The 41-year-old is talking about the town of Ginzan Onsen, a popular winter destination in Japan’s Yamagata Prefecture. For Nakata, the importance of the region goes beyond beauty. He’s brought us ...

Japan is a country shaped by seasons and traditions. Each time of year offers a distinct set of experiences that influence ...

Combine a ski trip to Northern Japan this year with one of the winter festivals lighting up Hokkaido and Northern Honshu. The snow illuminations take please in Aone Onsen each February. Northern ...

As the cable car glides up the mountain in Japan’s Yamagata prefecture, the snow-covered fir trees below begin to transform, taking on a bulkier appearance as their green coats disappear under a mass ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I specialize in luxury hotels, Latin America and adventure travel. If tropical heat is a top item on your vacation checklist, ...

These days, it’s hard not to know what an onsen town is. But back when I visited Japan for the third time in 2019, I had no idea this side of Japan even existed. It was only thanks to Papu’s ...

Hidden in a deep valley at the foot of Mount Gassan, Hijiori Onsen offers the kind of stillness that feels rare today. The small hot spring village seems untouched by the passing years: wooden inns, ...

On a recent concert tour in Japan, I had the chance to visit several thermal baths and to chat with people about the tradition of bathing. I was fascinated by their differences with American spas.

Bathing in an “Onsen,” or hot spring, should be on any bucket list for Japan, even if you aren’t a big wellness girlie — although the physical and mental benefits are definitely part of the draw. Each ...