Destination: Japan: Venturing Into The Offbeaten Region of Japan

On Honshu, the chief island of Japan, cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto lie on the east side, which is where most tourists normally go to experience East Asian culture. What few visitors to Japan don't realize is that San-in, an area located on the west side of Honshu, is flourishing with natural beauty and awe-inspiring historical attractions, not to mention that it is a welcome relief from other areas overrun with tourists. Thanks to modern technology, computer users interested in travelling to Japan can enlist for the World Wide Web information on the less-visited San-in.

Among the unusual sights in San-in that tourists will encounter are those in the ancient city of Hagi, which features sights that were erected during the samurai era of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Visitors can travel by bike and foot through the town to view the ruins of the Hagi castle, the houses of former samurai in the Horiuchi and Jokamachi districts, and pottery kilns that manufacture popular tea-ceremony wares.

Other cities on the San-in coast include Izumo, known for its captivating Shinto shrine, and Matsue, which sports not only the home of American writer Lafcadio Hearn, but also a museum bearing his name. Matsue is also host to Dogyorestu, a popular local festival with large floats and emphatic music. For lodging, the aforementioned three cities feature both traditional inns and a Youth Hostel. Future travellers to Japan that would like to know more about the lesser-known region of San-in can enlist the web site belonging to the Japan National Tourist Organization, which is listed below.