Mount Aso is located in Aso City, in the Kumamoto Prefecture of Kyushu Island. A constant stream of smoke is emitted from the caldera, a reminder that the volcano is active. The landscape is very diverse. Inside the caldera, there’s everything from grassy plains with grazing horses and cattle, to the rocky Nakadake peak.
The sleek and modern Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo opened in October 2018. It replaces the former Tsukiji Fish Market as the largest wholesale fish market in Japan and in the entire world.
Akita prefecture and its capital, Akita City, is located in the Tohoku Region in the north of Japan’s largest island, Honshu. Akita translates to ‘autumn rice paddy’ in Japanese, and accordingly the prefecture is well-known for its extensive rice farming. It is also famous for its sake breweries and for supposedly being the origin of the Akita dog breed.
Located in Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Kumamoto Castle (熊本城, Kumamoto-jō) is one of the largest and most impressive castles in Japan. During its heyday, it was considered one of the most impenetrable fortresses in the country. Designed with strategic defense firmly in mind, the castle originally boasted over 49 turrets, 29 gates, and a number of unique defensive measures including holes in the walls for dropping boiling water, rocks, or excrement onto attackers.
Located in Kagoshima prefecture at the southwestern tip of the island of Kyushu, Kagoshima is the largest southernmost city on the main islands of Japan and is often considered the friendliest Japanese city for visitors. Kagoshima has a long history as an important commercial port, especially during the medieval period and the Edo period from 1603–1868, is widely regarded as the birthplace of the industrial revolution in Japan. It was officially inaugurated as a city in 1889.
Although you may not be planning to travel around Japan with a JR Pass for a while, it’s now possible to explore some of Japan’s best museums digitally and get a good idea of what to expect when you do arrive. It’s now entirely possible to visit a range of galleries and museums in Japan online via offer a virtual exhibition tour, simply by using the Google Arts & Culture Street View from the comfort of your sofa.
