Golden Week is fast approaching: the time of the year when the majority of Japan gets a free week-long holiday. Make the most of this opportunity to visit some of Japan’s most intriguing tourist locales.
There will probably not be any snow here during golden week
Photo by Edu Snacker / Shutterstock.com
Yoichi, Hokkaido: A Land of Wine & Whiskey
Known for its lovely beaches on Hokkaido‘s north shore, Yoichi is popular with surfers in the warmer months of the year. However, it is also a good choice for those who want to enjoy a touch of the gourmet life. It goes without saying that the area boasts fresh, delicious seafood, but it is also developing a reputation for wines. The destination winery Occi Gabi welcomes visitors from elementary school age and up.
Yoichi is also home to the Nikka Whisky Distillery, famous as the origin of Japanese whisky and the inspiration for the 2016 NHK morning drama “Massan,” which depicted Nikka founders Masataka Taketsuru and his Scottish wife Rita.
Koyasan, Wakayama: Fantastical World Heritage
South of Osaka, the Koyasan (Mount Koya) area is a World Heritage site and has been a sacred spot for Japanese Buddhism since the monk Kukai set up residence there in 816. The centerpiece is Okunoin Cemetery, comprised of some 200,000 stone monuments set among a cedar forest. Scores of other temples can be found in the vicinity, some of which offer lodgings to tourists and the chance to experience shojin ryori (vegetarian Buddhist cuisine) and meditation.
Less than an hour from this quintessential Japanese experience is another only-in-Japan attraction: Nitama, the Stationmaster Cat. Presiding over Kishi Station on the Kishikawa train line in Kinokawa, Nitama follows in the footsteps of her late predecessor, the legendary Tama. The cat is credited for bringing the station back from the brink of financial ruin and tourists now flock to the Kishikawa area, which now celebrates all things feline.
Mine, Yamaguchi: Akiyoshido Limestone Cave
Yamaguchi Prefecture in the Chugoku region is off the average foreign tourist’s radar, but is home to the spectacular Akiyoshido Limestone Cave in Mine. The caves are around 10 kilometers in length, one kilometer of which is open to the public. The route is equipped with elevators and isn’t difficult to traverse, making it suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. (Small children, however, might find the underground experience unnerving.) View a range of curious and awe-inspiring vistas sculpted by Mother Nature herself along the way, and you may see some of the six types of bats that call the caves home.
Other attractions in the mine area include the Akiyoshidai Karst Observatory, located in a popular area for hiking and wonderful views, and Akiyoshidai Safariland, where you can get close up and personal with various animals.
Takachiho, Miyazaki: Spectacular Scenery and Shinto Mythology
The dramatic geographical features of Takachiho in northwest Miyazaki Prefecture can make for an unforgettable Golden Week excursion. The Gokase River flows through the Takachiho Gorge, with steep cliffs on either side. Probably the best way to experience the natural beauty of the gorge is by renting a boat, with the 17-meter high Manai Falls being just one of the cascades to take in along the route. There are also walking trails, and Golden Week is prime time to view various species of flowers.
Takachiho is also known as a cradle of Shinto, Japan’s native religion. There are a number of shrines to visit, and Takachiho Shrine hosts evening performances of kagura – sacred dancing and music offered to the Shinto gods. Minpaku (homestays) can be arranged through the town office. Looking for something a little more tropical, head to Miyazaki’s white sand beaches.
Tono and Kitakami, Iwate: Golden Week Cherry Blossoms and Northern Folklore
Most visitors to Iwate make a beeline for Hiraizumi, a World Heritage spot renowned for its historic monuments and gardens. However, for something a little different, head over to the small town of Tono with its rich folkloric heritage. Chief within this tradition are legends about the kappa, mischievous Japanese water sprites that resemble something akin to a turtle, frog and bird all rolled into one.
A few kilometers out of town is the picturesque Kappabuchi Pool, where you can try fishing for kappa with a cucumber (their favorite food), and chat to Kappa Ojisan, the local kappa expert. Don’t miss the Tono Folklore Village (Furusato no Mura), which has a wonderful collection of traditional buildings set up like a farming village. The first part of Golden Week is generally cherry blossom time in Iwate, and Tenshochi Park in the city of Kitakami, about 70 minutes from Tono, is a top viewing spot.
