#offthebeatenpathjapan

Lonely Planet: Naruto Sake Story

Yay! It happened! We got the article completed for the Lonely Planet and now the entire planet, lonely and otherwise, will know about the Naruto Sake Story. This has been a long time in the making and we are absolutely thrilled with the quality of the work. Our company produced the article, and we were able to collaborate successfully with the team of the Naruto Sake Story. Many many thanks to…

Hokkaido is very attractive area for foodies.  Nature provides you with fresh vegetables and seafood and farms provide you fresh and milk-oriented foods. Hokkaido has an unique food culture. An indigenous people the Ainu, and people from mainland have Japan joined them. So, food culture has been mixed up. Today I introduce you to 5 major foods you should not miss!  Also, shop information with the food information as below. If you know another food you can recommend, please add your comment! <Genghis Khan (Mongolian Mutton Barbecue)>

Japanese in mainland don’t eat mutton so much, however, Mutton Barbecue in Hokkaido is very popular.  Mongolian mutton barbecue is one of the local dishes in Hokkaido.  Mongolian mutton barbecue has become popular in Hokkaido after World War II.  These days, Mongolian mutton barbecue draws attention as a healthy diet since sheep meat is rich in nutrition but light on calories. In 1918, according to the plan by the Japanese government to increase the flock to one million sheep, five sheep farms were established in Japan. However, all of them were demolished except in Hokkaido .Because of this, Hokkaido's residents began eating the meat from sheep that they sheared for their wool. Restaurant: Daruma Genghis Khan

https://tabelog.com/en/hokkaido/A0101/A010103/1000007/

The word of Genghis Khan remainds the local people in Hokkaido this restaurant that it has more than 60 years history. You may have to get in line to eat there! (It is very popular and doesn’t accept reservation) <Soft-serve Ice Cream>

Soft-service ice cream is really nice everywhere in Hokkaido.  Rich Flavor  will satisfy you. Especially soft-service ice cream in the farm is awesome! Here is a farm you can try it!

The farm you can try this Murakami Farm Grace Court Eniwa (Cafe is in the farm) Address 156 Toiso Eniwa Hokkaido 061-1405 TEL: 0123-32-5093 Open: The middle of April-The middle of Nov. Kaisen-Don (Bowl of rice topped with Sashimi)

Hokkaido is surrounded by sea and Japanese Foodies head to Hokkaido to have special seafood.

If you love raw fish, you can’t miss it!　Otaru is one of the major spots which has a lot of good Sushi restaurants. Some sushi restaurants provide Kaisen-Don (Bowl of rice topped with Sashimi)　

Sushidokoro Yoshi provides Special bowl of rice topped with sashimi.  The bowl includes sea urchins, salmon roe, crabs, shrimp, ear shell and salmon. 〒047-0031 Hokkaido Prefecture, Otaru, Ironai, 1−10−9 Hours 11am-9pmPhone TEL:0134-23-1256 Closed Aug 18 <Soup Curry>

It is a recent popular local food. The number of soup curry shops is increasing especially in the Sapporo region. Most of them use local fresh vegetables and is more spicy than regular curry in Japan.

Restaurant Picante This restaurant is very popular between local people. You can eat mutton curry here. Choose  the degree of spice. Address: Kitanizyonishi Chuoku Saporo Hokkaido TEL:011-271-3900 Open: 11:00-22:00 (Last Order) Close: Wednesday Buta-Don (Bowl of rice topped with pork) It is getting popular in Japan. However the price in Hokkaido is more reasonable than Tokyo in case of same volume and quality. Butadon  is said to be born in Tokachi, Obihiro. It is a simple rice bowl with sweet soy sauce flavoring grilled pork, but there are unique characteristics to pork, how to grill, and sauce. 

One of the most annoying thing is transportation during traveling in Japan. I already mentioned about it at “Convenient Transportation Tools in Tokyo”, there are convenient tools you can use all over Japan.However,  each local area has original transportation tool. If you go to off the beaten path, you should know these tools, because it guides you how to get there! Today I focus on Kyoto and some tools are very convenient to use in countryside. <Hokkaido> Hokkaido and the city of Sapporo have become very popular travel destinations in Japan, especially during the past few years. This article will introduce some of the free applications out there that will make your trip to Sapporo and Hokkaido smoother. City and Travel Guide For your trip to Sapporo we recommend the city's official application Sapporo Info. This is a comprehensive guide to tourist information, discounts, as well as practical info on where to find Wi-Fi and how to use the subway system. This free application is worth downloading for your trip to Sapporo city. App Store If you are looking for an application that covers the entire island of Hokkaido, the application Hokkaido Plat by Navitime, is recommended. Available both in English and Japanese, this application will guide you around sightseeing destinations and museums, delivering also information on accommodation, local food and beautiful nature scenery in the area. The application is designed as a map of the island, so that specific regional recommendations appear when you click on each area. Hokkaido Plat App Store Google Store Public Transportation Getting around Hokkaido implies using trains. If you are in Sapporo for the Asian Winter Games or other seasonal festivals, we recommend having installed some public transportation applications to ensure you get around the city quick and safe. The aforementioned Sapporo Info does contain information on the subway system, but if you want an extensive app focusing only on transportation, the best one at the moment is the Sapporo Municipal Subway application. Though this particular app is not free, it is available in the iTunes store for around 108 yen. If you prefer a free application, the Sapporo Rail Map is totally free and also very good.Another app that we recommend for your trip to Hokkaido is Hyperdia , an application for Android that is very popular among travelers from abroad who use the Japan Rail Pass. <TOHOKU> Driving Drive at Tohoku- Driving in Japan’s Tohoku Region

Google Play Bike Length of Japan Tohoku Tohoku Area is surrounded by mountains and sea. This is the land of delicious foods, historical hot springs, quiet camping sites, many Sake breweries, etc.5 years passed since 2011 Tohoku earthquake. JCN made "Length of Japan Tohoku" to encourage you to travel this beautiful area and encourage People who lives here.Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures have had huge damage but now mostly fine for bike trip and you will see the scars left by the Earthquake as well as deep inside of Japan way of life. https://www.bikemap.net/en/route/3376457-length-of-japan-tohoku/

<SHIKOKU> Japan Heritage Portal Site will provide you the information on the pilgrimage route and 88 temples of Shikoku https://japan-heritage.bunka.go.jp/en/stories/story015/

<OKINAWA> Route Finder Okinawa It will help you to find routes to locations using the public transport in Okinahttwa island http://www.routefinder-okinawa.com/route_search?Lang=en QR code with your smartphone to view their mobile site! Okinawa Bus (English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese) http://okinawabus.com/en/ Our weekly newsletter will provide your information on hidden gems in Japan , how to overcome troubles you often face during tour, and how to save your travel expense. Our information is especially for expats in Japan and repeat travelers in Japan.To enrich your tour more,

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