We will expand the field of view from efforts focused on satoyama, the natural areas around farmlands, to include satokawa and satoumi bordering rivers and the sea, and will collect, share and disseminate a wide range of practical information such as matching these efforts with existing industries, sales and distribution networks for new products, and tourism from abroad.
Art of barrel-brewed soy sauce revived for future generations
Emi Maeda Contributing writer
On the island of Shodoshima in western Japan’s Kagawa Prefecture stands Yamaroku Shoyu, a small soy sauce brewery with a...
Osteria Sincerita: An Italian restaurant born of adversity
Taeko Terao Contributing writer
The Akayu Onsen area, in Yamagata Prefecture, is home to 11 onsen ryokan (hot spring inns). Unlike typical hot spring...
Kurumasushi: Ehime restaurant offers fish of a different dimension
Taeko terao Contributing writer
Kurumasushi, in the Ehime Prefecture city of Matsuyama, was selected as a Destination Restaurant for 2025, marking the fifth year...
Nonna Nietta: Handmade local Italian ethos in Ibaraki
Taeko terao Contributing writer
Destination Restaurants often highlights places that, despite being close to Tokyo, are easy to overlook. Nonna Nietta, an Italian restaurant...
Yamagata art university tackles challenges of community decline
Maiko Muraoka contributing writer
In 2025, the city of Yamagata was selected as the first Destination Region — a Japanese municipality that The Japan...
Factelier: Revitalizing Japan’s manufacturing culture
Emi Maeda Contributing writer
“We want to help keep a cycle in which makers are properly recognized and rewarded going,” said Toshio Yamada, the...
Restaurant Kam
TAEKO TERAO Contributing writer
Culinary hot spot in outlying city Japan’s ongoing economic slump has led consumers to move away from fine dining, with...
City of Yamagata named Destination Region 2025
MAIKO MURAOKA Contributing writer
The Japan Times has announced that Yamagata city, Yamagata Prefecture, has been selected as the Destination Region of the Year...
Beppu Hirokado
TAEKO TERAO Contributing writer
A restaurant that stars fish just out of the water Beppu, in Oita Prefecture, is one of Japan’s foremost hot...
Yamagata: Eco-friendly tradition, regeneration
MAIKO MURAOKA
Contributing writer
The 6th Satoyama Practitioners Networking Event will be held on Nov. 1 and 2 in the city of Yamagata, which...
City of Yamagata named The Japan Times’ Destination Region 2025
The Japan Times has announced that Yamagata city, Yamagata Prefecture, has been selected as the Destination Region of the Year...
Message from the mayor of Yamagata city
Takahiro Sato
Mayor of Yamagata city
It is my great honor to host the 6th Satoyama Practitioners Networking Event here in Yamagata. Yamagata is a historic...
