BBC Travel
'NonnaMaxxing': Tourists are paying to travel like grandmothers
Whether it's making pasta with an Italian nonna or sightseeing with a gran in Japan, Gen-Zers and millennials are increasingly seeking out granny-led travel experiences.
Lonely Planet
Taking the train in Japan - all you need to know
Find your way around Japan by train with this guide to the rail network, with info on tickets and JR Passes, routes and services, and on-board facilities.
Lonely Planet
5 places that locals want you to visit in Japan
Five destinations beloved by those who know Japan best.
Monocle
Japan’s resort industry hits new heights at Nagano’s Karuizawa T-Site
The collaborative project between books giant Tsutaya and Mitsubishi Estate in the mountain resort of Karuizawa offers a template for rethinking premium rural retail and hospitality.
Atlas Obscura
Oiwake Dango in Shinjuku City, Japan
The Shinjuku district of Tokyo is famed for its metropolitan bustle and neon-lit nightlife, but that doesn’t mean it lacks historical charms. Not only is it home to quaint imperial gardens, but also a teahouse that dates back centuries. The story goes that, in 1455, samurai lord Ota Dokan stopped by in the town of Takaido on the outskirts of present-day Tokyo and was served dango dumplings at a…
Atlas Obscura
Kobe Muslim Mosque in Kobe, Japan
A major international port of post-feudal Japan, the city of Kobe was one of the first to welcome foreign visitors to the country. Soon, a sizeable foreigner district developed in the Kitano area of the city, which remains today as its main tourist attraction. While the Kitano district is known for its historic European-style houses, it is also home the only Jain temple and the oldest mosque in…
Outside
Forget National Parks, Geoparks Are the Most Underrated Hiking Spots on Earth
While national parks often separate people from the land, UNESCO Global Geoparks celebrate the relationship between human culture and the earth’s rarest geological phenomena. Here's why these 229 sites are one of the best-kept secrets in travel.
Outside
Japan Is Fighting a War Against Bears. The Bears Are Winning.
We traveled to the front lines of Japan’s battle against the moon bear, which experts say is responsible for hundreds of attacks on humans and more than a dozen deaths.
Outside
Forget D.C., These Are the Best Cherry Blossom Hikes Around the World
Cherry blossom season doesn’t have to mean jostling through city spaces with a selfie stick. These cherry blossom hikes—from Japan to the Himalaya—combine spring blooms and crowd-free scenic trails.
Atlas Obscura
Himeji Castle Shrine in Himeji, Japan
Religion and tradition are deeply connected in Japanese culture, especially with Shintoism where hundreds of not thousands of gods rule over various things. In this case, a spirit looking over Himeji castle is worshiped in the castle itself. The shrine, which is located at the top floor of the castle is dedicated to Osakabehime, a spirit or yokai who is said to be a lonely kitsune, or an illegi…
Atlas Obscura
Naramachi Nepalese Window in Nara, Japan
The Naramachi Historic District sits south of the famous Nara Park, lined with traditional wooden townhouses and steeped in tranquil, old-world charm. It’s a distinctly Japanese area, straight out of the mid-19th century. But, surprisingly, a very exotic element hides in plain sight among these townhouses, blending perfectly into traditional architecture. This hand-carved Nepalese window, with…
Atlas Obscura
Forbidden Forest at Keta Taisha Shrine in Hakui, Japan
In Japan, kinsokuchi or “tabooed land” is a sacred place, typically part of a large Shinto shrine complex, that is strictly off-limits to visits. One such sanctuary can be found at Keta Taisha, a 2,000-year-old shrine in Hakui, Ishikawa Prefecture. The Irazu-no-mori, which literally means “forbidden forest,” spreads for 3.3 hectares at the back of Keta Taisha, and has been off-limits for over 4…
Atlas Obscura
Nyan-nyan-ji in Kyoto, Japan
The Shinto religion is said to host over eight million deities that vary from nature spirits, to important historical figures, or even bunnies (link to bunny temple) However, a temple dedicated to cats still stands out. This is because it is not a temple at all, but an art project. NyanNyan-ji is the life's work of Miyano Kaya, a cat artist who bought the house and converted it to the temple yo…
Atlas Obscura
Dagashiya Game Museum in Itabashi City, Japan
Arcades are a thing of the past in most of the west but still quite alive in Japan, though mostly as modern facilities with digital games. But how did arcades look 50-100 years ago? In some places you can see for yourself. The Dagashiya Game Museum is exactly such a place, hidden away right next to a temple. It functions as a candy shop as well as a Showa-era arcade. All machines work on either…
Condé Nast Traveler
5 Must-Visit Ryokans for Your Next Trip to Japan
Ryokans are rooted in tradition, and there are plenty of historic places to choose from—but a flurry of new developments has reimagined their iconic Japanese customs
Atlas Obscura
Tozawa Goryeo Hall in Tozawa, Japan
As you drive through the scenic Japanese prefecture of Yamagata, take a detour to a place that feels wonderfully out of place. An unexpected Korean complex, complete with heavenly generals, K-pop merch, and food that will teleport your taste buds to Seoul. The roadside station for the village of Tozawa is a true cultural portal. Its name Koryo-kan (高麗館), or "Goryeo Hall," is a graceful nod to t…
Condé Nast Traveler
I Traveled to Tokyo Just to Buy Stationery—Here's How to Shop for It
There’s no one that understands the intersection of whimsy and utility quite like the Japanese.
Condé Nast Traveler
6 Must-Ski Destinations for Ikon and Epic Pass Holders Around the World
Onsen and ramen in Japan, spring skiing in Switzerland, or aprés in France? The choice is yours.
Atlas Obscura
Jo-Jo-style Bar Dio in Nakano City, Japan
The Jojo manga franchise is infamous for it's strangely dressed characters and wacky plotlines that somehow are well written. It has fans all over the world, but only one of them opened a bar themed around the franchise and crested dozens of unique drinks around the characters and their 'stands'. The bar itself is a small hole-in-the-wall type establishment, just large enough to seat about 10 p…
Atlas Obscura
Seiryu Miharashi Station in Iwakuni, Japan
Many local rural Japanese railways, struggling to cover their costs, have resorted to unique ploys to bring in tourists. Perhaps the most famous of these is the cat stationmaster at Kishi Station in Wakayama Prefecture, however many others have sprung up over time. The Nishikigawa Railway, for instance, has opened up a special station accessible only by train for passengers to appreciate the Ni…
Atlas Obscura
Imashirozuka Kofun in Takatsuki, Japan
The largest ancient kofun tomb in the Yodo River basin, the 6th-century Imashirozuka Kofun is unique in several aspects. It is likely one of the only ancient keyhole mound tombs of a Japanese emperor which one can actually walk around and climb. This is because when it was identified as the probable tomb of Emperor Keitai, the Imperial Household Agency had already assumed that he was buried in…
Condé Nast Traveler
Where to Travel in 2026, According to Your Sign
Japan, Colombia, Mexico, Finland—there's a lot to see in 2026, and your horoscope can tell you which will be the best fit.
Condé Nast Traveler
Chasing 'Marty Supreme' From the Lower East Side to Tokyo and Back Again
Timothée Chalamet plays a young, hustling table tennis player on the loose in 1950s Manhattan.
Atlas Obscura
Kifune Shrine in Kyoto, Japan
Located in a wooded gorge between Mounts Kibune and Kurama, the ancient Kifune Shrine is one of the most revered shrines in Kyoto, dedicated to the water god Taka-okami-no-kami and deeply associated with wish-making. Though it is most famed for its photogenic stairway lined with lanterns and autumn foliage, the shrine is steeped in history and folklore, both auspicious and dark. For one, Kifune…
Atlas Obscura
Egg Sandwich Laboratory Vending Machine in Atsugi, Japan
Yellow is the key to finding this obscure delight. Yellow outbuildings, yellow refrigerators, and even a Dalmatian statue with yellow spots point the way. Most importantly, there are bright yellow yolks packed into the delicious, freshly made egg salad sandwiches. The filling is so generous that the most popular item is the namesake “overflowing egg salad sandwich.” Other sandwich options inclu…
The New York Times
How Well Does Apple’s Live Translation Work for Japanese? I Tested It in Tokyo.
A non-Japanese-speaking first-time visitor used Apple’s new in-ear translation feature to connect with locals at bars, sushi classes and even a fire ritual.
Condé Nast Traveler
Unpacking With Josh Hutcherson: What He Brought on a Multi-Stop Trip to Japan
The actor on traveling to Nikko, Tokyo, and Kyoto with his girlfriend and her mom—and discovering the joy of Issey Miyake pants along the way.
Atlas Obscura
Tanuki Street in Tokyo, Japan
Tanuki Shopping Street is a tiny street in Asakusa, home to eleven Tanuki statues. Each one represents a different wish, and visitors can rub their bellies for good luck and the fulfillment of their desires. There is a statue each for good fortune, love, road safety, academics, wealth, peace at home, home security, health, beauty, victory, and friendship. The street is lined with shops and rest…
Condé Nast Traveler
17 Best Hotels and Resorts in Asia 2026 According to Our Editors
Our global editors across four continents share their favorite places to stay.
Atlas Obscura
Takachiho Gorge in Takachiho, Japan
According to Japanese legend, Takachiho Gorge located in Japan’s Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu is the place where the deity of Heaven Ninigi-no-mikoto descended to earth to establish the line of Japanese emperors. Although it shares that claim with Mount Takachiho-no-mine in Kirishima National Park, the Gorge itself has become well-know for its stunning scenery. The Gorge was formed around 100,…
Condé Nast Traveler
Expect to See These Hotels All Over Your Feed in 2026
From Venice to Kyoto and Costa Rica, it's going to be an unforgettable year for newcomers and familiar faces alike.
nytimes.com
The New York Times
A Japanese Hotel With Indoor Beaches
Risonare Shimonoseki, a new place to stay on the Kanmon Strait, has living rooms filled with sand and a restaurant that serves blowfish carpaccio.
Atlas Obscura
This Sushi Hideaway Serves Rolls With a Dominican Remix
This is a transcript of an episode of Sparked—a series from Gastro Obscura exploring how one special bite can change an entire life. Toshiyuki “Chinito” Nishio: I’m kind of nervous right now ’cause I’m—I’m with this guy right here. Taught me everything he knows. Wait, no, he taught me everything I know. He hasn't taught me everything he knows. My name is Chinito. We’re here at Daddy Ninja in Ki…
Condé Nast Traveler
7 Best Ski Resorts in Japan, Where Olympic Slopes Meet Traditional Onsens
With hundreds of inches of snowfall, gorgeous mountain views, and delicious food, these winter wonderlands pack a punch.
Condé Nast Traveler
I Base My Travels Around Perfume—Here Are 7 Cities to Visit for an Olfactory Immersion
Let your nose wander through destinations with a rich perfume history.
Atlas Obscura
Grave of Benkei in Hiraizumi, Japan
At the foot of the hill upon which sits Chūson-ji, the most important Tendai temple in northern Japan, lies the grave of one of the most legendary warriors in Japanese history. This is the story of Musashibō Benkei, a warrior monk whose strength, loyalty, and dramatic death have made him one of Japan’s most enduring folk heroes. The story of how Benkei came to be in Yoshitsune’s service is as r…
Condé Nast Traveler
The Best Time to Visit Japan for Cherry Blossoms, Fall Foliage, or Fewer Crowds
It all depends on what you'd like to get out of your trip.
Condé Nast Traveler
Ikon Pass Holders Can Now Ski 9 More Mountains in Asia
Ikon Pass just added new destinations across Japan, China, and South Korea for the 2025-26 season. Here's where to stay at each.
Condé Nast Traveler
Hiking Through the Misty Forests and Seaside Vistas of Tohoku, Japan
Writer Adam H. Graham tries out a new coastal trail that is helping reinvigorate the communities devastated by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.
Condé Nast Traveler
What to Do in Central Hokkaido, Japan's Tranquil Northern Escape
Central Hokkaido deserves a spot on your Japan itinerary—here's where to stay, what to do, and where to eat while you're there.
Atlas Obscura
Tokiwa-sō Manga Museum in Toshima City, Japan
Osamu Tezuka, known today as the “Godfather of Manga,” moved to Tokyo in 1952 to further his career. However, he was forced out of his first apartment because the landlord complained about constant visits by editors. The following year, he found another apartment at what was then the edge of Tokyo owned by Hiroyasu Katō, the son of a manga publisher. Soon, other mangaka (manga artists) also beg…