Matador's Ultimate Guide to Japan

Tradition, innovation, and natural beauty all in one ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [JAPAN]( Matador's Ultimate Guide to Japan Hi there, There is so much to see in this nation of islands, it's hard to highlight everything in a single newsletter. There are the shrines and temples of Kyoto, the mountains and world-class skiing in [Hokkaido]( the underrated region of [Kansai]( and the colorful, pastoral countryside of [Tohoku](. Then of course, there is the largest city on the planet, Tokyo, with a food scene to end all food scenes. But you can find pockets of peaceful bliss amid the vibrant city scene if you know where to look. As cherry blossom season blooms this month, it presents the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the full spectrum of experiences that Japan has to offer. Dive into our comprehensive guides below to make the most of your visit. [EXPLORE JAPAN]( [GuideGeek]( Get Inspired [Cherry blossoms at Himeji Castle]( Everything You Need to Know About Japan’s Cherry Blossom Season Cherry blossom season is one of the busiest seasons in Japan, and it’s easy to see why. Here’s when to visit and where to go. [READ MORE]( [Omoide Yokochō]( This Rowdy Alleyway Is the Best Place to Drink Beer and People Watch in Tokyo Amid the pandemonium of city life in Tokyo, there is a charming, narrow alleyway strung up with red lanterns. This street is called Omoide Yokochō – and it’s all about delicious food. [READ MORE]( [Toyko festival]( The Best Festival Every Month in Tokyo, Japan Many of Tokyo’s festivals have been held for centuries and are an excellent way for visitors to experience traditions tied to Japan’s Shinto religion. [READ MORE]( [Fushimi Inari Shrine Kyoto]( The 5 Most Breathtaking Shrines and Temples in Kyoto, Japan With more than 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, including 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, it’s a perfect place to take in the country’s history and magnificence. [READ MORE]( [Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine]( A 4-Part Itinerary for One Incredible Trek Through Japan Japan holds one of only two UNESCO-designated pilgrimage routes in the world. These age-old hiking trails offer modern-day pilgrims a window into ancient traditions that still permeate Japanese culture today. [READ MORE]( [Sushi]( Tokyo Insider Guide: How to Eat Like a Local Includes top dining destinations, ranging from fine dining establishments to cozy eateries, along with helpful vocabulary breakdowns to assist you in navigating Japan's diverse food scene. [READ MORE]( [Sado Island]( Sado Is Japan's Food and Culture Island Getaway 3 Hours From Tokyo While placid beaches, dazzling avian life, and emerald-hued topography promise endless delights for nature lovers, Sado is also a rich repository of the high court culture of medieval Kyoto. [READ MORE]( [Tokyo Airbnb]( Immerse Yourself in Japanese Hospitality at These Kyoto Ryokan Ryokans are a great way to experience traditional Japanese culture, as they are typically furnished with tatami mats, futon beds, and other traditional furniture. [READ MORE]( Nature + Adventure [Mount Fuji]( 7 of the Best Treks and Hikes in Japan You Should Do This Year Japan is an ideal destination for trekking, offering a variety of multi-day hikes for everyone, from summit seekers to wildlife explorers to wannabe-poets. [READ MORE]( [Nakasendo Trail]( How to Hike Japan's Ancient Nakasendo Trail Long before bullet trains connected Tokyo and Kyoto, travelers used Nakasendo Road to travel between the two cities, stopping at postal towns along the way to sleep, eat, and rest the horses. [READ MORE]( [Seto Islands]( On Japan’s Seto Islands, the Art Is Fun, Modern, Outdoors, and Everywhere This visionary project around the islands looks to breathe new life into these towns and villages that need it most. [READ MORE]( Food + Culture [Sushi]( 11 Restaurants in Tokyo Not to Miss on a Trip of a Lifetime Tokyo’s food scene is constantly evolving, with new restaurants and food trends emerging all the time. Even “budget” cuisine in Japan tends to be of much higher quality than traditional 'fast food' options. [READ MORE]( [eating fugu]( Here’s How and Where to Eat Pufferfish Without Dying Laced with a poison that kills in hours and has no cure, this delicacy can only be prepared by trained chefs with years of experience and is, understandably, a rare and expensive dish. [READ MORE]( [woman in the city]( How to Survive Japan Without Speaking Japanese If you’re considering a trip to Japan, here is a helpful beginner’s survival guide offering tips on how to navigate the country without speaking Japanese. [READ MORE]( [Cup of Noodles Museum]( 7 Peaceful, Wacky, and Adorable Museums to Check Out in Japan From a museum that lets you create your very own instant noodles to the famed Ghibli Museum. [READ MORE]( Epic Stays Take the headache out of planning and check out our staff picks for places to stay [Japan places to stay]( [Japan places to stay]( [Japan places to stay]( [Japan places to stay]( [Japan places to stay]( [Japan places to stay]( [Epic Stays TikTok]( [Open email in your web browser and bookmark for your next trip]( EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH MATADOR — FOLLOW US HERE [Facebook]( [Linkedin]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [Pinterest]( [X.com]( [Threads]( [Update your email frequency and topic preferences here](. Or [unsubscribe from our newsletter.]( We'll be here when you need us! Copyright © 2024 Matador Network, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Matador Network, PO Box 7775, Suite 40021, San Francisco, CA 94120, United States