So Much to See and Do! Japan’s Regional Areas

　Japan comprises a long string of islands stretching north to south, located in a temperate zone. Its climate and landscape vary greatly from region to region, and each town and village has unique charms. And because Japan has four distinct seasons, you can enjoy different sights at the same place different times of the year. From the scenery of mountains and rivers to the locally rooted lifestyles and diverse food culture, everything is intricately intertwined with the changing of the seasons, so one can always find something new and interesting no matter how many times one visits.
 
　Wanting more dignitaries from other countries to experience such local charms, the government of Japan is actively encouraging them to visit regional cities when they come to Japan. Let’s take a look at the trips taken by President Christopher J. Loeak of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and President Emanuel Mori of the Federated States of Micronesia.
 
　President Loeak visited Hiroshima Prefecture in February 2014. Hiroshima is well known throughout the world as a city that was devastated by an atomic bomb, but it also boasts many sightseeing destinations, such as Hiroshima Castle, Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, and other historical buildings. After touring Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Peace emorial Museum, the president visited Miyajima Island, where the famous Itsukushima Shinto Shrine is located. Listed as a World Heritage Site, the shrine features uniquely designed structures built on the water, such as the immense 16.6-meter (54.4-foot) torii gate rising out of the sea and the vermilion-lacquered corridor that leads to the shrine. President Loeak’s heart was surely moved by Hiroshima’s hope for world peace, and he experienced two faces of Hiroshima—its beautiful scenery and its vibrant townscapes.
 
　President Mori visited Kochi Prefecture, the birthplace of his great-grandfather, in November 2014. Located in the southern part of Shikoku facing the Pacific Ocean, Kochi boasts a rich natural landscape of lush forests and picturesque shores, and is blessed with the bounty of land and sea. The president visited the Kochi Prefectural Industrial Technology Center and watched attentively as liquor was made from local citrus fruits and bananas. Next he visited the Makino Botanical Garden, where he planted a breadfruit tree with Kochi Prefectural Governor Masanao Ozaki as a symbol of the friendship between Kochi and Micronesia. The breadfruit tree can grow up to 15 meters (about 50 feet) tall. The occasion has surely provided fertile ground for the friendship between Japan and Micronesia to grow just as big.
 
　Several other dignitaries have visited other regional cities—each with its own unique qualities. We hope that readers will visit Japan’s regional cities as well.