amaterasu-Omikami, the ancestral deity of the Imperial Family and the entire Japanese populace. The vast and tranquil grounds of the Naiku feature beautiful architecture, towering trees, and the presence of the clear waters of the Isuzugawa River felt throughout. Within this environment, traditional ceremonies and devotional practices continue to thrive today.
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Okage Yokocho
Experience the hospitality that has welcomed pilgrims to the Ise Jingu shrine through the ages, in this reconstructed town center featuring Edo to Meiji era architecture. These bustling streets are home to restaurants and food stalls, arts and craft stores, as well as cultural opportunities.
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AMA Hut HACHIMAN
Step into the life of the ama, a centuries-long culture of women free-divers who forage year-round for shellfish and seafood using chisels and hand sickles. Learn about their diving skills and ancient traditions while enjoying freshly caught local seafood including spiny lobster and abalone grilled over an open charcoal hearth.
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Chayuzen Cha-Jyu
Immerse yourself in the rich tea-growing history of Mie prefecture in this tea store established in 1863. Discover the wide variety of Japanese tea through guided tastings, and take part in hands-on opportunities in preparing tea leaves. The store also sells traditional teaware and tableware sourced from all over Japan.
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Hirozawa Tokusaburo Kobo
Discover the art of kumihimo, traditional braided cord that has adorned religious artifacts,arms and kimono over the course of history. Witness the techniques and materials involved in this craft at the workshop, and create your own works of Iga-style kumihimo as a memento of your visit.
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