Best of The Best
The Unplugged Selection 2025
Authenticity Unearthed
Japan is a land of endless fascination. With quality at every turn, finding something truly transcendent can feel like striking gold.
Each year, we discover new stays that restore us, restaurants that delight us, crafts that captivate us, and locals who inspire us. As we near the year’s end, we wanted to select from our treasure trove and share it with you here. And, being experts in travel, should anything on this list spark inspiration for your next (or first) trip to Japan, we can weave it seamlessly into an itinerary just for you.
THE STAYS
The Okura Tokyo
This outstanding hotel is our Tokyo gold standard. When the original 1962 building was demolished, many held their breath, but the 2019 reincarnation—led by Yoshio Taniguchi, son of the original architect—was a triumph. Walking into the lobby, with its iconic hexagonal lanterns, lacquered tables, and atmosphere unto itself, feels like stepping into a more elegant era. With world-class service, the Okura offers a level of hospitality that few city hotels can match. It is the only place in the metropolis that manages to feel simultaneously brand new and timeless.
Araya Totoan
A paragon of the ryokan, this 18th-generation stay captures the soul of Yamashiro Onsen. Its long legacy includes hosting innumerable luminaries over the centuries, including the legendary artist Rosanjin, whose former home stands just down the street. In fact, Rosanjin himself painted the ryokan’s symbol of a crow cawing at daybreak, which remains displayed in the lobby. Though the ryokan’s own baths are exceptionally luxurious, fed by approximately 100,000 liters of hot spring water flow into the ryokan daily, its location directly adjacent to the historic Souyu (public bathhouse) in the center of town offers guests an additional privilege. The overall design and beautiful rooms create a stay that makes departure hard to do, lingering with you long after you’ve checked out. In short, an onsen bath and tatami room does not a ryokan make. Araya Totoan shows us the way.
Kanshukuen ESHIKOTO
A gorgeous stay comprising private villas set across the grassy knolls of Eiheiji, Kanshukuen ESHIKOTO is a pure tribute to the local land and Japan’s sacred libation: sake. Propelled by the vision and inextinguishable passion of 8th-generation brewmaster Naoto Mizuno of Kokuryu Sake Brewing, this groundbreaking stay defines the burgeoning terroir-focused auberge at the core of Japanese sake tourism. It is anchored by the Kuzuryugawa, a river whose water is the source of everything, including the delectable seasonal ayu (sweetfish), served the same day it was caught. It is architectural, exclusive, and deeply rooted in the local terroir.
Ryokan (traditional inns) and luxury hotels in Japan offer some of the finest hospitality in the world. From the city to the countryside, these are the standouts that defined our year.
The Okura Tokyo (Tokyo)
This outstanding hotel is our Tokyo gold standard. When the original 1962 building was demolished, many held their breath, but the 2019 reincarnation—led by Yoshio Taniguchi, son of the original architect—was a triumph. Walking into the lobby, with its iconic hexagonal lanterns, lacquered tables, and atmosphere unto itself, feels like stepping into a more elegant era. With world-class service, the Okura offers a level of hospitality that few city hotels can match. It is the only place in the metropolis that manages to feel simultaneously brand new and timeless.
The Okura Tokyo
2-10-4 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan
Araya Totoan (Ishikawa)
A paragon of the ryokan, this 18th-generation stay captures the soul of Yamashiro Onsen. Its long legacy includes hosting innumerable luminaries over the centuries, including the legendary artist Rosanjin, whose former home stands just down the street. In fact, Rosanjin himself painted the ryokan’s symbol of a crow cawing at daybreak, which remains displayed in the lobby. Though the ryokan’s own baths are exceptionally luxurious, fed by approximately 100,000 liters of hot spring water flow into the ryokan daily, its location directly adjacent to the historic Souyu (public bathhouse) in the center of town offers guests an additional privilege. The overall design and beautiful rooms create a stay that makes departure hard to do, lingering with you long after you’ve checked out. In short, an onsen bath and tatami room does not a ryokan make. Araya Totoan shows us the way.
Araya Totoan
18-119 Yamashiro Onsen Yunogawa, Kaga City, Ishikawa 922-0242
Kanshukuen ESHIKOTO (Fukui)
A gorgeous stay comprising private villas set across the grassy knolls of Eiheiji, Kanshukuen ESHIKOTO is a pure tribute to the local land and Japan’s sacred libation: sake. Propelled by the vision and inextinguishable passion of 8th-generation brewmaster Naoto Mizuno of Kokuryu Sake Brewing, this groundbreaking stay defines the burgeoning terroir-focused auberge at the core of Japanese sake tourism. It is anchored by the Kuzuryugawa, a river whose water is the source of everything, including the delectable seasonal ayu (sweetfish), served the same day it was caught. It is architectural, exclusive, and deeply rooted in the local terroir.
Kansyukuen ESHIKOTO
10-15-1, Shimojohoji, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui 910-1202
Since each stay has its own “personality,” it is impossible to select ones that meet every traveler’s needs. However, we wanted to include a selection of properties we love that we feel offer something special for a particular kind of traveler. The Simose Art Garden Villa (Hiroshima), a museum-stay by architect Shigeru Ban, is perfect for art lovers. For travelers seeking a mix of modern design in a hot spring ryokan without losing out on classic Japanese hospitality, both Hanamurasaki (Kaga) and Beniya Mukayu (Kaga) are fantastic options within the splendor of Kaga. And last but not least, for couples seeking total privacy and exclusivity, Taniya (Takayama) is a perfectly situated traditional house with luxurious comforts, managed by a wonderful family with deep connections to their mountain town.
THE PLACES
Kagawa
Kagawa happens to be Japan’s smallest prefecture, but do not be discouraged by its geographic size, for it is disproportionately rich in all that makes travel worthwhile. From high art on the islands and mountain-perched temples to the homespun warmth of the ubiquitous mainland udon shops. It is a place that nourishes soul and stomach. Though located on Shikoku, the least visited of the four primary islands, it is easily accessible by train, plane, or ferry. It is a destination worth exploring in its own right, with or without the art islands on your itinerary.
Shimane
Known as the “Land of the Gods,” Shimane sits in the San’in region—literally “the shadow of the mountains.” This isolation has preserved an atmosphere that feels ancient, mysterious, and distinct from the Pacific coast. It is home to Izumo Taisha, Japan’s primordial shrine, where eight million deities are said to convene each year. But beyond the myth, there is a real depth here. From the red-tiled roofs of the countryside to the UNESCO-recognized Iwami Ginzan silver mine that once fueled the global economy, Shimane offers a travel experience defined by silence, history, and a rugged, gorgeous coastline.
Fukui
Too often missed by visitors, Fukui is the province of makers. It is a land defined by the unity of seemingly oppositional forces: the quiet monastic discipline of Eiheiji (the Temple of Eternal Peace) and the industrious endurance of its craft villages. This is the source of Japan’s finest knife blades, most resilient washi paper, and more still. To visit Fukui is to feel the intersecting worlds of spiritual austerity and artisanal richness that many seek but few experience to such a degree.
As inbound travel swells, we fell even deeper in love with the countryside. Japan’s bounty doesn’t just offer quiet stays. It is where the country’s greatest crafts and stories are found.
Kagawa Prefecture
Kagawa happens to be Japan’s smallest prefecture, but do not be discouraged by its geographic size, for it is disproportionately rich in all that makes travel worthwhile. From high art on the islands and mountain-perched temples to the homespun warmth of the ubiquitous mainland udon shops. It is a place that nourishes soul and stomach. Though located on Shikoku, the least visited of the four primary islands, it is easily accessible by train, plane, or ferry. It is a destination worth exploring in its own right, with or without the art islands on your itinerary.
Access:
From Tokyo: 4 hours by bullet train, 1.5 hours by plane
Kyoto: 2 hours by bullet train
Shimane Prefecture
Known as the “Land of the Gods,” Shimane sits in the San’in region—literally “the shadow of the mountains.” This isolation has preserved an atmosphere that feels ancient, mysterious, and distinct from the Pacific coast. It is home to Izumo Taisha, Japan’s primordial shrine, where eight million deities are said to convene each year. But beyond the myth, there is a real depth here. From the red-tiled roofs of the countryside to the UNESCO-recognized Iwami Ginzan silver mine that once fueled the global economy, Shimane offers a travel experience defined by silence, history, and a rugged, gorgeous coastline.
Access:
From Tokyo: 1.5 hours by plane, 6.5 hours by bullet train
From Kyoto: 2 hours by plane (1 hour to Itami Airport (Osaka) and 1 hour by plane)
Fukui Prefecture
Too often missed by visitors, Fukui is the province of makers. It is a land defined by the unity of seemingly oppositional forces: the quiet monastic discipline of Eiheiji (the Temple of Eternal Peace) and the industrious endurance of its craft villages. This is the source of Japan’s finest knife blades, most resilient washi paper, and more still. To visit Fukui is to feel the intersecting worlds of spiritual austerity and artisanal richness that many seek but few experience to such a degree.
Access:
From Tokyo: 3.5 hours by bullet train
From Kyoto: 1.5 hours by bullet train
THE PEOPLE
Misa Kono
A chef and food activist who bridges the gap between soil and plate. Her work with the natural cultivation farmers of Hida Takayama reminds us that true luxury is knowing exactly where your food comes from. Her project, Earth-to-Table, educates children and adults about conscious cooking and community sustenance.
Echizen Washi Artisans
In a world of digital speed and increasing automation, the washi craftspeople of Echizen remind us of immortal tactility. Watching them pull paper from the water is to bear witness to a kind of spiritual divination. Modern trends come and go, but paper is forever.
Nobuyuki Kishi
The proprietor of Kishi-ke is not only an excellent host; he opens the gates to deep cultural immersion in his beloved city of Kamakura. As befits his samurai ancestry, he is a paragon of Zen equanimity, a repository of local knowledge, and provider of the finest Japanese hospitality.
Japan is rightfully renowned for craftsmanship, aesthetic sensibility, excellent food, and reliable transportation. Yet none of it would matter without the people at the center. Over the course of the year, we worked with partners across the country who welcomed us and travelers from around the world into their worlds. We want to extend a special domo arigatou to these exceptional individuals.
Misa Kono
Founder, Earth to Table
A chef and food activist who bridges the gap between soil and plate. Her work with the natural cultivation farmers of Hida Takayama reminds us that true luxury is knowing exactly where your food comes from. Her project, Earth to Table, shares with children and adults the value of conscious cooking, community sustenance and the nourishment of a sense of wonder that has always existed within each of us.
Earth to Table
Takayama City, Gifu, Japan
Washi Artisans of Echizen
Iwano Heizaburo Seishisho
In a world of digital speed and increasing automation, the washi craftspeople of Echizen remind us of immortal tactility. Watching them pull paper from the water is to bear witness to a kind of spiritual divination. Modern trends come and go, but paper is forever.
Iwano Heizaburo Seishisho
27-4 Otakicho, Echizen, Fukui 915-0234
Nubuyuki Kishi
Founder and Owner, Modern Ryokan Kishi-ke
The proprietor of Kishi-ke is not only an excellent host; he opens the gate to the heart of Kamakura through deep cultural immersion. A descendant of samurai, he leads with a quiet grace and authority that puts guests immediately at ease. He is a vast repository of local knowledge and a provider of the finest Japanese hospitality.
Modern Ryokan Kishi-ke
21-5 Sakanoshita, Kamakura City, Kanagawa 248-0021
THE CRAFTS
Inami Woodcarving
Japan’s innumerable temples are showcases for wood-carved masterworks. In the town of Inami, whose soundscape is defined by the tapping of chisels, woodcarving is their craft and legacy. A visit to an artisan’s studio offers an entirely new perspective through which to view every temple in Japan. After time spent in Inami, no carving will be the same. You begin to see the hundreds of hours in the curve of a dragon’s scale, realizing that temple halls are sculpted as much as they are built.
Yamanaka Lacquerware
The beautiful woodcrafts of Yamanaka often take a backseat to the area’s hot springs, but deserve as much attention. The precision of tategi-dori (vertical wood turning) is mesmerizing. Watching a rough block of wood transform into a paper-thin vessel is a demonstration of mind-blowing skill. If Yamanaka lacquerware were personified, it would be in the person of Gato Mikio, a local craftsman worthy of the legendary reputation that precedes him. His work honors the ancestry of the region while pushing the aesthetic into the modern era. These are architectural silhouettes that feel as much like sculpture as they do tableware. It is the definition of functional art.
Gingko Woodcrafts
Japan’s only specialist dedicated entirely to ginkgo wood. From velvety cutting boards to precision oshizushi molds, these are designated Fukui local crafts meant for a lifetime of use. We love their radical commitment to sustainability. Their cutting boards can be professionally resurfaced for free, shaved smooth again and again until the wood is finally ready to return to the earth. It is the choice of professional sushi chefs for a reason: the wood’s natural oil content resists water, while its soft, forgiving density protects the delicate edge of a high-carbon blade. It is a humble tool elevated to an heirloom.
In a world of mass production, Japan remains a beacon for all things handmade. We seek out objects that carry a transcendent quality, often the result of multi-generational discipline, and aim to elevate works preserving the specific techniques and materials that define their region’s identity.
Inami Woodcarving
Japan’s innumerable temples are showcases for wood-carved masterworks. In the town of Inami, whose soundscape is defined by the tapping of chisels, woodcarving is their craft and legacy. A visit to an artisan’s studio offers an entirely new perspective through which to view every temple in Japan. After time spent in Inami, no carving will be the same. You begin to see the hundreds of hours in the curve of a dragon’s scale, realizing that temple halls are sculpted as much as they are built.
Inamibetsuin Zuisenji
3050 Inami, Nanto, Toyama 932-0211
Yamanaka Lacquerware
The beautiful woodcrafts of Yamanaka often take a backseat to the area’s hot springs, but deserve as much attention. The precision of tategi-dori (vertical wood turning) is mesmerizing. Watching a rough block of wood transform into a paper-thin vessel is a demonstration of incredible skill. If Yamanaka lacquerware were personified, it would be in the person of Gato Mikio, a local craftsman worthy of the legendary reputation that precedes him. His work honors the ancestry of the region while pushing the aesthetic into the modern era. These are architectural silhouettes that feel as much like sculpture as they do tableware. It is the definition of functional art.
Gingko Woodcrafts
Japan’s only specialist dedicated entirely to ginkgo wood. From velvety cutting boards to precision oshizushi molds, these are designated Fukui local crafts meant for a lifetime of use. We love their radical commitment to sustainability. Their cutting boards can be professionally resurfaced for free, shaved smooth again and again until the wood is finally ready to return to the earth. It is the choice of professional sushi chefs for a reason: the wood’s natural oil content resists water, while its soft, forgiving density protects the delicate edge of a high-carbon blade. It is a humble tool elevated to an heirloom.
THE TASTES
Ayai
Tucked away on an unassuming street in a quiet corner of a less-visited region, this elegant izakaya serves up outstanding local flavors. From Setonaikai-sourced sashimi to Sanuki asparagus, olive beef, and yellowtail, the menu is a revelation. With expertly fried tempura and pots of rice cooked with seasonal chestnuts and sweet potatoes, it represents the honest and exquisite heart of Japanese dining.
Tempura Teraoka
Hidden in the hills of Kita Kamakura, this intimate counter offers a masterclass in the art of tempura. With a backdrop of rustic seasonal greenery juxtaposing the upscale minimalist interior, every piece is served at the precise moment of perfection. From local vegetables to Edo-style seafood, it is a meal you won’t forget.
Himi Konka Rayu
This selection is not a meal, but it might be the best thing you eat all year. Produced by the historic fishmonger Tsuruya in Himi, this artisanal chili oil is a revelation. It uses konka-iwashi—sardines fermented in rice bran—to create a deep, savory funk that balances perfectly with the heat. Its power to transform a bowl of rice into a sought-after feast has been confirmed time and again by our travel team. It truly is a tiny but mighty product; a “local secret” that punches far above its weight.
To eat well in Japan is to taste the season itself. Our favorite meals of 2025 weren’t defined by Michelin stars or white tablecloths. They were defined by an unvarnished honesty. From the mountains of Kagawa to the hills of Kamakura, these are the flavors that tasted undeniably of their place.
Ayai
Tucked away on an unassuming street in a quiet corner of a less-visited region, this elegant izakaya serves up outstanding local flavors. From Setonaikai-sourced sashimi to Sanuki asparagus, olive beef, and yellowtail, the menu is a revelation. With expertly fried tempura and pots of rice cooked with seasonal chestnuts and sweet potatoes, it represents the honest and exquisite heart of Japanese dining.
Ayai
2 Chome-3-4 Asahicho, Sakaide, Kagawa 179-0071
Tempura Teraoka
Hidden in the hills of Kita Kamakura, this intimate counter offers a masterclass in the art of tempura. With a backdrop of rustic seasonal greenery juxtaposing the upscale minimalist interior, every piece is served at the precise moment of perfection. From local vegetables to Edo-style seafood, it is a meal you won’t forget.
Tempura Teraoka
1051, Yamanochi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa 247-0062
Himi Konka Ra-yu
This selection is not a meal, but it might be the best thing you eat all year. Produced by the historic fishmonger Tsuruya in Himi, this artisanal chili oil is a revelation. It uses konka-iwashi—sardines fermented in rice bran—to create a deep, savory funk that balances perfectly with the heat. Its power to transform a bowl of rice into a sought-after feast has been confirmed time and again by our travel team. It truly is a tiny but mighty product; a “local secret” that punches far above its weight.
Tsuriya
120 Higashiiwasemachi, Toyama, 931-8358
In 2025, we dug deeper and went further, and these are the moments that lingered with us long after we returned home. They remind us that the best travel is not about checking boxes. It is about slowing down. And it reaffirmed our long-held belief that Japan is a country that rewards curiosity. Thank you for being part of our journey this year. Here’s to new discoveries in 2026, and beyond.
Until Next Year!