© Sébastien Raineri

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.

The quality of the food and drink made in Japan are not simply a goal, but a way of life. Even in the most extraordinary restaurants and breweries in Japan, you may not find Michelin stars, but you will discover culinary craftspeople dedicated to protecting and improving the traditional methods that have produced cuisine of superior quality for centuries. From historic restaurants maintaining the Aizu food culture of northern Japan to shops perfecting the production of the humble senbei (rice cracker), the commitment of small businesses to the flavors of traditional Japan is unchanging over time. You'll find many of these establishments operating outside of central Tokyo; fortunately, the network of public transportation, with the JR East train lines as the backbone, gives visitors to Tokyo quick and easy access to most of them.

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