Shimane
This cat likes to pull peace poses, stand on two feet and make a living selling hot potatoes.
Japanese authorities take a hardline approach to taking something that isn’t yours, no matter how insignificant it might seem.
Shimane Prefecture awards a college student’s family a settlement in restitution for the roadside accident that took her life.
As you may have heard, the population of Japan is getting older and smaller. While other (smarter) people have debated the problems and complexities of this issue, we do know one thing: It’s left a lot of prefectures without many young people. Some places are celebrating when the community has even a single wedding, but Tsuwano in Shimane Prefecture thinks they’ve hit upon an idea for injecting some new, young blood into their town. They’re giving houses away for (kind of) free! Of course, there are a few stipulations…
We saw absolutely gorgeous rice field art up in Aomori prefecture just a few months ago, but we’ve never seen rice that looked this cute! Shimane prefecture’s very own mascot character has been turned into a smiling rice field; you’re going to want to take a closer look at this one!
When European writer, Lafcadio Hearn, wrote about Shimane prefecture in 1894, he described a land steeped in tradition and nature. Since then, all of Japan seems to have ignored this sleepy area of the Chugoku region whose most recent claim to fame is having the country’s largest population of the elderly. But if Shimane prefecture is stuck in the olden days, the Oki Islands are lost in time. Lazily floating out at sea in what is technically Shimane, but is actually an entire world of its own, Oki is a forgotten gem tucked in a dusty corner of Japan. Rambling down the overgrown back roads, you’re sure to come across a wrinkled face and a hearty “konnichiwa,” a small experience that seems to have become a rarity in the always busy metropolises of this country.
It is in this uncommon place that we had the privilege of staying in a home that has stood for over a century. Join us as we share our experience staying at the Japanese guesthouse called Tsukudaya.
Want to go to the least popular prefecture in all of Japan? Of course you do! Pack your bags, you’re going to Shimane!
Though Shimane is home to Izumo Shrine, one of the most significant shrines in all of Japan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the indescribably beautiful Oki Islands, this particular area of the Chugoku Region gets overlooked by most of Japan. In fact, year after year Shimane is ranked as Japan’s most forgotten and least identifiable prefecture.
But not to worry, that’s where Yoshida-kun, Shimane’s brutally honest mascot, comes in. We’ve seen this fellow before, pointing out Shimane’s shortcomings and proclaiming the area to be the the 47th most famous prefecture in a country that only has 47. Well, he’s back at it again with the Shimane x Takanotsume Super Deluxe Masochism Calendar 2014! Now with 20% more snark.
Did you know that Japan has 16 locations on the list of UNESCO World Heritages? Could you name them all with any sum of money on the line?
Survey Research Center, Co. Ltd. conducted a survey that showed that most people could not. When asked whether they were interested in Japan’s world heritages, 67.8% of those surveyed responded affirmatively. However, only 4% of respondents knew all 16 Japanese sites.
See how many you can name before looking at the list below:
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japanese student writes to Arnold Schwarzenegger for English class, gets awesome reply in return
Awesome hotel plan lets you bounce across Japan for month, cheaper than downtown Tokyo apartment
The pros and cons of living in Nakagin Capsule Tower, an architectural marvel in Tokyo
Here’s what Japanese netizens think of the U.S.’s top 20 most-picked karaoke songs
Muji cake mania! Which of the 23 flavors of cake they sell are the best?
The dream of playing smartphone games on packed Tokyo commuter trains comes true thanks to Thanko
Should you add wasabi to your soy sauce at a sushi restaurant?
Japan’s Studio Ghibli store now sells gorgeous cameo brooches of heroines like Kiki and Sophie
Japan’s “First Date Awards” reveals the best places to wine and dine when dating in Tokyo
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Weekly
- Should you add wasabi to your soy sauce at a sushi restaurant?
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
7-Eleven in parking lot of other 7-Eleven opens for business in Japan
Osaka man finds stranger eating in his kitchen at night, stranger dies shortly after
Is ramune another COVID-19 casualty? Iconic Japanese soda faces plummeting sales and bleak summer
Japan Post Office to release commemorative Pokémon stamps based on original, iconic trading cards
Strange Japanese job ad asks to “deliver a pork-egg onigiri” from Okinawa to Tokyo twice per day
McDonald’s Japan’s new “Taste of Mommy” McShake brings a marvelously milky milkshake to the menu
How a samurai’s quest for revenge created one of Tokyo’s best cafes, and it’s still open
Tokyo’s anti-crowding coronavirus countermeasures backfire, make trains needlessly dangerous
Monthly
Otaku geek makeovers by Tokyo fashion expert go viral in Japan- Should you add wasabi to your soy sauce at a sushi restaurant?
Ultra-realistic cat backpack causes a fur-enzy online
Japanese high school girls remind us of the joys of country life in heartwarming Mt Fuji photo
The top 10 most popular instant noodle brands at the start of 2021
Reminder: Never ask the cops in Japan to shoot you
Japan has peanut butter-style spreadable curry, and it’s amazing【Taste test】
Prince Harry’s new “chimpo” job title makes people in Japan giggle- The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
- McDonald’s Japan’s new “Taste of Mommy” McShake brings a marvelously milky milkshake to the menu
Yearly
Nintendo puts out important notice for casual gamers who’ve bought a Switch during the pandemic
Studio Ghibli releases 400 images from eight movies free to download online
Customers race to Uniqlo for new summer face masks, but are they really worth the hype?
A Pokémon glitch no one discovered in 18 years has been found…by a pet fish in Japan?!?【Videos】
Parasite movie releases free official wallpapers to download as backgrounds for video calls
Taiwanese pianist adds busty cosplay to her performance, instantly gets five million views【Videos】
Man sheds half his body weight, looks like a handsome model in just one year
Akihabara saying goodbye to landmark as giant Sega arcade announces it’s closing for good
Top 10 anime women with biggest, most impactful breasts, voted by thousands of Japanese netizens
Man loses 200 times at crane game, calls police to investigate, staff member loses 300 times too
RECOMMENDED STORIES
The dream of playing smartphone games on packed Tokyo commuter trains comes true thanks to Thanko
Should you add wasabi to your soy sauce at a sushi restaurant?
Japan’s Studio Ghibli store now sells gorgeous cameo brooches of heroines like Kiki and Sophie
Japan’s “First Date Awards” reveals the best places to wine and dine when dating in Tokyo
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
The life-size Resident Evil Village tall vampire lady standee may be her most terrifying form yet
All you need is one purchase from the 100-yen store to replicate this amazing trick shot【Pics】
Pancake cafe from Fukuoka comes to Tokyo — and we love their divinely fluffy pancakes!
Strange Japanese job ad asks to “deliver a pork-egg onigiri” from Okinawa to Tokyo twice per day
Mr. Sato reveals his new suit jacket’s hidden, convertible secret
Female cast of One Piece takes center stage with One Piece Novel Heroines
Resident Evil’s vampire lady is now adorable puppet, promises new game isn’t scary at all【Video】
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 most offensive Japanese swear words 【Weird Top Five】
-
