Discover the Heart of Japan Adventures AROUND TOKYO

Tokyo is a popular place to begin your journey in Japan, but in its surrounding regions you’ll fi nd some of the best scenery in the nation, delicious foods and beverages, and old traditions still alive. Fortunately, Japan’s excellent transportation network makes it very easy to venture out of the metropolis, either for a day trip or an extended adventure, and to discover some truly unique sights.

bchdegkfajiLocalCuisineHotonoodlestew(YamanashiPrefecture)aHegisobanoodles(NiigataPrefecture)biKitakataramennoodles(FukushimaPrefecture)cHimokawaudonnoodles(GunmaPrefecture)dEatLikeaLocal:SampleRegionalDelights—andForgetWhatYouThoughtYouKnewaboutJapaneseCuisineGourmetJapanesedisheslikesushiandsashimiarenowsavoredbyfoodiesaroundtheworld.Butthere’sawealthoflit-tle-knownJapaneseculinarytemptationsstillwaitingtobeexplored.Diverseanddistinc-tiveregionalcuisinesshowcaseeacharea’sspecializedagriculturalproducts,andserveasanimportantsourceoflocalidentityandpride.EvenforJapaneseclassicslikeudonandsobanoodles,therearespecialregionalvariationsinuencedbyaparticulartown’sorcity’suniquecharacter.Ofcourse,residents12willercelyproclaimthattheirversionisthebest,butyou’llhavetotryeachforyourselfjusttobesure.Inaddition,recentyearshaveseenanexplo-sionofwhatisknowninJapanas“B-classgourmet”cuisine—unpretentious,hearty,andflavorfuldishesthatwon’tbreakeventhemostfrugaldiner’sbudget.Usuallybasedonbelovedregionaldishes,butwithamod-erntwist,B-classcuisinekeepsthepricesreasonablebyusinglocalingredients.Mean-while,thetasteisanythingbut“B-class”!Thecasual,homeyrestaurantsandfoodstallswherethiscuisineisservedwillalsoshowyouawarmanddown-to-earthsideofJapan.Youmayevenfindyourselfmakinganewfriendortwowhileyoudiscovernewavorsthatinspireyourpalateandnourishyoursoul!