Spread over 5,500 square miles, it features organic farms, centuries-old artistic practices, historic islands with one-of-a-kind ecology, and, according to legend, the gods' favorite meeting place in the world. Most foreign visitors never see it. Japan's famous high-speed rail system does not pass through San'in, which leaves it off many travelers' radars altogether. But it's well worth a trip. The San'in region consists of Japan's two least populous prefectures, Shimane and
Tottori, which sit between the Sea of Japan and the northern side of the country's Chukogu mountains. Only about one million of Japan's 125 million residents live there. "The Kojiki," an important eighth-century Shinto text, depicts the San'in region as an annual gathering place for the gods. One-third of the text's stories take place in the region, with Shimane even being depicted as the birthplace of sake. (Though Nara and Hyogo might like to have a word – all three regions have important stories to share about their role in the beverage's history.)