Newsletter 1: April 2021

Japan, A Tradition of Innovation

Japan is one of the most beautiful qualities of its traditional hot spring countries to explore. Its phenomenal onsen baths. As a destination for a landscapes are matched by the “wellcation,” Japan is second to none tranquility of its temples and soothing and offers a range of possibilities, from contemporary to traditional. Here we have rounded up our eight exciting experiences for you to enjoy. We invite you to travel beyond the city limits of Tokyo, with its contemporary While we will miss you this summer, buildings, to the glorious regions we promise that our time apart will beyond, all of which have their insider make travel experiences all the more secrets. exciting when cross-border travel is resumed. We are looking forward to We encourage you to discover Japan’s seeing you in Japan. traditions and innovations both on and off the beaten track.

Relaxation Art

Hot Springs Hotels Spotlight: Kengo Kuma in Tokyo

An abundance of modern and Quiet and contemporary, serene and traditional hot spring onsen baths is minimal, with a clean-lined mix of scattered across the landscape of natural materials and quality Japan’s mountainous archipelago, craftsmanship – the work of Japanese from north to south. architect Kengo Kuma is often instantly recognizable. And visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding where to stay As Tokyo counts down to the Olympic overnight – with offerings including Games this July, an impressive traditional ryokan inns steeped in showcase of Kuma’s work will take history and a new wave of onsen center stage in the form of the New design hotels. National Stadium. The gently curved stadium consists of countless layered At the traditional end of the spectrum is eaves of light wood. Nishimuraya Honkan, a ryokan dating back 150 years situated in the It has been dubbed the Timber atmospheric hot spring town of Temple, with wood sourced from Kinosaki, in Hyogo Prefecture – home Japan’s 47 prefectures, and has a to exquisite seasonal gardens and circular rooftop walkway packed with relaxing soaking waters. greenery (with Mount Fuji views on a clear day).

Gora Kadan in Hakone’s (Kanagawa Kuma’s admirers, however, need not Prefecture) dense green mountains, confine themselves to the new not far from Mount Fuji – once an stadium: countless examples of his Imperial family retreat – also ticks all work are scattered across the capital the traditional boxes, along with a and beyond, showcasing his quietly luxurious dose of five-star omotenashi modern take on traditional Japanese hospitality (pick a room with a private aesthetics. outdoor onsen). One project by Kengo Kuma and Meanwhile, a more contemporary Associates is Iittala Omotesando store onsen experience is showcased at the and café, a head-turning new Tokyo recently opened Hoshino Resorts KAI flagship for the progressive Finnish Kirishima, a luxury hot spring hotel, design brand, which has just opened complete with a scenic onsen in the Omotesando district in bathhouse in a field of silvergrass. A February. modern take on a traditional ryokan, the hotel – a mesh of contemporary A blend of Finnish and Japanese design and natural materials – spans aesthetics, the minimal Nordic- the slopes of Mount Takachiho inspired space is home to expanses of Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park, in natural woods and lighting fixtures Kyushu’s onsen-rich Oita Prefecture. with glass parts, mouth-blown at Iittala’s factory in Finland, alongside The 49 guestrooms blend modern interlocking chidori-style timber and a minimalism with warm touches of curated collection of iconic Iittala regional craftsmanship, as reflected in design pieces. the clay bed headboards of volcanic white soil known as shirasu, depicting Another nearby Kuma creation is a a contemporary motif inspired by the museum surrounded by forest located surrounding mountains. along the approach to Meiji Jingu, one of Japan’s most important shrines Organically textured white wall (near the Harajuku end of guestroom lamps are also made from Omotesando). local Satsuma washi paper, while guests can also slip into 100 per cent Designed to “dissolve” into the flax yukata gowns and use traditional surrounding greenery, Meiji Jingu cotton furoshiki textiles as bags during Museum is a serene mesh of angular their stay. roofing with tapered edges and clean- lined walls of glass plus yamato-bari Center stage, however, are no doubt wood paneling outer walls. the views: guestroom beds face an entire wall of windows, framing Another more established Kuma soothing views of the surrounding structure can be found a short walk forests and grass plains, with the from Omotesando: SunnyHills, a distinct form of famed volcano pineapple cake store, complete with Sakurajima in the distance. an intricate bamboo basket-inspired façade, constructed from 5,000 meters Another modern gem is Amanemu, a of wooden strips. rural outpost of Aman Resorts on a forested hilltop near the sea in Mie Prefecture. Here, life revolves around Meanwhile, one of Kuma’s latest onsen-soaking – the hotel is home to ventures - opening this October – is private baths in clean-lined Kerry Hill- the International House of Literature at designed pavilions and an expansive Tokyo’s Waseda University, dedicated hot spring complex in its world-class to the works of perhaps Japan’s spa. greatest living writer: Haruki Murakami. Meanwhile, Asaba – a 17th century sanctuary in Shuzenji on the Izu Spanning six stories, the sugar cube- Peninsula (Shizuoka Prefecture) – like building – also home to a café – is straddles past and present. The wrapped in flowing waves of pale traditional setting (tatami mat floor, bamboo, with interior glass ceiling sliding screens, ikebana blooms) panels, swathes of blonde woods and wraps around a pond, with private floating staircases. More than a place onsen bathing plus timeless to read books, the space has been contemporary touches from a Lee Ufan created to encourage discussion, painting to the lines of a Harry Bertoia philosophical thinking and friendly chair. interactions.

Relaxation Relaxation The Charm of Setouchi Luxury Cruise Train 1000-year-old temples, tidal torii The Kyushu Railway Company that gates, art islands, elegant gardens, created the Seven Stars has come up folk houses, castle towns, soaring with a new sightseeing train, the mountains, yawning gorges, hot enigmatically named 36+3. springs, scenic straits, pristine beaches, finless porpoise and Designed by Eiji Mitooka who also peregrine falcon – Setouchi is one of created the ultra-luxurious Seven Stars Japan's most bountiful regions. sleeper train, it features a copper bar Spread over seven prefectures and carriage, cabins with shoji screen 350 islands scattered in the Seto doors, intricate lattice wood paneling Inland Sea, the Setouchi Islands, that and tatami flooring – all encased in are situated within Setonaikai National sleek black and gold paint. Park, can easily be visited on a day trip from Osaka or Hiroshima but with It's a jewel box on wheels with white- so much to see it's worth sticking gloved staff. It has six carriages, around a while longer. transports up to 103 passengers and the design of private cabins and seats For an authentic local experience try a differs between each carriage. holiday rental from newly established Japanese company Setouchi Cominca Gliding through all seven of Kyushu's Stays, which has a selection of prefectures along five different routes, historically important homes (including passengers can book a seat for a Ori, a Meiji-era miso factory single day, hop on and off on different townhouse in Uchiko) on its books, all days or cover the full five-day loop. of them between 100 and 250-years old. Japanese and Italian-style dishes prepared by local restaurants using Cominca's emphasis is on ingredients sourced along the train’s preservation; safeguarding the style path – can be added, with different and structure of each building. menus available on each route. Also Meanwhile this helps create jobs and changing daily is the scenery; on the boost tourism to lesser-visited parts of Hakata to Kumamoto to Kagoshima- Japan such as the historic merchant Chuo line you'll travel along the town of Uchiko, known for its splendid beautiful blue coastline. kabuki theater, with streets barely altered in 100 years. The word From Miyazaki to Beppu you can ogle "Cominca” (Kominka is the Japanese local farms, gold sand coves, and way to spell out) means a traditional steam emanating from hot spring Japanese style house. It comes from towns. Monday's run from Hakata the word “Ko” which means old, and takes in rippling rice fields, sea caves “Minka” which means a private house. and pottery towns, and ends in It is a combination of the two words. Kyushu's dynamic capital Nagasaki (don't miss the chance to tuck into a Setouchi Cominca has three homes in big bowl of champon, a favorite local the area. The first, Kozako-Mori is an ramen dish; buttery, bold and 100-year old farmhouse with an swimming with pork slices, seafood outdoor living area with a firepit for and fresh vegetables). Car 3 sells sunshine-y breakfasts and after-dark snacks, sake and souvenirs but there barbecues. Chojaya dates back 200 are also stops along the way to allow years and was once the fanciest guests to visit tourist sites and shop for house in the village. local artisanal products. Services run all year round. It has a mountain location, spectacular views of the sunset and a bathtub big enough for a couple of sumo wrestlers. And Furosen House in the Valley of the Hermit, is a historic home ringed by thick stone walls in the depths of a remote valley.

For long walks, bicycle rides, leaf- peeping and birdsong book the Shobara house, ringed by rice fields, apple farms and rippling mountains. And if you are concerned that history means few home comforts, take heart since luxurious modern touches have been applied by stealth so inside wooden walls and behind shoji screens you'll find soaking tubs and electronic toilets in the bathrooms, fitted kitchens and fast wi-fi. Private chefs can also be arranged at all of the properties.

" Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding where to stay overnight –with offerings including traditional ryokan inns steeped in history and a new wave of onsen design hotels. "

Photo by ©

Cities Tradition & Cities

Super On the samurai trail in Aizu- Wakamatsu

Good news for Nintendo fans around Famed for its samurai history, Aizu- the world: Japan’s long-awaited Super Wakamatsu is having a moment. Nintendo World theme park opened its At its heart – both symbolically and doors in Osaka this spring. geographically – is Tsuruga Castle from the 14th century. Wander the , located within surrounding streets and get lost in a Universal Studios Japan, brings to life maze of cobbled alleys, pretty gardens for the first time a raft of cult Nintendo and torii shrine gates, spliced with award-winning sake makers and games and characters, ranging from dainty tea houses. real life Kart rides to Bowser’s castle. Elsewhere, you'll find Ouchijuku, an ancient post town where samurai used Nintendo’s first foray into the world of to stop on the long annual walks theme parks, the entire space is required to pay respect to the designed as an interactive game, with shogunate in Tokyo. visitors able to purchase a smartphone-linked Power Up Band The tiny town's Edo-era cottages, upon entry, enabling them to collect shops and minshuku (Japanese inns), virtual coins and play against enemy with their wood-paneled walls and characters. chunky thatched roofs, have been beautifully preserved and contain a Visitors arrive by walking through a variety of fascinating museums and large green pipe that leads to the sensational soba noodle restaurants. ornate lobby of Princess Peach’s castle. Once inside, a key highlight is It's all at its most magical in winter : Koopa’s (Bowser’s) blanketed in a thick coat of snow. And Challenge!, a ride that involves then there's Aizu's martial arts scene. donning AR goggles while travelling in Wannabe warriors can try their hand a four-seater vehicle, hurling turtle at kendo bamboo sword fighting at the shells and overturning opponents’ cars. martial arts school Butokuden or undertake samurai training at the Aizu Other attractions include the Yoshi Clan Samurai School, where Adventure, which allows visitors to take instruction covers everything from part in a treasure hunt for eggs while kyudo-archery, to calligraphy, to zen riding on the famed dinosaur following meditation and tea ceremonies. Captain (known as Captain Kinopio in Japan). And when you need to rest your weary bones, you'll find no shortage of Visitors can take selfies with a colorful magical hot springs – the kind that cast of characters (there is a meet and don't stink of sulphur. At Ashinomaki greet with the cult twins Mario and train station, you can bathe your feet Luigi among others) and refuel with in steamy pools while waiting for your Nintendo-themed treats at Kinopio’s ride. Or for a longer rest stop, stay at Café such as Mario Burgers and Super the Ookawaso Hot Springs Resort, Mushroom Pizza Bowls. which has a wonderful location cleaved into the hillside above the Nintendo fans unable to travel in Ookawa River. Osaka in person can still virtually explore the park – with a recently Spacious river view rooms come in released digital walkthrough on the Japanese or Western style and there website. An interactive online map can are nightly recitals of traditional guide virtual visitors through the park, Japanese music in the lobby. But it is exploring various rides as well as the hotel's sensational collection of facilities such as cafes and gift shops. onsen which steal the show, with dozens of indoor and outdoor pools, Legendary Nintendo game designer some set on terraces amid the pine and creator Shigeru trees and maples with the sound of Miyamoto has also led a video tour the river rushing below. through Super Nintendo World, offering overseas fans a further glimpse inside the attraction.

Nintendo fans unable to travel in Osaka in person can still virtually explore the park – with a recently released digital walkthrough on the website. An interactive online map can guide virtual visitors through the park, exploring various rides as well as facilities such as cafes and gift shops.

Legendary Nintendo game designer and Super Mario creator has also led a video tour through Super Nintendo World, offering overseas fans a further glimpse inside the attraction.

Cuisine Outdoor & Nature

The secret of Longevity: How to Enjoy Hanami (cherry fermented food, sake and blossom viewing) amazake

Fermented foods might be one of the Skyscrapers, sumo, sushi – and world's latest wellness crazes but there sakura. Perhaps one of the most is evidence that these tangy health- enduring symbols of Japan are the giving dishes have been staples of the pale pink sakura cherry blossoms that Japanese diet since the 8th century. annually burst into cloud-like bloom across the country. Dishes such as miso (a soybean paste), nattō (sticky round soybeans) The cherry blossom season has long and amazake (rice koji porridge) are been a highlight of the Japanese packed with millions of beneficial calendar – and it’s worth booking a probiotic gut bacteria, as well as flight now in order to witness the most vitamins, minerals and folic acid and picturesque time of year in Japan in are thought to contribute to Japanese person next spring. citizens' extraordinary longevity – Okinawa, in southern Japan, has the The season commences as early as highest number of centenarians found January in southernmost Okinawa anywhere in the world, as well as the before slowly edging up the lowest risk of premature death. archipelago (its progress minutely documented in cherry blossom Even sake, brewed from fermented forecasts), passing through Tokyo late rice, is believed to reduce cholesterol, March to early April, before continuing lower high blood pressure and help up to northern Hokkaido. prevent osteoporosis and diabetes, when drunk in moderation. It's a One dreamy spot to appreciate the positive to keep in mind as you explore cloud-like blooms is Yoshino-Kumano Japan's rich sake heritage. There are National Park, an idyllic natural thousands of craft breweries across wilderness. This expanse of the country, many of which are open to mountains, valleys and hidden pilgrim tours and tastings. routes, it straddles Mie, Nara and Wakayama Prefectures. The park is Asahikawa in Hokkaido is home to the also sakura nirvana, with the green Otokoyama Sake Brewery and slopes of Mount Yoshino in particular Museum, a prestigious brand which transforming into a symphony of pink has been around for more than 340 flowers every spring. years. And, only 40 minutes by train from Hiroshima, there's a whole sake Across the country, the sakura season brewery neighborhood, the Saijo Sake marks a symbolic time of fresh new District, where visitors can experience beginnings – particularly in Tokyo, eight ancient breweries. where it often coincides with the start of a new financial and academic year. But wherever the blossoms appear, it generally means one thing: it’s time to hanami.

The custom of hanami – which directly translates as “flower viewing” – dates back centuries, with the first sakura party understood to have been held in Kyoto by Emperor Saga as early as 812.

Today, for some, hanami can mean a solitary, contemplative stroll beneath the blooms (in Tokyo, top spots range from the scenic riverside pathways in Nakameguro, lit with lanterns after dark; to the lush gardens of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden near Shinjuku’s skyscrapers).

For others, hanami involves a fully- fledged picnic (along with several thousand others – and a healthy quantity of sake) in a famed beauty spot or in a city park on a picnic blanket laid out beneath a sea of pink. Bento boxes can easily be picked up at local convenience stores – or the basement depachika food halls of department stores in cities.

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