Japan

There’s no city on earth quite like Tokyo. In between monster robots and ancient shrines, you can see classic art performances, visit world-class galleries and gardens, meet local artists and ceramicists, go behind-the-scenes with Sumo wrestlers, or simply shop back-alley shops, speakeasies and teahouses. There’s no wrong way to go. Cap it off legendary meals, from sushi to soba noodles, from Michelin-starred meals to seasonal dishes made to perfection at a back-alley izakaya.

Next up, head to Kyoto for a continued masterclass in craft and further acquainted with the Japanese way of life. Visit temples and participate in meditations and tea ceremonies, wander sprawling Zen gardens immersed in sinuous leafy foliage, learn the ancient art of shodo calligraphy, drop by a miso brewery, have a meal with a Geisha—as in Tokyo, your itinerary can be as full as you want it to be.

For the artfully minded, don’t miss out on Japan’s iconic Art Islands. First, take a ferry to Naoshima, the once-sleepy fishing island that’s now a destination for art pilgrims the world over. Tackle the dozens of museums and art projects that adorn the island, turning every new path, corner, and horizon into something unexpected. It’s a short ferry to Teshima, the “island of abundance” and another of Japan’s renowned art islands. Explore, admire the art, peddle a bike through the open-air exhibits—this is art appreciation at its most elevated.

Deepen any journey into serenity with a stopover in Miyazu, settling into your own traditional Japanese ryokan inn. Usher in your tranquility with monk-led meditations, mountain-top temples, investigating the workings of rice vinegar and wine and admire the fabled “Three Views of Japan” from its gentle, sleepy shoreline.

The last leg of a true Japan experience takes you south, to Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture in Japan, scattered in the South China Sea. Once an independent kingdom, it boasts its own history, cuisine, culture and music. For those curious about the Japanese crafts of salt, awamori, ceramic pottery and umami flavor profiles, Okinawa is not to be missed.

Osaka has a reputation as the culinary heart of Japan. The reputation is built on its concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants (99 at last count), its excellent street-food scene, its openness to foreign cuisines (in this case, mainly Korean), and two delicious indigenous snacks: okonomiyaki (yam-flour pancakes filled with seafood, pork, kimchi) and tako yaki (octopus doughnuts). If you love Japanese cuisine, Osaka is the perfect destination to linger in and savor.