Derek Yamashita
After college, Derek Yamashita followed his passion to connect with his Japanese-American roots by starting a life deep in the countryside of Yamagata Prefecture. Here he found joy in the trails, cycling courses, fishing and all that the countryside had to offer. He combines his love travel, storytelling and photography as he explores the hidden treasures of Japan. In 2017 Derek co-founded The Hidden Japan, a boutique travel company promoting travel to both the deeper regions of Japan, particularly Tohoku, to help travelers explore beyond the big cities and well trodden tourist trails. He works closely with rural communities to create custom tours and experiences for travelers to enjoy alongside locals and foster a deeper understanding of their community.
Fishing
Sea to Table in Yamagata
An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
Issue 86
The Submerged Forests of Iide
Yamagata’s drastically alternating seasons and vast mountain ranges create a constantly rotating offering of outdoor splendor...
Skiing
The Guardians of Zao
As winter enters into its deepest months of January, a natural phenomenon takes place on the slopes of Mt. Zao. Massive white...
Cultural Travel
The Artisans of Tsubame Sanjo
At the center of Niigata Prefecture, in the wide open Echigo Plains, is an accumulation of more than 400 years of metallurgy ...
Traditional Events
Matsuri: Tohoku Summer Festivals 2022
Summer time in the Tohoku Region is the time of year when the normally quiet and tranquil communities of the north explode in vib...
Yamagata
A Mountain Town Frozen in Time
Hidden away in the mountains of Yamagata is a hot spring town where traditional ryokan are surrounded by forests. Visitors come t...
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