Calling upon the expertise of Paul Christie, CEO of trailblazing tour operator Walk Japan, we’ll be spotlighting the Japanese prefectures you (probably) haven’t heard of but should be making tracks to, his top Japanese travel tips and why Japan is leading the way for slow travel. Plus, Paul shares his insider guide to the Kunisaki Peninsula in Kyushu, a bucolic hidden paradise that he calls home.
Our travel editors also share their go-to guide to Iwate, an under-the-radar prefecture filled with blissful beaches, snow-sure mountains and soothing hot springs, and deep-dive into how wellness is key to unlocking Japanese culture.
Start planning your trip to Japan with the Japan National Tourism Organisation here.
Our Go-to Guide to Iwate, Japan
To stay:
For relaxing hot springs and beautifully situated boltholes, bed down in one of these hotels: Hotel Senshūkaku, Hotel Hanamaki or Hotel Kōyōkan.
To eat:
For the noodle-lovers out there, we recommend heading full-steam ahead to Pairon Honten in Morioka – a local hole-in-the-wall loved for what is arguably the region’s best jajamen (udon noodles topped with cucumbers, garlic, chilli oil and a sweet miso sauce).
To do:
Sun-seekers should absolutely head to Jodogahama Beach, while skiers should make a beeline for Appi Kogen Ski Resort.
How to get there:
Simply hop on a fast train from Tokyo and in just over two hours you’ll be greeted by the epic scenery and standout food of Iwate.
Need some Japan travel inspiration? Check out these articles on suitcasemag.com
https://suitcasemag.com/articles/less-visited-japan
https://suitcasemag.com/articles/diamond-route-japan
https://suitcasemag.com/articles/mitsuboshi-kaidou-three-star-road-japan
https://suitcasemag.com/articles/Ishikawa-and-gifu-prefectures
https://suitcasemag.com/articles/pilgrimage-shonai-japan
https://suitcasemag.com/articles/hachinohe
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.