Niigata City is a port town on the mouth of Japan’s longest river, the Shinano River. The city has a population of more than 800,000 people, and is the largest city on the Sea of Japan coast. Because of the good soil, Niigata is known as the number one rice-growing area in Japan. Niigata City produces the most cut tulips and tulip bulbs nationwide.

Resource links
Niigata city tourism homepage

Niigata prefecture

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Niigata prefecture

Popularity: 72% [?]

Musashi Koyama is located in Shinagawa-ku, located on the Tokyu Meguro line.

Musashi Koyama Park, Shinagawa-ku

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Musashi Koyama Park, Shinagawa-ku

Popularity: 86% [?]

An entrepneur created Mother Bokujo to give those living in the city a place where they could go to get in touch with nature.

There are over 300 cherry blossom trees that usually bloom in March/April, although there are a number of other flowers that bloom at various times during the year.

Access: JR Uchibo-sen Sanukimachi station, Chiba prefecture. It is about a 20 minute bus ride from Sanukimachi station. Take the Nitto bus bound for Kanozan.
Tel: 0439 37-3211

Mother's Bokujo (Mother's Farm) Australian animal, Chiba prefecture, in March.

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Mother's Bokujo (Mother's Farm) Australian animal, Chiba prefecture, in March.

Popularity: 85% [?]

About 250km north of Tokyo, Fukushima is the capital city of Fukushima prefecture in Touhoku. The city was founded on April 1, 1907.

Fukushima prefecture

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Fukushima prefecture

Popularity: 76% [?]

Fuchu Race Course, Tokyo

The Fuchu Tokyo Racecourse is JRA’s largest track, well known for the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), Japan Cup (GI), Japan Cup Dirt (GI) and Yasuda Kinen (GI) races.

The atmosphere of the racecourses in Japan differs somewhat to those in other countries (or at least Australia). The dress code of most gamblers is basically dress-down and there isn’t a concept of dressing up for the races. There are a lot of ‘obachan’ - older ladies who look like they are pretty serious gamblers who sit with their legs spread on the floor and eyes glued on the latest racing trends.

The horses parade around the grounds outside before each race to give you a good look at what’s on offer. Make sure you tick the right box when you gamble because it’s quite easy to tick ‘Kyoto’ instead of ‘Tokyo’ (as I did) because the Kanji are next to eachother on the sheet.

There is a 200 yen admission fee.

Resource link
Japanracing.jp

fuchuracecourse4.jpg

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Fuchu race course, Tokyo

Popularity: 86% [?]

Hakodate, Hokkaido

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Hakodate, Hokkaido

Popularity: 75% [?]

Located at the port of Yokohama, commonly known as Akerenga souko (red brick warehouse), the two buildings (warehouse no. 1 and no.2) are operated by Yokohama Akarenga Co. Ltd. It has been operating in its current state since April 12, 2002, when restoration work was completed.

The No. 1 building is used mostly as a cultural facility, and is used for events such as film festivals, musicals and also includes a number of galleries.

The buildings look spectacular at night when lit up and make a great spot to walk around and relax. The shops are extremely well kept and contain a wide variety of food, souvenirs and interesting trinkets.

Akarenga souko (red-brick warehouse), Yokohama

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Akarenga souko (red-brick warehouse), Yokohama

Popularity: 90% [?]

Kakunodate, often referred to as the little Kyoto of Tohoku, is famous for its Samurai houses (bukeyashiki - 武家屋敷). The town has a population of about 14,200 .

One of the best preserved buildings in Kakunodate is Aoyagi Samurai Manor. The estate features the main house, the armory, the siryu-an gallery, Akita Folk Museum, Samurai tools and utensils museum, Antique museum and tea room and an amazing garden.

One unique feature about the Aoyagi Samurai Manor is the fact that buildings and their displays have their roots in the manor. The descendants actually lived in the main house as late as 1985.

Kakunodate, Samurai Houses, Akita prefecture

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Kakunodate, Samurai Houses, Akita prefecture

Popularity: 80% [?]

More than 300 years ago, the Kenrokuen Gardens were created as the Castle Garden by successive generations of lords. It is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan.

Kenrokuen, Kanazawa prefecture

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Kenrokuen, Kanazawa prefecture

Popularity: 96% [?]

Matsumoto is one of the 4 castles in Japan to be listed as national treasure. Previously called  Fukashi Castle, it was a branch castle of the Ogasawara family during the long period of the warring states.

At the end of the Allied Occupation in 1952, the castle was designated a national treasure.

Matsumoto Castle, Nagano

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Matsumoto Castle, Nagano

Popularity: 84% [?]