Tokyo combines modernity and tradition for a total change of scenery. This city of a thousand faces offers a multitude of activities and discoveries, renowned for its manga culture and its gastronomy, its karaoke and cosplays, its temples and shrines; it bewitches and astonishes tourists who go there for the first time... Toyama, a little-known prefecture, located in the north-central part of Honshu (the main island) is nevertheless full of tourist assets. It is located in a very unusual position, leaning against the Tateyama mountain range and facing the Sea of Japan. This region offers a local gastronomy based on fish as well as landscapes changing in color with each season.

TOKYO

Harajuku is a district of Shibuya district, known for its pedestrian shopping street "Takeshita-Dori". Popularized by young Tokyoites, who want to carry a quirky culture, both in terms of clothing and music, Harajuku could be described as the cradle of the "Kawaii" culture.

Not far from the Harajuku district is the Meiji Shinto shrine, built in 1920. Huge sake barrels from all over the country line the southern path, beyond which is a magnificent torii gate (measuring 12m high), known as the Otorii. Further along is the main hall, where the Meiji Emperor and Empress Dowager Shoken are buried. Visited by many tourists, Meiji Shrine is one of the most beautiful and impressive religious sites in Tokyo.

The Golden Gai is a picturesque place located in the Kabukichō district (Shinjuku district), its architecture knows nothing common among the streets of Tokyo. Known mainly for its nightlife, the area is composed of six alleys connected by narrow passages and contains no less than two hundred bars, clubs, izakayas (all of them small, accommodating 10 to 15 people on average); it is a timeless micro-district that deserves a visit.

TOYAMA

Only 2 hours by Shinkansen (or one hour by plane) from Tokyo, lies the exotic prefecture of Toyama.

Located in the northwest of the prefecture, the Amaharashi coast offers a unique panorama (when the weather is clear); with its white sandy beach, the Sea of Japan in front of you and the snowy peaks of the Tateyama mountain range in the background; this place has inspired various Japanese poets and artists (and for good reason).

Toyama prefecture is rich in landscapes but also in culture, it has rare sites such as Ainokura village; classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO. This small village (located at one hour drive from Toyama city) perched in its mountain setting has 23 traditional houses with an original architecture; their roofs are made of thatch and we call this style "gassho". This village is maintained and still inhabited by locals and is the pride of the inhabitants of the region.

It would be a shame to go to Toyama prefecture without visiting the Northern Japan Alps and its splendid nature.

For hiking and nature lovers, the Chûbu-Sangaku National Park is a must-see in the region. Mount Tate (Tateyama), 3,105 meters high, is one of the highest peaks of the Hida Range and is also considered as one of the "three sacred mountains" of Japan (with Mount Fuji and Mount Haku). Lake Mikuriga is a beautiful small lake - located at 2,405 meters above sea level, with a circumference of 631 m and a depth of 15 m - which was formed in an ancient volcanic crater. It is completely covered with snow from November to June, and then it shows itself from July to October, when you can see the mountains reflected on its beautiful azure surface; it is a perfect spot to stop and take some souvenir shots.

Another remarkable place is Kurobe Dam, the highest arch dam in Japan. This architectural feat (rising to 186m and 492m in length) required 7 years of intense construction, and no less than ten million people contributed to its creation which was completed in 1963. The history of the construction of the Kurobe dam is complicated and tragic because of the accidents which cost the life of 171 workers. These accidents have left such a mark on the popular imagination that they were the subject of a feature film. On site, one can discover the entire chronology of the construction, with photos to explain the different stages of this major project, as well as a monument paying tribute to the workers. All these efforts were made in order to build a hydroelectric power station and thus supply the Kansai region. After climbing several hundred steps, one arrives at the viewpoint from where one can admire Lake Kurobe on one side (180 m deep), and the powerful jet expelled by the dam on the other, pouring no less than ten tons of water per second.

*LEXICLE :

-Torii: traditional Japanese gate, commonly erected at the entrance of Shinto shrines

-Izakaya: a kind of traditional Japanese bistro where you can eat and drink

-Shinkansen: high-speed train system in use in Japan

-Kawaii: Japanese adjective meaning "cute

Promotion of Japan with Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau

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