There’s a side of Japan to suit all travellers. Meghan Morrison takes you through the options for those seeking adventure, culture, food, wellness and more.
Ahh, Japan. Cherry blossoms blowing in the wind, sushi rolling out on conveyor belts, neon lights leading the way to sake bars and karaoke nights – there are endless reasons why people are captivated by this country. So, it’s perhaps little wonder the way people travel here differs dramatically, too. Fortunately, there’s a destination and experience for everyone in Japan. Strip down in a hot spring and relax, cycle through the scenic less-visited countryside, or get hands-on by learning a craft or two with a local expert. Whatever your vibe, there’s a trip for you.
For wellness warriors
The epitome of outdoor wellness in Japan is an onsen – a traditional Japanese bathhouse where you sit in hot water (usually 40 degrees Celsius [100 Fahrenheit] or hotter) and simply relax. Some may feel uncomfortable at the thought of strangers seeing them in their birthday suit, but soaking in a natural bath naked is traditional in Japan and you know what, why not? Swimsuits are not allowed, but when you travel, it’s all about living like the locals do. Here’s how…
Where to go: Mt Aso
In southern Japan, you can visit Beppu, an onsen town famous for its variety of hot springs and head into Jigoku (which translates to ‘hell’) – a collection of differently coloured steaming hot spring pools for a relaxing soak. Close by is Mt Aso, a geothermal area with dramatic landscapes. Soak your muscles in the onsens, pause to take in the scenery and just slow down. Then wrap up the day in a minshuku (traditional Japanese inn) right in the caldera formed from ancient volcanic eruptions surrounded by rice fields.
Read more: A non-nudist’s guide to onsen in Japan
For those seeking local connections
If you’re always looking for local experiences, you’ll believe that the best way to get to know a place is through the people who call it home. The moments you’ll remember most from trips aren’t the touristy bucket-list items you crossed off – but the connections you made. You understand a place and its culture not through the tourist attractions but through conversations and intimate moments, like spending the night in someone’s home and learning how to cook in their generational kitchen. Yep, an intimate space will teach you more than any plaque ever could.
Where to go: Kawane
Kawane’s a win-win: local connections and a glimpse of Mt Fuji on a clear day. What more could you ask for? This quiet town is a spot you may not think to stop at if you were travelling on your own, but on Intrepid’s Highlights of Japan trip, you can stay in an authentic local home and learn about daily life here.
Its endless rolling tea fields surrounded by mountains and its warm, humid air make for ideal conditions to grow Japan’s finest green tea. So, this is the place to visit a local tea farm and try your hand at tea picking and learning how the tea is properly brewed by your local hosts. After playing farmer for the day, you can spend the night in their home for a feast using seasonal vegetables from their garden and experience real Japanese hospitality.
Read more: How to spend the night at a rural homestay in Japan
For cherry-blossom hunters
Odds are you’ve seen an iconic image of Japan with cherry blossoms framing a beautiful landscape and now you want to see it for yourself. In spring, during the sakura (cherry blossom) season, Japan transforms into a land of pale pink and white blossoms. However, the flowers only actually show for a week or two, requiring planning, patience – and a keen eye on the Cherry Blossom Forecast. Booking in advance is crucial. But if the thought of bagging hotels during a country’s peak season sounds like a nightmare, consider booking a trip with a local leader who handles the logistics for you. Breathe a sigh of relief, my fellow Type B travellers.
Where to go: Tokyo
Hanami (the name given to the act of ‘flower watching’ in Japan) can be as simple as a wander through the park – but it’s more about claiming a picnic spot under the blossoms and settling in. If you’re joining a tour, tack on an extra day or two in Tokyo to give yourself as much rush-free time as possible.
Explore the old-school streets of Asakusa, picnic beneath 1000-plus cherry trees in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden or drift past petals by boat at Chidorigafuchi, a moat which winds around the Imperial Palace. And if you like the traditional vibes of Asakusa, you’ll want to pop over to Kyoto for temples and shrines as the backdrop to your foliage photo, too.
For culture obsessives
Maybe you’re feeling a little crafty and want to learn something new with expert hands-on help? Japan is known for all sorts of crafts, from bonsai shaping to washi paper making and kintsugi (the Japanese art of mending broken pottery using fine golden joinery). Then there’s the art of meditation and the ceremonial experience of chado (the way of tea). For a deeper dive into Japan’s culture, head to Kyoto, where you can get first-hand experience with Japan’s arts, culture and craft scene.
Where to go: Kyoto
Kyoto still holds onto the traditions of Japanese culture even during modern times. For a spiritual experience (and a side of Japan many visitors don’t get to see), take part in a guided meditation session then hear the stories and philosophy of Zen Buddhism from a monk over a cup of green tea. Or take the art of chado to another level by taking part in a traditional Japanese ceremony to gain insight on the traditional preparation and presentation of matcha, then learn how to prepare the tea yourself.
And for those feeling creative, try your hand at kyo-yuzen, an Edo-period, textile-dyeing technique, that uses stencils to produce original designs. Take notes from an expert craftsman in a 1920s Kyoto townhouse, then master the tradition by creating your own souvenir to take home.
For those who want to go off the beaten track
Sure, you can get to know Japan by circling the Golden Route of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. But for those wanting to get to know a side of Japan away from the main stops, you’ll want to step beyond the typical tourist trail. You could head south to the once sleepy fishing community of Naoshima Island in the south, now reborn as a renowned art hub, or Matsuyama in Japan’s less-touristed Ehime Prefecture, which has one of the oldest bathhouses in the country. But there are also options in the far north for when you’re ready to swap city buzz for off-the-beaten track.
Where to go: Hokkaido
Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido may be known for powder and off-piste skiing, but its wild, dramatic landscapes make it a year-round destination for nature lovers with onsens and national parks to explore throughout the seasons. Stop by the onsen town of Noboribetsu and venture into its Jigokudani (‘Hell Valley’) for nine different types of onsen (hot springs), all powered by the geothermal activity at this volcanic crater.
Skip the usual same-same hotels here and opt for a stay at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) decked out with its own onsens, perfect for releasing some of that travel fatigue. For a more intimate view of the surrounding mountains, hop in a canoe and paddle across the peaceful Lake Shikotsu, then visit the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Museum to learn about the Ainu people – an indigenous group from the northern regions of Japan.
For food (and drink) lovers
If you’re a foodie, you’ve come to the right country. In Japan, you’ll find highlights everywhere – like kobe beef, ramen, udon noodles, green tea and sushi, just to name a few. If this is your travel vibe, you’ll want to seek out hands-on experiences like on Intrepid’s Premium Japan trip where you can take a sushi-making class in Tokyo. Or if you’re wanting to just try it all, hop on a dedicated food tour and visit a local tea farm in Uji, then head into a local home in Kanazawa for a cooking class. But for a real special experience, there’s also Hagi.
Where to go: Hagi
In Hagi, visit a local sake brewery to hear about the inspiring story of Kumiko Kaba – a local female sake brewer who has broken her industry’s male-dominated norms and taken on the family business to continue brewing as one of the very few female sake brewers in the entire country. On any trip to Japan, you’re going to be around sake (Japanese rice wine), but on this trip you can learn about Kaba’s story for yourself and how she’s taking the ancient drink into the modern era. Rice wine and female empowerment? Pack your bags, food lovers.
For active travellers looking for adventure
There are those who want to go on a trip to relax, and there are the travellers who want an epic adventure. For this type of traveller, there are now multi-active hike, bike and kayak trips along Japan’s more scenic routes and seaside landscapes, and dedicated cycling adventures through mountains and historic towns. Whichever you choose, get ready to dial up the pace and return feeling energised.
Where to go: Koyasan
At Koyasan – home to the great ancient pilgrim routes in Japan – you can join the Koyasan Kumano Kodo Trek and get active in one of the most mindful places in Japan. The trail takes you deep through the wilderness and into mountainous landscapes, stopping at temples, monasteries and onsens when it’s time to give your legs a break. Follow in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims through Japan’s countryside and stay in a traditional shukubo (temple stay) with a chance to participate in the monastery’s morning prayers, witnessing a side of Japan that most people miss.
For travellers who want to see it all
It’s safe to say, some of us are greedy and want travel to Japan for the food, the cherry blossoms and the temples. But another huge draw of this country is its bullet trains (shinkansen) that can whizz you around at lightning speed with maximum comfort, minimal effort. You don’t even have to be a train nerd to appreciate Japan’s world-leading rail network. They’re clean, wildly efficient and reliable – kind of like your ideal dating profile.
This is the fastest and easiest way to see a large part of the country in a short amount of time but local etiquette is key here – the right way to ride is the polite way, which means not talking too loudly, not taking up too much space and definitely no phone calls. Our insider tip? Grab a colourful train bento box or ekiben at the station to snack on while you ride. Think fresh seafood, sushi, local vegetables and marinated meat, all in colourful, considered packaging.
Where to go: a Shinkansen station near you
Shinkansen stations can be found across the country – and are by far the easiest way to travel around Japan. Most of Intrepid’s trips make use of these futuristic bullet trains, and in just one short adventure, you could go from Kyoto to Tokyo, with stops in Matsumoto, Koyasan, Tsumago and others along the way, in a matter of days. Run around Japan’s iconic cities, visit temples in Kyoto, learn about the sobering past of Hiroshima, spend the night in a temple in Koyasan, take a day trip to Miyajima island, head into the mountainous centre of the country, soak in an onsen, then walk across the busiest intersection in the world in Tokyo – all in one trip (sharp intake of breath).
If the thought of public transportation makes your head whirl, lean on a local (like a local leader on an Intrepid trip) to show you the ropes and you’ll be riding them like a pro in no time, covering distance, travelling in a respectful way and getting to know the country – with plenty of bento boxes along the way.
Embark on your own adventure by joining one of Intrepid’s small-group tours in Japan.
