When most people think of Japan, the icons come quickly: cherry blossom in spring, a tea ceremony in Kyoto, an evening with geisha. And whilst these moments have earned their place, you’re here because you want to look further. Beyond the familiar route, beyond the busiest temples and viewpoints, into the places and conversations that reveal a different side of Japan.
That’s where our Japan Specialists come in. We asked them to share experiences and places worth considering for your trip to Japan, whether it’s your first visit or your seventh.
Below you’ll find suggestions, from craft studios and mountain villages, to family-run workshops, local festivals and quieter landscapes that many travellers miss.
Amanohashidate
Coastal Explorations by E-Bike
Coastal explorations in Amanohashidate by E-Bike
See a different side of Kyoto’s northern coast on a guided e-bike journey. With the extra reach of an electric bike, leave the main tourist trail behind to explore quiet backroads and scenic viewpoints many visitors never see, whilst your local guide shares stories of the region’s history, culture and way of life. The route takes in the iconic Amanohashidate sandbar, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, before tracing the shores of Miyazu Bay, recognised by UNESCO as one of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays.
Cruising Japan’s Coastlines
Hidden Coast by Small Ship
Japan’s Hidden Coast by Small Ship
Depart Tokyo aboard a luxury small ship, reaching remote coastlines, national parks and cultural sites that are difficult to access by road or rail. Depending on the route, you might explore Uwajima’s pearl precinct, taste the cuisine of Dogojima Island or visit ancient temples and modern art sites. With historians, naturalists and expert guides on board, it’s well suited to second-time visitors, or those looking beyond Japan’s busier routes when availability is limited elsewhere.
Fukuoka
A Ringside Introduction to Sumo
A Ringside Introduction to Sumo in Fukuoka
Use Fukuoka as an entry point to Kyushu, a city shaped by old trade routes, shrines, modern tech and easy access to the island’s wider landscapes. For travellers interested in sumo, it offers a compelling alternative to Tokyo, with the chance to experience the sport in a less expected setting. Build in time for local temples, food markets and the city’s waterfront before travelling further south.
Ine
Meet the Makers of Kyoto by the Sea
Meet the Makers of Kyoto by the Sea
Visit Ine, a small fishing village in the region known as Kyoto by the Sea, where wooden boat houses line the water and craft traditions remain part of daily life. Meet local makers, from wisteria weavers and swordsmiths to other artisans, with visits shared fairly across the community so the benefit is spread. It’s a thoughtful way to see Japan through the people still shaping it by hand.
Kagoshima and Kyushu
Into Japan’s Volcanic South
Into Japan’s Volcanic South
Use Kagoshima as a gateway to Japan’s southern islands and the volcanic landscapes of Kyushu. The city looks across the bay to Sakurajima, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, which can be reached by ferry for walks and close-up views of its smoking slopes. This is a rewarding base for travellers wanting to see a wilder, more elemental side of Japan.
Kakunodate
Where Cherry Blossom Meets Samurai Memory
Where Cherry Blossom Meets Samurai Memory
Travel north to Kakunodate, where cherry blossom usually arrives later than in Tokyo, bringing colour to the town’s riverside paths and preserved samurai district. Once home to around 80 samurai families, Kakunodate has some of Japan’s finest Edo-period architecture, with six former residences open to visitors. Walk beneath the blossom, then step inside these historic houses to see how middle-class and wealthy samurai families once lived.
Kamakura
A Garden Designer’s Guide to Japanese Gardens
A Garden Designer’s Guide to Japanese Gardens
Japanese gardens are more than places of beauty. They are carefully composed landscapes, shaped by centuries of philosophy, symbolism and spiritual practice. Join award-winning garden designer and Kamakura resident Saori Imoto for a journey through hidden gardens, quiet temple grounds and scenic paths known mainly to locals. Discover the principles behind Japanese garden design, learn how Zen gardens express harmony and contemplation, and gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world that inspired them.
Kamakura
A Monk’s View of Hase-dera Temple
A Monk’s View of Hase-dera Temple
A visit to Hase-dera is memorable in its own right, but it’s your guide who makes this encounter truly special. Join a resident monk and one of Kamakura’s most colourful characters for a private introduction to this historic place of worship, perched above Sagami Bay. Explore the grounds together and gain access to areas and stories that many visitors miss, discovering the traditions that have shaped temple life for centuries. Your visit also includes the opportunity to approach the revered Kannon statue, explore the temple museum and take part in a traditional sutra-copying activity before enjoying matcha or Japanese green tea.
Kanazawa
The Hands Behind Enduring Craft Traditions
The Hands Behind Enduring Craft Traditions in Kanazawa
Step inside the studios of two of Kanazawa’s celebrated artisans, exploring their galleries, watching them work and asking questions as your guide translates and adds context. Each visit is shaped by availability, with crafts ranging from kimono painting and lacquerware to kintsugi and Kaga nui embroidery. Each reveals the patience, precision and inherited knowledge behind Kanazawa’s craft traditions and the city’s cultural identity.
Kinosaki
Settle Into the Rhythm of Onsen Life
Settle Into the Rhythm of Onsen Life
Spend time in Kinosaki Onsen, a historic hot spring town known for its wooden inns, willow-lined canals and seven public bathhouses. Many believe the mineral-rich waters from the thermal springs have healing properties, providing relief from stress and fatigue. Stay in a ryokan, where tatami-matted rooms, futon bedding and seasonal meals offer a gentle introduction to traditional Japanese hospitality. Between baths, wander the quiet streets in a yukata, pausing at gardens, small shops and bridges that give the town its unhurried character.
Kumamoto
A Castle Stop in the Heart of Kyushu
Kumamoto Castle and the Heart of Kyushu
Kumamoto makes a practical and rewarding stop on a wider Kyushu journey, with several key sights within easy reach. The city is best known for Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan’s great castles, whose imposing walls and restored keeps speak to the region’s feudal past. From here, continue towards Mount Aso, hot spring towns or rural landscapes, using the city as a well-connected base between Kyushu’s northern and southern reaches.
Mount Aso
On Foot Through Volcanic Landscapes
Mount Aso’s Volcanic Landscapes on Foot
Head into Aso-Kuju National Park to explore one of Kyushu’s most striking natural landscapes. Mount Aso sits within one of the world’s largest calderas, with volcanic peaks, open grasslands and walking trails that are easy to reach from Kumamoto. Look for birdlife across the plateau, visit viewpoints over the active crater when conditions allow and see Komezuka, a near-perfect volcanic cone rising from the surrounding fields.
Nagano
Temple Stays, Forest Paths and Samurai Stories
A Mountain Route Through Nagano’s Traditions
Stay amongst the mountains of Nagano, where temple rituals, forest paths and samurai heritage offer a quieter view of Japan. Begin with an overnight stay at Fuchinobo, a Buddhist temple where traditional hospitality gives a thoughtful rhythm to your journey. Continue to Togakushi, known for its cedar forests and Ninja Museum, before ending in Matsushiro with a hands-on samurai experience that brings the region’s warrior history into focus.
Nagasaki
A Story of Memory and Exchange
Nagasaki’s Story of Memory and Exchange
For travellers drawn to Hiroshima’s history, Nagasaki offers a different but equally powerful lens on Japan’s wartime past. Visit the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum to understand the events of 9 August 1945, then look further back through the city’s international story, from Dejima’s trading history to Glover Garden’s Western-style residences overlooking the harbour. It’s a thoughtful addition balancing remembrance with a wider sense of exchange.
Nakasendo Trail
A Walk Through Japan’s Travelling Past
Japan’s Old Inland Road: the Nakasendo Trail
Step onto the Nakasendo Trail, an old inland route once used by samurai, merchants and officials travelling between Kyoto and Edo. On this gentle three-hour walk, pass through preserved post towns where travellers once checked in and out, before continuing through cedar forest, farm fields and small waterfalls. It’s a simple, atmospheric way to feel Japan’s history in motion, with quiet detail at every turn.
Sendai and the Urato Islands
A Coastal Food Journey: From Fish Market to Island Table
A Coastal Food Journey Through Sendai & the Urato Islands
Begin at Sakanamachi Fish Market in Matsushima, sampling sashimi, oysters and other fresh catches from the Tohoku coast. From there, take the ferry to the Urato Islands for a guided food tour shaped by fishing traditions and island life, with dishes such as grilled fish, shellfish and sea urchin prepared using local methods. Draw your culinary adventure to a close by visiting local villages to learn about fishing practices and the importance of sustainable seafood. Return to Sendai to explore the castle ruins and Zuihoden mausoleum, tracing the region’s feudal history.
Takayama
Floats, Lanterns and Festival Streets
Takayama’s Great Seasonal Festivals
Plan your visit around one of Takayama’s two great annual festivals, held in spring and autumn. In April, the Sanno Festival takes place around Hie Shrine, with decorated floats moving through the southern half of the old town. Some are lit with lanterns, others carry marionettes worked by skilled puppeteers. Return in autumn for processions, traditional dances, regional food and time in the town’s sake breweries.
Tokyo’s Kabuki theatre
Reading the Language of the Stage
Inside the World of Kabuki
Kabuki is one of Japan’s great theatrical traditions, where storytelling, music, costume and make-up work in precise harmony. Watch a performance to experience its stylised movement and dramatic staging, or speak to us about arranging special behind-the-scenes access. With the right insight, the symbolism, gestures and stagecraft become easier to read, revealing a performance tradition shaped over centuries.
Tokyo
Eat Behind Unmarked Doors
Eat Behind Tokyo’s Unmarked Doors
Go beyond the familiar sushi counters and follow a guide into Tokyo’s small, family-run restaurants, where some of the city’s most memorable meals are found behind unmarked doors. With local knowledge and translation on hand, order with confidence, meet the people behind the counter and try regional dishes, seasonal specials and neighbourhood favourites you’re unlikely to find alone.
Toyama
The Hands and Rituals of Rural Japan
Toyama: The Hands and Rituals of Rural Japan
Hidden in the Chubu region, Toyama offers a covetable glimpse into Japan’s rich rural heritage. This area is a living museum, where tradition and craftsmanship thrive. Local artisans work hard to preserve the Mingei folk art movement, which celebrates the beauty of everyday handmade objects. Join a workshop with a local craftsperson, trying pottery or weaving under careful guidance, before spending time with the Buddhist customs that still shape daily life here, from temple rituals to ceremonies passed down through generations.
Yoron Island
A Softer Pace in the Southern Islands
A Softer Parce on Yoron Island
Take a short flight from Kagoshima to Yoron Island, one of Japan’s southern islands and a gentle place to pause between busier stages of a journey. Stay at Pricia Resort as a comfortable base, with time for beaches, coastal roads and unhurried days outdoors. Car hire is useful, though the island is also easy to explore by bicycle, with quiet roads, light traffic and a relaxed pace.