NightingTales: The Rising Sun of Japanese Travel

In 2018, Japan had 6 million travellers visit the country. In 2025, it had 43 million visitors. In all of my time in travel, I have never known a destination to reach such elevated and continued popularity. Furthermore, I do not know a single person who has visited Japan and not fallen in love with the country, the people and the culture.

I was lucky enough to head East in June, after long wanting to visit “The Land of the Rising Sun”.... and oh my, it did not disappoint. In short, I “get it”.

There is nowhere quite like Japan, it is a country of extremes by Western standards… extreme food, extreme cities, extreme politeness, extreme cleanliness, and above all extreme enjoyment… the list goes on. I spent 2 weeks exploring Tokyo, Kyoto, the Japanese Alps, and Osaka, which provided such a breadth of experience that I long to return and visit even more destinations around this simply sublime country.

Let’s start with Tokyo, the largest city on Earth. Standing on the 43rd floor of the beautiful Fairmont Tokyo, the cityscape reaches to the horizon in every direction, so much so that it reminded me of the “planet-cities” in Star Wars. However, in this largest city of the planet, I did not see a single piece of litter during my time there, even in the busiest attractions and neighbourhoods such as Shinjuku, Shibuya Crossing, and Asakusa. Such is the respect, the politeness, and the orderliness of Japan as a country. Citizens simply take their rubbish home with them. I loved that this was the cultural norm, and it made a huge, sprawling city feel clean and fresh, which I never thought possible having been to the likes of Cairo, Delhi and New York before.

Watching Sumo training at Isegahama Stable

The Sake offerings at Meiji Shrine

We had some amazing experiences here - we experienced dinner with Geisha, watched Sumo training, walked around sacred shrines and temples surrounded by skyscrapers, explored beautifully manicured gardens, sampled Tokyo’s incredible restaurant scene and nightlife, and far more. There is something for everyone in Tokyo in my opinion, and it is truly one of the great cities of the world.

From there we went off the beaten track to the small town of Takayama in the Japanese Alps. I thought this area was truly charming. Takayama is famous for its Edo-period wooden streets, sake breweries, exquisite Hida beef, and its gorgeous scenery which looks like a utopian crossover of Sound of Music and Spirited Away. 

We stayed in two authentic “inns” or Ryokans - very traditional properties with thermal Onsens, futon mattresses, Tatami flooring, and no shoes allowed. Little English was spoken, however we were instantly made to feel at home and that we were checking in somewhere truly special, particularly at the beautiful Hironjin Hiranoya. I could write for 3 pages on the amazing peculiarities of Onsen etiquette and traditional Japanese dining… but suffice to say, both are an experience which must be had to be believed. 

In Takayama and the surrounds, we met lots of local people and each person we interacted with was unbelievably charming and welcoming. The local pubs - Izakayas - are definitely a must “see and drink” spot because of their hospitality and truly local feel!

After Takayama, we headed into Kyoto, famous for its 10,000 shrines and temples, Geisha culture, traditional architecture and of course the world-famous Sakura or Cherry Blossom. Like with everywhere I visited in Japan, Kyoto is quite simply worth the hype. The Fushimi Inari Shrine (dedicated to the God of Rice and Business Prosperity) is a particular highlight of the historical sites… not least because it featured on the Nightingale website home page… but because it is ridiculously impressive. Businesses still donate the gates to the shrine in the hope of success and prosperity.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

I think that this is a part of why Japan is so special as a destination. It is very much where tradition meets modernity. The country masterfully balances its deep rooted heritage with innovation and futurism. In every city you visit, there is a thousand year old shrine next to a towering skyscraper.

A special mention to one of our hotels in Kyoto - the brand new Capella Kyoto. I had long wanted to visit a Capella property, and this particular hotel absolutely blew me away. The dynamic blend of style between traditional art and modern architecture, ultra-comfortable rooms, world-class dining, and sublime service… it was amazing, a sincerely special hotel.

The stunning central courtyard of Capella Kyoto

After Kyoto we spent a small amount of time in Osaka. Part of me was thinking “oh just another big bustling Japanese city”, that would be similar to Tokyo but like many times in Japan, I was wrong again! Osaka has a very different atmosphere to other cities, it is more relaxed in general, considered to be the home of Japanese comedy, more extroverted locals, and probably Japan’s most renowned foodie city.

Here, we experienced a phenomenal food tour one evening. We visited a breadth of restaurants (and bars) and sampled everything - broiled chicken necks, pickled ginger, delectable tempura and kushikatsu. The atmosphere was

tremendous, and Osaka is definitely a city for those who want a bit of buzz and nightlife. We also had the pleasure of staying at the new Patina Osaka Hotel, overlooking the impressive Osaka Castle complex. This was a hotel and portfolio I had very little knowledge of previously and I thought it was exceptional.

All in all, Japan lives up to its reputation and completely delivers on its promise for an exceptional travel experience. I would recommend it to anyone interested in history, culture and food… or for people who want to experience something so wildly different to anywhere else in the world.

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions about a luxury Japan holiday!

Key Things to Consider:

• Book WELL in advance… you need at least 12 months to plan a trip to Japan such is the popularity and culture of how “business” is done in the country

• Cherry Blossom season isn’t everything… Japan is pretty much always busy to some degree, but the crowds in March/April are oppressive. Consider “The Fall” for beautiful Autumnal colours and slightly quieter sightseeing

• Dietary Requirements - I spoke to a friend of mine who has lived in Japan for 15 years, she said she has never met a single Japanese person with a nut allergy or who is gluten free… you can still visit Japan, but traditional restaurants and accommodations will sadly not be able to cater to more challenging dietaries

• You can’t see everything in one trip… Japan is vast, and despite the efficiency of the Shinkansen (bullet train), you cannot see everything in one go! Think what is most important for you in terms of experience and we will plan the perfect itinerary