Published 12th Dec. 2023
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On a trip to Japan, our Asia specialist Holly sampled some of the country’s traditional delights. In the likes of Tokyo, Koyasan and Hida Furukawa she explored temples, indulged in Japanese cuisine, cycled through cities and watched some impressive mother-of-pearl silk weaving. Want to find out more? Read on for the highlights from her trip.
I travelled all over Japan in my three weeks there: the capital city Tokyo; the little old town of Hida Furukawa; the city of Takayama, up in the mountains; the seaside cities of Kamakura and Kanazawa; the former capital, Kyoto; the temple town of Koyasan; and the popular town of Hakone, which is famous for its hot springs.
So much – I sampled some traditional Japanese food and drink during a cooking class, food tour, tea ceremony and sake tasting. I also got to see some amazing temples and gardens on walking tours and unwound during a Zen meditation. Some other quintessential Japanese activities included a swordsmith demo, mother-of-pearl silk weaking and an incense ceremony.
Going back to the place I lived for three years... 27 years ago! As well as revisiting my favourite spots, I saw some of Kyoto’s temples that I’d missed out on before. The mother-of-pearl silk weaving was also amazing – this is where they weave mother-of-pearl shells into kimono fabric to create incredible iridescent art. It was something I’ve never seen before, so it was really special to experience.
Hida Furukawa is lovely little town, well preserved and off the beaten track. The food is fabulous, and you can do some great cycling and cultural tours. Another secret spot was ‘Kyoto by the Sea’, which includes the amazing views of Amanohashidate and the Tango Peninsula. And finally, there’s Koyasan, not as much of a hidden gem as the other spots but it’s still not on the average itinerary and is well worth a visit.
Onigiri – seasoned rice wrapped in seaweed. So simple but so good, I had it for lunch almost every day. My kaiseki dinner in Amanohashidate was also amazing. These traditional multi-course meals are considered the haute cuisine of Japan and feature an array of beautifully plated Japanese dishes.
I updated my knowledge on the logistics of Japanese train and bus travel, as well as testing out lots of great new tours.
The temples of Kyoto are a really popular spot (for good reason!) that can’t be missed if you’re in Japan. Specialised tours are also great, as they get you right below the surface of Japanese culture. If you want more confidence to try traditional Japanese food, then I’d also highly recommend joining a food tour.
Make sure your mobile phone has been set up to allow you to browse the internet in Japan – this is absolutely essential for self-guided transfers. Also, pack light! Lugging heavy luggage between train stations and hotels can be a pain, and there’s limited room on the trains themselves.
Whether you’re a family seeking Tokyo’s futuristic museums or a couple wishing to relax in Hokkaido’s onsens, we’ve got you covered. Our consultants have first-hand experience of living in Japan, so we know the secret spots off the beaten track (and how to reach them). Train travel is the best and most efficient way to explore the country, and wherever you visit, getting to grips with Japan’s diverse culture is a must. We work with guides who provide in-depth experiences on the history of Samurai or Geisha culture, and we have hand-picked traditional ryokan properties to rest your head in.
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