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Tohoku

Tohoku (東北 Tōhoku, literally "East-North") is the northeastern region of Japan's Honshu island. In winter, the Snow Country (Yukiguni) of the western Japan Sea coast racks up some of the highest snowfall figures in the world, which also means great skiing and lots of hot springs to warm up in. Tohoku also has many castles and samurai residences, making it a good place to take in some history. It also serves as a good backup plan for cherry blossom viewing, since the trees blossom a few weeks later here than they do in Tokyo/Kyoto.

Understand
Traditionally a poor rural backwater with a harsh climate, today's Tohoku offers the traveller some of the best scenery in Japan.

The Tohoku region, while a popular destination for domestic travel and tourism, is virtually untouched by foreign tourism. Tohoku has primarily marketed itself as a ski destination to domestic travelers, and while the region has well developed transportation and ski infrastructure, its overall tourism infrastructure is relatively lacking for foreign tourism (especially budget tourism). For example, the entire prefecture of Akita only contains 2 hostels, with prices not too far off from business hotels. Despite this, Tohoku's tourism associations aggressively market Tohoku as a destination for international travelers through Youtube and Instagram influencers. Nonetheless, Tohoku can be a rewarding trek off the beaten path, for those who are willing to contend with limited tourism infrastructure.

Tourist information site
Travel to Tohoku is the official multilingual guide site for the whole area.

Cities

 * — Former castle town rich in history
 * — capital of Akita Prefecture
 * — northernmost city in Honshu
 * — historical site with several large temples
 * — the cultural capital of the North
 * - Preserved samurai district famous for its cherry blossoms
 * — capital of Iwate with beautiful rivers
 * — capital of Miyagi and the largest city in Tohoku. It enjoys the epithet Mori no Miyako, "The Forest City", due to its dense tree lined thoroughfares and forested public areas.
 * — featuring the mountain temple of Yamadera

Other destinations

 * a set of three temples representing birth, death, and rebirth, popular among pilgrims
 * — small island with a shrine and hiking trails
 * — one of Japan's Three Great Views
 * — famous for its hot springs and kokeshi dolls
 * — featuring the scenic Yagen Valley as well as Mount Osore, the mythical entrance to Hell
 * Protected natural forests and mountains straddling the border of Aomori and Akita prefectures, designated as a World Heritage Site.
 * — scenic Lake Towada, gorgeous Oirase River Valley and the hot springs of Hachimantai Plateau
 * — popular hitō (hidden hot spring) resort in rural settings in Akita.
 * — popular hitō (hidden hot spring) resort in rural settings in Akita.

Itineraries

 * Narrow Road to the Deep North — in the footsteps of haiku poet Matsuo Basho

Travel Topics

 * Dewa Sanzan — three mountains holy to the ascetic cult of Shugendo

Talk
Information in English tends to be sparse in rural Tohoku, since foreign travellers are few in these parts; most people are also apprehensive around foreigners even if you can speak Japanese.

The Tohoku dialect (東北弁 Tōhoku-ben) is perceived as quite rural by Japanese, and it gets thicker the further north you go. It's known as zūzū-ben for its characteristic feature of turning all "s" sounds into "z" and blending "i" and "u" vowels. It can be difficult to comprehend at times even if you do understand Japanese, and the use of different vocabulary in some dialects makes them harder even for those from different parts of Tohoku. Most people are however well versed in Standard Japanese (hyōjungo), and English is also somewhat spoken by urban youth.

By plane
There are no major airports in Tohoku and most travellers arrive via Tokyo. Sendai and Akita airports do field some international flights, mostly to China and South Korea.

By train
The Tohoku Shinkansen connects Tokyo, Sendai, Morioka and Aomori, with spur lines to Akita and Yamagata. It will take 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokyo to Sendai via the all-reserved Komachi and Hayabusa service, which run nonstop after departing Omiya in Saitama prefecture. Trains run through to the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Hakodate.

By ferry
Ferry services connect ports in northern Tohoku to Hokkaido and Nagoya.

Get around
Tohoku is large, mountainous and sparsely populated, and getting around in the boondocks can be time-consuming.

By train
Tohoku's main train artery is the Tōhoku Shinkansen (東北新幹線) bullet train line on the east coast, connecting Tokyo to Aomori via Sendai, Fukushima, Morioka and Hachinohe, with spurs to Yamagata and Akita. An extension across the strait to Hakodate is now open, but the rest of the route to Sapporo won't open until 2030.

Outside the Shinkansen network, rural train services in Tohoku, known affectionately as donko, are slow and infrequent. It's not unusual to have waits of 2 or even 4 hours between trains, especially for services crossing the sparsely inhabited interior, and buses are often a faster option for intercity travel. The scenery along the twisty mountain routes can be stunning though.

While JR has a near-monopoly for connecting all major towns together, the stretch of ordinary track between Morioka and Aomori now belongs to a private company, and there are bits and pieces of private railways around the larger towns.

JR East Rail Pass
The JR East Rail Pass (Tohoku area) lets you travel for free on all JR East lines in the Tohoku and Kanto regions including the Tohoku Shinkansen and its spurs, and is a good option if you plan to travel extensively by train. The cost of the pass is ¥30,000 for five consecutive days of travel. The pass does not cover the Nagano and Niigata areas of JR East.

The JR East pass covers the area around and North of Tokyo on Honshu, including Nikko for instance, and can be used on the Shinkansen north-bound from Tokyo. Unlike the Japan Rail Pass, it covers the private Izu-Kyuko Railway from Ito to Shimoda, limited express trains from Tokyo to Nikko and Kinugawa via the JR and Tobu Railway lines, local Tobu Railway trains from Shimo-Imaichi to Nikko and Kinugawa, and the Hokuetsu Railway between Echigo Yuzawa and Naoetsu; however, it cannot be used on the Tokaido Shinkansen to go to Kyoto and Osaka.

If you're not in a hurry, you may also want to consider the cheaper Seishun 18 Ticket.

By bus
Especially for traveling west-east, buses are often a faster and sometimes even cheaper alternative to trains. For example, traveling by train from Morioka to Hirosaki takes around 4 hours even if you time your connection right, while a direct, hourly bus covers the same distance in just over 2. Buses usually leave from major train stations, and the largest operator is JR Bus Tohoku.

By car
Tohoku (in particular north of Sendai) is one of the few areas in Japan where you might want to rent a car. Rental car outlets are conveniently located near the train stations in the major cities, as this is the way local business travellers get around. When planning your trips, figure on your average travel speed on the road being around 60km/h. All sight-seeing spots have parking available, which is inexpensive as compared to the cities in the south. Note that in winter, many roads are closed entirely, and even major arteries can be temporarily blocked by heavy snowfall.

For long distance travel, the Tohoku Expressway more or less follows the route of the Shinkansen, but it's a solid 10 hours of driving for the 900 km from Tokyo to Aomori. A good starting point for exploring Tohoku is Morioka, which can be reached by train from Tokyo in 2½ hours on the Hayate or Komachi service.

See
Most visitors come to Tohoku for hiking, nature, history and hot springs, not necessarily in that order. Highlights include the temples of Hiraizumi, the holy mountains of Dewa Sanzan and the secluded hot springs of the Shimokita Peninsula. Heavy snowfall also makes this a top skiing destination in winter, but due to longer access times from the main cities, the resorts tend to be less developed (and less crowded) than those around Nagano.

World Heritage Sites

 * Shirakami-Sanchi Home to Asia's largest natural beech forest
 * Hiraizumi Pure Land Buddhist sites from the former capital of the Tohoku Region
 * Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining - The Hashino Iron Mining and Smelting Site is listed among the many sites that make up this World Heritage Listing (Kamaishi)

Original castles

 * Hirosaki Castle The northernmost of Japan's 12 original castles and the only one located in the Tohoku Region, famous for its cherry blossom festival (Hirosaki)

Reconstructed castles

 * Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle The largest castle in the region in the former powerful Aizu Province (Aizu-Wakamatsu)
 * Yamagata Castle The castle gate has been reconstructed and excavations around the site remain ongoing
 * Yokote Castle A small castle known for cherry blossoms in spring and kamakura igloo festival in winter (Yokote)
 * Shirakawa Castle (Shirakawa)
 * Kubota Castle (Akita)

Castle ruins

 * Morioka Castle (Morioka)
 * Aoba Castle (Sendai)
 * Taga Castle (Tagajo)

Temples and shrines
奥州三霊場 Ōshū sanreijō are the three most famous pilgrimage sites in the ancient land of Oku (奥), now known as Tohoku.
 * Mount Osore, Bodaiji Temple - Known as the "Gateway to Hell" and also one of Japan's Top 3 spiritual sites.
 * Dewa Sanzan - A group of 3 temples serving as spiritual centers of shugendo mountain worship, Hagurosan is famous for its pagoda.
 * Kinkasan - Koganeyama shrine, off the coast of Ishinomaki

Other temples are:
 * Chusonji Temple - The most famous of Hiraizumi's temples, known for its golden hall. (Hiraizumi)
 * Yamadera - One of Japan's most picturesque mountain temples (Yamagata)
 * Zuihoden - Housing the famous lord Date Masamune's grave (Sendai)
 * Zuiganji Temple and Godaigo Hall - Scenic temples around Matsushima Bay (Matsushima)

Gardens

 * Oyakuen Garden (Aizu-Wakamatsu)
 * Fujita Memorial Garden (Hirosaki)
 * Seibien Garden (Hirosaki)
 * Suirakuen Garden (Shirakawa)
 * Honma Art Museum (Sakata)
 * Jorakuen Garden (Fukushima)
 * Ikeda-shi Garden (Daisen)
 * Gokurakuen Garden (Tendo)
 * Flower and Garden Mori no Kaze (Shizukuishi)

Historic Districts

 * Ouchijuku (Shimogo)
 * Kitakata (Kitakata)
 * Nakamachi's Komise-dori (Kuroishi)
 * Kakunodate (Senboku)
 * Masuda (Yokote)
 * Murata (Murata)
 * Maezawa (Minami-Aizu)

Museums

 * Towada Art Center (Towada) - A world-class modern art museum
 * Sannai Maruyama Historical Site (Aomori) - A museum and World Heritage Site over a former Jomon Period settlement.
 * Ken Domon Museum of Photography (Sakata)
 * Yokote Masuda Manga Museum (Yokote)
 * Miyazawa Kenji Dowa Mura (Hanamaki) - An art museum that takes the works of Miyazawa Kenji and makes them interactive
 * Tohoku History Museum (Tagajo) - Exhibits and displays about the history of the entire Tohoku Region
 * Tsugaru Kokeshi-kan (Kuroishi) and Miyagi Zao Kokeshi-kan (Zao) are dedicated to their respective local kokeshi
 * Rias Ark Museum of Art (Kesennuma)
 * Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum (Rikuzentakata) - A museum dedicated to the March 11 Earthquake, including the "Miracle Pine".

Cherry Blossom Spots
みちのく三大桜名所 Michinoku Sandai Sakura-meisho

"Michinoku" is an archaic term used to refer to the Tohoku Region. Traditionally, it excludes Akita and Yamagata Prefectures but over time has become synonymous with the entire region as demonstrated by the presence of Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture on this list.
 * Hirosaki Castle Park (Hirosaki, Aomori)
 * Kakunodate Samurai Residences (Kakunodate, Akita)
 * Kitakami Tenshochi (Kitakami, Iwate)

Onsen

The Tohoku region is home to some of Japan's most beautiful and secluded hot springs. Naruko Onsen (Osaki, Miyagi), Iiyama Onsen (Fukushima, Fukushima) and Akiu Onsen (Sendai, Miyagi) are generally considered as the Three Baths of Ōshū (奥州三名湯 Ōshū Sanmeitō, using an ancient name for Tohoku).

Ginzan Onsen in Obanazawa and Nyuto Onsen in Senboku are often considered among the most beautiful onsen in the country. Nyuto Onsen features rustic buildings, milky white waters, and surrounding nature, while Ginzan Onsen is a nostalgic town of Taisho-era inns separated by the Ginzan River running through the center. The golden Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen that rests along the Sea of Japan in Fukaura is famous for its seaside views and sunsets.

Kokeshi cylindrical dolls are popular souvenirs in Tohoku that are actually associated with onsen. There are 11 kokeshi varieties, each associated with specific onsen towns in the Tohoku region (except for the Yamagata Kokeshi, which doesn't have an associated onsen but can be found in Yamagata and Yonezawa). Tsugaru Kokeshi are from Kuroishi Onsen in Kuroishi, Kijiyama Kokeshi from Doroyu Onsen and Oyasu Onsen in Yuzawa, Nanbu Kokeshi from Hanamaki Onsen in Hanamaki, Hijiori Kokeshi from Hijiori Onsen in Okura, Zao Takayu Kokeshi from Zao Onsen in Yamagata, Togatta Kokeshi from Togatta Onsen in Zao, Naruko Kokeshi from Naruko Onsen in Osaki, Sakunami Kokeshi from Sakunami Onsen in Sendai, Yajiro Kokeshi from Kamasaki Onsen in Shiroishi, and Tsuchiyu Kokeshi from Tsuchiyu Onsen in Fukushima.

Festivals
Tohoku has lots of famous festivals. The Nebuta Festival in Aomori, Kantō Festival in Akita, and Tanabata Festival in Sendai are together known as the Tohoku's Top Three Festivals.

After the Tohoku Earthquake in 2011, the 6 prefectures of Tohoku decided to create a new festival that featured the largest summer events of each prefecture capital and named it the Tohoku Rokkonsai (東北六魂祭, "Six souls festival", changed the name to Tohoku Kizuna Matsuri 東北絆まつり in 2017). The top three festivals above were the representative festivals of Aomori, Akita, and Miyagi, and the Hanagasa Festival in Yamagata, Sansa Festival in Morioka, and Fukushima's Fukushima Waraji Festival were chosen to represent Yamagata, Iwate, and Fukushima respectively. The Tohoku Kizuna Matsuri is a parade featuring troupes of each prefecture, allowing spectators to enjoy a bit of each without having to travel to all of the prefectures. It is held in a different prefecture every year. The next edition will be held in Sendai, 8-9 June, 2024.

The Omagari Fireworks in Daisen is one of the most famous fireworks festivals. In the winter, the Yokote Kamakura Festival in Yokote features Japanese igloos around Yokote Castle and the Hirosaki Castle Winter Festival in Hirosaki feature colorful snow lanterns lit around the castle at night. During New Years the Namahage come out in Oga to find naughty children and imbibe in sake.

Ski
Tohoku is snow country and there's some epic powder to be found. Zao Onsen is the largest resort, with 34 lifts, while Hakkoda is justly famous for its massive dumps of snow.

Eat

Originally peasant food for long winters, Tohoku food tends to be strong flavoured and salty, and the area is famous for its pickles. In mountain regions you will certainly have a chance to sample sansai-ryōri (山菜料理), prepared from herbs and plants harvested from the forests and hillsides. Rice from Tohoku is also famous, with Miyagi's sasanishiki (ササニシキ) and Akita's Akita-komachi (あきたこまち) being the flagship varieties. Yonezawa in Yamagata is famed for beef, and beef tongue is a specialty of Sendai. Horsemeat is commonly eaten in mountain regions of Iwate. Dishes to look out for include:

 * wanko soba (わんこそば) - An all-you-can-eat small serving of soba with side dishes, originating from Iwate Prefecture.
 * Morioka reimen (盛岡冷麺) - Cold noodles made from wheat and starch, served in a light-colored broth. It was introduced to Morioka by a North Korean immigrant in the 1950s (though the original Korean version uses buckwheat).
 * Morioka jajamen (盛岡じゃじゃ麺), Jajamen is derived from the Chinese zhajiangmian. A Japanese visitor to Manchukuo (the name given to Manchuria when the Japanese overtook the region in WWII) ate Zhajiangmian and upon returning to his hometown of Morioka tried to recreate the dish by experimenting with miso paste to create the modern dish.
 * kiritanpo (きりたんぽ) - a cooked rice cake molded into cylinders and skewered. Usually served with miso. (Akita Prefecture)
 * gyūtan (牛タン) - a Sendai specialty, grilled beef tongue, usually served in yakiniku or yakitori restaurants.
 * negi-soba (ねぎそば) - Soba eaten with a leek stalk, found only in the Ouchi-juku in Shimogo

Tohoku is also an important fruit production area and produces most of Japan's apples (Aomori), pears (Yamagata), cherries (Yamagata) and peaches (Fukushima).

Drink
Unlike the shōchū-swilling south, Tohoku is sake country and manufactures some fine rice wines.

Go next

 * Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido is a short hop away from Tohoku's northern tip.

title: Tohoku


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Toila

Toila is a small town in northeastern Estonia.

Understand
Toila situated about 40 km west from Narva and 10 km northeast from the town of Jõhvi. Toila is a popular place for weekend breaks and holidays, especially with Estonians from Ida-Virumaa County.

For more information: http://www.toila.ee

By bus
Bus schedules are easily available online – read more under Estonia.

Get around
Toila can be explored on foot, but the surrounding attractions are good with a car, or the seldom buses.

Go next

 * Rakvere – An attractive city to the west, famous for its Punk and Rock festivals and spirit.
 * Jõhvi – The capital of the county, but rather uninteresting from a travellers point of view, just south.
 * Sillamäe – A beautiful coastal town in the east and formerly closed city with the best ensemble of Stalinist architecture in the entire Baltics. Built after the war with an uranium processing plant, successfully redesigned after Estonia's independence.
 * Narva-Jõesuu – The beach side town on the Narva River near Narva.
 * Narva – Estonia's eastern-most and third largest city, on the Narva River, which is the border with Russia. Famous for the Hermann castle, right opposite of the Ivangorod's castle, and the Kreenholm factories. Even though it might seem grey and dull.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Toila


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Tok

Tok is a town in Interior Alaska.

By car
Tok is an important is where two major highways intersect:

 * Highway 1. This highway terminates at Tok.  From the southwest, the highway travels from Anchorage.
 * Highway 2 (Alaska Highway). From the northwest, the highway travels from Fairbanks.  From the southeast, the highway travels from Whitehorse, Yukon via the border crossing at Port Alcan.  In the Yukon, the highway is numbered Highway 1.

Get around
The "downtown" portion of Tok is spread along the highway. There are local taxis but no other public transit.

See
Frankly, Tok is not in one of the more scenic areas of the state. The region is mostly flat with young forests that are still recovering from many wildfires in the region.

title: Tok


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Tokaj

Tokaj is a small town in north-eastern Hungary, famous worldwide for its white wines. It is the center of Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region.

There is as well a region called Tokaj in south eastern part of Slovakia. Produces very similar Tokaj wines to Hungarian ones, some may be different particularly new modern wines. The Tokaj region was split after World War II by the Trianon agreement, and there is ongoing fight of Hungarian wine-makers (supported by politicians) to deny Slovak Tokaj wine producers and their qualities.

Understand
Tokaj produces only white wines, and most of them are sweet dessert wines.

Get in
Take a train from Budapest (Keleti pu) to Nyíregyháza and step out at Tokaj. The ticket costs about €15. With direct connection it takes about 2 hr 40 min from Budapest.

Get around
On foot, easily.

You can order wine bus at the Tourinform Tokaj (Tel.:+36-47-352259; e-mail: [mailto:tokaj@tourinform.hu tokaj@tourinform.hu]).

By ship on the River Bodrog and Tisza (You can take part in a wine ship trip, more inf. at Tourinform Tokaj).

By train to the neighbour villages, towns at the wine region (eg. Tarcal, Szerencs).

Buy
The best place to buy wines in Hungary. Nowadays Tokaj has plenty of independent wine producers and the quality of wine varies a lot. So take a tour in cellars and taste before you buy. Hétszőlő (see picture) and Hímesudvar wines are good choice.

Do

 * Climb Kopasz-hegy (Bald Mountain).
 * Visit all the wine cellars and try all their wines.
 * Wine seminars (More information: Tourinform Tokaj, tel: +36-47-352259, [mailto:tokaj@tourinform.hu tokaj@tourinform.hu]).
 * Take part in a wine ship tour on the River Bodrog and Tisza.
 * Visit the Tokaj Museum.
 * Visit the Tokaj Wine Festival at the last weekend of May.
 * Visit the Harvest festival at the first weekend of October.
 * Fishing in the two rivers.
 * Take part in Kenue tours.

Eat

 * Fish soup (Halászlé) - a special Hungarian soup from many fish from the Tisza and Bodrog rivers
 * Fried keszeg/harcsa/süllő - a fried fish. You can eat them at Bonchidai Restaurant.
 * Tokaj wine cream soup - a sweet soup from Tokaj wine.

As there is a perfect balance between sugar and acidity even in wines with high residual sugar (like 5 or 6 puttonyos aszú) due to the soil and climatic conditions as well as the traditional grape varieties of the region, it is a golden rule that Tokaj wines are not restricted to the role of dessert wines. Also, the high extract content and the minerality of the wines never let sweetness become overwhelming. As they have a clean and long finish and they are never cloying, Tokaj wines are ideal as an aperitif.

Apart from the classic foie gras, it is worth trying different entrées based on meat, fish, or vegetables.

A surprising range of main dishes, mainly fish or poultry in sauce can be accompanied by Tokaj wines, including sweet wines.

Tokaj wines can form perfect harmony with some cheeses having a strong taste (blue cheeses, aged cheeses).

Tokaj wines are ideal with desserts based on fruit (primarily apricot, peach, quince, melon, mango), cheese cakes or sweets prepared with nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds).

Drink

 * Tokaji Aszú These are the wines that have made Tokaj famous since the 16th century. The region provides ideal conditions for the development of the fungus called botrytis cinerea (also called noble rot, or pourriture noble), which perforates the skin of the grapes and thus allows the autumn sunshine to concentrate sugar and aroma in the grapes to extreme levels unknown in any other wine region in the world. The raisin-like, botrytised grapes (aszú berries) are picked one by one, traditionally in 25 kg hods (puttony). The aszú grapes (usually 3 to 6 hods) are added to a base wine usually still in fermentation, the traditional measuring unit of which is the Gönc cask (136 L). The number of hods of aszú grapes added to 136 litres of base wine determines the concentration of the aszú wine (3 to 6 puttonyos, or Aszú Eszencia if even more concentrated). Aszú wines are aged in oak barrels in the traditional Tokaj cellars keeping constant temperature (10-12 °C) and humidity (over 90%).
 * Tokaji Szamorodni This word of Polish origin means: as it grew. This wine is made from partly botrytised bunches without selection of the botrytised (aszú) berries. Both its dry and sweet versions are excellent aperitifs
 * Tokaji Fordítás this noble wine of Tokaj is made by leaving Aszú grapes on the skins to absorb sugar and aromatic substances.
 * Tokaji Eszencia An absolute rarity. This mythic nectar is gained by racking off the must pressed by the weight of the aszú grapes waiting to be added to the base wine. The concentration of the Eszencia is such that it takes years until it reaches a few per cent of alcohol.
 * Dry varietal Tokaji Furmint and Tokaji Hárslevelű are full-bodied white wines that are a perfect accompaniment not only to fish and seafood but also to white meat. Tokaj Muscat Lunel unites the typical muscat aromas with elegant acidity.
 * Late Harvest These wines are made from the over-ripened (sometimes partly botrytised) grapes of the traditional Tokaj varieties.

Sleep

 * Toldi Inn - "The Wellness House of 5 Puttonyos" is situated in the historical center of Tokaj, and lives up to all the expectations of the 21st century, and its guest seeking relaxation and rest.
 * Toldi Inn - "The Wellness House of 5 Puttonyos" is situated in the historical center of Tokaj, and lives up to all the expectations of the 21st century, and its guest seeking relaxation and rest.

Go next
Slovak Tokaj vineyards

title: Tokaj


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Tokaj-Hegyalja

Tokaj-Hegyalja is a wine region in Northern Hungary, which became the part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2002.

Cities
There are 27 towns and villages in Tokaj-Hegyalja. The biggest ones:

Understand
Located 200 km north-east of Budapest, not far from the Slovak and Ukrainian borders, the Tokaj-Hegyalja (Tokaj Foothills) winegrowing region is in the southernmost part of the volcanic mountains that branch off from the Carpathian chain.

The Tokaj-Hegyalja Wine Region, which produces the world's oldest botrytis wine, has a number of unparalleled assets:
 * Incomparable soil and microclimate: clay or loess soil on volcanic subsoil, a microclimate determined by the sunny, south-facing slopes and the proximity of the Tisza and Bodrog rivers, conducive to the proliferation of Botrytis Cinerea (noble rot) and the subsequent desiccation of the grapes (development of aszú).
 * Indigenous grape varieties cultivated here for centuries: Furmint, Hárslevelű, and Muscat Lunel.
 * A vast system of cellars carved out of solid rock, providing constant temperature around 12°C and high humidity around 95%, which are ideal for the aging of the wines.
 * A well-regulated appelation system that was often ahead of its time.
 * The knowledge of people brought up in winegrowing traditions dating back to several generations.

Short history:
 * 1571: first known mentioning of aszú wines.
 * 1630: Máté Sepsy Laczkó describes the aszú vinification method still used today.
 * 1655: the manual selection of the botrytised "aszú" berries is regulated.
 * 1737: the winegrowing area is delimited by royal decree.
 * 1772: the world's first vineyard classification system is born in Tokaj-Hegyalja.

Get in
The region and its principal towns can easily be reached by car (taking the M3 motorway from Budapest to Miskolc, then the No.37 highway) or by train (there are a number of direct trains from Budapest and from Miskolc; the journey takes 2½–3 hours and costs 3990–4730 Ft).

Do

 * Tasting wines.
 * Take part in prilgimage routs (eg. Jewish rout, St. Elesabeth rout).
 * Festivals: Tokaj Wine Festival at the last week of May; Harvest Festival at the first week of October, Zemplén Festival in August).
 * Historical routs, eg. castle tours.
 * Wine ship trips on Bodrog and Tisza rivers.
 * Wine seminars.

Eat

 * Fish foods, eg. Fish soup (Halászlé) and fried fish
 * Tokaj wine cream soup
 * Gulyás soup

Drink

 * Dry wines: It is often ignored that the Tokaj wine region also produces excellent dry wines. These wines once referred to as ordinarium are now named after their respective grape varieties: Tokaji Furmint, Tokaji Hárslevelű, Tokaji Sárgamuskotály (Muscat).
 * Late harvest: These wines, similarly to Szamorodni, are made from partly botrytised bunches and have more or less residual sugar.
 * Szamorodni: This word of Polish origin means: as it grew. This wine is made from partly botrytised bunches without selection of the botrytised (aszú) berries. Both its dry and sweet versions are excellent aperitifs.
 * Aszú: These are the wines that made Tokaj world famous. The proportion of the base wine or must used for maceration and of the aszú grapes harvested one by one determines the concentration of the wine (3 to 6 Puttonyos and Aszú-Eszencia).
 * Eszencia: This absolute rarity gained from the free-run juice of the aszú grapes is a unique nectar with a honey-like concentration.

Go next

 * Slovak Tokaj

title: Tokaj-Hegyalja


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Tokamachi

Tokamachi (十日町市) is a city in Niigata.

Tourist Information Site
My Trip Tokamachi is the town's official multilingual guide site.

Get in
Tokamachi is accessible by train, bus, and car. The closest Shinkansen (bullet train) station is at Echigo-Yuzawa. About 2–3 hours from Tokyo (transfer at Echigo-Yuzawa), About 5–7 hours from Osaka (via Tokyo or via Kanazawa). The closest Expressway IC is at Muikamachi (Kan-Etsu expwy from Tokyo), Echigo-Kawaguchi (Kan-Etsu expwy from Nagaoka, Niigata), Toyoda-Iyama (Jo-shin-etsu expwy from Nagano, Matsumoto, Nagoya, Osaka) and Jo-etsu (Hokuriku expwy from Kanazawa).

Get around
Tokamachi has a bus system but the easiest form of transportation is by car. Some buses don't make stops at Tokamachi Station. Tokamachi-Honcho 3 chome is the nearest bus stop to Tokamachi Station and Central Tokamachi.

Go next

 * Bijin Bayashi Forest - Great place to get with nature about 30 min from Tokamachi in Matsunoyama.
 * Kyororo Science Museum - Nice natural science museum with a section inside to make your own wood animals out of the branches taken from Bijin Bayashi forest. Exhibits include live local animals and an impressive butterfly collection. There is also a tower that you can walk up to see a great view from the top.
 * Akiyamago - In the nearby area of Tsunan is Akiyamago a region of beautiful rivers, forests, waterfalls, and gorges. There is a small suspension bridge to cross over the river by foot.
 * Kiyotsukyo Canyon - Southeast of Tokamachi lies this beautiful canyon with amazing rock formations and foliage along with a crystal clear rushing river. You can pay ¥500 to enter the tunnels for close up views of the canyon and a small museum. You can also hike the very long (but free) trail that goes above and through the canyon.
 * Sagurigawa Dam - About an hour away from Tokamachi, east of Muikamachi, is a beautiful natural preserve around a dam with view points, swimming, and parks.
 * Niigata Botanical Gardens - A nice escape from the sometimes bleak winter, the botanical gardens offer a lush indoor rainforest of sorts complete with a large waterfall. http://botanical.greenery-niigata.or.jp/
 * Niigata Aquarium - A little aquarium with a myriad of sea life. Worth it for the dolphin show. http://www.marinepia.or.jp/

title: Tokamachi


text:
Tokara Islands

The Tokara Islands (トカラ列島 Tokara-rettō, sometimes 吐噶喇列島) are a small archipelago in Japan, south of Kyushu and north of the Amami Islands. They are also sometimes known as the Toshima Islands (十島), lit. "Ten Islands", and the name is preserved in the name of the administrative division, Toshima-mura, that covers them.

Orientation
The Tokara Islands are about as off the beaten track as it gets in Japan. Of the 12 islands in the chain, 7 are inhabited, all of them barely: populations range from 40 to under 200, with a total of less than 600 people living in the entire archipelago. From north to south, scattered over 160 km, the inhabited islands are:

 * (口之島), the closest to the mainland
 * (中之島), the largest of the islands in size and population
 * (平島), where the defeated Heike clan are said to have escaped to
 * (諏訪の瀬島), with an active volcano
 * (悪石島), lit. "Bad Stone Island", ringed by cliffs and known for its ancient festival
 * (小宝島), area 1 km² and easily walked around 30 minutes
 * (宝島), or "Treasure Island", supposedly the burial place of Captain Kidd's treasure

So why "Ten Islands" if there are only seven? The answer lies in a quirk of history — after the Allied occupation of Japan, the line between the mainland and US-held Okinawa was drawn between Kuchinoshima and the three Mishima Islands to the north, and the division persists to this day.

Tourist information site

 * The village's official site has a Japanese-only tourism section.

Get in
There is only one practical way to get to the islands: the Ferry Toshima (フェリーとしま), tel. 099-222-2101, which sails between Kagoshima and the islands twice a week (6 hours to Kuchinoshima, 13 to Takara), dropping in at the port of Naze on Amami Oshima (3 hours from Takara) once per week. As of 2009 — and it hasn't changed for over 10 years — the schedule looks like this:

The 2nd-class one way fare varies from ¥6010 (Kagoshima-Kuchinoshima) to ¥11,620 (Kagoshima-Naze). Schedules are subject to change at short notice, especially in the event of inclement weather.

In addition, there are (very) occasional charter trips to the islands, mostly by dive operators on Amami or Kagoshima. A 5-day, 4-night cruise costs on the order of ¥300,000 (diving included).

Get around
Since the Ferry Toshima is the only way to travel, island-hopping is time-consuming: once you get on an island, you're generally stuck there for several days.

Deciding how to get around that island is easy enough, since there are no buses, taxis, rental car, rental motorbike or even rental bicycle services: your only choice is to walk. However, most minshuku are located near the port, and those that aren't will usually pick up guests.

See
There isn't much in the way of sights on the islands.

Do
The islands are very volcanic and they all have public hot springs. Most are just free, open-air, concrete tubs, but a couple have facilities and token entrance fees (¥200-300).

Most of the islands are surrounded by coral, and scuba diving would normally be one of the main draws for the few visitors in these parts. Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any local dive operators anymore.

There's one festival that draws visitors from elsewhere as well:

Buy
There are no ATMs or banks on the islands and credit cards are generally not accepted, so bring enough cash to tide you over.

Eat and drink
There are no public restaurants, pubs or bars on the islands, so you'll be eating and drinking at your lodgings.

Sleep
All islands are equipped with a couple of minshuku, which are usually just spare rooms in fisherman's houses.

title: Tokara Islands


text:
Tokashiki

Tokashiki (渡嘉敷), or Tokashikijima (渡嘉敷島) is an island belonging to the group of Kerama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The island is popular with tourists from Okinawa and mainland Japan.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Get in
Two ferries make the trip to Tokashiki daily. The high speed ferry (Marine Liner Tokashiki) leaves Tomari Port in Naha city on Okinawa Island twice daily. The journey takes about 35 minutes and costs about ¥4,200 for a round trip ticket.

A second, much slower (70-minute trip) ferry (Ferry Kerama) makes one round trip daily and costs about ¥3,200 round trip. This ferry also accommodates vehicles.

More information on these ferries can be found at the village website.

Get around
Local buses and hotel buses meet the ferries at the port and can take you most anywhere on the island for about ¥700 per person round trip. Car, scooter, and bicycle rentals are also available near the port.

See

Aharen beach on the southwest coast near Aharen Village and Tokashiku beach on the west coast are the two main tourist beaches. Numerous remote beaches are also found on the island.

At least six observatories dot the highest hills on the islands. These observatories can be accessed by hiking trails. Two short hiking trails are found on the island.

Do
Snorkeling and scuba diving can be done from most beaches. Several dive shops are located in Aharen Village. Snorkel equipment as well as beach umbrellas can also be rented in Aharen Village next to the beach entrance. There are numerous dive and snorkel shops in both Aharen Village and in Tokashiku Village.

The "Yellow Submarine", a glass-bottomed boat, sails around Aharen Bay giving passengers underwater views of the bottom of the bay.

There are numerous festivals throughout the year. Whale-watching is one of the favorite pastimes between January and April.

title: Tokashiki


text:
Tokat

Tokat is in Central Karadeniz, in Turkey.

Understand
Tokat is an inland city in the north of Central Anatolia, Turkey.

Tokat is a historical city, having important historical buildings and monuments mostly from Seljuq, Ilkhanate and Ottoman eras. Today, Tokat is a mid-sized Anatolian city with a population of more than 130,000 people. Historic core of the city lies around the castle whereas new city extends along with the banks of Yeşilırmak.

Get in
"Veni, vidi, vici."

- Julius Caesar, after his quick victory at the Battle of Zela, held in 47 BC at present-day Zile, Tokat Province

By bus
There are several daily buses from Istanbul and Ankara. A bus ride from Istanbul takes more than 12 hrs while bus ride from Ankara takes 6 hrs.

By plane
Tokat has a small airport. Anadolu Jet offers scheduled flights from/to Istanbul and Ankara.

By car
Tokat is located at the junction point of roads connecting Blacksea region and Mid Anatolia such as D850 and D180.

Get around
As like many other Anatolian cities, Tokat also has a main avenue, GOP Caddesi, where most of stores, banks, restaurants etc are located. Public buses are available along the avaneu, costing 1.5 TL, however, as distances are short, walking is a better option.

See
In the south of the castle, Sulusokak is located where you can find many historical mosques, tombs and caravanserais. Most probably, Sulusokak is the oldest commercial and social hub of the city. In his early life, Transylvanian Prince Vlad III, better known as Vlad Țepeș/Vlad the Impaler and the main inspiration behind Bram Stroker's Count Dracula, was imprisoned by Ottomans in Tokat Castle which has been built on a rocky hill near Sulusokak. In the Cumhuriyet square, Ali Pasha Mosque and Bathhouse from 16th century are located. In "Meydan" district, Hatuniye Meydan Mosque and Taşhan hostelry are located. Clock Tower has been built in Behzat Square next to historical Behzat Mosque in 1901 to celebrate 25th anniversary of Abdulhamid II's reign. Behzat Square was the administrative center of the city in 19th and early 20th centuries, hosting much of government buildings, Clock Tower, Mevlevihane and Yüksek Kahve (High Coffee House).

Eat
You can eat traditional Tokat Kebabı composed of meat and several vegetables in the spring and summer.

Sleep
Four-star Grand Ballıca Oteli offers comfortable stay in Tokat. Öğretmenevi is a more economic alternative.

Connect
The local telephone code is (+90) 356.

Go next
Around Tokat, there are historical cities such as Amasya and Sivas.

title: Tokat


text:
Tokelau

Tokelau is a group of three atolls in Polynesia, north of Samoa, about halfway between New Zealand proper (which administers the territory) and Hawaii.

Understand
Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925.

Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The territory relies heavily on aid from New Zealand, about $4 million annually which is substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, domain names, postage stamps, souvenir coins and handicrafts.

Tokelau was on the east side of the International Date Line until it joined with Samoa and skipped 30 December 2011 and jumped at midnight from UTC -11 to UTC +13 and 29 Dec to 31 Dec.

Climate
Tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) The average annual temperature is about 28°C. Rainfall is irregular but heavy. There are downpours of up to 80 mm in a single day, which are possible any time. Tokelau is at the north edge of the main hurricane belt, but tropical storms sometimes sweep through between November and March. Since 1846, Tokelau had only experienced three recorded hurricanes. In February 1990, waves from Hurricane Ofa broke across the atolls, washing topsoil away and contaminating the freshwater lens. Residual salt prevented new plant growth for months. Hurricane Val in 1992 and Hurricane Percy in 2005 caused additional damage.

Landscape
Tokelau consists of three atolls, each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over three metres above sea level.

Get in
Tokelau is one of the most remote places on the planet. With no airports and only sporadic ferry services, a visit will take a minimum of two weeks if everything goes to plan, but quite possibly much longer if it doesn't.

By plane
Tokelau has no airports. Lagoon landings are possible by amphibious aircraft.

The nearest airport with international flights is in Apia, Samoa.

By boat
Tokelau has no ports or harbours; offshore anchorage only. A twice monthly service runs from Apia on board the MV Mataliki, with capacity for 60 passengers. The ferry visits all three atolls, for a one-way journey time of 24 to 36 hours depending on which one you're going to. Schedules are subject to change and often unreliable; call the office at +685 28 491. Foreigners take last priority in securing a place.

By cruise
Due to its lack of docking facilities, Tokelau does not feature on any major cruise chip itineraries, but it is (very) occasionally visited by small-boat "expedition" cruises sailing the Pacific.

Get around

Most people get around by car or bikes in Tokelau. People buy them from either classified ads or agencies that help with importing.

Talk
Tokelauan, a Polynesian language closely related to Samoan and Tuvaluan, is the native language, and most people can speak and understand English.

The name Tokelau is a Polynesian word meaning "north wind"

See
Tokelau is the habitat for several native plant and insect species as well as whales, dolphins and land crabs. 29 bird species live on the islands.

Money
The currency used in Tokelau is the New Zealand dollar, denoted by the symbol "$" or "NZ$" (ISO code: NZD). It is divided into 100 cents. In this guide, the "$" symbol denotes New Zealand dollars unless otherwise indicated. Some Tokelauan dollar notes have been produced but are hard to find.

Eat
The Luana Liki Hotel in Nukunonu is the only public eating place. If you are staying at the Luana Liki, you will get three meals a day included in the price.

Drink
Samoan beer is available in shops and at the Luana Liki Hotel, but sale is strictly rationed in Nukunonu.

The legal drinking age is 18.

Sleep
The Luana Liki Hotel in Nukunonu is Tokelau's only commercial accommodation. Homestays may be arranged in advanced through the Tokelau-Apia Liaison Office in Samoa.

Learn
Education in Tokelau for children between the ages of 5-18 is available and free. Each atoll has a primary and secondary school. The education system is similar to that in New Zealand.

The schools have levels or classes running from Early Childhood Education (ECE) right through to Year 11. At Year 11, students are required to sit a National examination. This examination is used to determine which students will continue Year 12 studies under the Tokelau Scholarship Scheme. The successful students commence Year 12 and 13 studies in Samoa.

Schools are under the administration of the Taupulega's (Village council). The Education department plays a supporting role in providing training and workshops for Principals and teachers, assisting in other developments with the schools, the setting and marking of the Year 11 National Examinations and so forth.

Stay safe
Tokelau lies in the Pacific typhoon belt, and most of Tokelau is only 2 metres above sea level making it particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels.

Over 96% of the population has access to safe water and just over 70% has access to adequate sanitary facilities. Health indicators are good and there is universal access to health care.

Stay healthy
Each atoll has a hospital. The health services have a Director of Health based in Apia and a Chief Clinical Advisor who moves from atoll to atoll as required to assist the doctors attached to each hospital.

An outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease, started in 2014, so take precautions against mosquito bites.

Connect
Tokelau has a radio telephone service between the islands and to Samoa and is government regulated.

title: Tokelau


text:
Toki

Toki (土岐市 Toki-shi) is a city in Gifu Prefecture.

Understand
Toki is one of the largest producers of Japanese pottery. Products from this region are generally referred as the Mino-yaki.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site, with an e-guidebook in English.

Go next

 * Tajimi
 * Seto
 * Toyota
 * Ena
 * Gifu
 * Kani
 * Mizunami
 * Mitake
 * Nakatsugawa

title: Toki


text:
Tokorozawa

Tokorozawa (所沢) is a city in Saitama Prefecture.

Understand
Tokorozawa is a suburban residential town with a population of 340,000. It is approximately 30 km directly northwest of Tokyo.

Tourist information sites

 * The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

 * The city has official info pages in English on Guidoor.

Get in
Tokorozawa is accessible with the Seibu Railways by the Seibu Ikebukuro Line from Ikebukuro, and the Seibu Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku

Go next

 * Iruma
 * Sayama
 * Fujimino
 * Miyoshi
 * Kawagoe
 * Niiza
 * Hanno
 * Kiyose
 * Higashimurayama

title: Tokorozawa


text:
Tok Pisin phrasebook

Tok Pisin (or Pidgin) is spoken in Papua New Guinea, and is closely related to Pijin blong Solomon (Solomon Islands), Bislama (Vanuatu), and Ailan Tok (Torres Strait); these Bislamic languages are descended from a pidgin which formed in the early 1800s. The vocabulary is 5/6 Indo-European (mostly English, some German, Portuguese, and Latin), 1/7 Malayo-Polynesian, and the rest Trans-New-Guinea and other languages. The grammar is creolized and unlike those of the source languages.

Notable features of Tok Pisin include the frequent suffix -pela, which is used to pluralize personal pronouns and mark that an adjective or number is modifying a noun, and the suffix -im, which usually indicates a transitive verb. Many words are reduplicated, which may make a completely different word (sip ship, sipsip sheep), form a derivative (tok word, talk, language, toktok conversation, phrase), or just be part of the word (pukpuk means crocodile, but there is no word puk).

Vowels

 * a : like father
 * e : like set or name
 * i : like hit or machine
 * o : like squawk, fork, or home
 * u : like soup

Consonants

 * b : like bed
 * d : like dog
 * f : like fun or a bilabial fricative; often interchangeable with "p"
 * g : like go
 * h : like help
 * j : like judge; only word-initial
 * k : like keep
 * l : like love
 * m : like mother
 * n : like nice
 * p : like pig; often interchangeable with "f"
 * r : trill or flap
 * s : like sue or zoo
 * t : like top
 * v : like five
 * w : like weigh
 * y : like yes

Common diphthongs

 * ai : like time (taim), trying (traim), or offering (without the "r") (ofaim), depending on the word
 * au : like cow

Basics

 * Hello. : Gude. (goo-DAY)
 * Hello. (informal) : Hi. Hai. (HIGH)
 * How are you? : Yu stap gut? (yoo stahp goot?)
 * Fine, thank you. : Mi stap gut. (mee stahp goot)
 * What is your name? : Husat nem bilong yu? (HOO-zaht naym bee-LONG yoo?)
 * My name is ______ . : Nem bilong mi emi ______ . (naym bee-LONG mee em ee _____ .)
 * Nice to meet you. : Gutpela long bungim yu. (GOOT-peh-lah long BOONG-im YOO)
 * Please. : Plis. (plees)
 * Thank you. : Tenkyu. (TENK-yoo)
 * You're welcome. : Nogat samting. (NO-gaht sahm-ting)
 * Yes. : Yes. (YESS)
 * No. : Nogat. (noh-GAHT)
 * Excuse me. (getting attention) : Skius. (skyooz)
 * Excuse me. (begging pardon) : Skius. (skyooz)
 * I'm [very] sorry. : Mi sori [tumas]. (mee SOH-ree [too-MAHS])
 * Goodbye : Gutbai. (GOOT-bigh.)
 * Goodbye (informal) : Lukim yu bihain. (LOO-keem yoo bee-HIGHN)
 * I can't speak tok Pisin [well]. : Mi no save [gut] long Tok Pisin. (mee noh SAH-vay [goot] long tohk PIH-zin)
 * Do you speak English? : Yu save long tok Inglis, a? (yoo SAH-veh long tohk ING-glis ah?)
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? : Husat i save long tok Inglis? (hoo-ZAHT ee SAH-veh long tohk ING-glis?)
 * Help! : Help! (HEHLP!)
 * Good morning. : Moning/Moning tru/Moning nau (MOHN-ing/MOHN-ing troo/MOHN-ing now)
 * Good night. : Gut nait. (guhd NIGHT)
 * Good night (to sleep) : Gut nait. (good NIGHT)
 * I don't understand. : Mi no harim tok bilong yu. (mee noh HAH-reem tawk bee-LONG yoo)
 * Enough of all this talking! : Maski long planti toktok! (MAHS-kee long PLAHN-tee TOHK-tohk!)
 * Where is the toilet? : Smolhaus i stap we? (SMOLL-hows ee stahp WEH?)

Problems

 * Leave me alone. : Larim mi. (lah-rim mee)
 * Don't touch me! : Noken holim mi! (no-kehn hole-im mee)
 * I'll call the police. : Mi bai singautim polis. (mee buy sing-out-im pole-ees)
 * Police! : Polis! (Pole-ees!)
 * Stop! Thief! : Holim! Raskol! (hole-im! rahs-kohl)
 * I need your help. : Mi nidim halivim bilong yu. (mee nee-dim hah-lee-vim bee-long yoo)
 * It's an emergency. : Dispela em wanpela imegensi. (dis-pela em one-pela ee-meh-jen-see)
 * I'm lost. : Mi no inap painim rot bilong mi. (mee no ee-nahp phai-nim rote bee-long mee)
 * I lost my bag. : Mi lusim bek/bilum bilong mi. (mee loo-sim bek/bee-loom bee-long mee)
 * I lost my wallet. : Mi lusim hanpaus bilong mi. (mee loo-sim hahn-pows bee-long mee)
 * I'm sick. : Mi pilim sik. (mee pheel-im seek)
 * I've been injured. : Mi kisim birua/asua. (me kiss-im bee-roo-ah/ah-soo-ah)
 * I need a doctor. : Mi nidim dokta. (me need-eem dohk-tah)
 * Can I use your phone? : Inap mi yusim telefon bilong yu? (ee-nahp mee you-sim tele-fohn bee-long you?)

Numbers
The forms ending in -pela are used when the number is followed by a noun other than a unit of measurement and is counting that noun, unless the number already has -pela in it. So tu kilok is a time of day, but tupela kilok is a pair of timepieces.

 * 1 : wan(pela) (WAN(-peh-lah))
 * 2 : tu(pela) (TOO(-peh-lah))
 * 3 : tri(pela) (TREE(-peh-lah))
 * 4 : foa, fopela (FOH-ah, FOH-peh-lah)
 * 5 : faiv, faipela (FIGHV, FIGH-peh-lah)
 * 6 : sikis(pela) (SIH-kiss(-peh-lah))
 * 7 : seven(pela) (SEH-ven(-peh-lah))
 * 8 : et(pela) (AYT(-peh-lah))
 * 9 : nain(pela) (NIGHN(-peh-lah))
 * 10 : ten(pela) (TEN(-peh-lah))
 * 11 : wanpela ten wan (...), eleven
 * 12 : wanpela ten tu (...), twelv
 * 13 : wanpela ten tri (...), tetin
 * 14 : wanpela ten foa (...), fotin
 * 15 : wanpela ten faiv (...), fiftin
 * 16 : wanpela ten sikis (...), sikistin
 * 17 : wanpela ten seven (...), seventin
 * 18 : wanpela ten et (...), etin
 * 19 : wanpela ten nain (...), naintin
 * 20 : tupela ten (...), twenti
 * 21 : tupela ten wan (...), twentiwan
 * 22 : tupela ten tu (...), twentitu
 * 23 : tupela ten tri (...), twentitri
 * 30 : tripela ten (...), teti
 * 40 : fopela ten (...), foti
 * 50 : faipela ten (...), fifti
 * 60 : sikispela ten (...), sikisti
 * 70 : sevenpela ten (...), seventi
 * 80 : etpela ten (...), eti
 * 90 : nainpela ten (...), nainti
 * 100 : wan handet (...)
 * 200 : tu handet (...)
 * 300 : tri handet (...)
 * 1000 : tausen (...)
 * 2000 : tu tausen (...)
 * 1,000,000 : wan milien (...)
 * number _____ (train, bus, etc.) : namba _____ (...)
 * half : hap (...)
 * less : ananit (...)
 * more : antap (...)

Time

 * now : nau (now)
 * later : bihain (bee-HIGHN)
 * before : bipo (BEE-poh)
 * morning : moning (MOH-neeng)
 * afternoon : apinun (ah-pee-NOON)
 * night : nait (night)

Clock time

 * one o'clock PM : wan kilok (long san) AM (...)
 * two o'clock PM : tu kilok (long apinun) (...)
 * noon : belo (...)
 * one o'clock AM : wan kilok (long) biknait (...)
 * two o'clock AM : tu kilok (long) biknait (...)
 * midnight : biknait (BIK-night)

Duration

 * _____ minute(s) : _____ minit (MIH-nit)
 * _____ hour(s) : _____ aua (OW-ah)
 * _____ day(s) : _____ de (day)
 * _____ week(s) : _____ wik (week)
 * _____ month(s) : _____ mun (moon)
 * _____ year(s) : _____ yia (YEE-ah)

Days

 * today : tude (tu-deh)
 * yesterday : asde (as-deh)
 * tomorrow : tumora (tu-mora)
 * this week : dispela wik  (...)
 * last week : wik igo pinis ( )
 * next week : wik bihain ( )

 * Sunday : Sande (...)
 * Monday : Mande (...)
 * Tuesday : Tunde (...)
 * Wednesday : Trinde (...)
 * Thursday : Fonde (...)
 * Friday : Fraide (...)
 * Saturday : Sarere (sah-reh-reh)

Months

 * January : Jenueri / Wan mun (JEN-oo-eh-ree)
 * February : Februeri / Tu mun (FEB-roo-eh-ree)
 * March : Mars / Tri mun (mahrs)
 * April : Epril / Foa mun (EPP-reel)
 * May : Mei / Faif mun (may)
 * June : Jun / Sikis mun (joon)
 * July : Julai / Sewen mun (joo-LIGH)
 * August : Ogas / Eit mun (AW-goose)
 * September : Septemba / Nain mun (sep-TEM-bah)
 * October : Oktoba / Ten mun (ock-TOH-bah)
 * November : Novemba / Ilewen mun (noh-VEM-bah)
 * December : Disemba / Twelf mun (dee-SEM-bah)

Writing Time and Date
Give some examples how to write clock times and dates if it differs from English.

Colors

 * black : blak(pela) (...)
 * white : wait(pela) (...)
 * gray : gre(pela) (...)
 * red : ret(pela) (...)
 * blue : blu(pela) (...)
 * yellow : yelo(pela) (...)
 * green : grin(pela) (...)
 * orange : orange (...)
 * purple : hap ret (...)
 * brown : braun(pela) (...)

Bus

 * How much is a ticket to _____? : Hamas long baim tiket igo long _____? (...)
 * One ticket to _____, please. : Wanpela tiket long _____, plis. (...)
 * Where does this plane/bus go? : Displa balus/bas em i go long we? (...)
 * Where is the plane/bus to _____? : Balus/bas i go long _____ em we? (...)
 * Does this plane/bus stop in _____? : Dispela balus/bas bai go tu long _____? (...)
 * When does the plane/bus for _____ leave? : Wanem taim bas balus/bas i go? (...)
 * When will this plane/bus arrive in _____? : Wanem taim bai dispela balus/bas kamap long _____? (...)

Directions

 * How do I get to _____ ? : Bai mi go long _____ olsem wanem? (mee GO long _____ OLL-saym WAH-naym?)
 * ...the bus station? : ples bilong wetim bas? (PLAYS bee-long WAY-teem BUS)
 * ...the airport? : ples balus? (pleys BAH-loos) Note: balus also means "pigeon".
 * ...downtown? : namel long taun? (NAH-mel long TOWN?)
 * ...the _____ hotel? : ... _____ hotel? (...)
 * ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ...American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? (...)
 * Where are there a lot of... : I gat planti ... we? (WEH ee gaht PLAHN-tee ...)
 * ...hotels? : ...hotel (...)
 * ...restaurants? : haus kaikai (hows KIGH-kigh?)
 * ...bars? : ...bars (...)
 * ...sites to see? : ...ol samting long lukim (...)
 * Can you show me on the map? : Yu inap soim me rot long pepa map? (...)
 * street : rot (...)
 * Turn left. : Tanim long lephan. (TAHN-ihm lehp)
 * Turn right. : Tanim long raithan. (TAHN-ihm right)
 * left : lephan (lehp-hahn)
 * right : raithan (right-hahn)
 * straight ahead : stret (strayt)
 * towards the _____ : go long _____ (...)
 * past the _____ : lusim _____ (...)
 * before the _____ : bipo long _____ (...)
 * Watch for the _____. : Lukaut long _____. (...)
 * intersection : intersection (...)
 * north : not (noht)
 * south : saut (sowt)
 * east : is (ees)
 * west : wes (wehs)
 * uphill : i go antap (...)
 * downhill : i go daun (...)

Taxi

 * Taxi! : Taxi! (...)
 * Take me to _____, please. : Mi laik go long _____, plis. (...)
 * How much does it cost to get to _____? : Bai kostim hamas long go long _____? (...)
 * Take me there, please. : Karim mi i go, plis. (...)

Lodging

 * Do you have any rooms available? : I gat sampela rum? (...)
 * How much is a room for one person/two people? : Rum long wanpela man/tupela man bai kostim hamas? (...)
 * Does the room come with... : Rum igat... (...)
 * ...bedsheets? : ...bedsit? (...)
 * ...a bathroom? : ...smolhaus? (...)
 * ...a telephone? : ...telefon? (...)
 * ...a TV? : ...TV? (...)
 * May I see the room first? : Inap mi lukim rum pastaim? (...)
 * Do you have anything quieter? : Igat wanpela rum i no gat planti nois? (...)
 * ...bigger? : Igat wanpela rum i moa bikpela? (...)
 * ...cleaner? : Igat wanpela rum i moa klin? (...)
 * ...cheaper? : Igat wanpela rum we prais i go daun liklik? (...)
 * OK, I'll take it. : Gutpela, mi laikim. (...)
 * I will stay for _____ night(s). : Bai mi stap long _____ nait. (...)
 * Can you suggest another hotel? : Inap yu tokim mi long narapela gutpela hotel? (...)
 * Do you have a safe? : Sampla kain safe stap oh? (...)
 * ...lockers? : ...lockers? (...)
 * Is breakfast/supper included? : Is breakfast/supper included? (...)

 * What time is breakfast/supper? : Wanem taim bai yumi kaikai nau morning? (...)
 * supper : kaikai long nait (KIGH-kigh lohng night)
 * breakfast: kaikai long moningtaim (KIGH-kigh lohng MOH-ning-tighm)

 * Please clean my room. : Inap yu klinim rum bilong mi? (...)
 * Can you wake me at _____? : Bai yu kirapim mi long _____, a? (...)
 * I want to check out. : I want to check out. (...)

Money

 * Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : yupla save kisim moni bilong America/Ostrelia/Keneda ? (...)
 * Do you accept British pounds? : Yupla save kisim moni bilong Inglan? (...)
 * Do you accept credit cards? : Yupla save kisim kredit kad? (...)
 * Can you change money for me? : Inap yu senisim moni bilong mi? (...)
 * Where can I get money changed? : Bai mi inap senisim moni bilong mi long we? (...)
 * Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Inap yu senisim dispela trevelas sek bilong mi? (...)
 * Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Bai mi senisim trevelas sek we? (...)
 * What is the exchange rate? : What is the exchange rate? (...)
 * Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ATM i stap we? (...)

Eating

 * A table for one person/two people, please. : Wanpela tebol bilong wanpela/tupela, plis. (...)
 * Can I look at the menu, please? : Inap mi lukim menyu plis? (ee-NAHP mee LOOK-im MEHN-yoo plees)
 * Can I look in the kitchen? : Inap mi lukluk insait long kitsen (...)
 * Is there a house specialty? : Is there a house specialty? (...) NEEDS TO BE TRANSLATED
 * Is there a local specialty? : Is there a local specialty? (...) NEEDS TO BE TRANSLATED
 * I'm a vegetarian. : Mi no kaikai mit. (mee noh KIGH-kigh meet)
 * I don't eat pork. : Mi tambu long kaikai pik. (mee TAHM-boo long pik)
 * I don't eat beef. : Mi tambu long kaikai bulmakau. (mee TAHM-boo long BOOL-mah-kow)
 * I only eat kosher food. : I only eat kosher food. (...)  NEEDS TO BE TRANSLATED
 * Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) : Can you make it "lite", please? (...)NEEDS TO BE TRANSLATED
 * fixed-price meal : fixed-price meal (...) NEEDS TO BE TRANSLATED
 * à la carte : à la carte (...) NEEDS TO BE TRANSLATED, asking for a menu might help.
 * breakfast : kaikai long moningtaim (KIGH-kigh lohng MOH-ning-tighm)
 * lunch : kaikai bilong belo (KIGH-kigh bee-lohng beh-LOH)
 * tea (meal) : ti (...)
 * supper : kaikai long nait (KIGH-kigh lohng night)
 * I want _____. : Mi laikim _____. (...)
 * I want a dish containing _____. : Mi laikim kaikai igat _____. (...)
 * chicken : kakaruk (KAH-kah-rook)
 * beef : bulmakau (BOOL-mah-kow)
 * fish : pis (pis)
 * lamb/mutton : sipsip (SEEP-seep)
 * ham : lek bilong pik (lek bee-long PIK)
 * sausage : sosis (...)
 * milk : susu (SOO-soo)
 * cheese : sis (seess)
 * eggs : kiau (kyow)
 * salad : salad (...)
 * (fresh) vegetables : kumu
 * (fresh) fruit : (nupela) prut ((NOO-peh-lah) proot)
 * lemon : moli (MOLL-ee)
 * orange : switmoli (SWEET-moll-ee)
 * pineapple : painap (PIGH-nahp), ananas (ah-nah-NAHS)
 * bread : bret (bret)
 * biscuit : drai bisket (DRIGH-bis-ket)
 * noodles : nudal (NOO-dahl)
 * rice : rais (righs)
 * beans : bin (been)
 * May I have a glass of _____? : Mi laikim wanpela glas _____? (...)
 * May I have a cup of _____? : Mi laikim wanpela kap _____? (...)
 * May I have a bottle of _____? : Mi laikim wanpela botol _____? (...)
 * coffee : kofi (...)
 * tea (drink) : ti (...)
 * juice : jus (...)
 * (bubbly) water : mineral wara (...)
 * water : wara (WAH-rah)
 * beer : bia (BEE-ah)
 * red/white wine : retpela/waitpela wain (REHT-peh-lah/WIGHT-peh-lah wighn)
 * May I have some _____? : Mi laikim sampela _____ (...)
 * salt : sol (...)
 * black pepper : Bilakpla pepa (...) This also means betel ; butter : bata (BAH-tah)
 * Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Sori, weta? (SOH-ree, WEH-tah)
 * I'm finished. : Mi kaikai pinis. (mee KIGH-kigh PIH-nis)
 * It was delicious. : Kaikai em swit nogut tru (...)
 * Please clear the plates. : Plis inap yu rausim ol pelet. (...)
 * The check, please. : Mi laik baim bil blong kaikai bilong mi. (')

Bars

 * Do you serve alcohol? : Yu save salim alkahol? (...)
 * Is there table service? : Igat tabel sevis? (...)
 * A beer/two beers, please. : Wanpla bia/tupla bia, plis. (...)
 * A glass of red/white wine, please. : Wanpla galas-ret wain plis. (...)
 * A pint, please. : Wanpela pint bia, plis. (...)
 * A bottle, please. : Wanpela botol, plis. (...)
 * _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. : _____ na _____, plis. (...)
 * whiskey : wiski (WIH-skee)
 * vodka : vodka (...)
 * rum : rum (...)
 * water : wara (WAH-rah)
 * club soda : club soda (...)
 * tonic water : tonic wara (...)
 * orange juice : orange juice (...)
 * Coke (soda) : Coke, lolli wara (...)
 * Do you have any bar snacks? : Do you have any bar snacks? (...)
 * One more, please. : wanpela moa, plis. (...)
 * Another round, please. : Wanpla raun ken/gen, plis. (...)
 * When is closing time? : Wanem taim bai yupela pas? (...)

Shopping

 * Do you have this in my size? : Yu gat dispela long sais blong mi tu? (...)
 * How much is this? : Hamas long dispela? (hah-MAHS lohng DIS-pe-lah)
 * That's too expensive. : Prais i antap tumas. (prighs ee ahn-TAHP too-MAHS)
 * Would you take _____? : Inap mi baim long _____? (...)
 * expensive : dia tumas (DEE-yah too-MAHS)
 * cheap : daun (down)
 * I can't afford it. : moni bilong mi no nap. (...)
 * I don't want it. : Mi les long dispela. (...)
 * You're cheating me. : Yu wok long giamanim mi!. (...)
 * I'm not interested. : Mi no laikim tumas. (..)
 * OK, I'll take it. : Koan, bai mi kisim. (koh-ahn, bigh mee KEE-sim)
 * Can I have a bag? : Can I have a bag? (...)
 * Do you ship (overseas)? : Yu save salim (ovasis)? (...)
 * I need... : Mi laikim... (mee LIGH-keem)
 * ...toothpaste. : ...sop bilong tit. (sohp bi-LOHNG teet)
 * ...a toothbrush. : ...bras bilong tit. (brahs bi-LOHNG teet)
 * ...tampons. : ...ol tampon. (...)
 * ...soap. : ...sop. (sohp)
 * ...shampoo. : ...sop blong garas. (sohp blhong gah-rahs)
 * ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) : ...marasin long rausim pen. (...)
 * ...cold medicine. : ...marasin bilong kus. (...)
 * ...stomach medicine. : ...marasin bilong bel i pen. (...)
 * ...a razor. : ...resa. (RAY-sah)
 * ...an umbrella. : ...umbarela. (...)
 * ...sunblock lotion. : ...sunblock lotion. (...)
 * ...a postcard. : ...poskat. (POHS-kaht)
 * ...postage stamps. : ...stem. (stehm)
 * ...batteries. : ...betri. (...)
 * ...writing paper. : ...pepa. (peh-pah)
 * ...a pen. : ...pen. (pehn)
 * ...English-language books. : ...buk long tok Inglis. (...)
 * ...English-language magazines. : ...magasin long tok Inglis. (...)
 * ...an English-language newspaper. : ...niuspepa long tok Inglis. (...)
 * ...an English-English dictionary. : ...dikseneri long tok Inglis. (...)

Driving

 * I want to rent a car. : Mi laik rentim kar. (...)
 * Can I get insurance? : Inap mi kisim insurens? (...)
 * stop (on a street sign) : stop (...)
 * one way : one way (...)
 * yield : give way (...)
 * no parking : no parking (SORI TUMAS NOKIN PARKIM KA HIA...)
 * speed limit : speed limit (...)
 * service (petrol, gas) station : sevis steisen (...)
 * petrol : bensin (BEHN-seen)
 * diesel : diesel (...)

Authority

 * I haven't done anything wrong. : Mi no wokim wanpela samting i rong. (...)
 * It was a misunderstanding. : mipela faul olgeta (...)
 * Where are you taking me? : Yu kisim mi go long we? (...)
 * Am I under arrest? : Am I under arrest? (...)
 * I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : Mi manmeri bilong Amerika/Ostrelia/Briten/Kanada. (...)
 * I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : Mi mas toktok wantaim American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. (...)
 * I want to talk to a lawyer. : Mi laik toktok long wanpela loia. (...)
 * Can I just pay a fine now? : Inap mi baim fain nau tasol? (...)

title: Tok Pisin phrasebook


text:
Toktogul

Toktogul is a small city in the far north of the Ferghana Valley region of Kyrgyzstan.

Understand
Toktogul has a population of about 16,000 people.

As it is en route on the highway between Osh and Bishkek is makes for a good stop over when traveling between these cities.

Beside that, the nature surrounding Toktogul can be a great reward.

By bus
Regular marshrutkas leave from Bishkek's Western Bus Station at 08:15, 10:50, 13:30 and 16:15, for 265 som.

By 4WD
From Kyzyl-Oy you can organise a 4WD to Toktogul. Hitching a ride instead might also be possible.

Get around
The city is walkable.

Buy
There is a small bazaar in the middle of the city.

Drink
Kumiz is popular in Toktogul, a drink similar to kefir.

Go next

 * Kyzyl-Oy – A village popular with foreign tourists, has beautiful orange mountains around it and a mountain valley for hiking and yurt stay. Also gateway to the eastern regions of Kyrgyzstan.
 * Talas – A far off town with the popular Manar Ordo pilgrimage complex nearby.
 * Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve – One of the highlights of Kyrgyzstan with a beautiful lake, excellent hiking, diverse flora and fauna, picturesque mountains and much more. On the way between Toktogul and Jalal-Abad.
 * Jalal-Abad – A good bet for visiting an authentic Ferghana Valley town, and significantly safer and easier to get to than Osh or destinations further southwest.

title: Toktogul


text:
Tokushima

Tokushima (徳島) is the capital of the prefecture and main transport hub of eastern Shikoku. It has only a few famous attractions, but its palm-lined boulevards are pleasant enough to pass through on your way to more interesting places.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

By plane

Buses run to the station from Kobe Airport every hour at 55 minutes past (2½ hours, ¥3200). Airport Limousine buses operate from the nearest international gateway, Kansai International Airport in Osaka (2 hr 45 min, ¥4000 — cheaper if you purchase a round trip ticket).

By train
From Okayama, take a Marine Liner rapid train to Takamatsu, then transfer to the Uzushio limited express for the run to Tokushima (2 hours, ¥4420). Two daily Uzushio trains run directly from Okayama, with no change of trains required (¥5050). If you are coming from Kansai or the east (i.e. Nagoya or Tokyo) then changing to a bus at Shin-Kobe will result in an easier trip to Tokushima - a wise investment for Japan Rail Pass holders, even if the pass doesn't cover the bus. (See By bus below)

The JR Tokushima Line runs toward Ikeda (2 hours), for connections south towards the Iya Valley.

By bus
If arriving from Kansai via Awaji Island, you're pretty much guaranteed to end up in Tokushima. JR Bus operates many services to Tokushima: Awa Express bus service leaves from Kobe and Kobe Airport (2 hours from Shin-Kobe station, ¥3200, 15 daily round-trips), Osaka (2 hr 45 min, ¥3600, 23 daily round-trips), Kyoto (3 hours, ¥4100, 7 daily round-trips), and on weekends and holidays, Nara (4 hours, ¥3900, 2 round-trips). Keihan Railways has its own highway bus that travels to and from Kyoto and Hirakata.

The overnight Dream Tokushima bus runs from Tokyo and Shinjuku (10 hours, ¥10,000 each way).

Get around
The city center is small enough to cover on foot, but bikes can be rented next to JR Tokushima Station (tel +081 088-652-6661, 9AM-5PM) at ¥500 per day.

See
The 88 Temple Pilgrimage passes through Tokushima, with temples 14 through 17 — Jōrakuji (常楽寺), Kokubunji (国分寺), Kan'onji (観音寺) and Idoji (井戸寺) — all located within city limits. Ryōzenji (霊山寺), the starting point of the pilgrimage, is just north of Tokushima in the city of Naruto.

Do

 * The Awa Odori (阿波おどり) festival, held August 12-15 annually, is by far Tokushima's largest claim to fame. With a history of over 400 years, people dance in the streets according to the complex choreography. As the proverb says, "The dancing fool and the watching fool are both fools, so why not dance!"

Buy
Tokushima became a major city in part because of indigo, which is used locally to dye beautiful patterns in products from handkerchiefs and scarves to cushions and large door-curtains. Otani-yaki pottery, with its natural muted colors and rustic-looking shapes, is another popular souvenir, as is handmade paper.

Eat
Tokushima is famous for its wonderful strawberries and sudachi, a small round green citrus fruit with a lime-like flavour. In the summer, sugata sushi is available, wherein a whole small fish is stuffed with sushi rice. Another popular local treat is narutokintoki, a kind of sweet potato.

There are some nice places to eat on the 5th floor of Clement Plaza, which is above the train station, and also in the department stores nearby.

Drink
The aforementioned sudachi fruit is used to flavor local shochu and sake. Most of the bars are clustered around the ACTY 21 building.

Go next

 * Naruto - Check out the tidal whirlpools, but confirm the times before you go — they can only be seen at certain times.
 * Hiwasa and surrounding area - See the beautiful and wild Anan coast in southern Tokushima prefecture. Area around Hiwasa (2 hours, about ¥1000 from Tokushima) is especially beautiful.
 * Mima - a small city to the west of Tokushima city, about one hour by train on the Tokushima line. The city is mostly known for several historic locations, as well as campsites, and outdoor/nature activities (hiking, kayaking, fishing, etc.).
 * Anan
 * Komatsushima
 * Awa
 * Tsurugi
 * Miyoshi
 * Awaji Island

title: Tokushima


text:
Tokushima (prefecture)

Tokushima Prefecture (徳島県 Tokushima-ken) is on the eastern side of the Japanese island of Shikoku.

Understand
Tokushima used to be known as the province of Awa (阿波). The nearby island of Awaji, now a part of Hyogo prefecture, literally means "road to Awa".

Tourist information site
Discover Tokushima is the prefecture's official multilingual guide site.

Cities

 * — the prefectural capital, known for its yearly Awa Odori festival.
 * — the gateway to/from Awaji-shima, the home of the whirlpools (Uzushio), the seat of Tokushima's Shikoku League baseball team (the Indigo Socks), and the starting point of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage.
 * — jumping-off point for Iya Valley and the gorges of Oboke and Koboke
 * - a town famous for its Udatsu historic district
 * - a town famous for its Udatsu historic district

Other destinations

 * — one of Japan's Three Hidden Valleys, known for its vine bridges
 * — aptly named ravines meaning Dangerous with Big Steps and Dangerous with Small Steps

By plane
The nearest major international airport is Kansai.

Pint-sized Tokushima Airport, to the north of Tokushima City, has daily services from Tokyo, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Sapporo. Buses to Tokushima station take 25 minutes and cost ¥430, the schedules are synchronized to flight departures and arrivals. Kobe Airport is also a viable alternative for domestic connections.

By train
The JR Kōtoku Line (高徳線) line connects Tokushima to Takamatsu, the capital of Kagawa Prefecture to the north, and a gateway to the mainland via Okayama.

By bus
Direct buses from Kobe (2 hr) and other points in Kansai connect to Tokushima via Awaji Island.

By ferry
Ferries run several times a day between Wakayama and Tokushima City (2 hr), and there is one boat per day to both Kitakyushu (14½ hr) and Tokyo (17½ hr).

Get around
The JR Tokushima Line (徳島線) crosses the length of Tokushima from Tokushima to Ikeda, where it meets the JR Dosan Line between Takamatsu and Kochi.

See

 * Tokushima's best scenery can be found in the rugged and mountainous western end. Best known are the treacherous ravines of Oboke and Koboke, but nearby Iya Valley's vine bridges are also famous.
 * Tairyuji Temple: a temple along the pilgrimage route of temples. A ropeway is available as an alternative to the climb to get there.

Do
Tokushima's biggest yearly event is the Awa Odori dance, held in yearly in August in Tokushima City.

 * Iya Valley, one of Japan's Top 3 Hidden Valleys, offers many hiking opportunities including Mt. Tsurugi, the second-highest peak in Shikoku.

Eat

 * Naruto Kintoki - Some of the world's finest sweet potatoes. They are unique thanks to the special sandy soil in which they are grown. Unlike regular sweet potato fields, the sandy soil in Naruto forms a thin crust at the surface which allows the potatoes to grow undisturbed and develop their superb flavor and texture. Naruto Kintoki can be prepared in numerous ways and are also used for brewing Shochu (Japanese Liquor). For those eating it for the first time, try it plain in order to sense its qualities with no distractions. One way to do so is by wrapping the potato tightly in foil and letting it bake in the oven till it softens. The aroma alone is worth experiencing, and the taste will make you melt.

Go next

 * Kagawa Prefecture
 * Kochi Prefecture
 * Ehime Prefecture
 * Hyogo Prefecture

title: Tokushima (prefecture)