The places in-between: Kyoto by the Sea Just two hours from Kyoto lies the place where rice was first cultivated and sake first brewed in Japan, and where two of UNESCO’s World’s Most Beautiful Bays lie. It’s home to the highest concentration of people over 100-years-old on earth, and we’re willing to bet you’ve never heard of it…   Kyoto by the Sea, also known as the Tango peninsula or Kyoto’s north shore, encompasses the petite fishing village of Ine and the entry point of Amanohashidate. When The Times writer, Min Sett Hein, travelled there with us, he was struck by the contrast to urban Kyoto:  “The true heart and soul of Japan lies in in-between places such as the Tango peninsula. It’s here, away from the crowds, that you’ll find artisans dedicating their lives to preserving an ...

Our favourite (not so) hot destinations for Japan in 2025 Around 35 million people visited Japan in 2024 (they’re still counting) and this year is set to be even bigger. It’s the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, Osaka will be the first city to host the World Expo twice – and it’s 40 years since Super Mario Bros was first released. That means lots of visitors. 80% of travellers go to just 10% of the world’s tourism destinations, and we want to change that - there's so much more of Japan to see than its top spots, and including a lesser known destination in your trip often means glimpsing a slice of every day local life that you might not otherwise experience. It can help relieve a bit of the pressure on some of the most popular, and often crowded, sites, too.  ...

When The Telegraph journalist, Gemma Knight-Gilani, saw our Hidden Zen trip, she was so excited by the itinerary, it became part of her honeymoon. Fresh from her trip, she shared her top five cultural experiences in Toyama – an often skipped-over region that holds some of the most skilled crafters in Japan. Here, you can experience how rural communities lived 350 years ago, mould your own sake cup and taste wine at one of Japan’s few wineries. Gemma kindly agreed to share her top five cultural experiences to be found in Toyama. Here they are. Less than two hours from Tokyo, stunningly picturesque, utterly unspoilt, and overflowing with the sort of intricate, storied crafts and customs that make Japan such catnip for overseas visitors, it’s peculiar – shocking, even – that pret ...

As Kyoto, and specifically its geisha district, Gion, becomes more and more popular with foreign visitors, it’s important to understand the impact on geisha themselves. So, our Japan-based Head of Operations, Tyler, went to find out. He sat down with Tomitsuyu, an experienced geiko (to use the Kyoto term) who was born and raised in Kyoto. Here, Tyler shares the highlights from their conversation. What made you reach out to Tomitsuyu initially? The media have reported fairly heavily on overtourism in Kyoto, but that narrative doesn’t include voices from the people at the heart of it: the geisha themselves. I had a special opportunity to speak directly with Tomtisuyu one-on-one, and it was such an honour to sit down and hear her honest opinion. How did Tomitsuyu become a gei ...

Spring Elegance combines some of the finest things Japan has to offer into one complete package. It’s got stunning gardens, ancient castles, relaxing hot springs, the affable charm of the traditional ryokan and a taste of city and rural living. It’s a great trip for anyone who loves Japan!