James Richardson

James Richardson

James Richardson is a writer and Japan enthusiast. After living and working in Tokyo for over a decade, he shares his insights on Japanese society, culture, and current events.

Ibaraki Prefecture

Ushiku Daibutsu Buddha Statue

Ibaraki Prefecture is part of the Kanto region on Honshu, the main island of Japan. It borders Fukushima Prefecture to the north, Tochigi Prefecture to the east and Saitama and Chiba Prefectures to the south.

Hyogo Prefecture

View from Mount Rokko

Hyogo Prefecture is part of the Kansai region in south-central Japan on the island of Honshu. It is bordered by Osaka and Kyoto Prefectures to the west and Tottori and Okayama Prefectures to the east.

Hokkaido

JR Hokkaido train in Niseko

Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japan's main islands and the prefecture covers the entire island. It is separated from Aomori Prefecture on the island of Honshu by the Tsugaru Strait to the south. The two prefectures are connected by the Seikan Tunnel, an undersea railway tunnel.

Hiroshima Prefecture

Aerial view of Miyajima

Hiroshima Prefecture is on the southern part of Honshu, Japan's largest island. It borders Okayama Prefecture to the east, Tottori Prefecture to the north east, Shimane Prefecture to the north and Yamaguchi Prefecture to the west.

Gunma Prefecture

Mount Haruna and Lake Haruna

Gunma Prefecture is a landlocked prefecture in the Kanto region of Honshu, the largest of Japan's main islands. It borders Niigata and Fukushima Prefectures to the north, Tochigi Prefecture to the east, Saitama Prefecture to the south and Nagano Prefecture to the west.

Gifu Prefecture

Gifu City and the Nagara River as seen from Gifu Castle

Gifu Prefecture is centrally located in the Chubu region of Japan's largest island Honshu. It borders Nagano Prefecture to the east, Toyama Prefecture to the north, Ishikawa and Fukui Prefectures to the west, Shiga Prefecture to the south-west, and Aichi Prefecture to the south.

Fukuoka Prefecture

Fukuoka Prefecture is situated in the north of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's four main islands.

It borders Saga Prefecture to the west, Oita Prefecture to the east, and Kumamoto Prefecture to the south.