Views from Japan (2025)

25/02/2025

AWAJI ISLAND – Home to some of Japan’s most unique modernist designs, Awaji Island blends nature with progressive architecture by the likes of Shigeru Ban and Tadao Ando; think timber-built meditation decks, underground temples, and cascading terraced gardens. I recently spent a few days exploring the island’s architectural highlights, including the serene Zenbo Seinei, Ando’s Honpukuji Water Temple, and the epic Awaji Yumebutai. From sustainable designs to masters of concrete and natural light, Awaji is a must for anyone drawn to Japan’s art and architecture🗿

Highlights Included:

• Honpukuji Water Temple, Tadao Ando
• Zenbo Seinei, Shigeru Ban
• Awaji Yumebutai, Tadao Ando
• Haru San San, Shigeru Ban

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19/02/2025

In spring 2019 I finally made it to Japan for the first time, and after returning home from the first trip, I knew there was unfinished business and all I could think about was being back.

Just a few months later, I quit my well established London job as a graphic designer and moved to start a new life on the other side of the world.

I spent the next 5 years travelling up and down the country with my camera, experiencing more corners of Japan than most would in a lifetime.

Fast forward to 2025 and I have delved deep into 30+ prefectures, written articles for award-winning travel magazines, photographed city guides for national tourism boards and been hired to tell the stories of design hotels up and down the country.

Through my latest guidebook, Views from Japan, I have helped thousands of people from over 60 countries plan more meaningful trips to Japan.

Through the book I give you all the tools you need to travel to under-the-radar destinations, discover Japan’s unique cultural traditions and plan a completely personalised itinerary to fit your needs.

Maybe you won’t quit your job and move to Japan like an obsessed maniac like I did, but hopefully I can help you have the trip of a lifetime!

⛩️ Looking to curate your dream trip to Japan? Comment “VIEWS” below to receive a link to the Views from Japan guidebook direct to your inbox!

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16/02/2025

MIYAJIMA – Just a short ferry ride from Hiroshima City, Miyajima Island is most famous for its floating red torii gate and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Itsukushima Shrine. However, Miyajima blends natural beauty with a rich culture beyond the most famous sites, making it perfect for those searching for a unique addition to their next Japan itinerary. Here’s a few ways I’d spend 24 hours on Miyajima Island ⛩️

Highlights Included:

• Discover Omotesando Shopping Street
• Explore Itsukushima Shrine
• Meet the Local Sika Deer
• Experience Traditional Crafts at Miyajima Kogei Seisakusho
• Watch the Sunset Over the Floating Torii Gate
• Stay Overnight at Itsukushima Iroha

🇯🇵 What kind of Japan traveller are you? Comment “QUIZ” below to receive a free quiz direct to your inbox, and discover your personal travel style for Japan.

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12/02/2025

SIMOSE ART VILLA – Winding pathways, contemporary art installations, and sweeping views of the Seto Inland Sea – is a designer’s paradise just an hour outside Hiroshima City. Designed by legendary Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, the villas take inspiration from their surroundings; think local shipyards and serene ocean views. From private dining experiences to seamless integration with the natural landscape, Simose is a rare example of hospitality done right – where local culture, world-class architecture, and fine cuisine combine.

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07/02/2025

TOMIGAYA GUIDE – Tucked away just west of Shibuya, Tomigaya feels worlds away from the commercial sides of Tokyo. This is a place where creativity and design thrive behind understated facades; a neighbourhood that has excellent coffee, thoughtfully designed boutique shops, and low-key yet highly polished dining. In my free guide, I share a few ways I’d spend a day in this quiet pocket of Japan’s capital.

Locations Include:

• Coffee: Fuglen Tokyo
• Shop: Shibuya Bookselling & Publishers
• Lunch: 365 Days Bakery
• Shop: Monocle Shop
• Dinner: Chow Chow
• Sleep: Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park
• And many more!

🇯🇵 Comment “TOM25” below to receive the guide link and your free interactive map 🗺️

To bring you this free guide, I’ve partnered with North, a brand new travel app designed for people like us. North is for those who love great places and sharing them., whether it’s cocktail bars or crafts, sashimi or sake bars, you can save and organise them all. I hope to see you there!

[Sponsored]

24/01/2025

AZUMI SETODA – Set on the shores of the Seto Inland Sea, .setoda was founded by Adrian Zecha and explores how a contemporary ryokan fits within the small island town of Setoda. Every detail is considered – from the minimal rooms crafted with precision to Azumi Dining, where Head Chef Akita creates seasonal dishes using local Setouchi ingredients, served on heirloom plates passed down by the Horiuchi family. This is definitely one to add to your Japan Bucket List! 🏯

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14/01/2025

KARUIZAWA – Alpine villas, outdoor hot springs and peak autumn leaves. Just before the New Year, we spent the weekend exploring the grounds of a very autumnal Hoshinoya Karuizawa. Set within its own private valley, the grounds are designed around the idea of living in harmony with nature, featuring riverfront villas, forest trails, and natural hot springs sourced from Mount Asama’s volcanic waters. If that’s not enough, you can throw in some signature .official wellness activities - think forest bathing and morning yoga sessions 🍂

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09/01/2025

PLANNING SESSIONS – I’m super excited to be re-opening appointments for the Views from Japan Planning Sessions! The feedback has been incredible so far, and I want to offer this opportunity to those who are serious about making their dream Japan itinerary a reality.

Whether you’re planning your first visit, a honeymoon adventure, or a family getaway, I’ll help you avoid the crowds, uncover exclusive experiences, and create a seamless, stress-free journey through Japan.

From under-the-radar hotels to private craft workshops, every recommendation is based on years of personal exploration. In your bespoke session, you’ll walk away with a completely tailored plan, deep insights into Japan’s culture, insider advice on getting around and so much more.

⛩️ Comment “PLAN” below to find out more and to book your bespoke Planning Session now!

🇯🇵 Available for a limited time only 🇯🇵

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30/11/2024

TRADITIONAL CRAFTS – When I moved to Japan 5 years ago, I quickly became obsessed with all types of Japanese folk crafts and traditions. From sword-makers to silk weaving, and glass makers to ceramic artists, Japan is home to some of the world’s most treasured ‘Shokunin’. Literally translating to ‘artisan’ in English, the Japanese meaning runs much deeper. A true Shokunin is someone who dedicates their life to mastering their craft, it’s a relentless pursuit towards perfection, an elite standard of self‑discipline and a personal responsibility to preserve their tradition for future generations ⚔️

📥 Looking for more unique experiences across Japan? Comment “CRAFT” below to join thousands of others who receive my weekly Views from Japan newsletters and free guides.

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29/11/2024

VIEWS FROM JAPAN – Trusted by thousands of design-conscious and culturally curious travellers around the world, Views from Japan is an alternative travel guidebook that gives you all the tools to explore Japan’s lesser-known destinations, discover long-standing cultural traditions and create a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Inside, I share everything I have learnt from travelling extensively around Japan for the last 5 years, so you can have a truly memorable experience for your next trip. Included are highlights from over 20 prefectures, from the northern mountains of Hokkaido to the tropical islands of Okinawa, the hidden temples of Kyoto to the unique architecture of Tokyo, and much more!

If you’re tired of seeing the same over-crowded areas, Insta-famous hotspots and cookie cutter itineraries for Japan, then Views from Japan offers a more meaningful experience – one that inspires you to unlock Japan’s hidden locations, whether that is a remote architectural destination, an under-the-radar neighbourhood or a beautifully designed countryside hotel.

📮 Order now in time for Christmas shipping!

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28/11/2024

OKINAWA – Soft white sand beaches, jungle-covered landscapes and untamed tropical rainforests. Sun-soaked Okinawa is the perfect place to explore remote tropical islands, hike deep into Natural Heritage-protected rainforest, and snorkel amongst coral-fringed shorelines. If you’re planning your next Japan itinerary and looking to spend time relaxing on white sands, coral reef diving and jungle hiking, then look no further than Japan’s subtropical paradise 🏝️

🎁 Looking for more alternative Japan inspiration and itineraries? Comment “XMAS” below to receive the shop link to Views from Japan direct to your inbox!

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25/11/2024

KYOTO – Kyoto has been in a news a lot recently, with visitor numbers reaching record highs and certain locations across the city becoming more crowded than ever. Good news is your Kyoto experience doesn’t have to be that way, and there are many ways to explore the depth and beauty the city has to offer. Here are a few tips to avoid contributing to over-tourism in Japan’s ancient capital 👘

1. Shop local – There are many things to buy in Kyoto. Why not support independent artists, such as investing in a Japanese knife or ceramics from a master craftsman.

2. Think modern – Many don’t realise how contemporary Kyoto is, with many innovative design spaces across the city like Hosoo Gallery and Garden of Fine Arts Kyoto.

3. Check your sources – Is your research from tried and tested experience, or someone who had some popular videos online? Beware viral trends!

4. Stay in local accommodation – Smaller ryokans and family-run hotels give you an opportunity to give back to local businesses, spreading the tourist spend away from chains and business hotels.

5. Spend time doing nothing – Visit a day spa, traditional ryokan or hot spring in a nearby onsen town.

6. Experience the culture – Many temples like Kenninji and offer private meditations and tea ceremonies, just make sure to research and book ahead.

7. Ask yourself ‘Why?’ not ‘Where?’ – A good challenge for travel in general. If social media didn’t exist, would you still visit that Insta-famous photo spot?

8. Respect the etiquette – Remember that Kyoto is a place where locals live their daily lives, not a theme park.

9. Rent bikes – Kyoto is often best seen on two wheels and it allows you to see the city away from the crowds.

🎁 Looking for more Japan inspiration and itineraries? Comment “XMAS” below to receive the shop link to Views from Japan direct to your inbox!

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24/11/2024

MACHIYA ARCHITECTURE - From the geisha districts of Kanazawa to the historical streets of Nara, Japan isn’t short of places to experience the architecture of years gone by. Walking down the traditional wooden townhouse-lined streets always feels to have a sense of magic to it, with decades, and in some cases centuries, of stories within each handcrafted wooden structure. Here are a few of my recent favourite destinations to add to your list.

Locations listed:

• Higashi Chaya District, Kanazawa
• Magome Juku, Gifu
• Takayama, Gifu
• Gion, Kyoto
• Narai Juku, Nagano
• Naramachi District, Nara

🎁 Looking for more Japan inspiration away from the crowds? Comment “XMAS” below to receive the shop link to Views from Japan direct to your inbox!

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18/11/2024

FUKUI – The purity of Japan’s zen traditions are nowhere more prominent than the underrated prefecture of Fukui. Located on the wintery waters of the Hokuriku Region, towering cedar trees lead you through active monasteries and local sake breweries embrace the concept of ‘shizen’ to create a holistic product inspired by the land.

If you have a loved one, friend or partner planning their trip to Japan, or if you are looking for deeper inspiration beyond the usual tourist haunts, then my guidebook, Views from Japan, is the ideal gift this Christmas!

Included in the book are highlights from over 20 prefectures, from the northern mountains of Hokkaido to the tropical islands of Okinawa, the hidden temples of Kyoto to the unique architecture of Tokyo, and many more.

🎁 Comment “XMAS” below to receive the shop link direct to your inbox!

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01/10/2024

DESIGN HOTELS - From luxury ryokans to modern architecture showcases, and intimate design spaces to traditional machiya townhouses, Japan has so many unique hotels to choose from. Over the last five years I have had the pleasure of staying at quite literally hundreds of different hotels – big, small, modern, traditional, luxury, budget, you name it. The sweet spot for me is a beautifully designed place to stay, where the design itself becomes part of the experience. Here are a few of my recent favourites to add to your list!

Locations listed:

• Six Senses Kyoto –
• Maana Kiyomizu, Kyoto –
• K5 Tokyo –
• Hakujukan, Fukui –
• Roku Kyoto – .kyoto
• Hoshino Resorts Kai Poroto, Hokkaido – .kai
• Rakudo-An, Toyama –

🏯 Looking for more architecture inspiration across Japan? Comment “MAP” below to receive a free Tokyo architecture map direct to your inbox 📩

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28/09/2024

NAGANO – Sacred forests, onsen-bathing snow monkeys and hiking ankle deep in snow. I highly recommend taking a winter trip into the mountains to Togakushi Shrine and to see Nagano’s famous snow monkeys. The journey is pretty simple, take the train from Tokyo to Nagano Station, grab a hire car and drive into the mountains to stay for a couple of days.

Top tip: Head to Togakushi early to experience the majestic Togakushi all to yourself, then take around a 1 hour drive to the snow monkeys at Jigokudani Yaen Koen, you won’t regret it ❄️

Togakushi Highlights:

• Best months to visit: December–March
• Togakushi Jinja
• Jigokudani Yaen Koen
• Zenkoji Temple
• Dine: Sobanomi (soba noodles)
• Stay: Kofukan Ryokan

🇯🇵 Are you visiting Nagano soon? Let me know in the comments!

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24/09/2024

ARCHITECTURE GUIDE – This guide is designed to encourage you to swap some of Japan’s well-trodden sights for a more creative option; where modern architecture rises from remote parks, houses are shaped like faces and hotels have design at the forefront. Do something different on your next trip to Japan and add a few of these architectural locations to your list! 🇯🇵

Locations Listed:

• Site of Reversible Destiny, Gifu
• Reflection of a Mineral, Tokyo
• Face House, Kyoto
• Shiroiya Hotel, Gunma
• Tokyo Toilet Project, Tokyo
• Sayama Cemetry, Saitama
• The Avior, Tokyo

📍 Looking for more architecture inspiration across Japan? Comment “MAP” below to receive a free Tokyo architecture map direct to your inbox

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16/09/2024

PLANNING SESSIONS – I am very pleased to introduce you to the latest part of the Views from Japan world, and something I have been quietly building over the last several months.

The Views from Japan Planning Sessions are designed to save you countless hours crafting your dream trip, giving you unfiltered access to my specialist knowledge, travel experience and Japan expertise.

Alongside your bespoke Planning Toolkit, your private planning session is where we design your once-in-a-lifetime Japan adventure. Your tailor-made session will help you decide which area of Tokyo to stay for a first-time visit, where to find unique cultural experiences for your honeymoon, how to plan a family trip away from the crowds, and so much more.

You will also gain exclusive access to a carefully curated list of 100 places to stay, from unique design hotels and rural ryokans, to bucket list city retreats and budget-friendly family getaways.

⛩️ Comment “PLAN” below to find out more and to book your bespoke Planning Session now!

🇯🇵 Available for a limited time only 🇯🇵

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Views from Japan