Karuizawa, located about an hour from Tokyo by the Shinkansen, lies on the border of Nagano and Gunma Prefectures. Known as a popular summer retreat, the town’s history dates back to 1886 when Canadian missionary Alexander Croft Shaw visited and was captivated by its pristine natural beauty and pleasant climate. Surrounded by lush nature, Karuizawa is a true haven for relaxation. Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the slow pace of time in a place where the landscape changes with each season.

Located in the centre of Japan, north of Aichi Prefecture and neighboured by Fukui, Ishikawa, Toyama, and Nagano Prefectures, Gifu is the 7th largest prefecture in Japan. Ranked 17th in population, there are plenty of stunning vistas and experiences to have within Gifu Prefecture. Not particularly far from other major cities, it is an area that should most definitely be on your map!

When it comes to soft-serve ice cream in Japan – known locally as soft-cream – Hokkaido holds a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of locals. With its rich agricultural heritage and countless dairy farms, Hokkaido is known for producing the highest quality milk in Japan. That milk doesn’t just go into cheese and yogurt – it’s also the reason why soft-cream here is so famously smooth, rich, and flavourful.

Ukiyo-e, also known as ‘pictures of the floating world’, are a style of woodblock prints in Japan, commonly depicting scenes such as landscapes, people, flora, fauna, and more. Today we focus on Utagawa Hiroshige, born in 1797, and most famous for his various depictions of the Japanese countryside and cities. His journeys and prints of the 53 Stations of the Tokaido Road between Tokyo (known as Edo during the Edo Period) and Kyoto are some of the most recognisable prints in the world. In this article, we’ll explore some of the locations that Hiroshige printed, ranging from Tokyo to Shikoku.

As we continue exploring the magical island of Kyushu in the south of Japan, we arrive in Kumamoto Prefecture. The 15th largest prefecture in Japan and with slightly under 1.8 million people, the prefecture has beaches, mountains, castles, and everything you could want from a trip to Japan. Kyushu is only a short flight away from Tokyo and other big cities, so make sure to explore and see all that Kumamoto has to offer!