Japan in Autumn
From b.e away Issue One: Japan in Autumn
From culturally rich historical sites to lush landscapes, cuisine both artfully presented and deliciously crafted, Japan is a travel destination I find myself drawn to repeatedly, discovering new inspiration with each visit. Since Japan boasts a well-connected and convenient transportation system, it was an easy decision to make multiple stops along our trip to absorb as many experiences as possible. We wanted to visit a collection of locations: Tokyo for bustling city life, Kanazawa for lush gardens, Kyoto for traditional culture, and Hokkaido for fresh seafood and Onsen hot springs at a nature retreat.
Tokyo is a foodie's heaven, filled to the brim with renowned (Michelin-starred) restaurants and tiny family-run restaurants, with something for everyone along every busy street. Some of my personal favorite must-eats in Tokyo include yakitori, ramen, udon, and dessert cafes (especially the sky-high fluffy pancakes). The post-modern-minimalism-meets-the-traditional aesthetic of Tokyo was an inspiring reminder that we were in the most technologically advanced yet historically rich city in the world.
The streets of Kyoto were lined with traditional buildings, including beautiful teahouses, temples, and castles. Kyoto is also known for its impeccable green tea, or matcha, which makes a stop at a teahouse one of the highlights every time I visit.
A little further north of Kyoto lies Kanazawa, home to Omicho Market and Kenroku-en--one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. While Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kanazawa are all located in Honshu, the main island, some of Japan's most beautiful scenery can be found in Hokkaido, the northernmost island. We spent most of our time in the capital city Sapporo, making day trips out to other surrounding locations to visit mountaintop observatories and other viewing points where we could take in the mountainsides blanketed with leaves turning to reds, oranges, and yellows. Known for some of the freshest seafood in the world and their rich, creamy dairy products (milk ice cream in Hokkaido is a must!), Hokkaido was as much a food destination as a nature destination.
The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly our stay at Zaborin, a contemporary luxury Ryokan. A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn known for relaxing onsen hot springs and impeccable hospitality. Zaborin is a nature retreat in the mountains, designed to blend seamlessly with its beautiful surroundings; this offers the perfect space to relax and unwind after many days of exploration.