Themes
Onsen, cherry blossoms, food, ryokans or family travel: the hotels and trips Umika has chosen for each theme.
Art, architecture and designTadao Ando's museums on Naoshima, Hakone's sculpture park and hotels by noted architects
Cherry blossoms and autumn leavesWhere and when to see cherry blossoms and red maples, city by city
FamilyThe deer of Nara, the boats on Lake Ashi and ryokans that welcome children
Food and gastronomyRyokan kaiseki, regional cooking, sushi counters and covered markets
Islands and beachesMiyajima's torii in the sea, the art islands of Naoshima and Teshima, Setoda by bike
HoneymoonSpring or autumn, a private bath in Hakone and two nights on the Inland Sea
Onsen and hot springsHot spring villages, private open-air baths and ryokans with a bath in every room
RyokansArrival, bath, kaiseki dinner and futon, in the ryokans of our selection
Temples, shrines and gardensJapan's great temples, shrines and gardens, what to book ahead and where to stay
Rail journeysThe shinkansen between cities, Hakone's Romancecar and mountain railway, the Hida express
Villages and countrysideThatched farmhouses, a merchant town, an Inland Sea port and hot spring villages