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To help restart your Japan travel planning, here’s a roundup of some of Japan’s newest hotels, cultural experiences, foodie news, and the latest in art, fashion and fun.
From the return of the Setouchi Triennale and Danish-Japanese inspired luxury campgrounds, to crab and sake paired dining experiences and heart-stopping new rides at Universal Studios Japan, start to imagine what your next trip to The Land of The Rising Sun might look like.
The hottest new hotels
A bar-themed hotel in Hakone, to a luxury campground in Mie prefecture
A spa resort designed by revered architect, Kengo Kuma, is opening in the Niigata mountains this April. ‘Field Suite Spa Headquarters’ will be a luxury spa resort where guests can escape to nature for breathtaking mountain views and rejuvenating soaks in the open air onsen. Those planning a trip can either stay in one of three villas, or the ‘jyubako’ – a small but beautifully designed mobile hut. https://www.snowpeak.co.jp/fieldsuitespa/hq/
The lines blur at barhotel Hakone, Kanagawa prefecture. Is it a bar-themed hotel or a hotel-themed bar? Either way, with 108 cocktails on the menu and a private spa equipped with a minibar, glassware and Champagne on ice, guests are guaranteed a unique stay. https://www.barhotel.com/
Amongst Mie prefecture’s towering trees and roaring waterfalls, Nordisk Hygge Circles is a new luxury campground designed by Danish architects Nordisk. The site consists of zones including the ‘rest’ area with reservable circular cabins and glamping tents, a ‘learning field’ for nature-inspired excursions and workshops, and an area where guests can pitch their own tents. Everything is constructed in circular shapes, a reference to both early Danish and Japanese civilizations who would gather in circles, sharing food, water and fire. https://nordisk.eu/inspiration-to-great-outdoor-experiences/nordisk-hygge-circles-ugakei
In a prime location on the grounds of Nara Park, the elegant FUFU Nara is ideal for exploring Japan’s former capital city. With a stunning contemporary design and decor that stretches deep into local history, this small luxury hotel strikes a pleasing balance between tradition and modernity for an only-in-Nara experience. While you’re in the area, for critically acclaimed seasonal Japanese cuisine served in a rustic setting, be sure to check out nearby Onjaku. The kaiseki menu has earned the restaurant two Michelin stars. https://www.fufunara.jp/en/
Japan is famous for its traditional ancient hot springs and saunas, but the country also isn’t afraid to break the mould. The local authorities in Himeji, Hyogo prefecture, have converted a retired public bus into a bookable mobile sauna. Original bus details have been retained in the redesign, including hanging handrail rings and bench seats. The stop buttons, normally used to request a stop off, will now spray water when pressed to generate steam in the sauna room. https://sabus.jp/
Dining and bar news
Michelin stars shine bright in Tokyo and Kansai, Starbucks celebrates sakura season
Michelin Guide Tokyo 2022 has been released, with 432 restaurants in the metropolis making the list. 12 were awarded three stars, 41 with two stars, 150 one-star restaurants and 229 ‘Bib Gourmand’ restaurants were crowned. Tokyo has maintained its world-class gastronomic reputation, with more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world. Meanwhile the Michelin Guide Kyoto Osaka 2022 has also recently dropped, with Osaka’s Numata being crowned two-stars. The local institution specialises in tempura including the legendary tamagokake-gohan featuring egg yolk tempura, meringue, and a tempura prawn https://guide.michelin.com/jp/en
Starbucks has released a Japan-exclusive cherry blossom collection for 2022. This year’s pink beverages include a Sakura Strawberry Shiratama Frappuccino and a Sakura Blooming Milk Latte. Meanwhile Swiss chocolate company Lindt has released new Sakura & Cream Lindor chocolate balls exclusively for sale in Japan. The chocolate ball is filled with a pastel pink cream that tastes of sweet cherries https://www.lindt.jp/f/onlineshop
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Starbucks’ Sakura Strawberry Shiratama Frappuccino
Art, attractions and retail therapy
Muji opens largest store, Setouchi Triennale dates announced, Japan’s beautiful manhole covers on T-shirts
Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is adding more heart-pumping action, unveiling new rides based on iconic Japanese anime, manga, and video games including Monster Hunter, Detective Conan, Attack on Titan, Sailor Moon and Hunter Hunter. These ‘ultra-real’ experiences will open to guests from March 4 to August 28. https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us
The largest Muji store in the world is opening in Hiroshima. Occupying a whopping 6,100sqm over two floors, you can expect over 7,500 kinds of items, including the brand’s signature minimalist homeware, creamy white furnishings, stylishly simple kitchenware, classic casual clothing, its own no-brand branded food, and snacks; not to mention all that stationery. https://www.muji.com/jp/ja/shop/detail/045653
The Setouchi Triennale art festival is confirmed to go ahead in 2022 and will run over six months. Split over three ‘seasons’ from April 14 to May 18, August 5 to September 4 and September 29 to November 6, the Triennale includes the islands’ permanent site-specific art installations as well as exhibitions that will only be displayed for a single season. https://setouchi-artfest.jp/en/