Japan is a country of deep traditions and modern sophistication, offering experiences beyond the ordinary. From cultural landmarks to dining at the restaurants of renowned chefs, the country caters to those seeking something truly exceptional. Whether exploring iconic sites with insider privileges, discovering unique culinary experiences, or immersing in rare, off-the-beaten-path encounters, Japan rewards the discerning traveller. This guide highlights expert tips to help you experience the country in a way that is both authentic and extraordinary.
Must-See Destinations
Major cities
Japan seamlessly blends tradition and modernity, offering a wealth of experiences for discerning travellers. From world-class dining and luxury shopping to serene cultural retreats and breathtaking landscapes, each city presents a unique charm.
Tokyo is a city of contrasts, ultramodern skyscrapers standing tall beside centuries-old shrines. Luxury shopping thrives in Ginza, while cultural gems like the Mori Art Museum and teamLab Planets showcase the best artistic innovation. The city boasts more Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere else, with elite omakase sushi counters and refined kaiseki experiences. For a discreet luxury escape, explore hidden cocktail bars in Roppongi or unwind in a private hotel suite overlooking the skyline near the Marunouchi district. Yokohama, a short distance from Tokyo, blends international influences with Japanese refinement and its waterfront Minato Mirai district offers five-star hotels, high-end shopping, and fine dining. The Landmark Tower’s 69th-floor observatory provides stunning panoramic views, while a cruise along the illuminated harbourfront offers an unforgettable evening experience.
Fukuoka, the gateway to Kyushu, Japan’s south island, blends history, coastal charm, and modern attractions - Kushida Shrine and the ruins of Fukuoka Castle offer glimpses into Japan’s feudal past, while the Seaside Momochi district features waterfront luxury. The city's famed Hakata ramen is best enjoyed in a yatai (street stall) setting. Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, combines urban elegance with natural beauty and offers gourmet seafood. The annual Sapporo Snow Festival transforms the city into a winter wonderland, best viewed through strolling through it where one can admire the intricately carved ice and snow sculptures when it’s illuminated, creating a magical winter spectacle against the city’s crisp, snowy backdrop.
Natural wonders
Japan’s natural landscapes offer a striking contrast to its vibrant cities, from volcanic peaks to pristine coastlines and lush forests. Whether seeking adventure or tranquillity, these breathtaking destinations provide an escape into Japan’s most scenic wonders.
Mount Fuji is Japan’s most iconic peak, and at its most luxurious when experienced through a private helicopter tour, guided treks within its surrounding forests, or admiring its majesty through a secluded lakeside retreat with floor-to-ceiling views of the mountain. Nearby, choose to indulge in a bespoke wine-tasting session across a few vineyards. Hakone, a renowned onsen destination, offers luxury ryokan stays with private open-air baths, scenic boat cruises on Lake Ashi, and panoramic aerial views from the Hakone Ropeway. Art lovers can explore the Hakone Open-Air Museum, home to impressive sculptures set against the backdrop of mountainous landscapes.
Okinawa’s islands provide a tropical retreat, where private yacht charters reveal hidden beaches, and diving excursions in Ishigaki uncover vibrant coral reefs. Wind down at The Ritz-Carlton in Okinawa, where spa rituals using native botanicals offer a wellness experience inspired by the island’s renowned longevity culture. Yakushima, a UNESCO-listed island in Kagoshima Prefecture, is an untouched paradise of thousand-year-old cedar forests, misty waterfalls, and moss-covered trails. Hike to Jōmon Sugi, Japan’s oldest tree, or retreat to the island’s only luxury accommodation offering, Sankara Hotel & Spa, where villa-style accommodations blend luxury with nature.
Tottori Sand Dunes offer Japan’s most surreal desert-like landscape, stretching along the Sea of Japan coast - explore this shifting terrain through camel rides, sandboarding, or private photography tours. Nearby, the Sand Museum showcases intricate sculptures crafted from sand by international artists. Kamikōchi, a breathtaking alpine valley in the Northern Japan Alps, offers pristine rivers, serene hiking trails, and views of the Hotaka Mountain Range. A stay at the Kamikōchi Imperial Hotel, with its fine dining and private balconies overlooking the mountains, provides the ultimate retreat in nature.
Cultural sites
Japan’s rich cultural heritage is reflected in its centuries-old temples, sacred shrines, and UNESCO World Heritage sites - each location offers a window into the country’s profound traditions, architectural mastery, and spiritual significance that dates back many years ago.
Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, is a breathtaking Zen temple covered in gold leaf, reflecting beautifully over a tranquil pond - take a stroll through its immaculately landscaped gardens and revel in a moment of peaceful contemplation. Fushimi Inari Shrine, with its thousands of vermilion torii gates, creates one of Japan’s most recognisable paths - a private guided tour allows one to absorb the deeper spiritual significance of this sacred Shinto site, best experienced at sunrise or twilight for a more intimate atmosphere.
Tōdai-ji Temple in Nara, home to the Great Buddha, is a stunning architectural feat dating back to the 8th century, where the temple grounds also feature towering warrior statues and the historic Nigatsudō Hall. Nearby, the city’s sacred deer roam around Nara Park, considered messengers of the gods, adding a whimsical charm. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima Prefecture stands as a powerful tribute to World War 2 history, with the Genbaku Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum offering a deeply moving experience - a private historian-led tour provides an insightful look into the city’s transformation from tragedy to resilience.
The historic villages of Shirakawa-gō, set in the remote Gifu mountains, offer a glimpse into Japan’s rural heritage with their gasshō-zukuri farmhouses, best visited in winter when blanketed in snow and illuminated in brilliant lighting. Ise Shrine, Japan’s most sacred Shinto site, follows an ancient renewal tradition where its structures are rebuilt every 20 years - walking through the surrounding forests and experiencing a traditional purification ritual deepens the connection to Japan’s spiritual heart.
Culinary Experiences
Dining in Japan is an art form, where precision, seasonality, and hospitality come together to create an unforgettable experience. Michelin-starred omakase counters to intimate kaiseki retreats and exclusive private dining options abound in the country, offering a wealth of refined culinary experiences for discerning travellers. However, with strict reservation policies and deep-rooted traditions in dining etiquette, navigating Japan’s world of fine dining requires both insight and access.
Dining etiquette in Japan
Dining in Japan is deeply rooted in etiquette, enhancing the experience through respect and tradition. Chopsticks should never be stuck upright in rice, as this resembles a funeral ritual, nor used to pass food directly - always use serving utensils instead. Pacing is key in omakase and kaiseki meals; following the chef’s rhythm ensures an optimal experience. Tipping is optional - instead, a polite bow or saying gochisousama deshita (thank you for the meal) is appreciated. Many traditional restaurants require removing shoes before entering tatami rooms, and, unlike Western tradition, slurping your noodles in ramen restaurants is encouraged, signifying enjoyment and appreciation.
Exceptional dining experiences
Japan’s fine dining scene is built on craftsmanship, exclusivity, and precision. Michelin-starred sushi omakase is one of many pinnacle experiences in Japan, with revered sushi masters at Sukiyabashi Jiro, Sushi Saito, and Sushi Yoshitake serving meticulously prepared edomae-style sushi at intimate counters. These highly sought-after experiences require expert timing and access, as many venues only accept reservations from repeat guests or trusted introducers.
For a more elaborate culinary journey, kaiseki dining in Kyoto presents Japan’s haute cuisine at its finest - restaurants like Kitcho Arashiyama and the 400-year-old Hyotei craft multi-course meals that reflect the season’s essence, served in elegant, tranquil settings. Meanwhile, innovative fine dining continues to evolve: Tokyo’s Narisawa pioneers sustainable gastronomy, Den in Shibuya reinterprets Japanese flavours with creativity and humour, and a discreet kaiseki experience at Kagurazaka Ishikawa in Tokyo opens doors to truly personalised encounters with Japan’s refined culinary world.
Securing reservations at your favourite restaurants
Japan’s most exclusive restaurants often require referrals or prioritise repeat guests, making reservations challenging without the right connections. Luxury hotel concierges at properties like Aman, Ritz-Carlton, or the Four Seasons can facilitate bookings, as can private dining platforms such as Tableall and Pocket Concierge. Alternatively, a luxury travel company such as fourwinds provides insider access through established relationships with our Japan partners. Many elite restaurants operate on a shokunin (artisan) loyalty system, favouring trusted patrons - booking through a well-connected concierge can help bypass this restriction. Flexibility also increases success rates: opting for lunch over dinner, choosing counter seats, or considering the chef’s secondary restaurant can improve availability.
Unique Experiences
Beyond its breathtaking landscapes and refined cuisine, Japan offers immersive experiences that provide insight into its vibrant culture and timeless traditions. From centuries-old festivals to contemporary art events, these exclusive encounters allow travellers to engage with Japan in a way that is both profound and unforgettable.
Festivals and events
Japan’s festivals blend history, tradition, and vibrant celebrations. From Kyoto’s grand processions to immersive contemporary art events at the Seto Inland Sea, each event offers an exclusive window into the country’s cultural abundance.
Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, one of Japan’s oldest and most prestigious festivals, takes place in July each year and features the Yamaboko Junko parade, where towering, intricately decorated floats glide through Kyoto’s historic streets. The Awa Odori in Tokushima Prefecture every August transforms the city into a spectacle of rhythmic folk dances, performers donned in colourful yukata while moving in sync with taiko drums and shamisen music.
The Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido every February turns the city into a frozen wonderland, where colossal ice sculptures and illuminated installations line the city’s Odori Park, creating a magical winter spectacle against the city’s crisp, snowy backdrop. The summer spectacle that is the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival in Niigata Prefecture every August showcases some of Japan’s most elaborate pyrotechnic displays, best viewed from a riverside setting with a drink in hand.
For contemporary art in Japan, the Setouchi Triennale is held once every three years and transforms the Seto Inland Sea into an open-air museum, with avant-garde art installations and guided tours of Naoshima, Teshima, Inujima and in some editions of the Triennale, Shodoshima. Lastly, Izumo Taisha’s Kamiari Festival in Shimane Prefecture every November offers a glimpse into one of Japan’s grandest Shinto traditions - priests perform ancient ceremonies with extraordinary precision, symbolising the quiet but powerful moment when Japan's eight million shinto gods convene to shape the forthcoming year's human experiences.
Cultural activities
Japan’s cultural heritage extends beyond historic landmarks - it thrives in daily rituals, craftsmanship, and immersive experiences, ranging from intimate tea ceremonies to artisan workshops and unique wellness traditions. These cultural encounters offer a deeper connection to Japan’s refined traditions.
A private tea ceremony in Kyoto provides a meditative experience with a certified teamaster, guiding guests through the art of chado (the Way of Tea) in a historic machiya townhouse or secluded garden teahouse. For a glimpse into Japan’s oldest sport, a morning sumo training session in Tokyo grants access to a sumo stable, where audiences watch sumo wrestlers practice rigorous rituals rooted in Shinto tradition: the experience can also be paired with a chanko-nabe meal, a sumo wrestler’s staple dish.
For those interested in craftsmanship, an Edo Kiriko workshop in Tokyo unveils the intricate art of Japanese glass-cutting, where guests can create their own geometric-patterned glassware. In the city of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, enjoying a refined dinner while being entertained by geisha in the town’s historic Higashi Chaya district offers an intimate evening of refined performances, music, and traditional hospitality. A shukubō temple stay in Koyasan, Wakayama Prefecture provides a serene retreat, allowing guests to partake in Buddhist morning prayers, fire rituals, and shojin ryori, the elegant vegetarian cuisine of monks. To unwind, a black sand bath in Ibusuki, Kagoshima offers a rare volcanic sand therapy experience, where guests are buried in warm mineral-rich sand while gazing at ocean views.
Embark on an unforgettable journey tailored just for you! Contact fourwinds today to curate your bespoke travel experience in Japan, where every detail is designed to reflect your unique tastes and desires.
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