Remote working is on the rise, and with technology increasingly enabling us to do our jobs from anywhere, hybrid forms of working that combine business and leisure are here to stay. In fact, Harvard Business Review found that people describing themselves as ‘Digital Nomads’—those who slow travel while working jobs online—rose 49% between 2019 and 2020. But you don’t have to be a fulltime remote worker to take advantage of traveling while working, and Japan is a fantastic destination for nature lovers, foodies, and cultural aficionados alike. Read on to discover three must visit spots to check out on your next working trip to Japan.
Mitoyo City, Kagawa
Located along the Seto Inland Sea, which was ranked among the top places to visit according to the New York Times “52 Places to Go in 2019”, Mitoyo is a one-hour flight from Tokyo and further one hour drive. The city boasts a plethora of outdoor activities, stunning views, and delicious regional cuisine. Chichibugahama Beach is known as one of the best sunset spots in Japan and is a great location to take mirror photos, as the low tide leads to the formation of serene pools that come alive reflecting the colors of the sky. Another great photo spot is Mount Shiude, where you can take in the view of the Seto Inland Sea dotted with islands. In springtime, the billowing pink of cherry blossoms creates an even more spectacular scene. Kagawa is also packed with fun outdoor activities such as sea kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and a beautiful cycling course over the Shonai Peninsula. Don’t miss trying a bowl of sanuki udon, one of their famous local delicacies. With around 700 udon shops to choose from and prices as low as $2 a bowl, it’s a great way to wrap up a day of work.
Fukuoka City, Fukuoka
Fukuoka City is emerging as a premier remote work destination with a website dedicated to sharing the wide range of accommodations, coworking spaces, and leisure activities on offer. While an English website is forthcoming, the variety of information already available suggests Fukuoka will become a hot spot for both local and international remote workers in the future. Fukuoka is also a gateway to Asia, being conveniently located for access to Korea, Taiwan, and China—and of course, boasting direct flights from Tokyo. This makes it the perfect place to extend your stay after a business trip in Tokyo or continental Asia. A compact city, Fukuoka is known for its yatai (outdoor food stalls), the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, and the Fukuoka Sumo Tournament which is held for two weeks each November. For those yearning to escape the city, Glamping Fukuoka offers luxurious beach-side camping with a view of the Genkai Sea. While there, you can also enjoy horseback riding.
Kitaazumi District – Otari and Hakuba Village, Nagano
With dramatic natural scenery and world-class winter sports, the Kitaazumi district of Nagano prefecture has a lot to offer remote workers. Two of its popular villages, Hakuba and Otari, already attract many tourists each winter, making the area a welcoming and accessible destination for international visitors with numerous Wi-Fi hotspots available for remote work. Due to Hakuba’s popularity for skiing, a wide variety of accommodation options are available, such as ski lodges, cute minshuku (Bed and Breakfasts), and glamping. In fact, glamping facilities have been expanding in the area recently and provide gorgeous highland views day and night with exceptional opportunities for stargazing. Otari Village is bordered by two national parks; Chubusangaku which covers stunning parts of the Northern Japan Alps including the remote mountain area of Kamikochi, and Myoko-Togakushi Renzan which encompasses Mt. Myoko and Togakushi village, famous for its shrine and soba noodles. For those interested in alpine plants, make sure to visit Tsugaike Natural Garden, a highland moor located at 6,200 feet. In addition to offering hiking for all levels, canyoning experiences are also available in the Northern Alps. For those visiting in winter, Hakuba’s powder snow makes for Olympic-class winter sporting. And what better way to warm up and soothe aching muscles after a long day on the slopes than with a relaxing soak in one of Nagano’s many mineral hot springs.
