Takigyo is the ancient Buddhist and Shinto ritual of waterfall meditation. At Yuhi-no-Taki Falls in the mountains near Hakone, less than two hours by express train from Tokyo, participants dress in white robes to symbolise purity, say a prayer and then step under the pounding, ice-cold water – a practice said to purify the soul and strengthen the spirit. A local guide leads the ritual, offering instruction and support throughout. Framed by the forested beauty of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (above), it’s an intense, elemental experience that brings you face-to-face with the raw power of nature, offering a cleansing unlike any spa treatment.

Plan your trip: The takigyo experience can be done in the morning, making it an ideal stop on the way to the much warmer, sybaritic bathing ritual of Hakone’s famous hot springs.

In the forests of Nikko, two hours by train north of Tokyo, you can channel your inner warrior with yabusame (horseback archery) or kyudo (archery on foot), taught by instructors from the 12th-century Ogasawara school. The lessons take place at the stables that house the sacred horses of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine (above). If archery isn’t for you, a class in samurai etiquette will have you sitting, walking and drinking tea with powerful dignity.

Walk this way: This year marks the 400th anniversary of the Suginamiki Kaido, the world’s longest cedar-lined avenue, leading to Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Much of the road is now closed to traffic so you can follow in the footsteps of feudal lords.

In Kanazawa, a historic hub on Japan’s western coast, the covered alleys of Omicho Market echo with the cheerful cries of vendors announcing the day’s catch. For more than 300 years, this bustling market has fed the city, with nearly 200 stalls and eateries offering everything from kaisendon sashimi bowls and scoops of fresh sea urchin served in the shell, to Noto beef sushi sprinkled with gold leaf, a decoration Kanazawa is famous for. After feasting, explore the area’s other many treasures: the walled laneways and historic homes of the Nagamachi samurai district near the city centre and the gold-leaf ateliers and tea houses of the Higashi Chaya District (above) on the east side of the Asano River. It has the elegance of Kyoto only by the sea.

Get there early: Most of the stalls in Omicho Market start trading at around 9am but some restaurants open a couple of hours earlier so you can breakfast on sushi before exploring.

More than three centuries ago, the poet Matsuo Basho spent five months walking across northern Japan, capturing its beauty in haiku. Thanks to the country’s efficient rail network, you can now follow his path in about five days, taking the train between scenic spots along this timeless route, hiking forest trails and soaking in tranquil onsen towns along the way. Start in Sendai, two hours north of Tokyo, before hopping on a train to visit the pine-fringed islets of Matsushima Bay. Then head north to Hiraizumi’s Chusonji Temple (above) to see the golden Konjikido hall in a cedar grove and climb 1000 stone steps to Yamadera, a temple complex among the clouds.

Consider your options: For easy connections, the JR East Pass (Tohoku area) covers rail and some bus travel in the area but if you’d rather go by foot, companies such as Walk Japan offer guided and self-guided walking tours that take care of hotel bookings and provide detailed directions.

An hour north of Tokyo via bullet train, ancient mountains and contemporary art meet in quietly inspiring ways. From September to October, the Nakanojo Biennale transforms the Gunma countryside into a living gallery, with works by more than 100 artists filling former bathhouses, classrooms and houses in the hamlet of Nakanojo. The city of Maebashi is an ideal base. Stay at the Shiroiya Hotel, a 28-room boutique retreat designed by renowned architect Sou Fujimoto, where modern art, striking architecture and refined cuisine come together. Just outside the city, Hara Museum ARC showcases works by artists such as Yoshitomo Nara and Andy Warhol amid a landscape of gentle hills.

Try your hand: For hands-on experiences, the artisan village of Takumi no Sato, less than an hour’s drive from the hotel, offers drop-in workshops from paper making to indigo dyeing, set among apple orchards and rice fields.

It’s even easier to find a room with a view – and a world-class spa or two – following a wave of openings and one iconic comeback to Tokyo’s hotel scene. This month, Fairmont Tokyo debuts on Tokyo Bay with 217 rooms, five restaurants, an infinity pool and a spa. October brings the new JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo in Takanawa Gateway City, featuring 200 rooms and the intriguing promise of a croissant bar. Also in October, the Park Hyatt Tokyo – immortalised in the movie Lost in Translation – will reopen after extensive renovations.

Choose your timing: Events and holidays can drive up hotel prices, especially during Golden Week (late April), Silver Week (September) and cherry blossom season (late March to May). To see Tokyo in bloom without crowds, visit in mid-February when the parks are filled with plum blossoms.

Kinosaki Onsen, just a few hours by train from Osaka, is one of Japan’s most picturesque and historic hot-spring towns. Famous for its seven tattoo-friendly public bathhouses (many onsen do not allow entry to those with ink), the town's charming canal-lined streets brim with visitors wearing cotton yukata robes, trying different onsen and snacking on rice crackers made with carbonated spring water. It’s a beautiful blend of tradition and relaxation, ideal for both first-timers and seasoned onsen lovers alike.


In Japan, karaoke is more than just a pastime – it’s a cultural phenomenon. People go to karaoke to celebrate, to cap off a night out or simply to relieve stress after a day at the office. In Tokyo, you can channel your inner movie star at the iconic Karaoke Kan in Shibuya, the setting of the famous singing scene in Lost in Translation. (For the full movie experience, book room 601 or 602, where the crew filmed.) Want to pair karaoke with sightseeing? Try singing your heart out on a ferris wheel in Tokyo Dome City, where all gondolas have a karaoke machine – just choose your songs carefully, as a full revolution takes only 15 minutes or about four songs’ worth of time.

The Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails in Wakayama, a prefecture just south of Osaka, are over a thousand years old and wind through forested mountains and past sacred shrines. A designated UNESCO World Heritage site, the most accessible stretch is Daimon-zaka, a  mossy stone staircase surrounded by ancient cedar trees. It leads to the stunning Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine as well as Japan’s tallest waterfall. Whether you try a short stroll or a multi-day trek, walking part or all of the Kumano Kodo is a picturesque way to experience Japan’s spiritual heartland.

Or, for a stroll-worthy route, Hitachi Seaside Park (about 1.5 hours by train from Tokyo, followed by a 20-minute shuttle) is a flat, 350-hectare site blanketed by flowers. From late April to mid-May, nemophila is in full, blue bloom and is a truly stunning sight to wander amongst.

Himeji Castle, about a 45-minute train ride from Kyoto, is Japan’s best-preserved example of feudal-era architecture and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nicknamed the “White Heron Castle” for its elegant, soaring design, it dates back to the early 1600s and features ingenious defensive design from maze-like approach paths to its abundance of wall openings used for firing arrows and dropping stones on intruders. Climb to the top of the main keep for sweeping views of Hyogo prefecture’s pillowy green mountains and explore the former daimyo’s (feudal lord) quarters.

For a peaceful and immersive cultural experience, consider spending some time at a Buddhist temple lodging or shukubo. As part of your stay, you can participate in morning chants, try Zazen meditation and enjoy shojin ryori, the simple, mostly vegetarian meals prepared by the temple’s monks. Daihonzan Eiheiji in Fukui is a working monastery established in 1244 that offers more comfortable accommodations for travellers, as well as a “Zen Concierge” to guide you through the temple experiences. (The town of Eiheiji is also famous for sake, so you can enjoy the other type of nourishment during a dinner out.)

The Shimanami Kaido is a spectacular 70-kilometre route that links Japan’s main island of Honshu to Shikoku, with bridges spanning a chain of scenic islands across the Seto Inland Sea. Designed with cyclists in mind, the route features dedicated bike paths and rental stations along the way, making it easy to ride as much or as little as you like. As you pedal past sea views and quiet fishing villages, make sure to stop and sample local seafood and fresh citrus fruits, then relax with a crisp beverage at the end of the day (the incredible waterside Wakka at the halfway point in Omishima does a mean coffee as well as craft beer). It’s an unforgettable journey through coastal Japan.