Japan's Best-Kept Secrets

For an immersive art pilgrimage

A cluster of small islands in the Seto Inland Sea has quietly become one of the world’s most compelling art destinations. Here, daring contemporary installations coexist with historic fishing villages, ancient shrines, and serene rural landscapes. 

I recommend three islands to maximize your time:

• Naoshima: The Tadao Ando-designed Naoshima New Museum of Art, which opened last year, showcases major works from across Asia and complements the semi-underground Chichu Art Museum, where the strategic use of natural light shifts the appearance of the displays throughout the day. At Benesse House, you can sleep among pieces by Andy Warhol, David Hockney, and other heavy-hitters, while the Art House Project turns once-abandoned traditional homes into immersive installations.
• Teshima: Architect Ryue Nishizawa and artist Rei Naito joined forces to design the Teshima Art Museum, a concrete structure meant to evoke a rain droplet hitting the ground. Instead of showing art, the space encourages visitors to tune into natural elements like wind, light, and water.
• Inujima: Small but striking, this isle reimagines former industrial sites as contemporary art spaces. The Seirensho Art Museum, which incorporates the remains of a copper refinery into its design, is a must-see. 

For nature done thoughtfully

If the art islands are Japan's creative soul, the mountain towns are its meditative heart. 

Hakone is rightfully famous for its hot springs and views of Mount Fuji. The big news for 2026 is the planned opening of Hotel The Mitsui Hakone, a follow-up to the acclaimed Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto. An hour away, the design-forward Gora Kadan Fuji is a Relais & Châteaux property positioned deep in a forested expanse in the shadow of Mount Fuji. (It's the sister property of the original Gora Kadan Hakone, the ryokan that put Japanese inns on the international map.)

Karuizawa is a small hot-springs resort town that makes a perfect alternative to Hakone's crowds. 

For powder days and polished nights

Skiers love the snow-capped volcanic peaks of Hokkaido for their excellent conditions—light, dry, and consistent throughout the season. In recent years, Niseko’s resort area has seen a boom of luxury hideaways, including:

• Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono, with ski-in/ski-out access and private onsens overlooking the slopes
• Setsu Niseko, recently named Japan’s best ski hotel at the 2025 World Ski Awards
• Muwa Niseko, offering sleek apartment-style stays steps from the lifts
• Nikko Style Niseko Hanazono, a design-forward option near the base area 

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Whether you’re drawn to one of these thought-starters or have a passion of your own you’d like to pursue, I’m here to make it happen.