Shimane is located in Chugoku region in Japan. Probably the most known place in Shimane is Izumo, which plays the central role in creating Japanese mythology. There are many things to attract many tourists for all year around in Shimane, from the breathtaking nature view to the historical sites including the oldest shrines in Japan. Here we introduce the best places to visit in Shimane for the fir

Pottery and ceramic arts, are one of Japan’s oldest and most valued Japanese crafts and art forms. In combines art and tradition beautifully and by illustrating Japanese technical brilliance and aesthetics, it reflects the values of the Japanese culture. Japanese pottery has a long history, and has evolved over time with the changes and improvements in technology and materials. These developments

金閣寺に伏見稲荷、嵐山の竹林や清水寺…など京都には有名で見どころのあるスポットがたくさんあります。有名スポット以外にも、京都には１日では伝えきれないほどの魅力がたっぷりです。 今回の記事は、京都で活躍する通訳案内士/通訳ガイドさんにアンケートをとり、有名スポット以外でツアー中に寄るとゲストに喜ばれる場所をお聞きしました。通訳ガイドが選ぶ、ガイドならではの穴場スポットにご注目ください。 お店百貨店・デパートやっぱり外せない百貨店やデパート。 なんと言っても最大の魅力は地下の食品フロアです。 贈り物用の果物を紹介したり、銘菓やお惣菜を紹介したり。 食に興味をもっているゲストはとても多いので、日本の食文化を伝えるにはぴったりな場所です。 永楽屋 ※画像はイメージです手ぬぐいで有名な永楽屋。京都駅や祇園、四条通など５店舗あります。 日本文化である手ぬぐいは、多種多様なデザインや使い道があり、ご紹介

Shimanami Kaido Cycling Trails is the famous cycling trail that connects Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture and Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture. It passes through many interesting and different sized islands in the Seto Inland Sea. The outstanding scenic views while cycling through the various islands have made this cycling route famous. It was chosen as one of the best 7 cycling routes in the

Autumn in Japan is one of the country’s most beautiful seasons. As the hot and humid summer gives way to autumn, the weather gets cooler and soon the leaves begin to change color.  Across the country, from city parks to the many forests, you’ll see nature in action, painting the leaves in breathtaking colors of vibrant red and tangy orange, and shades of gold. Japanese term Momiji-gari, literally

Did you know that Tokyo also consists of several scenic islands? The area of the Tokyo Islands refers to a large area with a total of 219 islands of different sizes, dotted around the sea area. 11 of the islands belong to a group of islands known as Izu Islands or Ogasawara Islands and together are being called the Tokyo Islands. Some of them are inhabited and all offer beautiful natural scenery,

Ishigaki Island is a scenic, remote island, that is the main island of Yaeyama islands, Japan’s most southern group of islands. They are part of Okinawa prefecture, though, located about 410-kilometer southwest of Naha city, the Okinawa prefectural capital. The beautiful Ishigaki Island is the third largest island in Okinawa and one of the most popular travel destinations, with a pleasant climate

Naoshima is an art island located in the Seto Inland Sea in Japan. It has been getting more attention lately due to the beautiful sea and a number of modern museums and galleries which house impressive artworks. Becoming a new center of contemporary art, there are more visitors coming to the island from all over the world. This scenic island is located in the Shikoku Region, a beautiful region tha

Looking for somewhere you can experience the more traditional Edo culture and traditions, see old buildings and shops handcraft in Tokyo? Then you should visit the Yanesen area! Yanesen refers to a district located near Ueno, in the west part of Bunkyo ward and the east part of Taito ward. It comprises of three areas called Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi that are located next to each other. Yanesen is

日本海に浮かぶ「佐渡島」。 通訳案内士/通訳ガイドの皆さんは行ったことがありますか？ 実はこちらの島に、外国人が多く訪れる時期があります。 それは「アース・セレブレーション」という国際芸術祭がある8月。 こちらのイベントに行く予定の外国人ゲストと会うかもしれません。 イベントと共に、佐渡島のおすすめスポットを紹介できたらゲストも嬉しいはずです。 今回は隠れた人気スポット、新潟佐渡島のおすすめスポットをご紹介します。 アース・セレブレーションとはこのイベントは、世界的に有名な和太鼓パフォーマンス集団「鼓童」と佐渡市が主催する音楽祭です。国内外の舞台芸術の才能が結集されます。 米国ニューヨークタイムズ紙に「日本で最先端のワールドミュージックイベント」と評されたことや、「国際交流基金地球市民賞」や「ティファニー財団賞・伝統文化大賞」等、多数の賞を受賞したこともあります。 30年続けてきたこのイベ