Buddha and the Shinto gods are honored at remote and urban temples and shrines, and mountain lovers hike some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world.

In between, bathers soak in steamy natural onsens (hot springs). While snow bunnies skid down ski slopes in the far northeast, surf bums splash in the pristine tropical waters of the distant southwest. But there’s a whole other world outside Japan’s buzzing capital metropolis, and hundreds of heavenly culinary creations generally unknown away from their regional locales.

Appetizing thoughts of sushi, sashimi, and ramen noodles are conjured. There’s always something new to discover in the land of the rising sun.Īt the mere mention of Japan, the neon glow of Tokyo’s sprawling cityscape springs to mind-fast trains, crowded streets, shopping for days.