© JR East

MAP OF JAPAN

THE HOKURIKU REGION

NAGANOPREFECTURE長野県　

GIFUPREFECTURE岐阜県

NIIGATAPREFECTURE新潟県

TOYAMAPREFECTURE富山県

ISHIKAWAPREFECTURE石川県

FUKUIPREFECTURE福井県

HOKURIKUSHINKANSENMAP © JR East

WORLD MAP

TOKYO STATION

~Experience Japan in A Whole New Way~

Scheduled to openSpring 2015

EXTENSIONS TO EXISTING SHINKANSEN LINES

WELCOME TO JAPAN

KANAZAWA STATION

NAGANO STATION

FUKUI STATION EXTENSION : OPENING SOON.

Introducing A New Bullet Train :

北陸新幹線2015

GOKAYAMA VILLAGE五箇山

SHIRAKAWA-GO VILLAGE白川郷© AkirA OkAdA / © JNTO

KENROKU-EN GARDEN兼六園

FUKUI PREFECTURALDINOSAUR MUSEUM福井県立恐竜博物館

© ishikAwA PrefecTure TOurism LeAgue

JIGOKUDANI YAEN-KOENSNOW MONKEY PARK地獄谷野猿公苑

OYASHIRAZU-KOSHIRAZU親不知・子不知 海岸© Niigata PRofEssioNal PhotogRaPhERs sociEty / © JNto

NIIGATAPREFECTURE

NAGANOPREFECTURE

GIFUPREFECTURE

TOYAMAPREFECTURE

FUKUIPREFECTURE

ISHIKAWAPREFECTURE

長野

新潟

富山

岐阜

石川

福井

© fukui PrefecTure

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MAP OF JAPAN

Nagano Prefecture is an inland prefecture located in the center of Japan. The prefecture is surrounded by mountains peaking around 10,000-ft, and is often called the ‘Roof of Japan’. From ski resorts to summer vacationing in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture attracts visitors throughout the year. The capital city, Nagano, hosted the Winter Olympics in 1998.

© NagaNo coNvENtioN aNd visitoRs BuREau

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SHINSHU MISO (soybean paste)

Shinshu Miso Cuisine at Gotoku-tei Restaurant 信州味噌　ごとく亭　【信州味噌料理】　

Address. Taisei Abinasu Building B1F 1-12-1 Minamichitose, Nagano-shi, Nagano, 380-0823Hours. 5:00pm - 11:00pmClosed. Sunday

SHIGA KOGEN

Shiga KogenSky Resort志賀高原スキー場

Address. 7148 & 7149 Hirao Yamanouchi-machi,Shimotakai-gun, Nagano, 381-0401The largest ski resort in Nagano Prefecture and the location for many skiing events during the 1998 Winter Olympics. Direct bus from Nagano JR Station is avail-able (70-min one way.)

ZENKO-JI

Zenko-ji Temple信州 善光寺

Address. 491 Motoyoshi-cho, Nagano-shi, Nagano, 380-0851 Web. http://www.zenkoji.jp/Open everyday

JIGOKUDANI YAEN-KOEN

Jigokudani Yaen-koenSnow Monkey Park地獄谷野猿公苑

Address. 6845 Hirao, Yamanouchi-machi Shimotakai-gun, Nagano, 381-0401Winter Hours. 9:00am - 4:00pm Open everyday

Gotoku-nabe Dish (with oriGinal blenD miso)

SHINSHU SOBA (buckwheat noodles)

Soba Making Class atShinshu Soba-kura Dojo Studio信州そば蔵　【手打ち体験道場】

Address. 7-1 Douai, Shinonoikinebuchi, Nagano-shi, Nagano, 388-8019Hours. 10:00am - 4:00pm (40-min class)Book a class in advance

SHUSENKURANO

Shusenkurano Sake Brewery Tour酒千蔵野　【酒蔵見学】

Address. 368-1 Imai, Kawanakajima-machi, Nagano-shi, Nagano, 381-2226 Hours. 9:00am - 5:00pm (20 to 60-min tour)Closed. The second weekend every month & all holidays.

Established in the 1540’s, Shusenkurano is the oldest sake brewery in Nagano Prefec-ture. The current brewery chief, Ms. Mariko Chino, was appointed in 2000 and has received many awards in a historically male dominated sake world.

soBa-KuRa REstauRaNt MENu:KaMo-NaNBaN hot soBa with

ducK aNd sPRiNg oNioN

Shinsu miso is a soybean paste originating from Nagano Prefecture. It is characterized by its light color and sharp taste, when compared to miso originating from Tokyo.

© yaMaNouchi towN / ©JNto

© yaMaNouchi towN / © JNto

© JigoKudaNi yaEN-KoEN / © JNto

MaRiKo chiNo,thE BREwERy chiEf

Shinshu soba is a traditional Nagano food and refers to buck-wheat noodles where 50% or more buckwheat flour is used.

Founded in the 7th Century, this Buddhist temple is believed to house the oldest Buddhist statue in Japan. The site attracts over 6 million visitors a year, and the area surrounding the original temple has been developed throughout Nagano’s history.

The only place in the world where you can see wild monkeys bathing in hot springs.

NAGANO PREFECTURE 長野県

Nagano City(Capital City)

Nagano Station(Spring 2015)

Iiyama Station(Spring 2015)

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NIIGATA PREFECTURE 新潟県

JoetsuMyoko Station(Spring 2015)

Itoigawa Station(Spring 2015)

Niigata City(Capital City)

The meaty monkfish is a Japanese winter seafood and a local specialty at Itoigawa City. The must-try monkfish miso stew is perfect on a cold winter’s day.

ANKO FAIR Monkfish Festivalあんこうフェア

Address. (Event booth at Hon-cho-dori Street)Hon-cho, Itoigawa-shi, Niigata, 941-0061Dates. 3 weekends in mid January - February (Followed by Monkfish Restaurant Week throughout February)

OYASHIRAZU-KOSHIRAZU

Oyashirazu-koshirazu Coast親不知・子不知海岸

Address. Tonami, Itoigawa-shi, Niigata, 949-0308

© Niigata PRofEssioNal PhotogRaPhERs sociEty / © JNto

Niigata Prefecture is set along the coast of Honshu island and faces the Sea of Japan. The prefecture experiences all four seasons and tourism flourishes year round. Niigata is blessed with perfect soil for producing rice. This is made possible by a large reservoir off of Japan’s longest river, Shinano-gawa River, and heavy snowfall in the winter sea-son. Koshihikari rice from Uonuma area is widely consid-ered the highest quality rice produced in Japan. Niigata is also famous for its local selection of delicious sake.

KANZURI (chili paste)

Kanzuri Snowy Field Tour“Yuki-sarashi”かんずり 【雪さらしツアー】

Address. 438-1 Nishijo, Myoko-shi,Niigata, 944-0023Yuki-sarashi Tour available in January

MYOKO-KOGEN

Myoko-kogenSky Resort Highlands妙高高原スキー場Address. 291-1 Taguchi, Myoko-shi, Niigata, 949-2106

© JNto Photo liBRaRy KAGANOI SHUZO

Kaganoi Shuzo Sake Brewery Tour加賀の井酒造　【酒蔵見学】

Address. 2-3-5 Oomachi, Itoigawa-shi, Niigata, 941-0061Hours. 10:00am - 5:00pm Closed. Days vary. Please contact.Brewery tour appointment only

On the westernmost tip of Niigata Prefecture, Oyashi-razu-koshirazu is a steep set of cliffs that stretches about 9 miles. The sheer cliff off the Sea of Japan marks the end of the Northern Japan Alps.

Myoko-kogen features 8 different ski areas with over 60 different courses, including a 5-mile ski run. The resort is considered to be one of the oldest estab-lished ski areas in the world.

Kaganoi Shuzo was established 1650 and is consid-ered the oldest sake brewery in Niigata Prefecture. Kaganoi Shuzo is one of the few brew-eries using hard water to produce their sake, resulting in a smooth taste and finish.

SHUSENKURANO

Shusenkurano Sake Brewery Tour酒千蔵野　【酒蔵見学】

Address. 368-1 Imai, Kawanakajima-machi, Nagano-shi, Nagano, 381-2226 Hours. 9:00am - 5:00pm (20 to 60-min tour)Closed. The second weekend every month & all holidays. A spicy relish and a local specialty of Niigata

Prefecture, Kanzuri is made by exposing red peppers on a snowy field and adding salt, rice malt, and yuzu.

Witness the hook hanged monk-fish being sliced and cleaned by local fisherman. The traditional technique was first invented to make it easy to clean the slimy, but delicious fish.

The company offers winter tours called yuki-sarashi where visitors can spread chilis on the snowy field.

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toyama PREFECTURE 富山県

Toyama City(Capital City)

Kurobe Unazuki Onsen Station(Spring 2015)

Toyama Station(Spring 2015)

Shin Takaoka Station(Spring 2015)

TOYAMA BURI & KANI BUS TOUR

Toyama Amber Jack & Crab Bus Tour 富山ぶりかにバス

Bus Stop. Depart & arrive at Toyama StationDates. Every weekend & holidays from October to MarchOnline Brochure. www.info-toyama.com/db_img/wn_img/13/p13.pdf

Shinminato Bridge新湊大橋

ZUIRYU-JI Zuiryu-ji Temple瑞龍寺

Address. 35 Seki Hon-machi, Takaoka-shi, Toyama, 933-0863Hours. 9:00am - 4:30pm (December & January close at 4:00pm)

Toyama Prefecture lies along the Sea of Japan, on the main island of Honshu. Well known for its natural beauty, the prefecture has one of the deepest and largest Japanese bays called Toyama Bay. The Hokuriku Shinkansen will be completed in Spring 2015, making travel time between Tokyo and Toyama City just over 2 hours (an hour shorter than the current travel time). The Prefecture will add two new stations to accommo-date tourist locations around Toyama Prefecture - Kurobe Unazuki Onsen Station and Shin Takaoka Station.

Enjoy breathtaking views of the Gorge on the Sho-gawa River. The 60-min river cruise travels from Komaki-dam to Oomaki Hot Springs and is available year round.

Gokayama Village was reg-istered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Three hundred year old ‘Gassho-style’ farmhouses are charac-terized by a steep thatched roof and remain today as private residences for many locals.

SHO-GAWA KYO

Sho-gawa River Gorge Cruise庄川峡遊覧船

Address.73-5 Komaki, Shougawa-machi, Tonami-shi, Toyama, 932-0304Cruising Schedules. 9:00am, 11:30am & 3:20pm (Dec & Jan) 9:00am, 11:30am, 2:30pm & 4:00pm (Feb & Mar) 8:30, 10:30, 2:30pm & 4:00pm (Apr - Nov)

TAKAOKA DAIBUTSU

Takaoka Buddha Statue高岡大仏

Address. 11-29 Otemachi, Takaoka-shi, Toyama, 933-2139

Hours. 6:00am - 6:00pm

Zuiryu-ji Temple was established in 1663 and took over 20 years to complete. The temple was designated a National Treasure of Japan in 1997.

This one-day bus tour connects Shinminato City and Himi City along the western coast of Toyama Prefecture. Visitors enjoy beautiful scenery and seasonal seafood.

The impressive 52-ft statue is considered one of the Three Great Buddha statues in Japan. The statue is a great reflection of

Takaoka bronze art, which is the local city’s traditional technique.

GOKAYAMA

Gokayama Village五箇山

Address. (Information Center) 754 Kaminashi, Nanto-shi, Toyama, 939-1914Hours. 9:00am - 5:00pm

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6 Shinminato Kitto Kito Market新湊きっときと市場

Himi-banya gaiひみ番屋街

Toyama Bay Sushi 富山湾鮨 Enjoy sushi served with freshly caught seafood of Toyama Bay port. Web. www.toyamawan-sushi.jp/english/

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GIFU PREFECTURE 岐阜県

Gifu City(Capital City)

Masu-zushi is a hard-pressed sushi with sliced vinegar trout laid on sushi rice, then wrapped in bamboo leaves. The Minamoto Company first sold Masu-zushi in 1912 and still makes them one by one, preserving local tradition and technique. Workshops are also available for visitors to experience making sushi.

SHIRAKAWA-GO

Shirakawa-go Village白川郷

Address. (Shirakawa-go Tourist Association) 2495-3 Ogi-machi, Shirakawa-mura, Ohno-gun, Gifu, 501-5627

IWAMURA JYOZO

Iwamura Jozo Sake Brewery Tour岩村醸造 【酒蔵見学】

Address. 342 Iwamuracho, Ena-shi, Gifu, 509-7490Tour Hours. 9:30am - 5:00pm Closed. New Year HolidayBook a tour in advance

Kurikinton first originated in Nakatsugawa in 1890 and has been a local specialty ever since.

The historic Iwamura Brewery has been making sake for almost 200 years. The brewery tour will take you along the railroad and let you taste both sake and fresh spring water drawn from a private well.

Hana-zushi is a sushi specialty developed by locals seeking to revive cuisine in the town. The delicious sushi rolls are also visually appetizing, just like the peony flower blossoming at local temples!

The historic villages of Shirakawa-go, along with Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture, are collectively registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

MASU-ZUSHI (trout pressed sushi)

Sushi Making at Minamoto Masu-no-sushi Museum源ますのすしミュージアム

【手作ります寿司体験】

Address. 37-6 Nanoh-cho Toyama-shi, Toyama, 939-8232 Museum Hours. 9:00am - 5:00pm Open everydayBook a class in advance

Here at Chikori Village, a workshop takes place on weekends for anyone interested in hand making these de-licious treats.

KURIKINTON (chestnut sweet)

Kurikinton Sweet Making Workshop at Chikori Villageちこり村 【栗きんとん絞り体験】

Address. 1-15 Sendanbayashi, Nakatsugawa-shi, Gifu, 509-9131Class Schedules. 11:00am or 1:30pm (approx 40-min class)Class Dates. Weekends & holidays from mid September to NovemberBook a class in advance

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HANA-ZUSHI (flower art sushi)

Sushi Making at Mitake-yado Waiwai-kan Hallみたけ華ずし 体験講習会

Address. 1446 Mitake, Mitake-cho, Kani-gun, Gifu, 505-0116Open. Every Tuesday, Wednesday & weekends11:00am - 3:00pmBook a class in advance

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Gifu Prefecture is located in the very center of Japan and consists of two distinct areas: Hida in the north and Mino in the south. Hida is characterized by its distinct mountain range that rises over 10,000-ft, and experiences heavy snowfall in the winter. Mino is covered by far-reaching plains and many rivers and streams. The contrast of the two areas makes Gifu Prefecture an atractive tourist spot throughout the year.

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ISHIKAWA PREFECTURE 石川県

Kanazawa City(Capital City)

Kanazawa Station(Spring 2015)

Shaped like a hook, Ishikawa Prefecture is located in central Japan with land stretching into the Sea of Japan. The prefecture capital is Kanazawa City, which many consider the most popular city in Hokuriku Region. Kanazawa’s traditional crafts have played a significant role in making this city an attractive tour-ist destination, and the city was appointed a UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Art in 2009. As the Hokuriku Shinkansen nears its completion, the bullet train will shorten the travel time from Tokyo to Kanazawa City and will provide tourists with greater access to the area.

KENROKU-EN

Kenroku-en Garden兼六園

Address. 1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa, 920−0936Hours. 8:00am - 5:00pm (winter)

KAKUSEN-KEI

Kakusen-kei Gorge鶴仙渓

Address. Yamanakaonsenshimotani-machi, Kaga-shi, Ishikawa, 922-0126

Known as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, the 28-acre garden features various trees, flowers, ponds, streams, waterfalls, bridges, and teahouses.

HAKUSAN

Mount Haku-san白山

Address. (Hakusan Tourism Association) 105-1Sannomiya-machi-ni, Hakusan-shi, Ishikawa, 920-2114

Kakunsen-kei Gorge features a short scenic path along the river, from Kohrogi Bridge to Kurotani Bridge. The area is noted for its unusual rock formations, waterfalls, and many deep blue water pools that highlight the seasonal beauty.

Kenroku-en Garden is famous for its beautiful grounds in all four seasons, especially in winter for its cone shaped snow supports called “Yuki-Tsuri.”

Mount Haku-san peaks at 8,865-ft and is one of Japan’s Three Sacred Mountains, along with Mount Fuji and Mount Tate.

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ISHIKAWA PREFECTURE 石川県

ISHIKAWA-KEN KANKO BUSSAN-KAN

Handmade Japanese Sweets Workshop at Ishikawa Souvenirs Shopping Center石川県観光物産館 【和菓子手作り体験】

Address. 2-20 Kenroku-machi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa 920-0936 Hours. 10:00am - 6:00pm (Open 9:00am on weekends & holidays)Closed. Tuesdays from December - February6 classes held on only weekends and holidays. (about 40-min class).Book a class between 10:00am - 2:30pm.A short 5-minute walk from Kenroku-en Garden, this souvenir mini mall holds everything from traditional crafts and sweets, to local cuisines. Try your hand at making wagashi (Japanese confectionery) with artisans. Visitors will learn how to make four different colorful confectioneries during the 40-minute class, which take place weekends and holidays.

OMI-CHO ICHIBA (market)

Shopping at Omi-cho Ichiba Market近江町市場 【生鮮市場】

Address: 50 Kamiomicho Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa, 920-0905Hours. 9:00am - 5:00pm (Market) 11:00am - 9:00pm (Restaurants)Online Brochure. http://ohmicho-ichiba.com/ohmicho/pdf/en.pdfKnown as the “Kitchen of Kanazawa” and nicknamed Omicho by locals, the must see fresh market near Kanazawa Station is a great source of food. The market originally opened as a fish market in 1721.

FUKUMITSUYA Fukumitsuya Sake Brewery Tour福光屋 【酒蔵見学 】

Address: 2-8-3 Ishibiki, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa, 920-8638Hours. 10:00am - 5:00pm Web. www.fukumitsuya.co.jp/english/E-mail export@fukumitsuya.co.jp to book a tour. The tour is at 3:00 pm on Mondays and Fridays from October to April. (No tour from 12/1-1/5)Started in 1625, Fukumitsuya is the oldest estab-lished brewery in Kanazawa City. The brewery is most noted for “Junmai-gura”, where they brew Junmai type sake using only rice, water and koji.

The Katagobi Series Fukumitsuya’s main sake brand is available in the US market.

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There are over 190 small stores featuring fish and produce, crowded together in the 22,000-sqft marketplace. A new 6-story building named “Omicho Ichiba-kan” opened 2009 inside the market to accommodate the growing number of tourists.

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FUKUI PREFECTURE 福井県

4Fukui City(Capital City)

KYOURYU HAKUBUTSU-KAN

Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum福井県立恐竜博物館

Address. 51-11 Terao, Muroko-cho, Katsuyama-shi, Fukui, 911-8601 Hours. 9:00am - 5:00pmClosed. The 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month and New Year Holiday

ECHIZEN-KAIGAN (coast area)

Echizen Coast越前海岸

Address. Chigadaira, Echizen-cho, Nyu-gun, Fukui, 916-0303

AWARA ONSEN (hot springs)

Awara Hot Springsあわら温泉

Address. 3-1-1 Ichihime, Awara-shi, Fukui, 919-0692

Fukui Prefecture is positioned in the southwest part of Hokuriku Region and faces the Sea of Japan to its North. The prefecture is divided into two areas : Reihoku (Echizen) to the north and Reinan (Wakasa) on the south. Reihoku features vast mountain areas and Reinan has rolling hills and narrow lands. The Hokuriku Shinkansen’s extension to Fukui Prefecture has been recently approved, and the new bullet train is sched-uled to open in the next ten years.

Awara City boasts over 40 hot spring lodges and welcomes over a million visitors each year. First established in 1878, the hot springs were first discovered underground by a farmer who was digging a well for his fields.

Echizen Coast is a beautiful spot with many unusual rock formations, including Kochoumon (“Calling Bird Gate”). Kochoumon is a natural tunnel gradually encroached by wind and waves along the stretch of coastline.In the winter season, fields of narcissus grow in abundance along the area. The Coast has one of the largest fields for narcissus cultivation in Japan.

The largest Dinosaur Museum in Japan opened in 2000, and features over 40 com-plete skeletal structures. The 48,500-sq ft facility is divided into Dinosaur World, Earth Sciences, and the History of Earth Life.

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YOSHIDA SHUZO

Yoshida Shuzo Sake Tastings吉田酒造　【酒蔵見学】

Address: 7-22 Kitajima, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui, 910-1325Hours. 10:00am - 5:00pm Closed. Weekends

Yoshida Shuzo was established in 1806.Hakuryu and many other sake are produced in this small brewery. Through the process of sake making, masters at Yoshida Shuzo are determined to use only local soil, water and rice.

ECHIZEN KANI MATSURI

Echizen Crab Festival越前かにまつり

Address. 71-326-1 Kuriya Echizen-chou, Nyu-gun, Fukui, 916-0422(at Active House Echizen parking lot)Dates. The third weekend in NovemberHours. 9:00am - 4:00pmThis festival is said to be a celebration of the crab season in Echizen-town. The sweet aroma of crab boiling in soup fills the area, where the season’s best Echizen crab, half-dried fish, and local specialties are offered.

Locals line up for the famous crab soup cooked in a large pot and served with a whole Sekoigani crab.

Since 1925, three genera-tions of family have contin-ued making their famous abura-age using tradi-tional methods. About 5” inches round and 1.5” inches thick, the bean curd is deep-fried in sesame oil. The light and crunchy tofu is sweet with soybean flavors. You can purchase abura-age and other tofu-related merchandise (includ-ing sweets) at a mini shop adjacent to the restaurant.

Hakuryu (White Dragon)Junmai Daiginjo720 ml.

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ABURA-AGE (fried bean curd)

Abura-age Fried Bean Curd at Taniguchi-ya Restaurant谷口屋　 【竹田の油揚げ】

Address. 37-26-1 Kami-takeda Maruoka-cho, Sakai-shi, Fukui, 910-0205Restaurant Hours. 11:00am - 3:00pm (winter)Shop Hours. 9:00am - 5:00pm (winter)

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Japan national tourism organization

nY oFFiCEonE grand CEntral plaCE, 60 East 42nd strEEt, suitE 448, nEw York, nY 10165

tEl. 212-757-5640

la oFFiCE340 E. 2nd strEEt, littlE tokYo plaza, suitE 302, los angElEs, Ca 90012

tEl. 213-623-1952

www.JapantravElinFo.Com

Please be advised that admission fees or fares may apply to workshops featured here.Most facilities will be closed to the public for the New Year Holiday in Japan (12/28 - 1/3).

Information in the brochure is accurate as of March 2014.