Off the beaten path destinations to visit during November, December and January in Japan that are not ski resorts. Learn about festivals, light ups, and onsen towns that make great cultural destinations during the holiday season.

Relaxing destinations near Tokyo that are within a short 2-3 hour drive and make a great 1-2 day trip destination, perfect for a private car hire to handle the logistics.

The Tokyo Racecourse is a historical track, first opening in 1933 and renovated in 2007. It offers more than just watching horse racing. The grounds are home to the JRA Tokyo Racecourse Museum with interactive displays and memorabilia related to the sport. The area also allows visitors to get close to the horses, depending on schedule and weather. 

Japan is home to one of the world’s top baseball leagues. The Baseball Hall of Fame Museum in Tokyo has exhibits and memorabilia that introduce the sport’s history in Japan and highlight the top players and achievements of the nation’s teams.

As professionals in today’s world, people are constantly bombarded with notifications, expectations, and the pressure that comes with endless tasks and messages. The common bodily response is burnout, eventually growing tired of always being “on”. This article explores how mindful travel in Japan can help cure a burnt out mind.

Explore Japan’s snow country on the slopes and off: This itinerary will take you from from Nagano and Niigata to Gunma, through tunnels, onsen towns, and over the mountains.

An in-depth itinerary for those who want to explore the art, textiles, and crafts of Japanese culture – both current and modern.

The best one-of-a-kind kimono souvenirs come from stores and studios working with real, once-worn kimono and obi rather than printed fabric — think Tokyo Kimono Shoes and Asakusa Tatsumiya for walk-in shopping in Asakusa, Tokyo Kimono Make and Kanzashi Sugino for hands-on workshops, and Annaj or Far East Fabric if you'd rather order online. Because every kimono bolt carries its own pattern, nothing on this list repeats — what you bring home won't be sitting in anyone else's suitcase too.

Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” began in Japan as a mindful way to reconnect with nature. Over time, it has gained global recognition for its therapeutic effects, even earning acknowledgment from the World Health Organization as a form of nature therapy. While the practice feels deeply traditional, modern neuroscience is beginning to explain why immersing ourselves in forests can be so restorative.

Everyone’s always raving about Japan’s cherry blossom season, but here’s a little secret: fall might just be the country’s best-kept secret. Instead of pink petals, picture landscapes bursting with deep reds, oranges, and golds—colors that turn gardens and temple grounds into nature’s own art galleries. 

So, if you’re thinking of swapping out spring for fall, these gardens in Japan should be on your radar.

Feeling overwhelmed by the blur of Tokyo's neon lights and the shuffle of the crowd? Take a breath and step off the beaten path into the tranquil world of Japan’s traditional villages. Far from the city's clamor, these quaint hideaways offer more than just a quiet escape; they’re a portal to a time-preserved lifestyle. 

Perfect for culture seekers, these villages let you live like a local among landscapes rich with history and community tables laden with home-cooked dishes that are sure to surprise your tastebuds. Ready to trade skyscrapers for scenic vistas and discover flavors you’ve never even Googled before?

As the anticipation for the Osaka World Expo 2025 continues to build, travelers from around the globe are preparing to visit this city renowned for its dynamic culture and cutting-edge technology. While the Expo itself promises an array of spectacular exhibitions and futuristic innovations, the region around Osaka holds untapped treasures that beckon the curious and adventurous. Step off the beaten path with the eight best things to see in Osaka.

Your Guide to Matsumoto City in Japan. Discover the charm of Matsumoto City—known for its iconic castle, sumptuous dining, and serene onsen retreats in Japan's vivid Alps.

A Tohoku region travel guide, with recommendations that bring you to Japan’s largest waterfall and stunning shrine, a peaceful village with a Samurai experience, magical natural scenes, and the recommended regional foods and an UNESCO recognized city to try the foods in.

Taste seafood freshly caught from the Sea of Japan and see the mountains of Hokuriku draped in the fiery colours of autumn.

The Hokuriku Region lies to the northwest of Tokyo along the Sea of Japan, backing on to the spectacular snow-capped peaks of the Japanese Alps. This is one of Japan's most celebrated locations for seafood and gourmet dining, with Kanazawa in particular considered one of the very best places to eat in all Japan. Its majestic mountain landscapes and beautiful historic sites make it one of Japan's most popular locations for seeing the autumn colours, as do the natural thermal waters of its hot spring towns like Kaga Onsen.

An unforgettable journey into the northern mountains and beyond: experience Tohoku in Autumn. This itinerary offers countless views and ropeways, explorations via water, a stop in a city known for gastronomy and food, and a view into one of Japan’s most famous gorges and longest gondola.

Plant, harvest and cook: getting hands-on with Japan's most ancient cuisine: rice. TokudAw partners with locals in the region to help support the rice farmers and provide experiences that highlight organic and sustainable farming.