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Kawachi Fuji Garden (Fukuoka): This fragrant wisteria tunnel is the most stunning display at the Kawachi Fuji Garden. With flowering vines overhead, the walkway is said to inspire a zen-like calm in visitors. The garden displays about 150 wisteria plants of 20 different species. It hosts the annual Wisteria Festival at the end of April, when the flowers are in full bloom.
ourism Commission of Hakuba Village/JNTO
Happo Pond (Nagano): The hike to Happo pond from Hakuba -- a village known for its winter skiing amid the mountains of Nagano Prefecture -- is a classic trail in the Japanese Alps. Surrounded by the Hakuba Peaks, the pond is 2,060 meters above sea level. What the pond lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty, reflecting the 3,000 meter tall peaks in its quiet waters.
Courtesy JNTO
Motonosumi-inari Shrine (Yamaguchi): The 123 Torii gates stretches from the Motonosumi-Inari Shrine to the cliff overlooking the ocean. Motonosumi-Inari is a popular shrine where locals wish for success. The final Torii's donation box is placed out of reach at the top of the gate. It's believed that if you can successfully toss money into the box, all your wishes will come true.
hiufu wong/cnn
Nachi Falls (Wakayama): Nachi Falls, at 133-meters high, is the biggest waterfall in Japan. It steals some of the attention from Kumano Nachi Taishai, a sacred shrine built close by. It's usually the last stop of the scenic pilgrimage known as Kumano Kodo.
JNTO
Zao ski resort (Yamagata): With 15 slopes and 12 courses, Zao Onsen is one of the most well known ski resorts in Japan. But travelers come to Zao not only for the snow-capped mountain but the trees. Extreme snow and seasonal winds cocoon the mountain's pine trees during the coldest winter months, creating snow towers in obscure forms known as "ice monsters" or Juhyo in Japanese.
Courtesy Promotion Airport Environment Improvement Foundation/JNTO
Kintetsu Beppu Ropeway (Oita): For those who don't enjoy hiking, this cable car can carry 101 passengers at a time to the top of the 1,375-meter-high Mount Tsurumi in 10 minutes. From the top, there's a view of Beppu, Mount Yufu and Kuju Mountain Range. The best time to ride up is during spring when more than 2,000 cherry trees blossom on the mountain.
Courtesy Matsumoto city/JNTO
Matsumoto Castle (Nagano): Also known as the "crow castle" because of its black exterior, Matsumoto is Japan's oldest wooden castle, constructed more than 400 years ago. The years during the castle's construction were marked by near-constant military conflict. Rather than focusing on residential comforts, the castle is fortified with extensive interconnecting walls, moats and gatehouses.
Kagoshima Prefectural Tourist Federation
Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge (Kagoshima): Hayao Miyazaki fans will find this forest familiar. Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge inspires Studio Ghibli's fantasy animation "Princess Mononoke." The otherworldly nature park on Yakushima Island offers a network of maintained hiking trails along the ravine. From historic tracks built in the Edo period to developed footpaths paved in stone and wood, the circuits range from one to five hours long, varying in difficulty.
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Koya Pond (Niigata): Fall at Mount Hiuchi brings out spectacular colors on Koya Pond. The shallow and marshy water covered with vegetation changes colors -- into red, orange, yellow and green -- like the forest around it. On the edge of the pond, Kouyaike Hutte provides beds and kitchen facilities if you need a rest on you hike up the 2,462-meter-tall mountain.
Iwate Prefecture/JNTO
Poetry Reading at Motsu-ji Temple (Iwate): On the fourth Sunday of May, Motsuji Temple invites poetry lovers to write by the stream of the temple's garden pond. As they compose their verses, cups of sake float to them -- to help the float of inspiration, we assume. The event is concluded with the master of ceremonies reading each poem aloud.
Hitachi Seaside Park Office/JNTO
Hitachi Seaside Park (Ibaraki): Also known as "baby blue eyes," more than 4 million nemophilas bloom from late April to May in Hitachi Seaside Park, the public park on Miharashi Hill. The Nemophila Harmony is the highlight of park's flowering events. The 190-hectare park constantly changes color with the seasons. During the transition into fall, puffy kochia shrubs turn from vibrant green to fiery red.
JNTO
Sagano (Kyoto): Considered one of the world's most beautiful forests, it's not just tranquil visually but also aurally. The bamboo grove is beloved for its distinct rustling sound, so much that Japan's Ministry of Environment included the Sagano Bamboo Forest on its list of "100 Soundscapes of Japan." The towering green stalks creak eerily while leaves rustle in the sway of the wind.
Yasufumi Nishi/JNTO
Otaru Snow Light Path Festival (Hokkaido): Hundreds of buoyed candles float in Otaru Canal every February in Otaru, during the Snow Light Path Festival. For 10 days, lanterns and snow statues for 10 days adorn the Hokkaido city. Lined with restored warehouses and gas lamps, Unga Kaijo -- the area around the canal -- is the prime spot to enjoy the festival.
JNTO
Usa Shrine (Oita): Originally built in the 8th century, Usa Shine is the most important of thousands of shrines dedicated to Hachiman, the god of archery and war. After getting a fortune paper (omikuji) -- hopefully a daikichi (exceptionally lucky) one, visitors can enjoy a local specialty called negiyaki, or green onion pancake, in the shrine area.
Tottori Prefecture/JNTO
Mt. Daisen (Tottori): Mount Daisen looks vastly different depending on which side of the mountain its viewed from. The 1,709-meter-tall volcanic mountain has been regarded as sacred since the ancient Jomon and Yayoi eras. Because of its importance, climbing was strictly prohibited until the Edo period about 200 years ago.
Tottori Prefecture/JNTO
Tottori-sakyu Sand Hills (Tottori): Yes, there's a desert on Japan's islands. The Tottori Sand Dunes span 16 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide and are the only large sand hills in Japan. The dunes are a blend of sand and volcanic ash mixed over 100,000 years then shaped by winds from the Sea of Japan. Part of the San'in Kaigan Geopark, they can be experienced via camel rides, dune buggies and sandboarding.
Courtesy Hiroshima Prefecture
Itsukushima Shrine (Hiroshima): Believed to be the boundary between the spirit and human worlds, the Otorii's vermilion color is said to keep evil spirits away. It's possible to walk to it on the sand bar during low tide and enjoy the view of Mount Misen behind the gate. At high tide, the 16-meter-high Torii appears to float on the water.
Farm Tomita/JTA/JNTO
Lavender farm (Hokkaido): Farm Tomita has three lavender fields: Lavender East, Sakiwai Field and the Traditional Lavender Garden. Sakiwai Field, meaning "happiness field," has four types of lavender growing in rows, creating a gradient of purple with the rainbow colors of Autumn Field, Spring Field and Hanabito Field as background. Still not enough lavender? Try the farm's lavender ice cream.
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Lake Toya (Hokkaido): Even in winters that plummet well below freezing point, Lake Toya never ices over. The near-circular lake is the remains of a volcanic eruption that hollowed out the ground. Mount Usu lies on the southern rim of the lake and Nakajima Island sits at the center.
Courtesy Promotion Airport Environment Improvement Foundation/JNTO
Saimyoji Temple (Shiga): Located in the Suzuka mountain range, Saimyoji Temple is one of a trio of ancient Tendai Buddism temples in eastern Shiga, also known as "Koto Sanzan." The temple is renowned for the beautiful red and orange leaves that surround it in the fall and long blooming cherry trees.
Courtesy JNTO
Gokayama (Toyama): Gokayama is one of the greatest towns for architecture buffs in the world. The oldest traditional gassho style house in Ainokura is said to be about 400 years old. Part of the UNESCO-designated area of Gokyama, the village preserves an architectural design that dates back hundreds of years. The steep triangular thatched roofs were built without the use of nails and are designed to prevent snow buildup.
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Lake Kussharo (Hokkaido): Some 300 whooper swans migrate to Lake Kussharo every winter. Geothermal springs prevent ice from forming along its sandy shores despite most of the water surface freezing. Reported sightings of a lake monster, dubbed Kusshii by the media, since 1973 earned Kussharo a reputation as Japan's Loch Ness.
Courtesy Hiroshima Prefecture/JNTO
Ini Tanada (Hiroshima): Ini has more than 320 terraced rice paddies. The oldest stone terrace dates back about 500 years.
Using only pure natural water from mountain valleys, Ini Tanada's rice is particularly favored for its rich fragrance and taste. The town regularly holds a rice planting event on its terraces to pass on traditional farming methods.
Courtesy JNTO
Himeji Castle (Hyogo): Frequently called the "White Egret" or "White Heron" castle because of its white exterior and resemblance to a bird taking flight, Himeji is made up of 83 buildings. The 17th century castle is equipped with heavy defense systems. It featured extensively in Hollywood and Japanese films, making a prominent appearance in the James Bond movie "You Only Live Twice."
Yamanouchi Town/JNTO
Jigokudani Monkey Park (Nagano): The steaming springs set in a snowy mountain may be scenic, but travelers come here to see something else -- the hot spring monkeys. Some 200 Japanese macaque monkeys live in Jigokudani -- which translates to "hell valley" -- where the rough cliffs and onsens are covered in snow for a third of the year. The monkeys bathe at the main onsen of the park in winter without a care for observers.
Anyone jealous of the monkey's lazy ways can head over to Korakukan Ryokan for their own thermal soak.
Tourism Commission of Hakuba Village/JNTO
Hakuba village (Nagano): Revered as a ski resort town in the northern Japanese Alps, Hakuba is equally appealing during the summer. The hike up to Happo Pond is among the most scenic trails in the country.
Courtesy JNTO
Adachi Museum of Art (Shimane): The Adachi gardens, a part of Adachi Museum of Art, are said to be a "living Japanese painting" and one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Adachi Zenko founded the museum in 1980 to combine his passion for Japanese art and gardening.
JNTO
Sotomo Arch (Fukui): One of the most scenic spots in the bay of Wakasa, the Big Gate and Little Gate of the Sotomo Arch were holes on rock carved by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan. With some careful maneuvering, it's possible to climb into the Little Gate. An excursion ship, which departs from the Wakasa Fishermen's Wharf, offers rides to view the rock formation.
Akira Okada/JNTO
Fuji Shibazakura Festival, (Yamanashi): With Mount Fuji in the background, some 800,000 stalks of shibazakura or "moss phlox" cover 2.4 hectares of land in a carpet of pink, white and purple. Thousands travel to the Fuji Five Lakes area for the festival celebrating the flower's first bloom.
Kagoshima Prefectural Tourist Federation/JNTO
Senganen Garden (Kagoshima): The Japanese style landscape garden features small ponds, streams, shrines and a bamboo grove. Set along the coast north of downtown Kagoshima, visitors can look out at Sakurajima volcano and Kagoshima Bay. The garden dates back to 1658, during Japan's Edo period.
Marnie Hunter/CNN
Golden Pavilion (Kyoto): Covered in gold leaf, Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, is arguably Kyoto's most famed attraction.
JNTO
Jodogahama Beach (Iwate): It's easy to see why this stunning Iwate prefecture beach was named "Jodogahama," or Pure Land. Located in Rikuchu Kaigan National Park, it's one of Japan's nationally designated places of scenic beauty.
JNTO
Kumano Kodo (Wakayama): Kumano Kodo, as seen here from the famous Hyakken-gura viewpoint, is a network of seven pilgrimage routes. It's one of only two UNESCO-listed pilgrimages in the world. Find out how to tackle Kumano Kodo here.
Japan National Tourism Organization
Mototaki Waterfall (Akita): This pretty waterfall, fed by year-round snow on Mount Chokai, remains chilly even during the warmer seasons. It's in Akita prefecture in Japan's Tohoku region.
TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Mount Fuji: One of Japan's three sacred mountains and one of its most recognizable natural attractions, Mount Fuji is a popular hiking destination for pilgrims and travelers. Its seemingly symmetrical shape is an icon that has appeared on many postcards and artworks in Japan.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Tokyo: Tokyo's cityscape -- a mix of historic temples, skyscrapers and the iconic Tokyo Tower -- is a sight Japan lovers never tire of. The open-air Sky Deck of Roppongi Hills is one of the best places to snap an Instagram-perfect shot like this one.

Editor’s Note: CNN Travel’s series often carry sponsorship originating from the countries and regions we profile. However, CNN retains full editorial control over all of its reports. Read the policy.

CNN  — 

There’s no shortage of reasons to fall in love with Japan.

Whether you’re hunting down top eats in Tokyo and Osaka or basking in the country’s stunning landscapes, it’s impossible to take it all in in one visit. But you’ll certainly have a good time trying.

We’ve built the ultimate cheat sheet of top Japan experiences to help you plan your next visit. Also, be sure to click through the gallery on the top of this story of beautiful Japan destinations for more travel inspo.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Though Japan might be most famous for its dazzlingly modern cities, you’ll want to spend at least a few days exploring its stunning natural offerings. This is a nation that truly has it all, from rocky mountain peaks to white-sand beaches.

Here are few Japan experiences that will allow for both relaxation and adventure.

Winter sports

01:02 - Source: CNN
Skiing through Japan's 'snow monsters'

Nagano, which hosted the Winter Olympics in 1998, has long been a snowy escape for global travelers. But in recent years, Niseko on the northern island of Hokkaido has become another leading destination for powder hunters thanks to its fresh, quality snow and amazing food scene.

Down on the island of Honshu, meanwhile, Zao Onsen in Yamagata prefecture offers skiing, onsen (more on that later) and “snow monsters.”

For something completely different, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, dubbed the “Roof of Japan,” offers travelers a chance to drive down a highway framed by massive walls of snow that tower as high as 17 meters over the road.

View this interactive content on CNN.com

Beach hopping

JNTO
It's easy to see why this stunning Iwate prefecture beach was named "Jodogahama," or Pure Land.

Being an island nation, Japan’s beach offerings are just as impressive as its skyscrapers and bullet trains.

In the north of Japan’s main island, Jodogahama Beach (Pure Land in English) is a tranquil hidden beach with crystal-clear water and stark white rocks.

If you prefer softer (and darker) sand, Ibusuki Beach is your dream destination. The subtropical beach is famed for a unique activity – sand bathing, or suna-mushi.

For island hoppers, you can check out a series of 260 tiny pine tree-covered islands in Matsushima.

Onsen soaking

Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images
Even macaques in Japan know how to enjoy an onsen.

For anyone who hasn’t been to a Japanese onsen, take note: Nudity isn’t just the norm. It’s the rule.

The word “onsen” refers to Japan’s natural hot springs but it also can represent facilities like spas and inns that pipe the waters into their own bathing areas.

Though thousands of onsen exist throughout the country, Beppu is Japan’s hot spring capital – and for good reason. It’s home to more than 2,500 hot springs and is the world’s second-largest source of thermal spring water.

For travelers with ink, however, stripping down at a Japanese onsen can get tricky as many ban tattoos, which have been associated with yakuza gangs.

Fortunately, there’s Tattoo-Friendly, a website featuring properties that allow ink. Users can narrow down the search by choosing the type of facility they want to visit – gym, pool, hotel-and-ryokan (inn) or sento (public baths).

Each listed property includes a brief description of the place and its amenities, as well its specific policies on tattoos.

Hanami

Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Every spring, Japanese celebrate cherry blossoms by gathering and picnicking at parks while admiring the pink blossoms.

For just a few weeks every spring, Japan celebrates an annual ritual known as hanami: stopping to view and appreciate the beautiful spring blossoms.

It’s so popular the Japan Weather Association’s annual sakura (cherry blossom) forecast is broadcast live on TV, while the Japan National Tourism Organization has a regularly updated timetable of cherry blossoms predictions on their website.

Here are some of the best places around Japan to join the spring viewing party.

Hiking

Pongpat Patumsuwon/CNN
A hike along the Kumano Kodo trail is a Wakayama highlight.

Being a mountainous nation, trekking is an extremely popular Japan activity.

For a spiritual journey, try Kumano Kodo, a multiday pilgrimage across Wakayama prefecture – fueled by great food, cute rural villages and rich culture along the way.

More than a thousand years ago, imperial leaders and aristocrats made their way to the main Kumano Kodo shrines through a network of hikes across the island. At the end of the hike we recommend spending the night at a temple in the mountaintop town of Koyasan, the center of Shingon Buddhism.

Here, ancient cedar forests share space with historic pagodas, paved roads, restaurants, schools, cafes and souvenir shops.

The enchanting Yakushima forest (the setting for Hayao Miyazaki’s epic film Princess Mononoke) on Kyushu island and the Sagano bamboo forest on the outskirts of Kyoto are other family-friendly places to enjoy a quiet walk in Japan.

TRADITION

Japan excels at striking the right balance between tradition and modernity, leading the way in technological advances while also embracing its past, whether it’s architecture, art, fashion, food or sports.

Here are a few experiences that will give you a taste for Japan’s traditional side.

Stay in a ryokan

Courtesy Nishimuraya
Nishimuraya Honkan is a seventh-generation ryokan in Hyogo prefecture.

Looking for that classic Japanese inn experience, complete with tatami floors, onsen and sliding doors?

Staying in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese guesthouse, is the way to go. Catering to all budgets, they can be found throughout Japan – most commonly in the countryside outside of urban centers.

Guests are encouraged to wear yukata (house kimonos) and socks, while traditional Japanese meals are prepared in-house.

For some truly exquisite inns, check out our feature highlighting six of Japan’s most beautiful ryokans.

Tea ceremonies

03:02 - Source: CNN
Tea traditions inside Japan's first Zen temple

The Japanese tea ceremony, or chado, is a traditional way of preparing and serving matcha (top quality green tea).

To make it, green tea leaves, grown in the shade, are dried and ground into a fine powder. This allows the tea to retain its nutrients. During the ceremony, which focuses on the rituals and mental states achieved in the process, the powder is whisked with hot water in a small bowl until a slight foam appears.

The top place to experience Japan’s matcha tea ceremony – or just enjoy a few cups of the precious drink – is Kyoto. There are plenty of tea making classes and demonstrations available in English and other languages.

Kimonos

CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
It can take up to two years to make a high-end kimono.

Japan’s most beautiful traditional attire, kimonos are undeniably an expensive souvenir to bring home. One reason for their hefty price tag is the painstakingly detailed process that goes into making them.

On the small island of Amami Oshima, for instance, it takes up to two years to make a single kimono.

Another reputable kimono-making company is Okaju in Kyoto, founded in 1855 and now helmed by the fourth generation Shigeo Okajima.

If you’d simply like to don one during your Japan visit, there are a number of rental companies throughout Kyoto.

Prefer to appreciate these beautiful garments from afar? Kyoto’s Gion district is where travelers can view graceful geishas, traditional Japanese entertainers, walking down the street in their kimonos.

But before taking photos, read this guide on what you should and shouldn’t do when geisha-watching.

View this interactive content on CNN.com

Sumo watching

AFP Contributor/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Sumo wrestling dates back at least 2,000 years.

Sumo is as ancient as it is quintessentially Japanese. Historians agree that the sport dates back at least 2,000 years, and in its current form has remained largely unchanged since the Edo period.

But scoring a seat at one of Japan’s six major sumo tournaments per year might as tough as getting into the ring and wrestling yourself, though with a little advance planning you can make it happen. Tickets are available through Japan’s official sumo website.

There are other ways to get close to a sumo wrestler.

When they’re not competing, sumo wrestlers train year round in designated sumo stables, or beya.

These stables, which are mostly based in Tokyo’s Ryogoku neighborhood, are where the city’s wrestlers live, eat, sleep and practice on a near daily basis. In recent years, it’s become more common for foreigners to visit the morning practice, which begins at about 5 a.m. and lasts three to four hours.

Read more about Japan’s sumo stables here.

View this interactive content on CNN.com

CUISINE

Japan is a culinary wonderland thanks to its unique heritage, a national obsession with food and an almost religious embrace of freshness and perfect production.

Here are a few of the country’s must-try dining experiences. Been there, ate that? For a deeper dive into the country’s culinary wonders, check out our list of 25 top Japanese dishes.

Sushi

Noriko Yamaguchi/CNN
Two Michelin stars under his belt and Tokyo sushi master Koji Sawada is still seeking perfection. He's about to demonstrate how to eat sushi with his hands.
Noriko Yamaguchi/CNN
1. Grip the sushi -- don't squeeze.
Noriko Yamaguchi/CNN
2. Roll it partway over.
Noriko Yamaguchi/CNN
3. Turn it upside down.
Noriko Yamaguchi/CNN
4. Dip lightly into soy sauce.
Noriko Yamaguchi/CNN
5. Place the whole piece in the mouth, letting the texture and delicate flavor of the soy-dipped fish touch the tongue first.
Noriko Yamaguchi/CNN
Wasabi may be mixed with soy sauce as a dip for sashimi (raw fish without sushi rice) but never, in polite circles, for sushi.
Noriko Yamaguchi/CNN
Sawada restaurant in Tokyo's Ginza district is a shrine to sushi. Though the new generation of sushi chefs makes a point of being customer-friendly, a top class sushi-ya can still be daunting, even for natives.

Chances are, sushi is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think “Japanese food.”

More than just a slice of fish over vinegar rice – that is only one type, called nigiri – mastering the art of sushi can easily take a lifetime. Luckily, there’s Sushi University, where travelers can learn to distinguish nigiri from nori-maki.

Almost poetic in its simplicity, good sushi relies on two things: the freshness of the ingredients and the knife skills of the chef.

Whether you like your raw fish draped over bite-sized balls of vinegared rice, rolled up in toasted nori seaweed or pressed into fat rectangular logs, delicious sushi can be found in every price range.

If you’re up for a splurge, Sushisho Masa (106-0031 Tokyo, Minato City,Nishiazabu, 4 Chome−1−15) in Tokyo’s Roppongi neighborhood is nothing short of perfection.

And then of course there’s Sukiyabashi Jiro, the fabled restaurant in Tokyo’s fashionable Ginza district widely regarded as the best sushi restaurant in the world. Hidden in a basement attached to the Ginza Metro Station, Sukiyabashi Jiro earned global fame following the 2012 documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi.”

Kobe beef

©JNTO
Only 3,000 cattle are classified as Kobe grade each year.

Known for its pervasive marbling and melt-on-your-tongue texture, Kobe beef is one of Japan’s most prized meats.

A type of Wagyu beef named after the region in which the cattle are raised, Kobe is relatively rare – only 3,000 cattle each year are certified as Kobe grade.

This has caused a fair bit of confusion but here’s an easy way to remember it. Wagyu (which literally means “Japanese cow”) refers to specific breeds of cattle that come from a direct, traceable and pure bloodline.

The Kansai region, where Osaka is based, produces the three “king” varieties of Wagyu: Matsusaka, Kobe and Ohmi. However, beef from other areas can be equally tasty.

Find out more about Japan’s various types of beef here.

Soba

02:43 - Source: CNN
Michelin-starred soba at Kyourakutei

Soba, or Japanese buckwheat noodles, are usually served cold with dipping sauce (called zaru soba) or served hot in dashi broth.

Triumphing over them all is te-uchi, which means “handmade,” soba in Japanese. The hand-kneaded and cut soba offers the best firmness and, hence, is more much tastier than the mass-produced variety.

For a truly unique soba experience, head to Iwate, a prefecture in Japan’s northeast where you can enjoy a 400-year-old all-you-can-eat noodle tradition called “wanko soba.”

One wanko soba restaurant claims a diner ate 570 bowls in one sitting.

Yakitori

©JNTO
One of the best reasons to visit a pub in Japan? Yakitori, Japanese style chicken skewers.

A yakitori restaurant is where you can sample every part of the chicken – from chicken breast to skins to gizzards – all presented on skewers, Japanese style.

Tokyo’s Torikado is one of the best places to enjoy them. A high-end omakase yakitori restaurant, Torikado’s diners will leave it up to the chef to decide what they eat.

Another popular way to chow down a few chicken skewers is with a beer at an izakaya, or casual Japanese pub. Here’s our selection of the best (and affordable) izakaya in Tokyo.

Kaiseki

Kaiseki meals were originally intended to be enjoyed before a tea ceremony.

Japan travelers researching a trip to Kyoto will inevitably come across the word “kaiseki.”

To the outsider, it appears to simply be a multicourse Japanese dinner made up of beautifully plated dishes. But there’s so much more to this meticulously prepared, exquisitely served and, usually, very expensive meal.

To practitioners of this haute cuisine, kaiseki is the embodiment of “omotenashi,” which means wholehearted hospitality.

Wanna know more? We followed chef Hisato Nakahigashi of Miyamasou, a two Michelin-starred restaurant and ryokan, to put together this beginner’s guide to kaiseki meals.

Ramen

©Hiroshima Prefecture/©JNTO
Ramen is the ultimate Japanese comfort food.

Nothing’s more comforting than slurping back a bowl of ramen on a cold rainy day.

There are four basic styles of the world-famous soup-based dish: Shoyu (soy sauce seasoning); shio (a light soy sauce version of shoryu); miso (made with fermented soy beans); and tonkotsu (a creamy-white pork bone broth).

CNN Travel asked Brian Mac, founder of the blog Ramen Adventures, to share some of his favorite ramen varieties in Tokyo and beyond, which include Hokkaido’s miso ramen, Kyushu’s Kumamoto ramen and all kinds of shoyu variations. Read more about them here.

Sake

01:00 - Source: CNN
60 seconds in Tohoku, Japan's sake capital

Japanese rice wine, sake has a long-standing history dating back to the third century.

It’s produced all over the country – and many brewers are open to tours – but Japan’s Tohoku region in the northeast is where you’ll find some of the best bottles.

Part of what makes Tohoku’s sakes so different is geography: The winters are severe with heavy snowfalls and historically, because of its remoteness, agriculture has been the mainstay in Tohoku.

For visitors making the trip north, several breweries offer tours in English, as well as tastings – but you will need to book in advance via their websites.

Read more about the Tohoku region’s famous sake producers here.