WHERE TO GO IN 2027: JAPAN EDITION

JNTO - New York – September 29, 2026: Japan has been one of the world’s top trending destinations for the past few years, and it is projected to continue its hot streak into next year. In anticipation of 2027, JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) has curated a list of the most unique, off-the-beaten-path prefectures and cities in Japan to inspire upcoming travel plans:

Nara: Experience Ancient Luxury and Hospitality

Located about an hour from both Kyoto and Osaka, Nara Prefecture offers travelers a unique blend of luxury hospitality and ancient heritage. As of July 2026, the Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara, a collection of 19 archeological sites that date back as far as the late sixth century, have been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Marking this inclusion, HOSHINOYA Asuka will open in 2027 in Asuka Village under special legislation, as the only Special Historic Preservation District in Japan, while nearby HOSHINOYA Nara Prison — Japan’s first luxury hotel built in a former prison, which opened in June 2026 — offers a one-of-a-kind stay alongside the newly opened Nara Prison Museum.

Kagawa: The “Art Prefecture” of Japan

The smallest prefecture in Japan, Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, has become a trending destination for art aficionados. Two major luxury hotel openings are planned for summer 2027: Mandarin Oriental Takamatsu and Mandarin Oriental Naoshima, which will further elevate the design-focused region. For a local’s guide to the contemporary art scene, travelers should include the world-famous woodworking at the George Nakashima Memorial Gallery, the combined gallery and personal studio at the Takeshi Kawashima Art Factory and the abstract works at Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art (MIMOCA), which will reopen in the spring of 2027 following renovations. Continue the aesthetic-driven experience by visiting two of Kagawa Prefecture’s most Instagrammable sites: Takaya Shrine, the torii gate in the sky that sits atop Mt. Inazumi, and Shodoshima Olive Park, where the lush greenery and views of the Seto Inland Sea directly inspired Studio Ghibli’s popular movie, Kiki's Delivery Service.

Shimane: Japan’s Most Spiritual Prefecture

Shimane Prefecture sits on the northern coast of the Chugoku region and offers some of the deepest history of the region. In 2027, Iwami Ginzan, Japan’s most famous historic silver mine, is preparing to celebrate the 500th anniversary of its discovery and the 20th anniversary of its UNESCO World Heritage designation. In the 17th century, the mine produced an estimated one-third of the world’s silver. Shimane is also home to one of the oldest shrines in Japan: the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, where locals pray to the deity Okuninushi regarding their relationships — famously for marriage and romance. Shimane is also home to stunning zen gardens, such as the six different gardens at the Adachi Museum of Art, where modern Japanese art is framed by the lush exteriors, including moss, pond and dry gardens.

Niigata: Gastronomy Meets Art

Niigata Prefecture is a little over an hour from Tokyo by bullet train, and offers top-tier gastronomy and art experiences, including the 10th edition of the internationally acclaimed Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale. ETAT is one of the world’s largest outdoor art festivals and will run from July 17 through November 7, 2027.
Beyond its contemporary art offerings, Niigata is renowned as a gastronomic destination, producing the Japan’s largest rice harvests and home to the country’s largest number of sake breweries, the making of which is recognized as the “traditional knowledge and skills of sake-making with koji mold in Japan” on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In 2024, UNESCO also recognized the Sado Gold Mine, where a large amount of gold and silver was produced for over 400 years on Sado Island, a remote island off of the western coast of central Japan that is rich in traditional arts and sustainable, environmentally friendly rice and sake production. Explore “The Island of Gold” through a tarai bune, a traditional Japanese fishing boat originally made from halves of wooden barrels and tubs. Visitors can continue exploring the region’s unique blend of art, agriculture and culinary traditions, including tastings at Ponshukan, which showcases sake from approximately 90 Niigata breweries. Other highly anticipated hotel openings in Niigata include the Six Senses Myoko, a slopeside ski resort and residences designed by Kengo Kuma and Kume Sekkei that is set to open in early 2029.

 

Kanagawa: GREEN X EXPO 2027 Blooms

Yokohama, the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture, will host GREEN×EXPO 2027 from March 19 through September 26, 2027, bringing one of the largest international horticultural exhibitions to one of Japan’s most dynamic waterfront cities. It will showcase the future of horticulture, sustainability and harmony with nature by showcasing models of green living. Those looking to visit can stay at two anticipated hotels: Hotel The Mitsui Hakone, which is set to open on December 15, 2026, and the Conrad Yokohama, scheduled to open in 2027. Yokohama is only a short train ride from downtown Tokyo.

 

 

For more information about travel to Japan, please visit: https://www.japan.travel/en/us.

 

ABOUT JAPAN NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION (JNTO)

As the official tourism board, JNTO seeks to inspire international travelers to visit Japan. Focusing on sustainability, diversity and preservation of its history and culture, JNTO encourages travelers to explore the country while supporting local businesses, learning about indigenous cultures, and helping conserve its natural sites.

For more information about travel to Japan, visit https://www.japan.travel/en/us or the JNTO pages on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. To contact the New York office of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) directly, please e-mail jntonyc_press@jnto.go.jp. To contact the Los Angeles office of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) directly, please e-mail infolax@jnto.go.jp.