Hakone is a mountain escape best done slowly — two nights, a ryokan, and enough time to do the ropeway, the open-air museum, and the quietly excellent eating and drinking scene in Gora. Here’s where to go.

Twenty minutes south of Kyoto, Uji is the undisputed home of Japan’s finest matcha — and one of the most rewarding day trips you can make from the city. Here’s where to go, what to buy, and how to make the most of every hour.

Kyoto is Japan’s cultural soul — and its food scene reflects exactly that. From intimate kaiseki hidden inside Nishiki Market to Prohibition-era speakeasies and 300-year-old matcha producers, here are the best places to eat and drink in Kyoto.

Osaka lives by kuidaore — eat until you drop — and this guide takes that seriously. From Kuromon Market and a MICHELIN-selected yakitori omakase to wagashi shops and three of the best cocktail bars in Japan, this is a pastry chef and sommelier’s personal guide to Japan’s most food-obsessed city.

Huaraz rarely shows up on Peru itineraries—and that’s exactly what makes it so valuable. This remote Andean region offers turquoise alpine lakes, pre-Inca ruins with no crowds, and genuine cultural immersion. For travelers extending beyond the classics who value authenticity over amenities, it delivers experiences you won’t find anywhere else.