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Spring is coming, and of course in Japan that means only one thing: cherry blossoms galore. This year skip the crowded city parks, and head up to the vast lands of northern Japan, to make your sakura season last as long as possible. Here is a quick primer on some…
An online reading held at an art festival in Yakage, Okayama Prefecture. (Nami Hamada)
In January this year, the small, scenic town of Yakage, Okayama Prefecture, was decked out with modern art pieces at its historic buildings and along its streets.
Special nighttime programs ran for nearly two weeks for an art festival titled “Workation Resort Bitchu Yakage” in the rural community, once the home of a post station along the Sanyo Road in the Edo Period (1603-1867).
The hope was that it would lure in visitors to the town for overnight stays. But this art festival, held during the pandemic, was not at all like a normal local event or tourism campaign.
, Updated 8 Mar 2021, 11:09 GMT
Built over a thousand years ago, the Yamadera temple is a picturesque spot in the mountains of the Tohoku region.
Photograph by Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organization
Comprising the six northernmost prefectures on Japan’s main island of Honshu, Tohoku is a rugged land where natural highlights, from pristine forests and remote hot springs to snowy peaks and crater lakes, set the scene for thousand-year-old temples, ancient shrines and lively festivals. Little wonder it was featured in the National Geographic s Best Trips 2020 list as a top destination for adventure.
And yet, less than 2% of the country’s international travellers come here. Due to its remote position and heavy snowfalls, this region has historically had minimal influence from the outside world, resulting in well-preserved traditions and ancient customs.