Nikko combines some of Japan’s most ornate shrines with dramatic mountain scenery, all within easy reach of Tokyo. The gilded Toshogu, ancient temples, a sacred bridge and the highland lakes

A guide to Odori Park, the green heart of Sapporo and home of the famous Snow Festival.

Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, is a modern, spacious city laid out on a grid unlike anywhere else in Japan. Its green spine, Odori Park, and a handful of historic

Okinawa’s beaches are the reason many travellers come in the first place. Warm, clear water and powder-soft sand stretch along the main island and out to the surrounding islets, with

Okinawa is Japan’s tropical south, a chain of subtropical islands with their own Ryukyu culture, cuisine and pace of life. Naha makes the natural base, with history, shopping and beaches

Explore Owakudani, the steaming volcanic valley above Hakone famous for its sulphur vents, ropeway views, and black eggs.

Beyond Toshogu, Nikko’s sacred mountain holds a wider complex of temples and shrines that together form the World Heritage site. Rinno-ji and Futarasan Shrine are the other great pillars, set

Sakae is Nagoya’s vibrant downtown, where the city shops, dines and comes alive after dark. Department stores, underground malls, izakaya and the landmark TV Tower cluster here, making it the

Sankeien is a spacious traditional Japanese garden in southern Yokohama, opened to the public in 1906 by Hara Sankei, a wealthy silk trader. Spread across a hillside around a central

A guide to Sapporo’s legendary miso ramen, fresh Hokkaido seafood, and local specialties.