Satoyama~Authentic Japan

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.

Nihonryori Takamura

Robbie Swinnerton
Contributing writer

Edo-style dining in Akita on the Sea of Japan coast Hidden away in the residential backstreets of Akita, Nihonryori Takamura...

Chimikepp Hotel

Robbie Swinnerton
Contributing writer

Michelin-starred modern French cuisine deep in the mountains of Hokkaido Surrounded by thick forest, Chimikepp Hotel lies deep in the...

Suntory invests for future with initiatives toward zero emissions

Maiko Muraoka
Contributing Writer

Suntory Holdings, a global leader in both the alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverage industries, has been making concrete plans and taking...

A starry rice is born: How Tottori created the unique Hoshizoramai

Maiko Muraoka
Contributing writer

Tottori Prefecture in the Chugoku region is known as the least populous prefecture in Japan, blessed with a wealth of...

Nihonryori Yukimoto

Robbie Swinnerton
Contributing writer

Kaiseki cuisine with confidence from the mountain and river When Takayuki Hagiwara opened his new restaurant right across the road...

Locally active vineyards face impacts of global climate change

Maiko Muraoka
Contributing writer

Japan may not be recognized as a major grape- or wine-producing country, but actually there are vineyards and wineries all...

A tale of two cities’ castles, and how they survived the centuries

Maiko Muraoka
Contributing writer

Every municipality has a characteristic or landmark that its residents think of as their symbol. On July 29, the 18th...

Restaurant Uozen

Robbie Swinnerton
Contributing writer

Creative, sophisticated, local: Regional bounty on the plate When chef Kazuhiro Inoue and his wife, Mariko, decided that they’d had...

Island town’s wave of reform reverses tide of depopulation

Maiko Muraoka
Contributing writer

A small island in the Sea of Japan has managed to put the brakes on depopulation by preserving and improving...

Tonoya-Yo

Robbie Swinnerton
Contributing writer

Reinvigorating rustic traditions with finesse and flair Tonoya-Yo, chef Yotaro Sasaki’s atmospheric inn and restaurant in the rural heartland of...

Pesceco

Robbie Swinnerton
contributing writer

A young chef makes waves with his creative hometown cuisine Perched on the waterfront of the Shimabara Peninsula, looking out...

Art triennial revitalizes rural Echigo-Tsumari region

Maiko Muraoka
Contributing writer

The 16th Satoyama Cafe, a talk session organized by the Japan Times Satoyama Consortium and moderated by its secretariat chief,...

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