Japan things to do: 20 reasons to book your holiday to Japan now

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This was published 1 year ago

Japan things to do: 20 reasons to book your holiday to Japan now

By Danielle Demetriou
A journey to Japan, particularly for first-timers, is incomplete without at least one quick dip into the temples and shrines, gardens and teahouses of former ancient capital Kyoto.

A journey to Japan, particularly for first-timers, is incomplete without at least one quick dip into the temples and shrines, gardens and teahouses of former ancient capital Kyoto.Credit: iStock

Before 2020, Japan, in the mind of the traveller, evoked clear-cut, if not cliche images: a perfectly cone-shaped Mount Fuji hovering on the horizon under cartoon blue skies; the pronounced white nose of a shinkansen (bullet train) gliding into a station platform; a stillness amid the seeming chaos punctuated by the whisk of bamboo on ceramic as forest-green matcha is prepared.

Fast-forward to today, and although all of these iconic elements for which Japan has long been famed are still here, the nation is perhaps now viewed through an additional prism: as one of the last countries in the world to lift its strict border closures.

For more than two years, Japan has been tightly closed to inbound tourists as part of its rigorous anti-COVID strategy – something of a modern echo of the country's 265-year period of self-isolation which ended in the 19th century.

Now the news so many Australians have been waiting for has finally emerged: Japan is reopening to independent travellers. Japan resumed allowing visa-free, independent travel for foreign visitors from Tuesday (and airlines celebrated with sale fares).

For those fully-vaccinated Japan fans still in any doubt jumping on a plane to visit the Land of the Rising Sun, here are 20 reasons to start planning a dream trip, from the brilliant new attractions to beloved old favourites. Just don't forget to still pack your mask.

1. BE DAZZLED BY TOKYO'S NEW-WAVE NEON

Shibuya, that ever-glaring neon symbol of Tokyo street culture, is constantly shapeshifting – and its constant evolution has stepped up a notch during the pandemic. A flurry of new skyscrapers and years of redevelopment work have been completed, giving the buzzy nocturnal district a shiny new look.

One of the tallest new kids on the block is the 47-storey Shibuya Scramble Square (shibuya-scramble-square.com), which offers sleek retail, food outlets and an observation deck at its apex. Enjoy panoramic views of Tokyo from the observation deck at Shibuya Scramble Square.

Another highlight is the refreshingly low-rise Miyashita Park complex (miyashita-park.tokyo), with several floors of cutting-edge boutiques and eateries, which flow directly into Sequence (sequencehotels.com/miyashita-park) – a hip new, 17-storey, 240 room arty hotel with cool interiors and a flurry of top Japanese design names involved. It offers views across Shibuya, plus a rooftop nightspot with pool and bar.

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2. CATCH KYOTO BEFORE THE CROWDS COME BACK

A journey to Japan, particularly for first-timers, is incomplete without at least one quick dip into the temples and shrines, gardens and teahouses of former ancient capital Kyoto.

While a downside of a Kyoto visit in recent years has been the heaving tourist crowds, the city emptied during the pandemic. With the border about to reopen, it's worth visiting before the crowds fully return.

The city has also undergone something of a modern creative renaissance, largely fuelled by the pandemic, resulting in a renewed spotlight in the timeless appeal of its traditional heritage among modern creatives, reflected by a wealth of new hotels.

Highlights include hipster haven Ace Kyoto (its main restaurant is run by West Coast US chef Naomi Pomeroy) and is due to open later this year (acehotel.com/kyoto).

Then there's Hotel the Mitsui (hotelthemitsui.com). This is an elegant, contemporary Andre Fu-designed escape wrapped around a garden and offering a catalogue of atmospheric experiences from a morning of all things Zen at Taizo-in Temple to a special visit to a century-old traditional and Imperial Family-appointed wagashi sweetmaker.

3. ESCAPE TOKYO FOR SOME KAMAKURA CALM

It's easy to see why Kamakura is dubbed the Hamptons of Tokyo. Just an hour by train from the capital, the picturesque coastal town is wrapped in green mountains, with wide beaches, a surf community, organic restaurants, temples and winding lanes.

One place guaranteed to bring a sense of calm is Modern Ryokan Kishi-ke (kishi-ke.co.jp). Run by a design-loving young couple with generations-old samurai heritage, the one-bedroom retreat is an exquisite modern riff on traditional tea aesthetics, with minimalist architecture and curated ceramics.

Perhaps best of all is the retreat's deep cultural program inspired by chisoku, the Buddhist concept of feeling sated with what you have.

4. HOT FOOT IT TO HOKKAIDO, JAPAN'S NORTHERN STAR

Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island region, has long moved to its own beat, as reflected in its unique flora and fauna, wild coastline and seasonal cuisine (anyone for squid-ink cheese?). Its legendary powder snow has also garnered a cult winter following among snowboarders and skiers – in Niseko in particular, a town booming with luxury hotels, Hokkaido is famous among keen skiers for its deep powder snow.

One new hotel to join its stellar community is Japan's first Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Higashiyama Niseko Village (ritzcarlton.com), which has 50 deluxe guest rooms, a string of restaurants and – the ultimate apres-ski attraction – hot spring onsen bathing.

It joins the sleekly minimalist Park Hyatt Niseko (hyatt.com), while the exclusive Aman grown is also scheduled to open a wellness retreat in Niseko's wild landscapes in 2023.

5. BE HUMBLED BY JAPAN'S UNIQUE HOSPITALITY

It's telling that the Japanese word kirei means both "clean" and "beautiful" – reflecting the deep-rooted value the nation places on its long-famed culture of cleanliness. One thing visitors will be reassured about upon arrival is how Japan really is as safe, clean and punctual as its reputation.

Tokyo may be one of the most densely packed cities on the planet, yet its transport system is easy-to-use, litter-free and rarely delayed though do avoid peak hour and its heaving trains.

Timeless omotenashi hospitality is another area at which Japan famously excels, from the politely bowed greetings of bullet train staff serving drinks as they enter the carriage to the silent intuition of discreet kimono-clad staff at the most traditional of ryokan inns.

6. SWITCH ON TO SUPER MARIO MANIA

Credit: Alamy

Princess Peach, Mario, Yoshi, Luigi, Toad, Lakitu: if these names mean nothing to you, it's probably best to skip to the next entry. Those who recognise these as characters from Nintendo's iconic Super Mario World would do well to book a pilgrimage to Osaka to pay a visit to the gaming giant's first foray into the world of theme parks.

Super Nintendo World (super-nintendo-world.usj.co.jp) offers visitors the chance to experience a new level of immersion in Nintendo's games, from AR-rides and selfies in Princess Peach's castle to themed treats at on-site cafes. There's even a new Nintendo-themed train to carry you there.

7. TAKE A LEAF OUT OF THE MINDFULNESS PLAYBOOK

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While it may seem a characteristic Japanese eccentricity, forest bathing – known as shinrin-yoku – is taken seriously in Japan with countless proven benefits from strengthened immune systems to better brain health.

At Kumano Hongu Heritage Centre (hongu.jp) in Wakayama prefecture, a "forest therapist" can accompany you along the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route – checking blood pressure and supplying a healthy bento box lunch. Your multi-talented therapist may even play the Japanese flute to you as you lie on a log.

A more sedate – but no less relaxing – option is to jump on a one-hour train from Tokyo to mountain resort Karuizawa and check into Shishi-Iwa House (shishiiwahouse.jp) where it's all about the trees.

SSH1, its first beautiful minimalist retreat of light wood and seasonal nature views, was designed by acclaimed architect Shigeru Ban to curve, quite literally, through the surrounding forest trees.

The second, SSH2 – also by Ban and just seconds away on foot – has just opened, with 12 rooms, each with hinoki wood bathtubs, a contemporary restaurant and an expansive photographic art collection.

8. HEAD DOWN TO OKINAWA FOR SOME SOUTHERN COMFORTS

Turquoise waters, coral reefs, deserted beaches and mangrove forests: Japan is not often associated with subtropical island life. Sun-drenched Okinawa defies all stereotypes. A scattered trail of small islands in Japan's southernmost region, Okinawa moves at a refreshingly pulse-slowing pace.

Main island Okinawa is home to coastal pottery villages such as Yomitan; remote mangrove forests and empty beaches in Yambaru; and a plethora of luxe resorts, including the Ritz-Carlton Okinawa (ritzcarlton.com) and Halekulani Okinawa (okinawa.halekulani.com) plus the sleek new Hoshinoya Okinawa (hoshinoya.com).

Those keen to get back to nature can now sleep up a tree at Treeful Treehouse Sustainable Resort (treeful.net). A series of wooden treehouses with 360-degree views are scattered among the canopies, alongside solar-powered electricity to a watermill.

9. TACKLE TOHOKU FOR ITS ADVENTURES UNLIMITED

More than a decade has passed since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami swept swathes of north-eastern Japan – the Tohoku region in particular. Now it's perhaps one of the most rewarding places for adventurous travellers to explore.

Among many highlights across its six prefectures are the rugged volcanic Zao mountains with jewel-like crater lakes; scatterings of tiny pine-covered islands in Matsushima Bay; the serene waters of Lake Towada and the world-class art museums of Aomori.

Not to forget Fukushima itself: the prefecture is not just about nuclear power plants. It is also famed for its samurai heritage as embodied by atmospheric Aizu-Wakamatsu, plus its wintertime ski resorts and tasty gyoza dumplings.

10. SPLURGE SOME YEN INTO A SINGLE-MINDED BOLTHOLE

Never mind cloud-brushing skyscraper hotels. Those keen to avoid the crowds should check into one of a growing number of small but perfectly formed hotels with just one room.

Among the most chic and also most expensive is Trunk House (trunk-house.com) – a renovated 70-year-old former training house for geisha, hidden among a warren of lanes in Tokyo's Kagurazaka district.

It's home to an edgy fusion of old and new – from Japanese gardens, a tatami-mat tearoom and around-the-clock service from butlers and private chefs, to contemporary Tom Sachs art installations, a hinoki bath big enough to swim in and mid-century design classics.

Not to forget the World's Smallest Disco, a small neon-lit space with glitterball popcorn cocktails and state-of-the-art karaoke – all for yourself.

11. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN JAPAN'S ARTY INLAND SEA

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The scattered silhouettes of tiny fishing islands scatter the serene blue waters of the Seto Inland Sea, a body of water that connects three of Japan's main islands.

With its temperate climate, it's been dubbed the Mediterranean of Japan, with one island even famed for its olives.

The region is perhaps most well known for its art islands, in particular Naoshima, which is topping creative wish lists this year, having just opened two new galleries.

Tadao Ando's minimalist, angular Valley Gallery, is filled with Yayoi Kusama's countless reflective metal balls (part of her Narcissus Garden artwork) while the new Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery: Time Corridors, showcases 30 artworks by the iconic artist (benesse-artsite.jp).

A much-needed new hotel addition to the island is newly opened Naoshima Ryokan ROKA (roka.voyage). It's chic, boutique, creative, and a highlight are its 11 minimalist guestrooms, with private sunken wooden baths and retractable walls of glass.

Meanwhile, Guntu (guntu.jp), a mini Noah's ark-style "floating ryokan" boat by architect Yasushi Horibe, remains perhaps the most stylish way to get around the region.

12. GET CRAFTY IN AN UNDERRATED KANAZAWA

The romantic allure of Kyoto is hard to resist but there's another lesser-known city worth adding to the must visit list: Kanazawa.

The capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa has a thriving crafts scene. The region's lacquerware and gold leaf are particularly prized while the government recently relocated the National Crafts Museum (momat.go.jp) here from its former Tokyo home.

It's a cultural treasure trove, with time capsule pockets of traditional architecture, including the Nagamachi samurai district and Higashi-Chaya geisha area – not to forget Kenrokuen, one of Japan's most treasured landscape gardens.

The icing on the creative cake? The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (kanazawa21.jp). Its clean, minimal lines of curved concrete and glass, by architects SANAA, showcase world-class modern art.

The Hyatt Centric Kanazawa (hyatt.com) with its sleekly crafted design touches, is a convenient luxury addition to the city's hotel scene, having opened mid-pandemic in the summer of 2020.

13. REACH FOR THE SKIES AT SACRED MOUNT FUJI

Credit: Getty Images

It has a habit of popping up on the horizon and taking your breath away when you least expect it, be it through a bullet-train window or from a skyscraper hotel guestroom.

Mount Fuji – with its perfect triangular form and snow-capped apex – is perhaps the ultimate symbol of Japan and there are countless ways to enjoy its powerful presence.

Thrill-seekers in particular are in luck: Fuji-Q Highland (fujiq.jp), a theme park famously home to Japan's scariest roller coaster in the Mount Fuji foothills, has opened a new Fujiyama Sky Deck where visitors can strap on a harness and climb a new open-air observatory that rises 55 metres.

While it's a fraction lower than the 79-metre roller coaster, soak up epic close-up views of Mount Fuji (plus the screaming faces of roller coaster passengers as they rush past).

14. MAKE A NIGHT OF IT IN UNMATCHED MACHUYA

From centuries-old teahouses to intricate temple pagodas and tiered castles, Japan's traditional architectural techniques were given a boost last December after being added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

The move is likely to further fuel a movement to revive Kyoto's machiya townhouses – narrow, deep wooden structures, thousands of which have been torn down in recent decades. Many of these provide an atmospheric alternative to conventional hotels.

Today, visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a machiya, with favourites including Hanare Kyoto (hanare.kyoto), which has a portfolio of five exquisite architect-designed machiya across the capital that will make you want to move in and stay forever (picture minimalist interiors of tatami, sliding screens, contemporary artworks and elegant seasonal gardens).

Meanwhile, Maana Homes (maanahomes.com), has a machiya collection fusing traditional details with modern design touches, including Maana Kyoto, with its circular clay bathtub, Jasper Morrison kitchen stools and graphic monochrome artwork by local fabric artist Takeshi Nakajima.

15. TEST YOUR MEDAL AT AN OLYMPIC-INSPIRED RESORT

While overseas visitors may have missed the opportunity to experience the Tokyo Olympics, one place to explore your own Olympian dreams in Japan, should you be able to afford the pole-vault high tariff, is Zenagi (zen-resorts.com).

A beautifully-renovated kominka country house in the lush green Kiso Valley in Nagano Prefecture, a stay here includes imaginative contemporary cuisine, impeccable service and expertly-crafted decor, including vast hinoki wood bathtubs.

Guests (kids included) can also choose from a range of activities helmed by charismatic Olympic athletes – from river rafting to paragliding, in remote nature spots – in between enjoying bamboo forest picnics, forest bathing and local crafts workshops.

FIVE MORE THINGS NOT TO MISS

1. THE BUCOLIC DETOURS

Easily accessed from its major cities, the slow tempo of Japan hidden villages, valleys and forests offers chances to recharge across its mountainous archipelago. Easy escapes from Tokyo include Mount Takao with its forested slopes, temples and traditional sweets; Hakone, near Mount Fuji, renowned for its hot spring onsen bathing and atmospheric ryokan inns. And about an hour by train from Kyoto, is Sower (restaurantsower.com), a new restaurant on the shores of the serene waters of Lake Biwa. Contemporary terroir-inspired cuisine by Californian chef Coleman Griffin is served in a minimalist interior.

2. THE NATURE OF ART

Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale (echigo-tsumari.jp) is a major art festival in Niigata Prefecture, on until November. It offers dozens of high-quality artworks and installations scattered across lush green rice terraces. Elsewhere recently opened and renovated 1970s-era Shiroiya Hotel (shiroiya.com) in former silk-making hub Maebashi in Gunma Prefecture, anchors a string of top Japanese creatives with imaginative guestrooms and scattered installations.

3. ALL CHANGE, PLEASE

Everything revolves around the seasons in Japan, particularly the contents of a plate. Something not even the pandemic can change is the most timeless joys of any Japan visit: exploring its rich, fresh food scene, which goes far beyond the confines of sushi and ramen (although there's plenty of those too) – kaiseki banquets, pork tonkatsu, okonomiyaki pancakes, tempura to name just a handful.

4. FLOWER POWER

In Japan seasonal blooms are revered in near spiritual terms, their fleeting peak beauty reflecting the poignant transience of life. It's impossible to think of spring in Japan without the sakura cherry blossom, while early June's rainy season brings ajisai hydrangeas, in shades of blue, pink and purple. Meanwhile, it's all about tsubaki camellias in winter.

5. TAKING A SHRINE

Explore Japan's rich spiritual heritage, sans the crowds, by hopping on a 15-minute train from central Kyoto to Otsu, a historic region packed with some of the country's most important shrines and temples, scattered across remote forest mountain complexes, with haiku-inspiring glimpses of the still waters of nearby Lake Biwa. Centre stage is Enryakuji Temple (hieizan.gr.jp) on Mount Hiei, regarded as where Japanese Buddhism sprung to life.

This story originally appeared in the travel pages of the Telegraph UK. Danielle Demetriou has lived in Japan since 2007.

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