1 Hour Simple Japanese Listening – Japan Tourist Attractions

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The first half is a slow voice with furigana, and the second half is a slightly faster voice without furigana.
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0:00 About Regions in Japan
0:48 Tokyo
6:36 Kyoto
11:17 Osaka
14:35 Hokkaido
18:19 Hiroshima
21:51 Okinawa
25:21 Fukuoka
28:18 About Regions in Japan (no furigana, speed up)
29:04 Tokyo (no furigana, speed up)
34:33 Kyoto (no furigana, speed up)
38:57 Osaka (no furigana, speed up)
42:05 Hokkaido (no furigana, speed up)
45:35 Hiroshima (no furigana, speed up)
48:55 Okinawa (no furigana, speed up)
52:13 Fukuoka (no furigana, speed up)

#japanese
#jlpt
#kanji

Today, I’ll be talking about “tourist destinations in Japan.” First, Japan is divided into regions such as “Tokyo Metropolis,” “Hiroshima Prefecture,” and “Hokkaido.” Japan is divided into 47 of these regions, which are called “47 prefectures.” Each of the 47 prefectures has many tourist destinations.

In this video, we will introduce you to some of Japan’s famous tourist destinations. First, I’d like to introduce Tokyo. Tokyo is the capital of Japan and the place where the most people gather in Japan.

10% of Japan’s population lives in Tokyo. Tokyo is a central place in Japan, attracting many people not only from within the country but also from overseas. Asakusa is one of the representative tourist destinations of Tokyo. The retro townscape of Asakusa allows you to feel the Japan of yesteryears.

It is especially popular among tourists from abroad and is a wonderful tourist destination for those interested in Japanese culture. Speaking of Asakusa, Sensoji Temple is famous. Sensoji Temple is said to be one of the oldest temples in Tokyo.

At the entrance of Sensoji Temple is the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). The Kaminarimon has a huge “lantern” and is popular among tourists. Visitors to Asakusa often take photos at this Kaminarimon. Beyond the Thunder Gate is “Nakamise-dori.” Here, there are many shops selling traditional Japanese sweets and souvenirs.

If you go to Asakusa on a trip, it is recommended to buy souvenirs here. This place is especially popular, so it’s always bustling with many people. When you visit Tokyo, be sure to go to Asakusa. Akihabara is known as the holy land of Japanese anime and manga.

There are many stores selling the latest anime goods and various manga figures. For those who love anime and manga, it’s the perfect place. Akihabara is also famous for its maid cafes. A maid cafe is a cafe where the staff, dressed in maid uniforms, serve customers.

A characteristic of these cafes is that the staff refer to the customers as “master.” While maid cafes were originally popular among men, they have recently gained popularity among women as well. Of course, they are also popular with tourists from abroad. Additionally, Akihabara is not just about anime and manga.

It’s also well-known as a district where electronic goods, such as computers and TVs, are concentrated. There’s a wide selection of the latest computers and home appliances. Not only that, but the staff in these shops are often very knowledgeable about their products, so you can receive good advice.

Contrary to Asakusa, Akihabara can be described as a place where you can feel modern Japan. In Tokyo, there are two large markets, Tsukiji Market and Toyosu Market. Many fresh fish and vegetables are gathered here. It used to be only Tsukiji Market, but in 2018, Toyosu Market was established.

Tsukiji Market has many eateries where you can eat sushi among other things. It’s a popular spot not only for tourists from abroad but also for Japanese tourists. The newly established Toyosu Market has become a place where Tokyo’s chefs procure their ingredients.

It is accessible to the public, and you can also watch the tuna auctions. Of course, there are also many places to eat, making it a recommended spot for those who want to enjoy fresh seafood.

Next, I will introduce Kyoto. Kyoto is one of Japan’s representative cities, alongside Tokyo. It is located in the western part of Japan.

It’s a very popular tourist destination visited by people from all over the world. Kyoto was once the capital of Japan, which is why the character for “capital” (都) is included in its name. Now, let’s introduce some famous tourist spots in Kyoto.

Kiyomizu-dera is one of the most famous tourist spots in Kyoto. In particular, the view from the place known as “Kiyomizu’s Stage” is popular. Kiyomizu-dera is also registered as a World Heritage Site and is a very important place that symbolizes Japan. Many people think of this place when they think of Kyoto.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is famous for its many torii gates. These torii gates are also known as “Senbon Torii” (thousands of torii gates), and you can feel a mystical atmosphere here. It is said that there are about a thousand torii gates, but the exact number is not known.

You can walk through these thousand torii gates to climb to the mountain’s summit. These Senbon Torii are often used in photos when introducing tourist spots in Japan. Kinkaku-ji is a temple that shines in gold. It is a three-story building and has some unusual features.

Its unique feature is that the first, second, and third floors are built differently from each other. Also, as its name suggests, a significant feature of Kinkaku-ji is its golden shine. This is said the building is covered in “gold leaf.”

By the way, gold leaf is gold that has been beaten into thin sheets, even thinner than paper. On sunny days, the gold leaf reflects the sunlight, making the temple even more beautiful. Additionally, Kinkaku-ji is surrounded by a beautiful garden. The beautiful scenery of Kinkaku-ji can be considered a treasure of Japan.

Furthermore, Kyoto is home to many delicious foods, especially famous for its sweets. Firstly, when talking about sweets from Kyoto, “Nama-Yatsuhashi” comes to mind. It’s a sweet with red bean paste inside a soft dough. Tourists visiting Kyoto often buy this as a souvenir. Next, “sweets made with matcha” are unique to Kyoto as well.

Matcha is a powder made from finely ground tea leaves. Kyoto is also famous as a production area for matcha, and the sweets made with it are exquisite. For example, there are various matcha sweets such as matcha parfait and matcha ice cream.

Next, I’ll introduce Osaka, which is right next to Kyoto. It’s especially famous for its delicious food. Dotonbori is a bustling district that represents Osaka. This area is known as a center for food culture and shopping.

In particular, there are many restaurants, and visiting Dotonbori is recommended for those who want to learn about Osaka’s food culture. Additionally, the location where you can see the signboard of the Glico company is a popular spot for photography. Now, let’s introduce three famous foods from Osaka.

Takoyaki is a food where chopped octopus is placed in a batter made from flour and then cooked into round shapes. It is eaten with sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. Freshly cooked takoyaki is very delicious.

Okonomiyaki is made by mixing cabbage, pork, and other ingredients into a flour batter and cooking it on a griddle. The cooked okonomiyaki is eaten with sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. There are many okonomiyaki specialty shops in Osaka. Kushikatsu is a dish where vegetables and meat are skewered, coated in breadcrumbs, and then deep-fried.

Freshly fried kushikatsu has a crispy texture and is delicious. In Osaka, it is common to eat kushikatsu dipped in sauce. There’s a rule with Osaka’s kushikatsu known as “no double dipping.” This rule exists because the sauce is shared among multiple people, to ensure everyone can enjoy their meal comfortably.

Thus, Osaka is a treasure trove of food. Universal Studios Japan is an amusement park located in Osaka. It features various attractions, including roller coasters and Ferris wheels, making it a popular spot in Osaka. Next, I’ll introduce Hokkaido. Hokkaido is the northernmost region of Japan. It is characterized by culinary culture that includes seafood.

Additionally, you can enjoy hot springs and skiing. Hokkaido is the most popular region among Japanese people. When you think of Hokkaido, Sapporo comes to mind first. Many people living in Hokkaido are concentrated in Sapporo. Sapporo is also famous as a gourmet destination.Especially, seafood bowls, Jingisukan, and soup curry are famous dishes.

Let’s introduce each dish. Jingisukan is a dish where vegetables and lamb meat are grilled on a metal plate. After grilling, it’s eaten dipped in a sweet and spicy sauce. Jingisukan with drinking beer is the best.

This dish consists of fresh fish and shellfish served over rice. Hokkaido is surrounded by the sea, so there’s an abundance of fresh fish and shellfish. This dish uses various seafood, such as salmon roe (ikura), sea urchin (uni), salmon, scallops (hotate), and tuna (maguro). Then, it’s eaten with soy sauce poured over the bowl.

Soup curry is a soup-like curry containing vegetables and chicken, among other ingredients. Sapporo has many specialty soup curry restaurants. You can choose the spiciness and ingredients to enjoy a soup curry tailored to your taste. Furthermore, Sapporo hosts a famous festival, the “Sapporo Snow Festival.”

This event is held in February and attracts many people from around the world. During the event, snow and ice sculptures are displayed throughout Sapporo. Additionally, there are many food stalls, allowing you to enjoy delicious Hokkaido cuisine. Although it’s very cold during the Sapporo Snow Festival, it’s an event worth visiting at least once.

Hiroshima is located further west of Osaka. Hiroshima is known for its historical buildings and natural beauty. Now, let’s introduce some tourist spots in Hiroshima. This park was established with the hope for peace. It serves as a symbol of world peace, attracting visitors from all over the world.

The park features various facilities where you can learn about Hiroshima’s history. Miyajima is a beautiful island in Hiroshima Prefecture. The island’s famous tourist spot is Itsukushima Shrine, which is registered as a World Heritage Site.

Itsukushima Shrine has a torii gate built over the sea. When the tide is high, you can see the torii gate appearing to float on the water. Especially, the sight of the torii gate illuminated by the setting sun is incredibly beautiful, making it an excellent spot for photography.

Additionally, Miyajima is famous for its food. Let’s introduce three famous foods from Miyajima. Miyajima is renowned for oyster farming, allowing you to enjoy fresh oysters. There are various oyster dishes, including raw oysters and fried oysters.

The peak season for oysters is winter, so you can enjoy them in their prime if you visit in January or February. This is a sweet pastry shaped like a “momiji” (maple) leaf. It comes in various flavors, including red bean paste, cream, and chocolate.

Momiji manju is perfect as a souvenir from a trip to Hiroshima. This is one of Miyajima’s representative gourmet dishes. Conger eel is a fish that lives in the sea and looks similar to eel.

This dish is made by grilling conger eel and then flavoring it with a sweet and spicy sauce, which is then served on top of rice. The combination of soft conger eel and the sweet and spicy sauce is deliciously irresistible.

Next is Okinawa. Okinawa is a prefecture known for its beautiful seas, rich nature, and unique culture. It is located at the southernmost tip of Japan. Now, let’s introduce some representative tourist spots in Okinawa. The Churaumi Aquarium is known as one of Japan’s leading aquariums.

The biggest attraction of this aquarium is the giant tank where creatures such as whale sharks swim. This tank is said to be one of the largest in the world. In addition, there are tanks for coral reefs and various creatures living in the seas of Okinawa.

There are also entertaining events like dolphin and sea lion shows. Moreover, Okinawa has many remote islands, where you can enjoy swimming at beautiful beaches. Apart from swimming, you can experience various activities. Let’s introduce three activities you can enjoy in Okinawa.

Diving is the act of submerging into the sea. You can closely observe beautiful coral reefs and marine life. Time spent under the sea will become an unforgettable experience. A kayak is a small boat. You can experience sailing on this boat by yourself.

You can enjoy this activity in quiet lakes or seas.It’s a popular activity that allows you to feel at one with nature. Whale watching involves going out on a boat to observe wild whales. Seeing the majestic whales up close is a rare and valuable experience. Thus, Okinawa offers a plethora of sea-related activities.

Spending leisurely time in beautiful nature will surely be an exceptional experience. Fukuoka Prefecture is located in the southern part of Japan and is especially known for its delicious gourmet food.

It’s a popular prefecture not only among Japanese people but also among tourists from countries such as Korea and China. At night in Fukuoka, many food stalls appear in the streets. At these stalls, you can easily enjoy a variety of dishes, such as ramen, yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), and oden (a Japanese winter dish).

And, the central area of Fukuoka is “Hakata.” In Hakata, there are many shops where you can enjoy shopping and gourmet food. Let’s introduce some popular dishes from Fukuoka. When you think of Hakata, the first thing that comes to mind is Hakata ramen.

The soup of this ramen is made from pork bones, allowing you to enjoy a rich flavor. Thin noodles are used, and toppings include green onions, eggs, and wood ear mushrooms. Additionally, you can also order just noodles as an add-on.

This is a dish where beef offal is stewed with vegetables in a pot. It’s especially popular during the cold winter months. There are various flavors, such as soy sauce and miso. For the finale, noodles or rice are added to enjoy. The term “finale” refers to the last item eaten.

Thank you for watching the video. If you hit the good button and subscribe to the channel, I’ll be able to make even more videos. Have any of you been to the places introduced in today’s video? If you have, please let me know in the comments section.

Also, if there’s a place you’d like to visit, please tell me about it as well. Today, I’ll be talking about “tourist destinations in Japan.” First, Japan is divided into regions such as “Tokyo Metropolis,” “Hiroshima Prefecture,” and “Hokkaido.” Japan is divided into 47 of these regions, which are called “47 prefectures.”

Each of the 47 prefectures has many tourist destinations. In this video, we will introduce you to some of Japan’s famous tourist destinations. First, I’d like to introduce Tokyo. Tokyo is the capital of Japan and the place where the most people gather in Japan.

10% of Japan’s population lives in Tokyo. Tokyo is a central place in Japan, attracting many people not only from within the country but also from overseas. Asakusa is one of the representative tourist destinations of Tokyo. The retro townscape of Asakusa allows you to feel the Japan of yesteryears.

It is especially popular among tourists from abroad and is a wonderful tourist destination for those interested in Japanese culture. Speaking of Asakusa, Sensoji Temple is famous. Sensoji Temple is said to be one of the oldest temples in Tokyo.

At the entrance of Sensoji Temple is the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). The Kaminarimon has a huge “lantern” and is popular among tourists. Visitors to Asakusa often take photos at this Kaminarimon. Beyond the Thunder Gate is “Nakamise-dori.” Here, there are many shops selling traditional Japanese sweets and souvenirs.

If you go to Asakusa on a trip, it is recommended to buy souvenirs here. This place is especially popular, so it’s always bustling with many people. When you visit Tokyo, be sure to go to Asakusa. Akihabara is known as the holy land of Japanese anime and manga.

There are many stores selling the latest anime goods and various manga figures. For those who love anime and manga, it’s the perfect place. Akihabara is also famous for its maid cafes. A maid cafe is a cafe where the staff, dressed in maid uniforms, serve customers.

A characteristic of these cafes is that the staff refer to the customers as “master.” While maid cafes were originally popular among men, they have recently gained popularity among women as well. Of course, they are also popular with tourists from abroad. Additionally, Akihabara is not just about anime and manga.

It’s also well-known as a district where electronic goods, such as computers and TVs, are concentrated. There’s a wide selection of the latest computers and home appliances. Not only that, but the staff in these shops are often very knowledgeable about their products, so you can receive good advice.

Contrary to Asakusa, Akihabara can be described as a place where you can feel modern Japan. In Tokyo, there are two large markets, Tsukiji Market and Toyosu Market. Many fresh fish and vegetables are gathered here. It used to be only Tsukiji Market, but in 2018, Toyosu Market was established.

Tsukiji Market has many eateries where you can eat sushi among other things. It’s a popular spot not only for tourists from abroad but also for Japanese tourists. The newly established Toyosu Market has become a place where Tokyo’s chefs procure their ingredients.

It is accessible to the public, and you can also watch the tuna auctions. Of course, there are also many places to eat, making it a recommended spot for those who want to enjoy fresh seafood.

Next, I will introduce Kyoto. Kyoto is one of Japan’s representative cities, alongside Tokyo. It is located in the western part of Japan.

It’s a very popular tourist destination visited by people from all over the world. Kyoto was once the capital of Japan, which is why the character for “capital” (都) is included in its name. Now, let’s introduce some famous tourist spots in Kyoto.

Kiyomizu-dera is one of the most famous tourist spots in Kyoto. In particular, the view from the place known as “Kiyomizu’s Stage” is popular. Kiyomizu-dera is also registered as a World Heritage Site and is a very important place that symbolizes Japan. Many people think of this place when they think of Kyoto.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is famous for its many torii gates. These torii gates are also known as “Senbon Torii” (thousands of torii gates), and you can feel a mystical atmosphere here. It is said that there are about a thousand torii gates, but the exact number is not known.

You can walk through these thousand torii gates to climb to the mountain’s summit. These Senbon Torii are often used in photos when introducing tourist spots in Japan. Kinkaku-ji is a temple that shines in gold. It is a three-story building and has some unusual features.

Its unique feature is that the first, second, and third floors are built differently from each other. Also, as its name suggests, a significant feature of Kinkaku-ji is its golden shine. This is said the building is covered in “gold leaf.”

By the way, gold leaf is gold that has been beaten into thin sheets, even thinner than paper. On sunny days, the gold leaf reflects the sunlight, making the temple even more beautiful. Additionally, Kinkaku-ji is surrounded by a beautiful garden. The beautiful scenery of Kinkaku-ji can be considered a treasure of Japan.

Furthermore, Kyoto is home to many delicious foods, especially famous for its sweets. Firstly, when talking about sweets from Kyoto, “Nama-Yatsuhashi” comes to mind. It’s a sweet with red bean paste inside a soft dough. Tourists visiting Kyoto often buy this as a souvenir. Next, “sweets made with matcha” are unique to Kyoto as well.

Matcha is a powder made from finely ground tea leaves. Kyoto is also famous as a production area for matcha, and the sweets made with it are exquisite. For example, there are various matcha sweets such as matcha parfait and matcha ice cream.

Next, I’ll introduce Osaka, which is right next to Kyoto. It’s especially famous for its delicious food. Dotonbori is a bustling district that represents Osaka. This area is known as a center for food culture and shopping.

In particular, there are many restaurants, and visiting Dotonbori is recommended for those who want to learn about Osaka’s food culture. Additionally, the location where you can see the signboard of the Glico company is a popular spot for photography. Now, let’s introduce three famous foods from Osaka.

Takoyaki is a food where chopped octopus is placed in a batter made from flour and then cooked into round shapes. It is eaten with sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. Freshly cooked takoyaki is very delicious.

Okonomiyaki is made by mixing cabbage, pork, and other ingredients into a flour batter and cooking it on a griddle. The cooked okonomiyaki is eaten with sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. There are many okonomiyaki specialty shops in Osaka. Kushikatsu is a dish where vegetables and meat are skewered, coated in breadcrumbs, and then deep-fried.

Freshly fried kushikatsu has a crispy texture and is delicious. In Osaka, it is common to eat kushikatsu dipped in sauce. There’s a rule with Osaka’s kushikatsu known as “no double dipping.” This rule exists because the sauce is shared among multiple people, to ensure everyone can enjoy their meal comfortably.

Thus, Osaka is a treasure trove of food. Universal Studios Japan is an amusement park located in Osaka. It features various attractions, including roller coasters and Ferris wheels, making it a popular spot in Osaka. Next, I’ll introduce Hokkaido. Hokkaido is the northernmost region of Japan. It is characterized by culinary culture that includes seafood.

Additionally, you can enjoy hot springs and skiing. Hokkaido is the most popular region among Japanese people. When you think of Hokkaido, Sapporo comes to mind first. Many people living in Hokkaido are concentrated in Sapporo. Sapporo is also famous as a gourmet destination.Especially, seafood bowls, Jingisukan, and soup curry are famous dishes.

Let’s introduce each dish. Jingisukan is a dish where vegetables and lamb meat are grilled on a metal plate. After grilling, it’s eaten dipped in a sweet and spicy sauce. Jingisukan with drinking beer is the best.

This dish consists of fresh fish and shellfish served over rice. Hokkaido is surrounded by the sea, so there’s an abundance of fresh fish and shellfish. This dish uses various seafood, such as salmon roe (ikura), sea urchin (uni), salmon, scallops (hotate), and tuna (maguro). Then, it’s eaten with soy sauce poured over the bowl.

Soup curry is a soup-like curry containing vegetables and chicken, among other ingredients. Sapporo has many specialty soup curry restaurants. You can choose the spiciness and ingredients to enjoy a soup curry tailored to your taste. Furthermore, Sapporo hosts a famous festival, the “Sapporo Snow Festival.”

This event is held in February and attracts many people from around the world. During the event, snow and ice sculptures are displayed throughout Sapporo. Additionally, there are many food stalls, allowing you to enjoy delicious Hokkaido cuisine. Although it’s very cold during the Sapporo Snow Festival, it’s an event worth visiting at least once.

Hiroshima is located further west of Osaka. Hiroshima is known for its historical buildings and natural beauty. Now, let’s introduce some tourist spots in Hiroshima. This park was established with the hope for peace. It serves as a symbol of world peace, attracting visitors from all over the world.

The park features various facilities where you can learn about Hiroshima’s history. Miyajima is a beautiful island in Hiroshima Prefecture. The island’s famous tourist spot is Itsukushima Shrine, which is registered as a World Heritage Site.

Itsukushima Shrine has a torii gate built over the sea. When the tide is high, you can see the torii gate appearing to float on the water. Especially, the sight of the torii gate illuminated by the setting sun is incredibly beautiful, making it an excellent spot for photography.

Additionally, Miyajima is famous for its food. Let’s introduce three famous foods from Miyajima. Miyajima is renowned for oyster farming, allowing you to enjoy fresh oysters. There are various oyster dishes, including raw oysters and fried oysters.

The peak season for oysters is winter, so you can enjoy them in their prime if you visit in January or February. This is a sweet pastry shaped like a “momiji” (maple) leaf. It comes in various flavors, including red bean paste, cream, and chocolate.

Momiji manju is perfect as a souvenir from a trip to Hiroshima. This is one of Miyajima’s representative gourmet dishes. Conger eel is a fish that lives in the sea and looks similar to eel.

This dish is made by grilling conger eel and then flavoring it with a sweet and spicy sauce, which is then served on top of rice. The combination of soft conger eel and the sweet and spicy sauce is deliciously irresistible.

Next is Okinawa. Okinawa is a prefecture known for its beautiful seas, rich nature, and unique culture. It is located at the southernmost tip of Japan. Now, let’s introduce some representative tourist spots in Okinawa. The Churaumi Aquarium is known as one of Japan’s leading aquariums.

The biggest attraction of this aquarium is the giant tank where creatures such as whale sharks swim. This tank is said to be one of the largest in the world. In addition, there are tanks for coral reefs and various creatures living in the seas of Okinawa.

There are also entertaining events like dolphin and sea lion shows. Moreover, Okinawa has many remote islands, where you can enjoy swimming at beautiful beaches. Apart from swimming, you can experience various activities. Let’s introduce three activities you can enjoy in Okinawa.

Diving is the act of submerging into the sea. You can closely observe beautiful coral reefs and marine life. Time spent under the sea will become an unforgettable experience. A kayak is a small boat. You can experience sailing on this boat by yourself.

You can enjoy this activity in quiet lakes or seas. It’s a popular activity that allows you to feel at one with nature. Whale watching involves going out on a boat to observe wild whales. Seeing the majestic whales up close is a rare and valuable experience. Thus, Okinawa offers a plethora of sea-related activities.

Spending leisurely time in beautiful nature will surely be an exceptional experience. Fukuoka Prefecture is located in the southern part of Japan and is especially known for its delicious gourmet food.

It’s a popular prefecture not only among Japanese people but also among tourists from countries such as Korea and China. At night in Fukuoka, many food stalls appear in the streets. At these stalls, you can easily enjoy a variety of dishes, such as ramen, yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), and oden (a Japanese winter dish).

And, the central area of Fukuoka is “Hakata.” In Hakata, there are many shops where you can enjoy shopping and gourmet food. Let’s introduce some popular dishes from Fukuoka. When you think of Hakata, the first thing that comes to mind is Hakata ramen.

The soup of this ramen is made from pork bones, allowing you to enjoy a rich flavor. Thin noodles are used, and toppings include green onions, eggs, and wood ear mushrooms. Additionally, you can also order just noodles as an add-on.

This is a dish where beef offal is stewed with vegetables in a pot. It’s especially popular during the cold winter months. There are various flavors, such as soy sauce and miso. For the finale, noodles or rice are added to enjoy. The term “finale” refers to the last item eaten.