Okinawa is officially a part of Japan, yet Okinawa soba both in the broth and the noodles is nothing like Japanese ramen and instead is closer to Chinese noodles. It feels slightly awkward to introduce it as a Japanese cuisine.

Fukui is one of several prefectures in Japan that are famous for delicious soba. In Fukui City, the most popular soba restaurant is probably Shakudani Soba, and I highly recommend it.

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!

Like all Japanese cuisine, Nagano foods are based upon using the most fresh and simple ingredients of the season. Typical dishes are made from what Nagano people find fresh and local at the markets making many of them very unique. Surrounded with Japan Alps, Nagano is known for the fresh produce from the mountains such as buckwheat, honey and wasabi (they even have a few bold meals like grasshoppers and bee larvae). During my last Nagano visit, I had a wonderful chance to try some of these specialties.

Despite sharing the name “soba” with Japanese buckwheat noodles, Okinawa soba, made of wheat flour, looks and tastes vastly different from the Japanese soba that most people are familiar with.

As well as anime, manga, video games, the latest technology and some of the best public transport in the world, Japan is home to some delicious foods, snacks and desserts that you can't get anywhere else.

Known as the gate to Northern Alps, Matsumoto is surrounded by great nature where you can enjoy fresh and delicious local food. Here are the 5 best spots in the area.

A culture with a wide variety of noodles has risen at the areas along the Ryomo Line, which is a wheat producing area blessed with good water.