Japan

Exclusive guide to the best holiday destinations in Japan, independent reviews from award-winning travel writers

Ultimate Guide to Setouchi

Ultimate Guide to Setouchi. Discover the wonders of the Seto Inland Sea.

In his Guide to Setouchi, Rupert Parker travels 300km west to east along the Seto Inland Sea.

Read the full story here
hikes through the heart of Shizuoka

Guide to hikes through the heart of Shizuoka. Join an immersive journey.

Rupert Parker takes to the old roads as he hikes through the heart of Shizuoka

Read the full story here
Hotel Chinzanso

Hotel Chinzanso. A wonderful serene retreat in bustling Tokyo

Rupert Parker finds an oasis of calm at Hotel Chinzanso  in Tokyo.

Read the full story here
Conrad Hotel Osaka room shot

Conrad Hotel Osaka. Immerse yourself in glamour in Osaka.

In a city which is all about business and a tad short on glamour, the Conrad Hotel Osaka is an oasis, adding the dose of cosmopolitan elan one expects from establishments in Hilton’s top tier.

Read the full story here
Rupert Parker enjoys thermal baths in his guide to Onsens in Kyushu

Guide to Onsens in Kyushu Japan

The seismic activity means that there are hot springs everywhere, greatly prized for their medicinal properties by the Japanese, offering treatment for diverse ailments such as anaemia, poor blood circulation, and liver trouble.

Read the full story here
Hiroshima and the Setouchi Region Torii Gate with pilgrims

Hiroshima and the Setouchi Region

It’s dusk as I make my way down to the Motoyasu River to see the iconic Genbaku Dome, the shell of the Industrial Promotion Hall, preserved exactly as it was left after the blast.

Read the full story here