"Discover the Heart of Japan" – Blogger-Selected Travel Routes to Explore Six Japanese Prefectures

▲Japan’s National Tourism Organization specially organized the "6 New Experiences: Let Experts Show You Around" meet-up to promote Japanese tourism, inviting six bloggers and travel experts to share their experiences with the public. (Photo / Reporter Li Zi Yi, same below)

Reporter Li Zi Yi / Taipei Reporting

On the 22nd, Japan's National Tourism Organization held the "6 New Experiences: Let Experts Show You Around" meet-up in Taipei. The event invited six travel influencers, well-known Taiwanese bloggers Mr. Qi and Miss Ai, pharmacist Jimmy, Reiko, Savage Princess, Devil Zhen & Angel Jia, and Pei Pei. They engaged closely with fans, sharing not only travel tips on itinerary planning and precautions but also their own secret spots. They hope more Taiwanese travelers can deeply experience the charm of Japan.

This time, the promoted destinations span from southern to northern Japan, featuring a variety of themed travel routes—such as car rentals for a self-drive tour around Okinawa; exhilarating skiing in Nagano; a girls’ trip in Hokkaido; railway tours in Kyushu; secret hot springs and scenic spots in Yamagata; and rural charm in Aomori. Tailored to local features and transportation options, a range of Japan-themed travel experiences are offered to satisfy the diverse interests of Taiwanese travelers.

▲From left to right: well-known Taiwanese bloggers Mr. Qi and Miss Ai, Savage Princess, Devil Zhen & Angel Jia.

Mr. Qi and Miss Ai flew from Taichung to Okinawa this time, offering a reference for travelers from central Taiwan — it's not necessary to depart from Taoyuan. Miss Ai also shared some pre-trip planning tips: you can add all the spots you want to visit to Google Maps to create a personalized travel map, which makes itinerary planning more convenient. For car rentals, she recommended the OTS Rental Car website, which has a Chinese-language page — making it easy to rent even without Japanese language skills. This itinerary centered around the airport, exploring from far to near, helping to avoid the rush before flights. Renting a car also enabled access to places that are usually hard to reach via public transport, such as the Kerama Bridge, Manzamo, and Heart Rock — all spots recommended by Miss Ai.

Devil Zhen and Angel Jia had two especially recommended spots during their trip to Yamagata: hiking in snow-covered mountain temples and climbing. At Zao Onsen’s Juhyo (tree ice), besides viewing the spectacular snowy trees, you must also experience the local hot springs — soaking in an open-air bath while admiring the surrounding snowy scenery and catching snowflakes falling right at your fingertips, which is quite unique.

Savage Princess’s Kyushu railway journey featured rides on two special trains: the "Satsuma no Tamatebako," which runs only three times a day and is themed around the Urashima Taro legend, and the adorable family-friendly "Limited Express Aso Boy!" train, which even has a kids’ ball pit — both highly recommended for rail fans. Savage Princess also reminded everyone that these trains have limited schedules and assigned seating, so it's essential to book in advance.

▲From left to right: well-known Taiwanese bloggers pharmacist Jimmy, Reiko, and Pei Pei.

Pharmacist Jimmy planned a series of outdoor activities in Nagano, near Tokyo — including horseback riding in snow-laden forests, skiing in Karuizawa, and a special “stargazing tour” in the evening — all highly recommended for travelers. Pharmacist Jimmy mentioned that skiing in Karuizawa is very convenient, as clothing and ski equipment can be rented locally without the need for personal purchase. Also, since Nagano is relatively close to Tokyo, it's advisable to combine it with a Tokyo trip when planning.

Reiko arranged a special "Hokkaido Girls' Trip" this time, enjoying a beauty-enhancing journey with her sisters in Hokkaido. Reiko said that collagen hot pot and curry soup are must-try dishes there. Because the trip took place in winter with cold weather, a daily soak in the onsen to relax was essential. As a stationery lover, Reiko also discovered many cute shops there, as well as the famous Tokyo Tsutaya Bookstore, which has a branch in Hakodate — highly recommended for fellow stationery enthusiasts.

Twin celebrity Pei Pei opted for a relaxing route in Aomori this time. The northeastern Japanese city of Aomori sees fewer tourists and combines urban convenience with rural natural vibes. Street art inspired by Aomori’s famous “Nebuta” (sleeping giant) culture can be seen everywhere — and even outside of August’s Nebuta Festival, the festive atmosphere is still palpable. There's also the famed Apple Hot Spring, which Pei Pei highly recommends trying in Aomori — where shops add 60 kilograms of apples into the onsen pool daily, making for a truly impressive experience.

"6 New Experiences: Let Experts Show You Around" Event Webpage:http://visit-japan.events.pixnet.net/