Japan is home to over 27,000 hot springs and over 3,000 onsen towns, many with healing benefits to skin conditions, joint stiffness, and other diseases. TokudAw has curated recommendations on where to go to enjoy a healing onsen and how to ensure your hotel has an authentic onsen.

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.

What if you had a completely alternative wind-down experience based on your exposure to Japanese Zen Culture? You, sitting in a quiet Japanese garden, listening to a gentle waterfall, are resetting your brain from its constant state of being over-worked. You get a moment of peace, with no notifications, alerts, or urgency. Instead, these anxiety-makers are replaced with the slow, deliberate rhythm of the world around you in which you are finally still and silent enough to observe.

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.

The secret to a life-changing family trip isn’t actually a secret, it is the key to experiencing the same quality of joy without over-exhausting yourself and your family. It is the Japanese philosophy of ‘Ma’, that transforms travel into a mindful practice to bring forth deeper emotions of contentment, gratefulness, and enjoyment. 

Jet lag is more than just exhaustion; it is a physiological state of circadian desynchrony. While light is a well-known "time-giver," new research in gastroenterology and physiology reveals that your digestive system is a powerful tool for resetting your brain. This article explores how to use targeted protein intake, strategic meal timing, and Japanese probiotic-rich foods to cut your jet lag recovery time in half, ensuring you spend less time in bed and more time exploring.

Summer in Japan invites travelers into a season of light, color, and celebration. For families seeking more than sightseeing checklists, TokudAw offers curated itineraries across Tokyo, Nagano, and Gunma that bring together tradition, nature, and comfort—complete with private transport, cultural access, and thoughtfully paced experiences. From mountain flowers to lantern-lit riversides, each moment is designed to be immersive, meaningful, and entirely your own.

Cherry blossom season in Japan is basically a national obsession. The forecast is tracked like breaking news, convenience stores go all-in on pink-themed everything (even Starbucks gets in on it!), and locals stage full-blown picnics before most tourists have even had their morning coffee. This is a guide on where to see cherry blossoms in Japan with 8 hand picked spots deliver spectacular, picture-perfect views.

With the massive swings in temperature messing up the sakura’s internal thermostat, you may be excused for wondering if the sakura will blossom early or late this spring. Many tourists to Japan were disappointed last year after the cherry blossoms appeared later than expected, leaving many of them having to go home without any photograph of the famed flowers. This is a forecast from 2025, but the idea can be used to help you plan a trip in any year.

Watching Apple Cider Vinegar reminded me how life comes full circle.

While Wanping may have shouted at my screen watching Apple Cider Vinegar, I also walked away with a renewed sense of purpose to help build mindful journeys and experiences in Japan for all guests. Read more about Wanping Aw, TokudAw Co-founder’s inspiration to start TokudAw.

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?

No left-side driving or crowded trains—just smooth rides with local insights! Discover why private van hire is a must for a group travel or vacation for a family or couple in Japan.

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.

Nestled in the serene shadow of the iconic Mount Fuji, Hakone stands as a jewel in the greater Tokyo area, beckoning travelers with its picturesque landscape and tranquil ambiance.

Easily accessible from Tokyo, Hakone is a popular day-trip destination from Tokyo, but staying overnight will let you experience one of its famous ryokans.

Unravel the mystique of Japanese bathing traditions with a deep dive into the differences between sento and onsen. Learn which offers the ideal relaxation experience for your journey in Japan.

Experience the epitome of Japanese luxury and culture. Discover the charm, tranquility, and heritage of Japan's finest ryokans.

Designed by architect Yoshiji Takehara, the hotel's rooms are spread across seven traditional townhouses dating back to the last century, reinterpreted and transformed into comfortable, modern spaces while losing nothing of their original soul, but providing all the facilities modern visitors expect. But the choice of its location was a fundamental part of the design. Otsu is a 20 minute drive from the overcrowded tourist hotspots of central Kyoto and is often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbor. Bringing visitors here helps to support the regions outside the tourist hotspots and reinvigorate commerce, but also to give visitors a glimpse of the hidden charm that can't be found in the over-travelled centers. 

The history of why we started TokudAw and the real reasons as to our focus on authentic Japanese experiences, mindful and accessible travel for all guests from families, educational groups to our corporate guests.