J A P A N
A N O T H E R W O R L D
J A PA N // I N T R O D U C T I O N
anothe r wo rl d A T R AV E L L E R ’ S G U I D E As travellers, we’re always searching for that pure escape. That feeling of being transported to another time, or another realm. In Japan, you have that rare example. It’s weird and wonderful. Its anything-goes cities and myth-rich wilds offering a cultural dimension all of its own, mixing extreme modernity with untouched heritage, so that even time itself seems warped. And the invitation to indulge in its dreamed-up hotels and incredible culture lies at every turn. Fascinating, beautiful, and more than a little bit eccentric, in this guide, let us show you Japan’s other world.
J A PA N // I N T R O D U C T I O N
J A PA N // O V E R V I E W
J A PA N // O V E R V I E W
Left page: Tokyo metropolis
cit y vs c o u n trysi d e URBAN DELIGHTS Whether a futuristic metropolis or a time-worn town, step into the alternate universe of Japan’s urban centres.
Frenetic, neon-clad and infinitely
NAP
mesmerising—nowhere else feels
The dizzying heights that come with
more otherworldly than Tokyo. It’s
the Aman Tokyo, an urban retreat
the drawcard of Japan’s urban milieu.
perched atop a skyscraper, are
With temples and techno clubs,
worth it for the spectacular views of
skyscrapers and postage-stamp
the city’s futuristic skyline.
restaurants; whatever your taste, Tokyo will provide.
DO An intimate cocktail tasting at Gen
EAT
Yamamoto. It’s just you eye-to-eye
Grab one of the gold-dust seats
with the prized bartender at his
at Sukiyabashi Jiro’s eponymous
tiny, no-frills bar as you sample his
and hard-to-find restaurant. Three
exemplary cocktail creations.
Michelin stars are just one of the many accolades under the sushi master’s belt.
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J A PA N // U R B A N D E L I G H T S
For a riff on Tokyo, Osaka’s vivacious cosmopolis is another high-energy option where lights flash above designer hotspots and Dotonbori’s exclusive bars and bright arcades set the scene for another galaxy of urban explorations. Its culinary prowess is well-lauded so foodies won’t be disappointed.
Left page: Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel Right page: St. Regis Osaka
EAT For out-of-this-world cuisine, head to Hajime Yoneda’s restaurant to taste intricate, experimental dishes such as ‘chikyu’ (planet earth), artfully constructed from 110 ingredients. NAP Retreat from the bustle and bunker down in cream-and-gold serenity at The St. Regis Osaka, where your room is kittedout with Egyptian cotton, marble bathrooms and rainforest showers. DO Ride the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel perched 369 feet up on top of a skyscraper. Unreal views come guaranteed.
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J A PA N // U R B A N D E L I G H T S
Hop onto a bullet train from Tokyo
EAT The 290-year-old Omi-cho
and discover Kyoto’s heritage-rich
Market is the foodie mecca. Dine on
rival. Kanazawa is a pocket of
snow crab and raw oysters plucked
urbanity in Japan’s rural West Coast
fresh from local waters or head to
brimming with old-world charm.
gourmet hotspot Sento for to-die-for
Lose yourself in its wonderfully
Szechuan-style dishes.
preserved temples, castles, and geisha districts.
Image: Beniya Mukayu Hotel
NAP Get zenned out in the nearby
DO Visit the city’s beloved Kenroku-en,
mountains in your minimalist
a stunning pond-peppered and flower-
Roykan-style room at Beniya
filled Edo period garden in the city’s
Mukayu. Indulge in the spiritual spa
heart and one of the ‘Three Great
boasting ancient treatments used by
Gardens’ of Japan.
monks to cure and heal.
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Left page: Lake Ashinoko and Mt. Fuji
J A PA N // R U R A L B L I S S
Right page (top): Matsumoto Castle Right page (bottom): Sunset in the Noto Peninsula
ci ty vs c o u n t r ys i d e RURAL BLISS From cloud-tickling peaks to remote and misty wilds, Japan’s countryside scenes have to be seen to be believed.
Red torri gates rising out of serene lakes, lush mountains shrouded in blue mist and a healthy sprinkling of steaming hot springs—it’s hard to imagine Hakone’s beauty lies just on the fringes of Tokyo’s concrete jungle. Crowned by the iconic Mt. Fuji, it’s the perfect antidote to the bustle. THE INSTAGRAM MOMENT Taking in world-class sculpture against a panoramic mountain backdrop at the Open Air Museum.
For fresh alpine air, Nagano is just a bullet train away from Tokyo and is home to some of the country’s most spellbinding mountain scenery. Hike the endless trails in summer or ski the powder-soft slopes in winter and share your après-ski hot spring with the region’s wild monkeys. THE INSTAGRAM MOMENT Catch the beautiful Matsumoto Castle in spring when it’s surrounded by a pink haze of cherry blossoms.
Rugged and dramatic, the Noto Peninsula is Japan’s raw and wild side with beguiling seascapes where Japanese aesthetics and mystics went in the search of solitude. THE INSTAGRAM MOMENT Watching the red sun as it melts into the Sea of Japan from a clifftop. J A PA N // R U R A L B L I S S
J A PA N // Z E N B O LT H O L E S
z en b o lth o les
WHERE TO REST YOUR HEAD
Sky-scraping hotels, ancient royal retreats and remote, tucked-away jewels—nowhere does luxury like Japan. Get Zen in some of our favourite hotels, onsen and ryokan.
For an extraordinary rural escape,
Surrounded by glittering skyscrapers,
minimalist Amanemu hits the
Hoshinoya’s futuristic re-imagining
mark with its modern take on the
of the traditional ryokan is Japanese
restorative ryokan. Built around hot
luxury in its finest form. Bamboo and
springs in Ise-Shima National Park,
shoji paper sliding doors come as
your room comes with mineral waters
standard in rooms fragranced with
on-tap in your private tub, and the
incense and flowers, while the rooftop
kitchen serves up a contemporary
hot spring is an oasis of tranquillity in
take on kaiseki cuisine.
the thick of Tokyo’s buzz.
From left to right: Amanemu Hoshinoya Tokyo Lamp No Yado Gôra Kadan
This ancient ryokan ringed by sea
The former retreat of the imperial
cliffs off the Noto Peninsula is a
family, Gôra Kadan is regarded as one
hidden gem. Its black lacquered roofs
of Hakone’s most indulgent ryokan
and interiors are beautifully framed
boltholes. A stay here is an invitation
by brilliant blue waves that swirl and
to immerse yourself in ancient
collide from every window, pool, onsen
Japanese opulence. Just lie back in
and private balcony; you’ll feel like
your private open-air stone bath and
you’ve reached the end of the earth
you’ll get the idea.
itself here. J A PA N // Z E N B O LT H O L E S
J A PA N // B E F O R E Y O U G O
before yo u g o THERE AND BACK
For lovely temperatures and out-of-this-world scenery, it’s best to visit in spring when you can try to catch the cherry blossoms, or autumn when leaves flood the landscapes red and gold. Summers are very hot and humid so are best avoided.
You can fly direct to Tokyo from most US airports and some airports also offer nonstop flights to Osaka. Flight time to Tokyo is 14 hours from New York and 11 hours from Los Angeles.
BY CAR Only main roads are marked by romanji, Japanese in Romanised lettering, so car hire is suitable only for day trips in rural areas. We recommend getting the train, or a private car hire. Taxis are easy to catch in the cities and come with automatic door-opening systems. BY TRAIN This is by far the easiest way to travel. The cities are well-connected by trains with the efficiency that is the hallmark of Japanese service, while super-fast Shinkansen bullet trains make reaching the incredible countryside an experience in itself.