Shimane Prefecture sits on the southwestern portion of Japan's main island, and is the perfect spot to visit if you're looking for an off the beaten path travel experience. Often overlooked by visitors in favor of better known destinations, the region has culture, nature and history by the bucketload – just without the massive crowds to battle!

Uji - a place that harbors all the charms of major cities like Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe, but remains on the sidelines, rewarding those who seek to venture outside of the tourist guide. With a countless number of places you can go and experiences you can have in the city, here are a few to get you started.

Green tea is hugely popular not just in Japanese culture, but also Asian culture in general. Let's draw your attention specifically to matcha (pronounced mat-cha), a finely ground version harvested from a special crop.