Kyushu
Kyushu, the second largest of four main islands in Japan, takes in the seven prefectures of Saga, Oita, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Miyazaki.
With a subtropical climate, Kyushu is a year-round destination renowned for hot springs, local delicacies and areas of natural beauty.
Referred to as the Land of Fire due to volcanic activity on the island, Kyushu is known for the Onsen springs and Ibusuki sand bathing.
Kyushu has four UNESCO World Heritage sites and also hosts a range of seasonal events from autumn leaves and cherry blossom festivals to traditional Kagura and theatre shows and local food matsuri.
Hachinohe
Shinkansen, some three hours from Tokyo, is located in the Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture and takes in the regions of Hachinohe City, Sannohe, Gonohe, Takko Town, Nanbu Town, Hashikami Town, Shingo Village and Oirase Town.
Hachinohe is known for its scenic coastline along Tanesashi Coast including the Tanesashi Beach and Kabushima Island.
Various events take place throughout the year including Hachinohe Sansha Taisai, Japan's biggest float festival, where 27 different floats move through Hachinohe City.
This area is also known for its local produce from the sea, mountains and land.
Gifu – Ishikawa
A partnership between Gifu and Ishikawa prefectures promotes the Japan Alps region on Japan's main island of Honshu.
Ishikawa Prefecture is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in the Chubu Region.
Sitting on the seacoast, Ishikawa's capital city of Kanazawa is home to the perfect garden of Kenroku-en.
The Kanazawa Castle, once home to feudal lords, has been partly reconstructed.
Across the Asano River, teahouses from the Edo period have been preserved in the Higashi Chaya District.
Takayama, is a town in the mountains and Shirakawa-go, a collection of small villages even deeper in the mountains.
Hachinohe
The Hachinohe Region takes in Hachinohe City, Sannohe, Gonohe, Takko Town, Nanbu Town, Hashikami Town, Shingo Village and Oirase Town.
Mitsuboshi Kaidou, the Three-star Road is part of the Nostalgic Route of Shoryudo and a major sightseeing route in Japan.
It takes in includes Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa, the historical townscape of Takayama, thatched-roof houses in Gokayama and Shirakawago, designated as a World Heritage Site, and Matsumoto Castle.