The South Route

Our south blogger will travel from the warm subtropical waters and white sand beaches of Okinawa to the rugged coastlines along the Sea of Japan. Along the way she will discover modern and traditional industrial marvels, tranquil rural islands and the rugged, mountainous interior of western Japan.

Oct 31

Walking the Salt Trail in Itoigawa

Niigata Prefecture

Hiking the ancient Salt Road and experiencing local traditions in Itoigawa, where the Northern Alps meets the Sea of Japan.

Meeting Time:

4PM

Meeting Place:

Itoigawa station, South exit

The North blogger Jessica and the South blogger Emma will meet again in the middle part of Japan, Itoigawa this day. Let's join in this meet-up! We plan to have a casual ceremony to celebrate the goal of We Love Japan Tour, then will take a walk along the coastline at the sunset time. Duration: Around 1 hour

Oct 29

Nanto, home of faith and woodcarving

Toyama Prefecture

Visiting woodcraft artisans in Nanto-city, Toyoma to see their elaborate sculpture works and studios in the classical townscape.

Oct 27

Eating my way around Mount Hakusan

Ishikawa Prefecture

Explore regional delicacies found around Mount Hakusan in Ishikawa Prefecture. Details to be announced.

Oct 25

Fifteen million autumns in Miyazu

Kyoto Prefecture

Joining a tour through the mountains of northern Kyoto Prefecture in search of fossilized leaves, fish and other creatures.

Meeting Time:

10AM

Meeting Place:

Shiogiri-so しおぎり荘（〒626-0227 京都府宮津市上世屋238−14）

You will have an activity of collecting fossils as well as driving sand buggies in the quite large accommodation site. Participation fee is 2500 yen + 2000yen (if you join the barbecue lunch) Duration: 10AM-3PM Please send a mail to qq333vy9n@oboe.ocn.ne.jp (Mr. Nishihara) with the title "We Love Japan Tour 2015 Participation" including your name, number of participants, and phone number.

Oct 23

A different Kyoto - forestry in Keihoku

Kyoto Prefecture

Experience with local forestry workers to go deep into the forested mountains north of Kyoto.

Meeting Time:

12:30

Meeting Place:

At the parking lot of Woody Keihoku, the Road Side Sation

You are going to the deep mountain to see the site of local forestry workers. You would also try making some woodcraft (chopsticks) using local wood material yourself. Proper shoes for walking is recommended (trekking shoes, sneakers are also fine). Participation fee: 1000yen (only for chopsticks making) Duration: 12:30 - 16:00 Please send a mail to kei.nakayama@gmail.com (Mr. Nakayama) with the title "We Love Japan Tour 2015 Participation" including your name, number of participants, and phone number.

Oct 21

Smoked bonito and other delicacies in Ise Shima

Mie Prefecture

Trying our hand at making katsuobushi, dried bonito flakes, used widely in traditional Japanese cooking.

Meeting Time:

9:10

Meeting Place:

Daiozaki Parking Lot, Shima City (大王崎観光駐車場)

Cost: 2500 yen (1700 yen without lunch), pay on the spot; Duration: until around 12:30 (in case of lunch); Note: a maximum of 20 people can participate

Oct 19

Ryujin Onsen, the mountain retreat of the daimyo

Wakayama Prefecture

Relaxing in the beautifying hot spring waters of historic Ryujin Onsen in the remote mountains of Wakayama Prefecture.

Oct 17

Wakame farming in Naruto

Tokushima Prefecture

Learning about wakame seaweed farming in Naruto, a city made famous by the tidal whirlpools which form in the nearby strait.

Oct 15

Ogijima, a small island with plenty of character

Kagawa Prefecture

Exploring the narrow lanes of Ogijima Island's sleepy hillside fishing village.

Oct 13

The Kuniga Coast of the Oki Islands

Shimane Prefecture

Discovering the sheer cliffs and rocky shores of Shimane's Oki Islands from both land and sea.

Oct 11

Shunan's industrial coastline

Yamaguchi Prefecture

Joining an evening cruise along the illuminated refineries and factories that line the southern coast of Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Oct 9

Toilets and robots in Kitakyushu

Fukuoka Prefecture

Touring the Toto factory in Kitakyushu where the celebrated washlets and some of the world's most advanced toilets are being produced.

Oct 7

Okawachiyama, village of the secret kilns

Saga Prefecture

Exploring the traditional artisan village of Okawachiyama in Saga Prefecture, where Imari Porcelain has been produced for centuries.

Oct 5

Taketa - a story of water

Oita Prefecture

A visit to Hakusui Dam, otherwise known as "the Queen of the Dams", a beautiful cascading waterfall in Taketa City, Oita.

Oct 3

Aoshima, island of the gods

Miyazaki Prefecture

Checking out the devil's washboard coastline and a small shrine in the jungle interior of Miyazaki's small shrine island.

Oct 1

Sea kayaking in Zamami

Okinawa Prefecture

Exploring the deep blue waters around subtropical Okinawa's Zamami Island by sea kayak.