VOL.197 OCTOBER 2024
JAPAN’S HEALING FORESTS (PART 2)
Autumn Forests with Colorful Leaves
[Treasures of Japanese Culture] “How to Enjoy Deep Travel in Japan” as taught by a tourism professional
An example of a Japanese golf course. A well-maintained golf course where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the area is a great spot for sightseeing in Japan.
Ruth Marie Jarman, born in North Carolina but raised in the US State of Hawaii, has lived in Japan for over 35 years. She has worked on projects supporting the inbound strategies of Japanese companies and local governments and has a deep knowledge and understanding of the appeal of Japan. This month, she introduces “How to Enjoy Deep Travel in Japan” to international visitors to Japan who “have already visited the famous sightseeing spots and are looking for their next destinations.”
When people ask me, “Where should I go when I travel to Japan?” I start by introducing Japanese golf courses. I myself play golf as a hobby, and I will never forget the excitement I felt the first time I visited a Japanese golf course. It is said that less than 1% of international visitors to Japan experience golf in Japan, but I believe there are no golf courses as beautiful as those in Japan.
First of all, the grounds are well-maintained and beautifully landscaped throughout. My father, who used to play golf in Japan with me, praised the courses, saying that “It feels like playing golf in a Japanese garden. No matter which golf course you go to, you will have an extraordinary experience.”
In addition, the unique charm of Japan is that you can experience a variety of activities along with golf, such as having lunch at the clubhouse on the premises or taking a bath golf course bath “ofuro” or in a nearby hot spring. I believe that Japanese golf courses can become a place where golfers from all over the world can gather. I would like to convey more about their charm to the world and promote golf travel to Japan.
For those who want to experience the beautiful nature of Japan, I recommend the Shimanto River in Kochi Prefecture. The Shimanto River, known as “the last clear stream in Japan,” is said to be so clear that you can drink straight from the water. The experience of canoeing, standup paddleboarding, camping, and gazing up at a star-filled sky in the wilderness is sure to be special.
The Aikawa area* of Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture and its vicinity is also one of my favorite places to recommend. The area has a nostalgic atmosphere with the ruins of gold and silver mines that once flourished, old-fashioned buildings, and an historic fishing port.
Shimanto River and Sado Island are not easily accessible, but that is why they still retain their natural beauty. You will encounter the deep charm of Japan, which is not limited to Tokyo and Kyoto.
Finally, here are some unique Japanese experiences that can be enjoyed by those staying in urban areas.
Many people go sightseeing at shrines and temples when they come to Japan. When doing so, I would like you try collecting “goshuin” (literally, scarlet seal stamps). A goshuin is a certificate that can be purchased to commemorate a visit to a shrine or temple, and its design varies from location to location. Collecting goshuin has become a bit of a boom in Japan, but many international visitors to Japan may not yet be aware of it. If you get a special goshuin book and collect goshuin from the shrines and temples you visit, you can create your own unique souvenir of your stay in Japan.
If you have a chance to take the train, you should also try the stand-up-eating soba noodles** from station platform shops. Stand-up-eating soba is a healthy fast food in Japan. Once you have purchased the ticket from the ticket machine and handed it to the staff, the soba noodles are served with amazing speed. It is also interesting to watch the cooking process up close.
Japan has many fascinating cities and experiences that are not yet well known to international visitors. I hope you will find a favorite place that you will want to return to again and again.
Ruth Marie Jarman
An American-born entrepreneur raised in Hawaii, Jarman joined Recruit Co., Ltd. in 1988 and has lived in Japan for over 35 years. She began her career in translation and interpretation as a small business owner in 1992. She is currently the CEO of Jarman International KK and has published six books on Japan. She serves as an Independent Director on boards at three publicly listed Japanese corporations, is one of the rare non-Japanese holders of the Japanese Takken Real Estate license and appears in various media including NHK World Radio’s “Living in Japan”. In 2024, she was appointed a member of the NHK International Broadcast Programs Council and continues to support Japan’s internationalization in a variety of capacities. 
* The Aikawa area was a mining town that flourished with the prosperity of the Aikawa-Tsurushi Gold and Silver Mine. In July 2024, the Aikawa-Tsurushi Gold and Silver Mine, together with the Nishimikawa Placer Gold Mine, was registered as the World Heritage Site “Sado Island Gold Mines.”
** Soba flour is made by grinding the seeds of buckwheat, which is an annual plant of the Polygonaceae family. The soba flour is kneaded with water and spread thin, cut finely into noodles, and boiled, after which it becomes the dish “soba noodles,” which are eaten with dipping sauce or in soup. The noodles themselves are also referred to as soba.
*** Udon noodles are a boiled noodle dish made by kneading wheat flour with water and a little bit of salt, spreading it thinly, and cutting it finely. The noodles themselves are also referred to as udon.
By Ruth Marie Jarman
Photo: PIXTA
