An Autumn Journey of Harvests and Fermentation Traditions

A Wellness Journey Connecting Inner Reflection, Sky, and Earth

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.

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.

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.