This stunning building preserves three eras of Japan’s history and serves the unique cuisine of this samurai castle town from days long past. Immerse yourself in Aizu-Wakamatsu’s cultural history at this nostalgic restaurant.

Step into a retreat where time slows down and every moment invites introspection. At ZEN & BED Bogetsu-An, guests experience traditional Zen practices that refresh both mind and body.

Discover the artistry of Japanese crafts at Chichibu Orijuku Koubou Yokoyama, where over a century of dyeing and weaving heritage comes to life. Located in the Chichibu area of Saitama Prefecture, this workshop offers visitors an immersive experience in traditional techniques with more than 100 years of history, including Chichibu Meisen, Nagatoro indigo dyeing, and plant dyeing. Suitable for both experienced artists and curious beginners, it’s an inviting space to challenge your own creativity while embracing Japan’s rich textile traditions.

Saitama Prefecture’s Oshi Castle is the ideal spot to revel in Japan’s fascinating history. Located in Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture, Oshi Castle is a historic landmark that offers visitors a unique opportunity to step into the world of the samurai.

Embrace the outdoors and witness volcanic activity on this awe-inspiring tour through unique landscapes in this spectacular onsen area. Nihonmatsu City, in the north of Fukushima Prefecture, is home to an otherworldly landscape, covered in green vegetation, rocky terrain, and an impressive crater. This is the Adatara Sulfur Mine Trail, which is a fantastic destination for nature-lovers.

Minka-en preserves the history and culture of Fukushima through its collection of rare buildings, furniture, and tools relocated here from other parts of the prefecture.

Experience Japan’s quiet countryside from the comfort of a fully renovated kominka in Chiba.

Looking for original accommodations in Tokyo? In the heart of Asakusa, Stay SAKURA Tokyo Asakusa Yokozuna Hotel offers guests a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the world of sumo wrestling. Formerly a sumo training stable called Kokonoe-beya, this hotel retains much of its original structure and authentic details, blending traditional Japanese culture with modern comforts.

Located in Tokamachi City in Niigata Prefecture, known as the "town of kimono,” Kimono no Aoyagi has been preserving and innovating traditional kimono-making techniques since 1938. This historic workshop offers a unique opportunity to witness every stage of kimono creation all under one roof.

In the modern world of perfectly controlled sake brewing, Tsuchida Sake Brewery aims to reintroduce traditional variables to create unique and complex flavors with sake brewing methods of the past.

Once a retreat for the lords of Aizu, this postcard-perfect ryokan offers the warm hospitality of Aizu culture even in the snows of winter.

Musashi makes wines using natural yeast and pesticide-free grapes cultivated on reclaimed farmland in Ogawamachi.

Step inside the beautiful and traditional Shorinkaku, a Japanese inn offering an immersive and peaceful experience.

Spelunkers can plunge nearly a kilometer into the depths of Irimizu Limestone Cave to discover incredible formations that have been hidden underground for thousands of years.

Experience a temple lodging that invites you to embrace quiet reflection and mindful living. TEMPLESTAY ZENSŌ offers a distinctive refuge for visitors where Zen principles and Buddhist traditions shape every detail, earning it the Special Award at the 2025 Japan Travel Awards.

History lovers will delight in this charming display of Japanese life in the 1950s. The Showa Natsukashikan is located on the second floor of COTT'N CLUB AIZU, an antique store that faces the historic Nanokamachi Street, a popular spot for walking around and shopping in downtown Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. The Aizuwakamatsu area is known for its rich samurai history, but for those looking for something a little different, the Showa Natsukashikan may be just the place!

At Shougaku-ji, a 15th-century Soto Zen temple nestled in the forests of Hanno, visitors can experience an overnight retreat that delves into the calmness of zazen meditation and the gentle discipline of temple life.

Visit a museum that goes beyond traditional galleries and immerses you in the natural beauty of its surroundings. Ichihara Lakeside Museum is a destination where art, nature, and community come together in perfect harmony. ©Photo by Tadashi Endo