Tokyo For most people, Tokyo is where the journey begins. We like to stay at smaller Japanese hostels where you meet other travellers and receive good personal service. We have stayed at The Share Hotels, including Lyuroin Tokyo, Rakuro in Kyoto, and Kumu in Kanazawa. All very cool and deeply rooted in the local community. I can also recommend a stay at the small family-owned Ryokan, Sawanoya, in Tokyo. This Ryokan is located in the Yanaka area, one of the oldest districts in Tokyo. It’s great for local sightseeing, historical buildings, charming small shops, and excellent dining options in the cosy narrow streets.

When in Tokyo, visit Kappabashi Street, where you can find everything for the kitchen: Japanese ceramics, kitchen gadgets, baskets, knives, and brushes. Take a walk down the side streets and have lunch with the locals in one of the many small family-run restaurants where no one speaks English, but the food is just amazing. 

Visit the Nezu Museum, where a private collector of ceramics has created a beautiful museum and garden with a lovely café.

Book a training session viewing with the sumo wrestlers. It’s a really cool and fun experience, but it must be booked well in advance.

Kamakura. A short train ride from Tokyo, you'll find the beautiful little coastal and surfer town of Kamakura. A little gem, if you ask me. The loveliest small houses, independent shops, cafes, and a temple overlooking the sea, with the second-largest Buddha in Japan.

Tip: Take the small local train line in Kamakura either out or back for the full experience.

Kyoto with its beautiful old town, is a must-see. Take a walk and simply explore what’s around the next corner; you’ll find many charming shops and cafés. For a genuine Japanese experience, visit Café Marukyu Koyamaen. The staff wear beautiful uniforms, the tearoom and garden are gorgeous. They serve a prize-winning matcha roulade, and I loved the matcha soda! I stayed for hours, trying several different servings. Their green tea is amazing, so buy yourself a small can of matcha or sencha to take back home.

Another fantastic experience in Kyoto is visiting the Kennin-ji Temple, the oldest Zen Buddhist temple in the city. It’s a beautiful and worthwhile place to explore. In the same area, you’ll find another smaller Zen Buddhist temple, Ryosoku-in, which is owned by a modern monk, Ito Toryo-san, who also curates changing art exhibitions. They have a beautiful garden where you can take a walk and find peace. Tip... pick up one of their high-quality incense boxes made from their garden's herbs and plants.

Uji, is the second-largest historic city in the Kyoto Prefecture and has been the most important producer and distributor of green tea for centuries. Take a day trip here, walk along the scenic riverside, drink tea in a teahouse, and enjoy. It’s a very beautiful and nice place to go. Tip: There’s a really nice antique shop close to the river.

Nara Another lovely day-trip from Kyoto goes to Nara. Here, the Sika deer have moved into the city and live in the parks and streets. They are tame and can be fed special animal crackers sold along the way. There are souvenir shops, cafes, and really good street food. Nara also has a beautiful Buddhist temple with a huge golden Buddha, which is definitely worth a visit.

Kanazawa If you have the time, you must take the Shinkansen to the city of Kanazawa. Stay at The Share Hotel, Kumu. Kanazawa deserves two days; it’s a big city with lots to see, and the trip on the Shinkansen is really cool. The old samurai district in Kanazawa is super nice, and I have bought many beautiful lacquer bowls there. On weekends, the Japanese visit in their formal kimonos.

Don’t miss the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, the castle, and the finest Suzuki museum dedicated to the Buddhist philosopher D.T. Suzuki. There’s a fish market where you can enjoy really delicious sashimi.

Tip: In the historic samurai district, you can have soft ice with real gold, and there is also a gold museum.

Arita is, of course, one of my favorite places to visit in Japan. A small town in the western Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, where porcelain has been produced for centuries. I first came here 10 years ago and have visited both porcelain factories and producers several times. We love the porcelain and craftsmanship from Arita, and most of the attractions in the Arita area are related to the porcelain industry. The landscape here is more rural, and the houses feature traditional Japanese architecture with curved roofs and shaped trees. The area is also known for its hot springs, or onsen baths. You can find hotels with private small baths as well as large, gender-segregated onsen baths. It’s a genuine Japanese experience.

You can take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Arita, a trip of nearly 8 hours, but I promise it will all be worth it.

Tip: There is a whole street of porcelain shops in Arita. Lots of beautiful things for your suitcase.