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Japan's spell-binding symmetry and endless contrasts make it a fascinating destination to explore. Visitors discover a captivating mix of pristine natural landscapes, bustling cities, and ancient traditions.
Top spots like Tokyo and Kyoto are "musts," especially for first-time visitors, but Japan is full of fascinating little-known gems. Let's explore three secret treasures that spotlight its rich traditions.
Takamatsu
The charming city of Takamatsu is one of Japan's hidden treasures, tucked away on the island of Shikoku. Takamatsu is a relaxed and temperate city set in Kagawa, Japan's smallest prefecture.
Ritsurin Garden, one of Japan's most renowned gardens, is located right in the center of town. The park is a traditional landscape garden built by feudal lords during the Edo period.
A canopy of 1,400 fragrant pine trees overlooks ponds, bridges, and seasonal gardens. Mt. Shiun, which serves as a backdrop for the gardens, inspired the design of the pavilions and other buildings that dot the landscape. Whether you prefer wandering around the gardens or taking in the sights from one of the pavilions, Ritsurin Garden is a relaxing experience.
As a port city on the Seto Inland Sea, Takamatsu is a gateway to several nearby small islands. Naoshima, also known as Art Island, is covered with museums and contemporary outdoor arts. The Chichu Art Museum, built mainly underground, uses natural light to demonstrate how pieces change throughout the day and in different seasons.
Set on a high perch overlooking the sea, Benesse House Museum is both a museum and a hotel. Artworks are installed in galleries, guestrooms, and outdoors along the seashore.
On the east side of the island, the Art House Project is a collection of seven abandoned houses, workshops, a temple, and a shrine that have been converted into works of art. The project sits in a residential area where visitors often interact with locals, learning how the installations reflect the area's history and culture.
Naoshima's undisturbed natural beauty is a perfect setting for its many outdoor art pieces, including Yayoi Kusama's Yellow Pumpkin, one of the island's most iconic pieces. Whether you explore the small islands of the Seto Inland Sea or relax among the red pine trees of Ritsurin Garden, Takamatsu is memorable for its peacefulness and stunning displays of nature.
Uwajima
Uwajima is a small city on the southern coast of Shikoku known for its fishing and pearl industries. Visitors to one of the area's many pearl farms will learn about the fascinating process of cultivating pearls.
Uwajima is also home to Shikoku's most extensive Japanese garden, Nanraku-en. The vast 40-acre garden was designed around the themes of "mountain, village, city, and sea" and presents a colorful display year-round. Every May, 30,000 irises explode with color, brightening every corner of the garden.
Just outside of town, a scenic hiking trail weaves through the Yakushidani Valley. The picturesque path winds through forested areas, along a bubbling creek, and past crystal-clear water cascading over a waterfall.
Uwajima is home to many historic sites, including Uwajima Castle, one of only 12 castles in Japan to retain its original keep building. The small building is a short hike uphill, and visitors can view armor and swords exhibits inside.
Uwajima is a unique and quirky city in the south of Ehime Prefecture. Along with its historic sites and beautiful outdoor attractions, the city is known for fantastic seafood, well worth seeking out when you visit.
Karatsu
Located in the west of Kyushu, Karatsu's proximity to Korea and China made it a major trading port. All three East Asian countries contributed to Karatsu's local culture. This influence is reflected in the city's famous "Karatsu Ware," Japanese pottery made using Korean techniques. The product is unique to Karatsu and is one of the top ceramic styles used in traditional tea ceremonies.
The most important event on the Karatsu calendar is the Karatsu Kunchi Festival, held each November. This 400-year-old harvest festival is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Fourteen elaborate floats, called hikiyama, are drawn through the town, each representing one of the city's traditional neighborhoods.
The enormous, vividly colored floats were constructed in the 19th century and take the form of dragons, lions, sea bream, and samurai helmets, to name a few. A fifteenth float, the black lion, mysteriously disappeared around the late 1800s.
The floats are stored and exhibited year-round at the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall, where the craftsmanship and artistry of the historic floats can be viewed any time of the year.
Karatsu is a small city of great cultural significance. As a port city with a commitment to its traditions, the city represents two critical parts of Japanese history – isolation and globalization. Karatsu city is a great way to experience Japanese culture in a new and different way.
Ready to explore Japan's hidden treasures? Contact Grand Journeys Travel to start planning.
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