Where do Tokyo’s best chefs eat tonkatsu and sushi on their days off? Where does the expert organizer Marie Kondo buy her pajamas? We asked 24 Japanese cultural luminaries, including architects, fashion designers and artists, to share the places they love most across the country. The only criterion was that each choice be somewhere they personally and enthusiastically recommend. The resulting list of over 100 places — arranged below by island and, within that, by prefecture, in alphabetical order — isn’t a typical or comprehensive guide. But it is, hopefully, full of surprises for even regular visitors to Japan, ones who might not yet have climbed the steep wooden stairs of the Kasamori-Kannon Temple in Chonan, eaten Italian food on the coast of the wild Noto Peninsula or camped on uninhabited subtropical Hamiya Island. — Danielle Demetriou
Hokkaido
Hokkaido
Explore:
“The water of the Blue Pond, two to three hours from Sapporo by car, is so vividly blue that visiting is like stepping inside an artwork.” — Taiki, model and producer
“The Daisetsuzan National Park in central Hokkaido is called the ‘garden where the gods play’ in Ainu [Indigenous Hokkaido] culture. It has untouched forests, alpine flora and volcanic hot springs. Hokkaido offers a different side of Japan, distinct in terms of both its history and natural landscape.” — Sou Fujimoto, architect
Honshu
Aomori
Eat and Drink:
“One of the best ways to understand the country’s local food culture is at izakayas, or Japanese pubs. At Tsugaru Joppari Isariya Sakaba in Aomori City, diners sit around a C-shaped counter eating smoked daikon pickles, grilled salmon and ikura (salmon roe) over rice, and scallops cooked on the half shell — all paired with local sake. The air is always filled with the strumming of a Tsugaru shamisen, a guitarlike stringed instrument.” — Yukari Sakamoto, chef and author
Explore:
“The Aomori Museum of Art in Aomori City has a wonderful collection of works by Yoshitomo Nara, who was born nearby, as well as ones by Tiger Tateishi and Toru ‘Tohl’ Narita. Nara’s outdoor sculptures are particularly striking in the snow.” — Yuka Takahashi, bookstore owner
“The Shuji Terayama Museum in Misawa captures the unique world of the avant-garde writer and film director Shuji Terayama [1935-83]. But it’s strolling through the forests behind the museum — following scattered excerpts from his poetry, glimpsing Lake Ogawara and the Hakkoda Mountains — that can really deepen your appreciation of his work.” — Kohei Nawa, visual artist
Chiba
Explore:
“The wooden Kasamori-Kannon Temple in Chonan shakes slightly as you climb up to see the amazing views from its top. We spend our lives surrounded by industrial structures, but the organic forms of old wooden buildings reinforce our connection to nature and human history.” — Kazunori Hamana, ceramist
“Koura Beach is a secluded gem on the Onjuku coast of Chiba. Much of Japan’s shoreline is sheathed in concrete to protect against erosion, but Koura is completely untouched.” — Kazunori Hamana
Fukui
Explore:
“Zen monks have trained at the Eiheiji Temple for centuries, and its remote location [in the mountains near Japan’s west coast] has protected their community. The buildings’ architecture merges effortlessly with the topography, a relationship that has long made it special.” — Kengo Kuma, architect
Gifu
Explore:
“Shirakawa-go [a remote village in the Ono district] is known for its gassho-zukuri settlement, a collection of traditional wooden farmhouses with steep thatched roofs built to withstand heavy snowfall. Visiting is like stepping back in time — but it’s not a museum; people still live there, preserving the homes despite the challenges.” — Taiki
Hiroshima
Shop:
“Whenever I perform in Hiroshima, I visit Stereo Records [in the prefecture’s namesake capital city], which has a constantly updated experimental and contemporary music section and also produces records, including those by my favorite artist, Riki Hidaka.” — Eiko Ishibashi, musician
Explore:
“Kohtei is an art pavilion in Fukuyama designed by Sandwich, the creative platform I run. Located at the Zen temple Shinsho-ji, it resembles a boat clad in shingles and contains an immersive water and light installation.” — Kohei Nawa
Hyogo (including Kinosaki Onsen, Kobe and Awaji Island)
Sleep:
“The Kinosaki Onsen area has a cool mix of people keeping traditions alive while bringing in fresh ideas. The great writer Naoya Shiga often visited the region’s historic Mikiya ryokan, and I was invited to stay there by the local publisher Books and Onsen when I took photographs for an updated edition of his [1917] book ‘At Kinosaki.’” (Rooms from about $565 per night, including breakfast and dinner; this and all hotel rates below reflect prices during high season) — Rinko Kawauchi, photographer
“Zenbo Seinei is a Zen meditation hotel I designed on Awaji Island. The long cedarwood structure offers a panoramic view of the forest below, making you feel like a bird on a tree branch. Guests eat healthy vegetarian food and, in the mornings, clean the wooden floors themselves.” (Rooms from about $727 per night, including three wellness sessions and two meals) — Shigeru Ban, architect
Eat and Drink:
“As the name Gyoza Daigaku suggests [daigaku means ‘university’], this restaurant in Kobe sets the standard for gyoza. There’s normally a queue, but turnover is quick so don’t give up — it’s worth the wait.” — Kensuke Yamamoto, editor and cafe owner
“The Italian restaurant OFF in the Kinosaki Onsen area serves pasta and other dishes made with local seasonal ingredients such as crab, all paired with natural wines.” — Rinko Kawauchi
“Paradi, a bakery in the Kinosaki Onsen area, makes astonishingly good bread. The owners, a couple, tap into their experiences in Europe, using flavors from overseas.” — Rinko Kawauchi
Explore:
“Designed by the architect Tadao Ando, the hilltop Yumebutai complex on Awaji Island [which includes a hotel, a garden and an event space] blends architecture and nature in a fantastical way that reminds me of the building in the [1986] Hayao Miyazaki film ‘Castle in the Sky.’” — Taiki
Ishikawa (including the Noto Peninsula and Kanazawa)
Sleep:
“On trips there when I was a child, the family-owned Yuyado Sakamoto ryokan in Suzu taught me how rich the Noto Peninsula’s nature and culture are. The inn’s lacquered materials, the local cuisine it serves and the native plants and trees of its garden all bring out the timeless beauty of the landscape.” (Rooms from about $417 per night, including breakfast and dinner) — Kohei Kirimoto, lacquerware artisan
Eat and Drink:
“I drive for an hour to Nizami Coffee in Suzu on my days off. It offers a range of carefully selected roasted coffees from all over the world, and exquisite sweets.” — Kohei Kirimoto
“Villa Della Pace is an Italian-inspired restaurant and guesthouse in Nanao, on the shore of the Noto Peninsula. The chef Meiju Hirata’s respect for the region’s land, ingredients, farmers, fishermen and makers is embodied in his cuisine. It’s a special place I visit on important anniversaries.” — Kohei Kirimoto
Explore:
“At night, the white circular building of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, in the prefecture’s capital city, resembles a spaceship. Designed by the architecture firm SANAA, the structure is home to some fantastic permanent installations. Olafur Eliasson’s ‘Color Activity House’ [2010] is breathtaking on snowy days.” — Romi Watanabe, illustrator and artist
“The Kamogaura Coast in Wajima has white rocks that I’ve played on since before I can remember. It’s a place for watching the sun set slowly into the sea.” — Kohei Kirimoto
“Oketaki Falls in Wajima cascades through a hole in the bedrock of the Noto Peninsula. You can sense the cycles of nature there.” — Kohei Kirimoto
Kanagawa
Explore:
“The Enoura Observatory in Odawara has a stunning mix of stones that blend with the site’s natural elements. A land artwork and outdoor museum created by the artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, it showcases Japan’s history and traditions in a uniquely captivating way. Stop here before heading to the nearby hot-spring town Hakone for a relaxing onsen bath.” — Luli Shioi, cafe owner
Kyoto
Sleep:
“The view of the forest from the terrace of the torch-lit bar at the Aman Kyoto in the Kita district of Kyoto [the prefecture’s namesake capital, where almost all the following places in Kyoto Prefecture are located] is beautiful, and nearly everything, including the rooms, is set within a serene landscaped garden with mossy stone walls.” (Rooms from about $3,500 per night, including breakfast and onsen access) — Toshiji Tomori, chef
“The Iyuki ryokan is tucked deep within the lush greenery of Maruyama Park and has the charm of a hidden retreat. It’s invitation only, so if you ever get the chance to go, consider yourself lucky.” (Rooms from about $622 per night, including breakfast) — Sonya Park, retailer and creative director
“The 120-year-old Miyamasou ryokan in the mountains north of Kyoto has three rooms, all built by the master carpenter Sotoji Nakamura in the traditional sukiya style. The food incorporates fresh-picked local herbs, and there are arrangements of wildflowers in all the spaces. A 20-minute walk away are the three cedars of Hanase — the first-, second- and fifth-tallest in Japan.” (Rooms from about $1,054 per night) — Yuta Ishihara, jewelry designer
“Created by the architect Tadao Ando, the Shinmonzen hotel is situated next to a small stream and surrounded by antiques shops in the Higashiyama district. It perfectly blends traditional Kyoto aesthetics with modern design.” (Rooms from about $3,020 per night) — Takayuki Ishii, gallerist
“Every corner of the renowned Tawaraya inn in the Nakagyo neighborhood reflects the 11th-generation owner’s unwavering aesthetic. The meals, made with seasonal ingredients, are deeply nourishing, and the traditional interiors provide a profound sense of peace.” (Rooms from about $1,389 per night) — Rinko Kawauchi
Eat and Drink:
“Ékleipsis is a secretive artists’ bar in a quiet building in Higashiyama that displays works by many members of Kyoto’s creative scene. Access is easier if you have a referral.” — Kohei Nawa
“At Farmoon in the Sakyo district, the chef Masayo Funakoshi serves dishes highlighting local ingredients on tableware collected on her world travels. Located in a renovated machiya [a traditional wooden townhouse], it’s a highly original, genre-defying dining experience.” — Kohei Nawa
“Before taking the Shinkansen [bullet train] from Kyoto to Tokyo, I always pick up food from the bento section of the food court at the JR Kyoto Isetan department store in Kyoto Station, which offers selections from top-tier ryotei [traditional Japanese restaurants].” — Sonya Park
“Soirée, a cafe near the Takase River in Shimogyo, opened in 1948. With its ornate wood-paneled interior and oil paintings by the Japanese artist Seiji Togo, it feels like a throwback to Japan’s Taisho era [1912-26], a time of modernization when kimonos and Western-style clothes were worn side by side.” — Romi Watanabe
“The classic Kyoto restaurant Wakuden in Shimogyo specializes in seasonal multicourse kaiseki cuisine, embodying Japanese refinement with its exceptional ingredients and meticulous craftsmanship and hospitality.” — Sou Fujimoto
Shop:
“The policy at Mitate, a floral studio in Kita, is to not buy cut flowers; instead, the florists handpick blooms on nature walks, following the principles of chabana, a style of arranging flowers for Japanese tea ceremonies. Their intricate creations often look like miniature forests.” — Sonya Park
Explore:
“Daikakuji Temple in the Ukyo district, with its majestic architecture — it was once an imperial palace — and painted sliding doors, is my favorite place to rediscover an ancient Japanese sense of beauty. A large moon-viewing platform overlooks Japan’s oldest garden pond, which perfectly reflects the sky.” — Toshiji Tomori
“The Jingoji Temple sits high in the mountains of Ukyo, at the top of 400 steps. It’s where the eighth-century Japanese monk Kukai began spreading the esoteric Shingon form of Buddhism.” — Nobuhiko Kitamura, fashion designer
“Kanjiro Kawai was a key figure in Kyoto’s [Mingei] folk-craft movement [which began in the mid-1920s], and his former residence and studio in the Higashiyama district are now the Kanjiro Kawai Museum. I often bring international friends and curators here and always find it inspiring.” — Kohei Nawa
“The 17th-century Katsura Imperial Villa in the Nishikyo district influenced Modernist architects, including Le Corbusier, with its striking minimal design. There are teahouses and an incredible garden. Until recently, requests to visit were only accepted via postcard, but tours can now be booked online.” — Takayuki Ishii
“The Kitamura Museum in the Kamigyo area [which showcases the art and tea utensil collections of the 20th-century entrepreneur Kinjiro Kitamura in his former residence] is only open to the public twice a year, in spring and fall. The building contrasts the work of two Japanese master architects, one traditional and one modern.” — Hiroshi Sugimoto, visual artist
“The small 17th-century Rengeji Temple in the Sakyo district is profoundly understated and tranquil. The garden, seen from the shoin [traditional Japanese hall], is so beautifully harmonized with nature that time seems to stand still.” — Toshiji Tomori
Mie
Explore:
“We Japanese don’t see shrines as religious sites but as places to express gratitude toward nature and the things that make our lives possible. The Ise Grand Shrine is my favorite, particularly in the early morning because of the serenity of the surrounding forest and the nearby Isuzu River. It’s a place to cleanse heart and mind, to figure out what you need to do.” — Marie Kondo, organizational expert
Miyagi
Explore:
“Matsushima [a city and group of small islands on Japan’s northeast coast] is one of the country’s official three most scenic spots. The garden at the Entsu-in Temple is particularly beautiful. It has stunning moss and a mystical, almost Studio Ghibli-like atmosphere. Visit in spring or summer, when it’s at its greenest.” — Taiki
Nagano (including Karuizawa and Matsumoto)
Sleep:
“I designed two of the three buildings at Shishi-Iwa House in Karuizawa. Both were designed to wind among the trees of a wood. The first is divided into clusters, so several families can stay and each have privacy. The glass wall of the grand room, where everyone gathers, opens up to create the feeling of being at one with the forest.” (Rooms from about $475 per night, including breakfast) — Shigeru Ban
Eat and Drink:
“Many of the artist Yayoi Kusama’s works are on permanent display in her hometown at the Matsumoto City Museum of Art. But the region also has a deep connection to the Mingei folk-craft movement. The retro coffee shop Marumo is filled with Mingei pieces, including its homey dark wood furniture. Start the morning with a coffee and a slice of thick toast topped with crushed walnuts and honey.” — Yukari Sakamoto
“It’s worth a trip to Matsumoto just to visit Yamasei, a restaurant in a renovated old Japanese house. The eel is perfectly cooked, and the soft-shelled turtle suppon soup is also a highlight.” — Kensuke Yamamoto
Explore:
“The Yatsugatake Kogen Ongakudo music hall, attached to a lodge on the Yatsugatake Plateau, was created by the celebrated Japanese architect Junzo Yoshimura, who was part of Frank Lloyd Wright’s lineage; he studied under Antonin Raymond, who studied under Wright. World-famous musicians, mainly classical, come to perform here. The experience of being immersed in the sounds of strings and piano in this beautiful wooden hall, surrounded by mountains, is hard to beat.” — Kensuke Yamamoto
Nara
Explore:
“The Hasedera Temple in Nara, at the top of a covered 399-step staircase, is home to one of Japan’s largest wooden Buddhist sculptures, a 30-foot-tall statue of the 11-headed Kannon bodhisattva. It’s also famous for its cherry blossoms.” — Nobuhiko Kitamura
“The five-story pagoda of the Murouji Temple, located deep in a forest, reminds us that pagodas were originally designed to resemble trees. A deceptively modest 52 feet tall, it appears to rise much higher due to its detailing and proportions, and the effect is magical.” — Kengo Kuma
Niigata
Sleep:
“Located halfway up the Akakura Kanko Ski Resort in Myoko, the Akakura Kanko Hotel has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and skiing in winter. You can enjoy a sauna and an outdoor hot-spring bath overlooking the slopes.” (Rooms from about $507 per night) — Yuta Ishihara
Explore:
“The ‘Tunnel of Light’ at Kiyotsu Gorge in Tokamachi is an art installation by the architect Ma Yansong. [As you walk] through the cool, dark space, exhibits slowly reveal themselves. It’s best to experience it without knowing too much in advance. It’s remote, but the artist James Turrell’s work ‘House of Light’ is nearby.” — Luli Shioi
Okayama
Explore:
“The Bikan Historical Quarter in Kurashiki preserves townscapes mainly from the Edo era. Okayama is less touristed than Kyoto or Kanazawa but offers a glimpse into Japan’s past. Kurashiki is also known for denim production, and you can go on factory tours.” — Taiki
Osaka
Eat and Drink:
“Ayumu Iwanaga, the baker behind Le Sucré-Coeur, near Osaka Station [in the prefecture’s namesake capital city, where all the places recommended in this section are located], has gained a cult following for his breads and pastries, including tartes flambées, perfect pains au chocolat and bâtons branchés, honeyed baguettes made with walnuts, cashews and hazelnuts. There are also sandwiches with fillings such as tamago egg salad and a chicken tandoori with pickled red cabbage.” — Yukari Sakamoto
Shop:
“Essential Store might be the most beautiful shop in the world. The interior is deep like a cave; it’s a mysterious space where found objects, collected from all over the world, are given new life by the owner. It needs to be experienced rather than described.” — Yuka Takahashi
Explore:
“Osaka’s Shinsekai area has a nostalgic feel, with classic cafes, old arcades and vintage cinemas. I recommend picking up some takoyaki [octopus-filled dough balls] or kushikatsu [deep-fried meat and vegetable skewers].” — Yusuke Takada, chef
“I’m responsible for the venue design of this year’s World Expo, which will take place in Osaka from April to October. The main structure is a large wooden ring, around one and a half miles in circumference, that’s inspired by traditional Japanese wooden architecture but modernized with the latest technology. From the top floor, there’s a bird’s-eye view of the entire site.” — Sou Fujimoto
Shimane
Explore:
“The Shimane Art Museum, which I recommend for its extensive collection of photography, sits on the shore of Lake Shinji in Matsue. Its hours are determined by the daily sunset time, making it a wonderful place to relax at dusk.” — Yuka Takahashi
Shizuoka
Explore:
“The building of the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre in Fujinomiya uses groundwater from Mount Fuji to heat and cool itself, and the interior echoes its inverted shape. I played rugby at school and trained on the shores of Lake Yamanaka, about an hour away. The mountain’s upside-down reflection on the water naturally came to mind when I was designing the structure.” — Shigeru Ban
Tochigi
Sleep:
“Established in 1551, the hot-spring ryokan Itamuro Onsen Daikokuya in Nasushiobara is run by a 17th-generation owner. There’s an open-air hinoki [cypress] hot spring and a museum exhibiting works by Kishio Suga, a leading artist of the pioneering 1960s Mono-ha movement [who installed sculpture gardens on the grounds].” (Rooms from about $403 per night) — Yuta Ishihara
Tokyo
Sleep:
“The modern Japanese interiors of the Aman Tokyo in the Otemachi district [of the prefecture’s namesake metropolis, where all but one of the following recommendations are located] incorporate traditional natural materials such as wood, washi paper and stone; they’re so relaxing. I also love the Japanese-style breakfast from room service.” (Rooms from about $2,011 per night) — Marie Kondo
“The Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi in the Marunouchi neighborhood has a renowned three-Michelin-star restaurant called Sézanne, headed by the chef Daniel Calvert. Enjoying his modern dishes featuring Japanese seasonal ingredients is a gift.” (Rooms from about $743 per night) — Kensuke Yamamoto
“The Imperial Hotel in the Ginza district is exquisite and traditional, but it’s also always embraced innovation: Frank Lloyd Wright designed one of its former main buildings. The [Art Deco] Old Imperial Bar is one of the few places where you can enjoy good cocktails early in the day.” (Rooms from about $603 per night) — Koichiro Yamamoto, stylist and creative director
Eat and Drink:
“Opened in 1979, Chaco Amemiya in the Sendagaya area specializes in charcoal-grilled steaks and is run by two brothers who took over from their father. Order a personal-size cut with soy sauce and a side of rice.” — Koichiro Yamamoto
“At Cignale Enoteca in the Shibuya district, the chef Toshiji Tomori cooks homey Italian dishes with exceptional ingredients right in front of you. One friend compared [a meal there to the banquet in the 1987 movie] ‘Babette’s Feast.’” — Sonya Park
“The only Tokyo outlet of a famous restaurant from Fukuoka, Daichi no Udon Tokyo Baba in the Takadanobaba neighborhood makes burdock tempura. But you go for the slightly translucent handmade noodles.” — Tomo Koizumi, fashion designer
“Fumin, which serves a Japanese take on Chinese food, is a canteen for professionals in the Aoyama neighborhood, with clientele ranging from bankers to fashion people.” — Sonya Park
“At Honsen, three different chefs serve Japanese, Western and French dishes, but all of them use Japanese dashi. The restaurant is in the Shinagawa neighborhood, which was once a stop on the Tokaido [an ancient road that connected Tokyo and Kyoto], and retains the feel and convenience of a traveler’s hub.” — Marie Kondo
“The cocktail bar Kohaku in Ueno has a nostalgic vibe, and you can still enjoy Underberg there, an herbal bitters that was popular in the 1980s in Roppongi, then a popular nightlife neighborhood.” — Koichiro Yamamoto
“Oogiku Sushi is run by a husband, wife and mother team, with their home just around the corner from the restaurant. It’s in a relaxed, unpretentious neighborhood setting in the Toritsudaigaku area, but the sushi is very good.” — Koichiro Yamamoto
“Japan’s obsession with eating blemish-free fruits at the peak of their seasonality may have started with Sembikiya, a produce stall turned luxurious specialty store that first opened in the historic Nihonbashi district in 1834. Muskmelons, mangoes and persimmons are displayed in wooden boxes for gift giving, and you can sit at the counter of the shop’s Fruit Parlor cafe to watch fruit being sliced to order for platters and parfaits.” — Yukari Sakamoto
“Shinbashi Station Ekimae Building No. 1 is like Japan’s Little San Sebastián [the Basque city known for its food]. The basement has old coffee shops, ramen shops, Western-style restaurants and small bars. It’s mostly closed on weekends, but I dream of spending time here on my rare weekdays off.” — Toshiji Tomori
“Many tempura restaurants are omakase style [where the chef dictates the menu], but at Tempura and Wine Shino in the Minato district you can order à la carte. The owner also has over 20,000 bottles, and you can even enjoy a glass of sought-after La Tâche Burgundy.” — Takayuki Ishii
“Tonkatsu Ichiyoshi is a perfect local tonkatsu restaurant in Takadanobaba. The flavors are consistently delicious and the prices are reasonable. I recommend it for those who want to eat well in areas where people actually live.” — Tomo Koizumi
“The home-style dishes at Viola’s in the Hiroo district are served in the kaiseki style in multiple courses by the cookbook author Kazuko Goto and her daughter Sumire Goto, whose family descends from the 16th-century tea master Sen no Rikyu. Their food highlights seasonal ingredients and the pair’s umami-rich dashi stock.” — Yukari Sakamoto
Shop:
“Fujikake, in the Nippori textile district, has fabrics that are hard to find outside Japan, especially for stage costumes.” — Tomo Koizumi
“The Jinbocho neighborhood has lots of well-known bookstores, but Genkido is a hidden gem. You can find affordable but very unique art and photography books.” — Tomo Koizumi
“Kappabashi Street, between the Ueno and Asakusa districts, is a sacred place for chefs’ tools. There are stores selling pots, confectionery molds, steamers, even knives designed for preparing different types of eels.” — Toshiji Tomori
“Keiji Yamabe, the owner of the record store Los Apson? in the Koenji neighborhood, is vital to Japan’s underground scene, and visiting his shop feels like a treasure hunt. I recently left with a noise album and a strange key chain.” — Eiko Ishibashi
“Nanadecor in Shibuya specializes in sleepwear and lingerie made from organic cotton. I’ve been a fan for 15 years. The fabric is soft but has a weight to it, so you can feel the quality.” — Marie Kondo
“The architect Keisuke Nakamura started the art space Skwat in the Aoyama neighborhood in 2019. It reopened last year [as the Skwat Kameari Art Centre] beneath the railway tracks in the under-the-radar Kameari area and also includes an art books warehouse, a record store and a cafe.” — Yuta Ishihara
Explore:
“The Japan Folk Crafts Museum in the Komaba neighborhood centers its exhibitions on Japan’s 1930s Mingei folk-crafts movement, which celebrated the beauty of simple, functional objects designed for everyday use. On certain days, you can also visit the former residence of the movement’s founder, Soetsu Yanagi, across the street. I like the stainless-steel bowls designed by his son Sori Yanagi, which are available in the shop.” — Sonya Park
“Komazawa Olympic Park, which spans the Meguro and Setagaya neighborhoods, was originally built as a venue for the 1964 Summer Olympics. It really reflects everyday life in Tokyo — you can watch local skaters at the skate park — and the concrete tower by the Modernist architect Yoshinobu Ashihara is a highlight.” — Koichiro Yamamoto
“The design gallery Licht in the Nakameguro district is run by Mitsuo Suma, who’s been a key figure in Japan’s vintage furniture industry for over 25 years. It showcases iconic pieces as well as ones by up-and-coming makers, so there’s always something new to discover.” — Yuta Ishihara
“When you want to escape the bustle of central Tokyo, Mount Takao [a 50-minute train ride from Shinjuku Station] is the place to go. It’s a low mountain, so you can chat with friends as you walk.” — Yuka Takahashi
“The exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo in the Koto district — which span art, fashion, music and architecture — can be euphoric. A recent show highlighting the work of the musician Ryuichi Sakamoto made me feel like I was traveling through time and space.” — Romi Watanabe
“The editor Kyoichi Tsuzuki spent years collecting items relating to hihokan, once-common Japanese museums of erotic art and sexual culture, and exhibits them at his Museum of Roadside Art in the Mukojima district. Hihokan existed as spaces for adults of all genders to enjoy and offered insight into Japan’s unique perspective on sexuality.” — Luli Shioi
“Step off Omotesando [one of Tokyo’s most famous shopping avenues] onto any side street and you’ll find old neighborhoods filled with small shops and cafes. The contrast between the metropolis and such intimate spaces makes Tokyo truly fascinating.” — Sou Fujimoto
“The three-day Sanja Festival, held every May at the Asakusa Shrine, includes a grand procession with chanting, folk dancing, a geisha parade and a white heron dance [with performers dressed as herons]. About 100 mikoshi [“portable shrines”] are purified before being carried by residents through the streets.” — Romi Watanabe
“If I had to recommend one architectural masterpiece in Japan, it would be St. Mary’s Cathedral in the Sekiguchi neighborhood. Designed by the architect Kenzo Tange in the mid-1960s, it has a cavelike exposed concrete interior into which light streams to awe-inspiring effect.” — Sou Fujimoto
“‘Tengoku’ [‘Heaven’], inside the Sogetsu Kaikan office building in the Akasaka district, is an indoor rock garden designed by the artist Isamu Noguchi in 1977-78. It’s a truly unique place that also holds regular exhibitions.” — Kazunori Hamana
“The small statue of the deity Fudo Myoo at the Shingon Buddhist Todoroki Fudoson temple in the Setagaya neighborhood is incredibly beautiful, and you can follow a path from the temple’s grounds through a valley that stays cool even during Tokyo’s scorching summers.” — Nobuhiko Kitamura
“Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine, dedicated to the local deity of Tokyo’s Yoyogi area and set on a wooded hill, always refreshes your mind if you’re feeling overwhelmed.” — Yuka Takahashi
“Yu, the Spa at the Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo in the Bunkyo neighborhood is known for its Japanese garden. The massages are excellent, but the real highlight is soaking in the hinoki onsen baths.” — Takayuki Ishii
Tottori
Explore:
“The Jig Theater is a beautiful cinema on a hill beside a lake. It always screens interesting films. I also recommend stopping by the nearby Kisui Kuko bookstore and Ascot cafe.” — Eiko Ishibashi
Toyama
Eat and Drink:
“The chef Tomohiko Kuchiiwa grinds buckwheat daily to make the earthy soba noodles at his restaurant Kuchiiwa in Higashi-Iwase, a town just outside Toyama City. The area is full of craftspeople, and Kuchiiwa serves sobagaki, buckwheat dumplings, on bright red dishes from the neighboring potter. You should also try Masuizumi sake, made by a fifth-generation brewer down the street.” — Yukari Sakamoto
Yamanashi (including the Yatsugatake Mountains)
Sleep:
“There are no fancy meals at the Mitsutoge Sanso mountain lodge in Minamitsuru. You just sleep and eat in an ordinary hut. But the spectacular view is said to have inspired Hokusai’s painting ‘Fugaku Sanjurokkei’ (‘Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji’).” (Rooms from about $132 per night, with breakfast and dinner) — Hiroshi Sugimoto
“At Shintou, a lodge and restaurant in the Yatsugatake Mountains, guests can eat sushi prepared by the owner, a second-generation sushi chef, then fall asleep in tents immersed in nature. Breakfast includes rice cooked in a hagama, a traditional iron pot.” (Rooms from about $458 per night) — Rinko Kawauchi
Eat and Drink:
“I grew up eating okonomiyaki [savory pancakes] in Osaka, but the take on the dish at sun.days.food, a restaurant in Hokuto in the Yatsugatake Mountains, was completely new to me. The omelets also surprised me — unbelievably light and fluffy. If you go, you’ll understand.” — Rinko Kawauchi
Explore:
“I first visited Gallery Trax in the Yatsugatake Mountains around 2000 with the painter Jun Tsunoda. This gallery is personally meaningful to me — I held a 2021 solo show there, ‘as it is,’ documenting my daughter from birth to age 3. The way you can appreciate art in nature there is rare, and Yamanashi Prefecture itself is growing in popularity — more and more people are relocating from cities or splitting their time between there and Tokyo.” — Rinko Kawauchi
Yamaguchi
Sleep:
“The Matsudaya Hotel in Yuda Onsen was founded in 1675. My favorite rooms overlook a beautiful garden, which has a koi-filled pond. I first stayed when my tidying method was becoming popular abroad, and it’s meaningful for me that I was there when that was happening.” (Rooms from about $550 per night) — Marie Kondo
Explore:
“Senjojiki is a vast grassland about 1,000 feet above sea level in Nagato, surrounded by ocean and sky. In the springtime you can hear uguisu (Japanese nightingales) sing, and if you camp there, you can watch the stars and the fishing boat lights glowing on the Sea of Japan at night.” — Romi Watanabe
Kyushu
Fukuoka
Shop:
“OMA, an eyewear store in Fukuoka [the prefecture’s capital city], has a warm, inviting atmosphere that reflects the personality of its owner, Mao Ueda. It’s a very pleasant place to visit and the service is excellent.” — Eiko Ishibashi
Kagoshima (including Yakushima Island and the Amami Islands)
Eat and Drink:
“At Kitahachi, a beloved omakase restaurant on Amami Oshima island [the largest island in the Amami Archipelago], large platters of dishes, handmade by energetic elderly local women, arrive at your table one after another, showcasing local flavors. Ingredients like aosa seaweed and salt-cured pork highlight the island’s rich preservation and fermentation traditions.” — Yusuke Takada
Explore:
“The beauty of Hamiya Island [one of the smallest Amami islands] lies in its nothingness. Untouched nature stretches endlessly — no running water, no easy access. If you take a charter boat, you can spearfish and watch sea turtles nesting, and if you bring a tent, you can stay. It’s a place to truly let go.” — Yusuke Takada
“At the Ogawa Waterfall in Minamiosumi, the water cascades over vast rock faces. Just gazing at the falls in silence is a wonderful way to connect with nature.” — Yusuke Takada
“My husband and I first visited Yakushima Island on our honeymoon. It’s a primeval sort of place, home to cryptomeria trees that can be thousands of years old. It isn’t easy to get to, but you can feel nature coursing through the ancient forests.” — Marie Kondo
Kumamoto
Explore:
“The dramatic thatched roof of the 17th-century Aoi Aso Shrine in Hitoyoshi gives you the magical feeling of being brought back to ancient times.” — Kengo Kuma
Saga
Sleep:
“Everything at Onyado Chikurintei in Takeo — the décor, the cuisine, the hospitality — is what I hope for in a hot-spring inn. The 11-room ryokan sits within a vast garden that was built in 1845, and it’s especially magical when it’s lit up at night. I go every year and always visit the kilns in the nearby pottery towns of Imari, Arita and Karatsu.” (Rooms from about $802 per night) — Toshiji Tomori
“Owned by the Nabeshima sake brewery, Onyado Fukuchiyo is a restaurant and inn in a renovated 18th-century house in Kashima. The chef, Takuma Nishimura, who trained at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Kagurazaka Ishikawa in Tokyo, uses local produce from Saga and wider Kyushu in dishes that pair perfectly with Nabeshima sake. After a long dinner, you can go straight to your room to sleep.” (Rooms from about $1,223 per night, including dinner) — Kensuke Yamamoto
These interviews have been edited and condensed.
The Experts
Shigeru Ban, architect, Tokyo
Sou Fujimoto, architect, Tokyo
Kazunori Hamana, ceramist, Chiba
Eiko Ishibashi, musician, Tokyo
Yuta Ishihara, the designer of the jewelry brand Shihara, Tokyo
Takayuki Ishii, the owner of Taka Ishii gallery, Tokyo
Rinko Kawauchi, photographer, Chiba
Kohei Kirimoto, lacquerware artisan, Hiroshima
Nobuhiko Kitamura, the designer of the fashion brand Hysteric Glamour, Tokyo
Tomo Koizumi, the designer of the fashion brand Tomo Koizumi, Tokyo
Marie Kondo, expert organizer, Tokyo
Kengo Kuma, architect, Tokyo
Kohei Nawa, visual artist, Kyoto
Sonya Park, the creative director and owner of the Arts & Science fashion and design stores, Tokyo
Yukari Sakamoto, chef and author, Tokyo
Luli Shioi, a co-owner of the cafe Breakfast Club, Tokyo
Hiroshi Sugimoto, visual artist, Tokyo
Taiki, model and producer, Tokyo
Yusuke Takada, the chef at La Cime, Osaka
Yuka Takahashi, the owner of the store Hi Bridge Books, Tokyo
Toshiji Tomori, the chef at Cignale Enoteca, Tokyo
Romi Watanabe, illustrator and artist, Tokyo
Kensuke Yamamoto, editor and owner of the cafe ØC Tokyo, Tokyo
Koichiro Yamamoto, stylist and creative director, Tokyo
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