https://podcast.chillarin39.com/hidden-japan en © Hidden Japan. All rights reserved. Hidden Japan is a short English-language podcast for international travelers and Japan-curious listeners. Each 6 to 8 minute episode walks through a single Japanese prefecture or DMO (Destination Management Organization) region, summarizing five highlights drawn from the area's official tourism board, JNTO's English destination pages, and regional DMO publications. The aim is not exhaustive coverage. The aim is to help a listener know, in under ten minutes, why a particular corner of Japan is worth a closer look — what the natural setting is, what the cultural and historical anchors are, what the regional food or craft tradition offers, and which season tends to suit the destination best. Each episode closes by pointing listeners back to the official tourism site for current event dates and conditions. This podcast uses AI-generated narration as a material part of the audio. All scripts are original and created for this show, then produced through a local text-to-speech workflow with editorial review and audio finishing. Hidden Japan is a short English-language podcast for international travelers and Japan-curious listeners. Each 6 to 8 minute episode walks through a single Japanese prefecture or DMO (Destination Management Organization) region, summarizing five highlights drawn from the area's official tourism board, JNTO's English destination pages, and regional DMO publications. The aim is not exhaustive coverage. The aim is to help a listener know, in under ten minutes, why a particular corner of Japan is worth a closer look — what the natural setting is, what the cultural and historical anchors are, what the regional food or craft tradition offers, and which season tends to suit the destination best. Each episode closes by pointing listeners back to the official tourism site for current event dates and conditions. This podcast uses AI-generated narration as a material part of the audio. All scripts are original and created for this show, then produced through a local text-to-speech workflow with editorial review and audio finishing. Short English briefings on Japan's prefectures, sourced from official tourism boards. Hidden Japan Hidden Japan podcast@chillarin39.com false https://podcast.chillarin39.com/hidden-japan/cover.jpg https://podcast.chillarin39.com/hidden-japan b9d387e9-4bb4-5e80-99c4-d79857f765a8 episodic A calm, friendly briefing on Fukui Prefecture — home to one of Japan's most atmospheric Zen temples, a world-class dinosaur museum, rugged Sea of Japan coastline, fresh seafood, and easy access from the new Hokuriku Shinkansen line. A calm, friendly briefing on Fukui Prefecture — home to one of Japan's most atmospheric Zen temples, a world-class dinosaur museum, rugged Sea of Japan coastline, fresh seafood, and easy access from the new Hokuriku Shinkansen line. A calm, friendly briefing on Fukui Prefecture — home to one of Japan's most atmospheric Zen temples, a world-class dinosaur museum, rugged Sea of Japan coastline, fresh seafood, and easy access from the new Hokuriku Shinkansen line. 7:35 17 1 full false Tue, 23 Jun 2026 07:02:45 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-17 A friendly briefing on Fukuoka Prefecture — from the smoky magic of Hakata's open-air yatai stalls and the sacred grounds of Dazaifu to the city's role as the natural gateway into Kyushu island. A friendly briefing on Fukuoka Prefecture — from the smoky magic of Hakata's open-air yatai stalls and the sacred grounds of Dazaifu to the city's role as the natural gateway into Kyushu island. A friendly briefing on Fukuoka Prefecture — from the smoky magic of Hakata's open-air yatai stalls and the sacred grounds of Dazaifu to the city's role as the natural gateway into Kyushu island. 7:40 16 1 full false Tue, 16 Jun 2026 07:05:19 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-16 A traveler's briefing on Nagano Prefecture, covering its early-summer alpine meadows, the iconic black towers of Matsumoto Castle, mountain hot springs, highland cuisine, and practical tips for getting there. A traveler's briefing on Nagano Prefecture, covering its early-summer alpine meadows, the iconic black towers of Matsumoto Castle, mountain hot springs, highland cuisine, and practical tips for getting there. A traveler's briefing on Nagano Prefecture, covering its early-summer alpine meadows, the iconic black towers of Matsumoto Castle, mountain hot springs, highland cuisine, and practical tips for getting there. 7:41 15 1 full false Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:02:40 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-15 A calm, informative briefing on Ishikawa Prefecture — why its rainy season is a hidden advantage, how its samurai-era garden and craft traditions rival Kyoto's, and what a traveler needs to know before visiting. A calm, informative briefing on Ishikawa Prefecture — why its rainy season is a hidden advantage, how its samurai-era garden and craft traditions rival Kyoto's, and what a traveler needs to know before visiting. A calm, informative briefing on Ishikawa Prefecture — why its rainy season is a hidden advantage, how its samurai-era garden and craft traditions rival Kyoto's, and what a traveler needs to know before visiting. 7:42 14 1 full false Tue, 02 Jun 2026 07:02:24 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-14 Tokushima Prefecture opens the ancient Shikoku pilgrimage and the churning whirlpools of Naruto to international travelers seeking something quieter and deeply Japanese. Tokushima Prefecture opens the ancient Shikoku pilgrimage and the churning whirlpools of Naruto to international travelers seeking something quieter and deeply Japanese. Tokushima Prefecture opens the ancient Shikoku pilgrimage and the churning whirlpools of Naruto to international travelers seeking something quieter and deeply Japanese. 7:19 13 1 full false Sat, 30 May 2026 07:02:36 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-13 Tochigi Prefecture, just north of Tokyo, offers travelers a rich mix of UNESCO-listed shrines, highland hot springs, farm-fresh cuisine, and some of Japan's finest autumn foliage — all within easy reach by shinkansen. Tochigi Prefecture, just north of Tokyo, offers travelers a rich mix of UNESCO-listed shrines, highland hot springs, farm-fresh cuisine, and some of Japan's finest autumn foliage — all within easy reach by shinkansen. Tochigi Prefecture, just north of Tokyo, offers travelers a rich mix of UNESCO-listed shrines, highland hot springs, farm-fresh cuisine, and some of Japan's finest autumn foliage — all within easy reach by shinkansen. 7:26 12 1 full false Thu, 28 May 2026 07:03:13 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-12 A traveler's briefing on Gifu Prefecture, from the UNESCO-listed thatched villages of Shirakawa-go to the quiet mountain roads, hot springs, and ancient crafts of the Hida region. A traveler's briefing on Gifu Prefecture, from the UNESCO-listed thatched villages of Shirakawa-go to the quiet mountain roads, hot springs, and ancient crafts of the Hida region. A traveler's briefing on Gifu Prefecture, from the UNESCO-listed thatched villages of Shirakawa-go to the quiet mountain roads, hot springs, and ancient crafts of the Hida region. 7:27 11 1 full false Tue, 26 May 2026 07:02:45 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-11 A calm, seasonal guide to visiting Kyoto Prefecture in late spring, just before the rainy season arrives and the summer crowds take hold. A calm, seasonal guide to visiting Kyoto Prefecture in late spring, just before the rainy season arrives and the summer crowds take hold. A calm, seasonal guide to visiting Kyoto Prefecture in late spring, just before the rainy season arrives and the summer crowds take hold. 7:02 10 1 full false Sat, 23 May 2026 07:02:37 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-10 A friendly briefing on three overlooked routes through Japan's Tohoku region, covering the natural, cultural, and culinary highlights of Aomori, Iwate, and Akita that most international travelers walk right past. A friendly briefing on three overlooked routes through Japan's Tohoku region, covering the natural, cultural, and culinary highlights of Aomori, Iwate, and Akita that most international travelers walk right past. A friendly briefing on three overlooked routes through Japan's Tohoku region, covering the natural, cultural, and culinary highlights of Aomori, Iwate, and Akita that most international travelers walk right past. 7:31 9 1 full false Thu, 21 May 2026 07:03:23 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-09 A friendly traveler's briefing on Kagoshima Prefecture — its active volcano, samurai heritage, sand baths, island wilderness, and the bold flavors of southern Kyushu. A friendly traveler's briefing on Kagoshima Prefecture — its active volcano, samurai heritage, sand baths, island wilderness, and the bold flavors of southern Kyushu. A friendly traveler's briefing on Kagoshima Prefecture — its active volcano, samurai heritage, sand baths, island wilderness, and the bold flavors of southern Kyushu. 7:34 8 1 full false Tue, 19 May 2026 07:03:18 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-08 A calm, friendly briefing on Toyama Prefecture, guiding international travelers through its alpine grandeur, historic coastline, remarkable seafood, seasonal spectacles, and practical access tips. A calm, friendly briefing on Toyama Prefecture, guiding international travelers through its alpine grandeur, historic coastline, remarkable seafood, seasonal spectacles, and practical access tips. A calm, friendly briefing on Toyama Prefecture, guiding international travelers through its alpine grandeur, historic coastline, remarkable seafood, seasonal spectacles, and practical access tips. 7:33 7 1 full false Sat, 16 May 2026 07:02:30 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-07 A friendly guide to dividing your Okinawa trip between the main island's history and culture and the remote outer islands' coral reefs and slow island life. A friendly guide to dividing your Okinawa trip between the main island's history and culture and the remote outer islands' coral reefs and slow island life. A friendly guide to dividing your Okinawa trip between the main island's history and culture and the remote outer islands' coral reefs and slow island life. 7:00 6 1 full false Thu, 14 May 2026 07:22:17 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-06 A calm, friendly briefing on the Setouchi Inland Sea region, covering its island art scene, coastal cycling route, historic castle towns, seafood culture, and gentle travel pace. A calm, friendly briefing on the Setouchi Inland Sea region, covering its island art scene, coastal cycling route, historic castle towns, seafood culture, and gentle travel pace. A calm, friendly briefing on the Setouchi Inland Sea region, covering its island art scene, coastal cycling route, historic castle towns, seafood culture, and gentle travel pace. 7:13 5 1 full false Tue, 12 May 2026 07:02:41 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-05 A friendly briefing on Nara Prefecture — Japan's ancient capital — covering its sacred deer, landmark temples, Yoshino's cherry blossoms, traditional crafts, and how to get there. A friendly briefing on Nara Prefecture — Japan's ancient capital — covering its sacred deer, landmark temples, Yoshino's cherry blossoms, traditional crafts, and how to get there. A friendly briefing on Nara Prefecture — Japan's ancient capital — covering its sacred deer, landmark temples, Yoshino's cherry blossoms, traditional crafts, and how to get there. 7:52 4 1 full false Sat, 09 May 2026 07:02:33 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-04 A friendly briefing on Central Hokkaido in May, covering the Furano and Biei landscapes, Asahikawa city culture, regional food, and practical travel tips for Japan's most unhurried spring. A friendly briefing on Central Hokkaido in May, covering the Furano and Biei landscapes, Asahikawa city culture, regional food, and practical travel tips for Japan's most unhurried spring. A friendly briefing on Central Hokkaido in May, covering the Furano and Biei landscapes, Asahikawa city culture, regional food, and practical travel tips for Japan's most unhurried spring. 7:36 3 1 full false Thu, 07 May 2026 07:02:34 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-03 A late-spring guide to the San'in Coast UNESCO Global Geopark, spanning Tottori and Shimane prefectures along Japan's dramatic Sea of Japan shoreline. A late-spring guide to the San'in Coast UNESCO Global Geopark, spanning Tottori and Shimane prefectures along Japan's dramatic Sea of Japan shoreline. A late-spring guide to the San'in Coast UNESCO Global Geopark, spanning Tottori and Shimane prefectures along Japan's dramatic Sea of Japan shoreline. 7:16 2 1 full false Tue, 05 May 2026 07:02:22 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-02 A calm, friendly briefing on five official highlights that make Akita Prefecture in northern Japan a rewarding destination to visit in June. A calm, friendly briefing on five official highlights that make Akita Prefecture in northern Japan a rewarding destination to visit in June. A calm, friendly briefing on five official highlights that make Akita Prefecture in northern Japan a rewarding destination to visit in June. 8:17 1 1 full false Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:32:50 +0000 hidden-japan-ep-01