Savour sights and bites in Nagato

Tuck into pufferfish and try artisanal salt in the Japanese coastal city with postcard-worthy views

- Eunice Quek

So, you have conquered the touristy Japanese cities of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hokkaido, and are hungry for more.

Perhaps you have also stopped in Fukuoka, Kyushu Island’s most populous city, but have yet to venture out.

In 2025, The Straits Times heads to Kyushu’s Oita and Kumamoto prefectures, as well as farther south to Miyazaki, to enjoy the region’s bounty of seasonal produce as well as stunning natural beauty.

So, it is timely that my recent press trip with Booking.com goes farther east — towards Nagato, a serene and culturally rich coastal city in Yamaguchi prefecture. It is a 40-minute shinkansen ride from Fukuoka’s Hakata Station.

This remote location has been picked strategically, with the trip’s organiser acknowledging over-tourism in the popular destinations of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.

The Japanese government forecasts that by 2030, tourist arrival numbers will be approximately double the current level of inbound tourism to Japan. In response, Booking.com is beefing up its portal - as a one-stop solution for booking air tickets, hotel accommodation, attractions and transport - for travellers exploring other Japanese destinations.