There are always new methods for Japan to surprise tourists. One minute you’re in Central Osaka, a city of parks, shopping centers, and excellent dining. Next, you’re enjoying the downtime life provides on the terraces of the Gate Hotel Fukuoka, exploring a museum of Japanese toilets in Aichi, or ziplining over fields after a local breakfast in Chiba. New establishments are popping up all throughout the nation’s several prefectures, providing a variety of lodging options and locations to explore. Here are four new locations that should be on your next itinerary if you’re searching for new places to captivate you.
In the heart of Osaka, Grand Green Osaka unfolds as a new kind of urban retreat, where city parks meet upscale dining, design-forward shopping, and slow moments of wellness. Days begin with local pastries or pour-over coffee on terrace cafes, followed by sushi omakase, open-kitchen steak dinners, or a stroll through the flagship stores. Below ground, the buzzing Time Out Market gathers top chefs to serve some of the best food across Kansai, alongside live cultural events and performances. Soak in a rooftop onsen, wind down in meditation rooms, or simply watch the city come alive in this new urban paradise.
In the forests of Chiba, the Farm Slow Mountain Narita offers a slower, more grounded kind of getaway. Accommodations include glamping tents, cottages, and cabins scattered across a spacious, tree-lined property.
Mornings start with fresh, local food, while the rest of the day is open for zipline rides, vegetable harvesting, or following an AR-powered trail through the woods. In the evening, communal barbecue dinners bring people together under the stars. Find beauty in the stillness of Farm Slow Mountain Narita, easily accessible via car from Tokyo, and via bus or car from Narita Airport.
Photo courtesy of ©INAX MUSEUMS
The newest addition to the INAX MUSEUMS in Tokoname, Aichi, Toilet Museum celebrates Japan’s design-forward approach to one of life’s most overlooked essentials that the country does best. Exhibits walk you through the history of toilets in Japan, from early wooden bowls to the high-tech fixtures now famous around the world. It’s a clever, unexpectedly engaging stop that fits perfectly into the INAX MUSEUMS’ larger focus on ceramics, design, and everyday innovation. The museum is accessible by a 10-minute car ride from Chubu Centrair Airport, or a 40-minute limited express train ride from Meitetsu Nagoya Station.
The GATE HOTEL FUKUOKA by HULIC offers visitors to Fukuoka a refined and serene experience in the heart of the city. The hotel is located in the top levels of a brand-new business complex and has a direct connection to Tenjin Station. Anchor Grill Fukuoka, the hotel’s in-house restaurant, features local ingredients in every dish, and its top-floor lounge leads onto a breeze-filled patio with expansive views of the skyline. The décor of the guestrooms are modern and well-designed, while suites like THE GATE provide views of Hakata Bay.
Every one of these locations provides something a little different—an experience you weren’t even aware you were seeking. When combined, they demonstrate how Japan keeps evolving and delighting—not by adopting fads but by subtly increasing the standard.
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