Thank you for choosing our “Around Japan in a Half Day Tour” on Nov.1st. We welcomed 2 guests from Canada. I hope all of you enjoyed and shared interesting conversations with us during the tour.
The Japanese archipelago stretches approximately 3,000 km from north to south. It also experiences distinct four seasons. Even during the same period, the climate and scenery vary greatly depending on location. Even the same place shows a vastly different appearance depending on the season. While places like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Kanazawa are widely known, many other areas also boast wonderful tourist destinations. The Around Japan in a Half Day Tour takes you around three prefectural antenna shops near Tokyo Station, each offering a distinct atmosphere, allowing you to feel the essence of each prefecture. You’ll also walk around the Nihonbashi area, where history and modern streetscapes intertwine.
Autumn is the season of harvest. Each antenna shop welcomes us with carefully crafted events.
Today, Fukushima’s shop offered samples of new rice and grapes. The rice, a brand called “Fukuwarai” which means happy smile newly developed over 14 years, featured a distinctive aroma and sweetness. Fukushima is renowned as one of Japan’s premier rice-producing regions. Its climate, with high daytime temperatures and cool nights, is ideal for cultivating delicious rice.
Delicious grapes also greeted us. They were juicy, intensely sweet, and delicious. Fukushima is also known as the Fruit Kingdom. It is particularly famous for its delicious pears, grapes, and apples.
Autumn is also the season for colored leaves. In Fukushima’s mountainous regions, it’s now the perfect time to enjoy spectacular foliage. One famous spot for autumn colors is Goshikinuma. As its name means “five-colored ponds,” walking among them reveals ponds in various hues—green, red, light blue, and more. This is due to iron-rich soil from the volcanic area flowing into the ponds and oxidizing, creating the red color. Another pond appears green due to moss growing on the lake bottom and the high transparency of the water. The peak of autumn foliage occurs from late October to beginning of November. During this season, you can enjoy both the changing colors of the trees and the diverse hues of the ponds.
Fukushima Prefecture is just an hour and a half from Tokyo by Shinkansen, making it possible to enjoy a day trip from Tokyo. Why not consider building your own unique Japan trip, with Fukushima as one of your options?
Posted by Naoki