Head off the Beaten Track on the Diamond Route

Just one hour from Tokyo, Ibaraki Prefecture marks the start of the Diamond Route, a series of routes that take travellers away from the traditional tourist circuits in Japan. Far from the well-known Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka—of Japan’s famous Golden Route—the Diamond Route is aimed more at travellers wishing to immerse themselves in Japan’s less-visited areas, combining outdoor activities, cultural excursions, and the discovery of Japanese hot springs. 

Nature and samurai culture

This tourism project took shape in 2018 with a clear goal: to present less well-known aspects of Japanese culture through a collection of videos, sounds, and photos that immerse viewers, and perhaps prospective travellers, within three prefectures (Fukushima, Tochigi, and Ibaraki) that are relatively neglected by tourists from overseas. 

With its varied range of landscapes (mountains, lush forests, rivers…), this gem of the East is primarily aimed at travellers who enjoy nature, outdoor activities, and extreme sports. The dynamic programme is balanced with cultural excursions, particularly relating to the samurai culture—the heritage of which has been especially well preserved. Travellers will also be immersed in the regional culinary specialities, which showcase seafood. 

All the details on the Diamond Route can be found on its website, created jointly by the three prefectures behind the project.