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For centuries, Hakone has been a destination for people to relax and enjoy its famous onsens (natural hot springs). Just over an hour away from Tokyo, it’s an easy getaway from the city and has numerous activities to enjoy including hiking, art museums, traditional craft-making and all its delicious local food. Enjoy these sties to see!

For centuries, Hakone has been a destination for people to relax and enjoy its famous onsens (natural hot springs). Just over an hour away from Tokyo, it’s an easy getaway from the city and has numerous activities to enjoy including hiking, art museums, traditional craft-making and all its delicious local food. Enjoy my afternoon food adventure!

For centuries, Hakone has been a destination for people to relax and enjoy its famous onsens (natural hot springs). Just over an hour away from Tokyo, it’s an easy getaway from the city and has numerous activities to enjoy including hiking, art museums, traditional craft-making and all its delicious local food. Enjoy my morning food adventure!

Otsukimi (お月見), also known as Tsukimi (月見) or Jugoya (十五夜), literally translates into “moon viewing” in Japanese and is a festival dedicated to enjoying the autumn moonlight.

Kanagawa (神奈川), located on Honshu (本州) island, is the second largest prefecture in Japan. Bordering Tokyo to the south, it's home to beautiful landscapes, beaches, cities and religious sites, making it an ideal getaway for vacationers, tourists and locals.

Tea etiquette is vital in Japan: from the intricate details of the traditional tea ceremony to casually serving guests in your home. There are subtle rules, for the server and the guest, that have been passed down through generations and have become ingrained in Japanese tea culture.  

Kyushu (九州) – Japan’s southernmost mainland island has arguably the most sought after and unique cuisine anywhere in Japan. This is due to a multitude of factors, but most importantly their Chinese immigrant influence, geothermal phenomenon, and historic availability of coastal and deep-sea fishing due to their numerous ports.

One of Japan’s most enjoyable, but at first intimidating, traditions is that of the onsen (温泉). A literal public naked bath, often times outdoors, is hailed for its mystifying rejuvenating and cleansing properties.

From the rolling hills of native flowers to lava and ash covered mountains to mystic and fog covered towns, Kyushu is truly a world unique to its own.  

As with so many things in Japan, some of the most treasured experiences are often the simplest. These philosophies are particularly true of the traditional Japanese Buddhist cuisine known as shojin ryori. These vegetarian and often vegan meals are not only for devout Buddhist monks, but are a highlight for anyone visiting ancient places such as Kyoto where they can be enjoyed within the Buddhist temples themselves.

The giving of gifts in Japan is an important cultural and traditional ritual with as much attention paid to how and when the gift is presented as to the actual gift itself. From holidays, to business meetings, returning from a trip, to visiting someone's house, the etiquette of gift giving in Japan is a symbol of your relationship and a way of showing respect and gratitude to the recipient.     

Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost prefecture of Japan. With a culture uniquely its own, these tropical islands have been strongly influenced through trade with China, Japan, Korea and other Southeast Asian countries.