The Tohoku region of Japan is synonymous with the great 17 th-century writer Matsuo Basho — whose journey into the north of his country was recorded in his masterpiece, The Narrow Road to the Deep ...

Ninety minutes west by train from central Tokyo, Mitake is still within city limits, but feels a world away. The morning train I catch is full of seniors and students outfitted for climbing Mount ...

Ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn that offers guests a unique and immersive experience of Japanese culture and hospitality. These establishments have a long history and are known for their warm ...

Part of the experience of staying in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese guesthouse, is the relief you’ll feel as soon as you walk in the door. It’s a mindset shift, the opportunity to fully switch to a ...

Japan’s rural inns offer far more than a bed for the night—they’re an immersion into the heart of Japanese hospitality, culture, and cuisine. On a recent walking tour through the Kunisaki Peninsula ...

Hot springs, or onsen, are a big deal in Japan. Not to be confused with sento, which are usually public baths using heated tap water, onsen are comprised of volcanic spring water that's full of ...

Hoshinoya Tokyo is a sanctuary from the bustling city and its very crowded streets. Upon entering, you are asked to remove your shoes, which will be stored in one of the chestnut and bamboo cubbies ...