Japan feels different when you stop chasing checklists and start borrowing from everyday life. Across Kanto, there are places where the border between “visitor” and “local” softens: a former elementary school reborn as a community hub, a temple that doubles as a soul-reboot button, a farmhouse where river fish go straight from pond to irori, a classroom where you become the transfer student for a day, and a cat café where you can design a good-luck charm at your own pace. These attractions are spaces where staying overnight, cooking, training, meditating, or simply chatting becomes part of the experience. “Beyond travel” here means learning how people live, eat, and practice their traditions, and carrying some of that depth home with you.

Tokyo is a city of contrasts, yet its spiritual side doesn't leap immediately to mind when you consider this vast urban metropolis. Yet, from the mountains guarding the city's western flank to its bayside bustling with the busyness of modern life, Tokyo's spiritual side is deep and ancient. Neighboring Saitama, too, has grown up on the heels of its more famous neighbor, but deep in its rugged mountains, you'll still find ancient landmarks of Japan's Shinto and Buddhist religions. Take a few steps off the beaten path to explore another side of Tokyo and Saitama and discover the spiritual roots that run deep around the Tokyo area.

A Snow-Covered Route Journey through Japan’s White Landscapes

Kanto is full of surprises. Just beyond Tokyo’s dense skyline, a unique kind of creativity flourishes, one shaped by rolling hills, quiet lakes, and innovative spaces where art and nature coexist. In Chiba and Gunma prefectures, these worlds come together in unexpected ways, from sustainable farms dotted with contemporary sculptures to museums where nature seamlessly blends with exhibition spaces. Whether it’s a hands-on experience at an eco-friendly art farm or an architectural masterpiece that doubles as a hotel, these destinations prove that inspiration thrives in the most unexpected places.

The traditional crafts live and breathe in and around the Tokyo area. The origins vary from religious symbols to architectural designs to just pure enjoyment. The exploration of the endless creativity behind Japanese crafts can take you on a journey to discover some of the wonderful towns and cities beyond the capital, deepening your appreciation of Japanese culture as a whole. Let's visit five fascinating places in and around Tokyo where tradition meets creativity in the craft world.

A Spring Journey Linking Edo Culture and the Ancient Capital

A Refreshing Route Journey of Clear Streams and History

Bonsai, Bamboo, and Japanese Whisky A Green Path Crafted by Nature, Refined by Hand

Fukushima is the kind of place that sneaks up on you. The first time I hopped on a Shinkansen bullet train and visited this Tohoku prefecture just north of Tokyo, I was simply curious about what Fukushima had to offer. Before I knew it, I had fallen in love with it: the fertile agricultural fields framed by rugged mountains, the kindhearted people who offered their sincerest hospitality, and the proud cultural heritage rooted deep in its samurai history. Many first-time visitors come to Fukushima unsure of what to expect from it but leave, often reluctantly, with a new-found respect for its beauty, people, and culture.

A Spring Walking Journey through Cherry Blossoms and Post Town Traditions

A Winter Journey of Prayer, Handcrafts, and Timeless Japanese Beauty

A Green Journey into Japan’s Farming Spirit and Local Food Culture

A Spring Journey along Historic Routes and Seasonal Flowers

Hakone, Odawara, Nihonbashi. Where Tradition and Contemporary Art Intersect

An Edo-Style Circular Journey Traced through Woodblock Ukiyo-e Prints

A Winter Journey of Flowers, Prayer, and Living Culture

A Historic Route Journey across Mountain Passes and Time

Tracing Japan’s Autumn Landscapes as Seen by Hokusai