Signature Experiences
Our programs are built upon grounded knowledge, insiders’ access, and engagement with luminaries, sages and creators that are part of our talent community. Thanks to the extensive international network of people sharing our same values, approach and commitments, we craft elevative journeys that cover a wide range of thematic experiences.
Hokkaido is the northernmost of the main islands that constitute Japan. With its stunning nature and scenery, Hokkaido is a great destination for adventure, wildlife and mountains. During the snowy winter, the mountains are perfect for ski-lovers, and they offer amazing hikes and treks during the summer, which never gets as hot as in other parts of Japan.
But Hokkaido is much more than breath-taking nature: it is also a place of great food, long history and indigenous culture. Here you can discover the remains of the Jomon, the civilization that inhabited Japan from the end of the Last Glacial Period (LGP) until around the 5th century BCE.
Hokkaido is also where you can hear a story many travelers who have visited Japan, and even Japanese, do not know – the story of the Ainu, the native inhabitants of Northern Japan, who have cultivated their own distinctive culture founded on strong respect and interaction with the environment. In the Ainu language, Hokkaido is called Yaunmosir, meaning: ‘the land of land‘.
Tohoku is the northeastern part of Honshu, the main island of the Japanese archipelago.
It is a region full of charm, where you can experience traditional lifestyles and the distinctive cultures passed down from generation to generation. Its astounding natural scenery, remote hot springs and unique lifestyles make Tohoku the ideal destination for a journey between nature and culture, where you will feel how closely Zen and Samurai culture are connected to nature.
The exemplary resilience of the people living in Tohoku became apparent to the whole world on March 11th, 2011, when the region was hit by the earthquake and tsunami which caused the nuclear accident in Fukushima prefecture. Visiting Tohoku is not only your chance to explore a region of beautiful nature, vibrant festivals and traditions, it is also a chance for you to really make a difference.
Kanto is a region on the eastern side of Japan’s main island, Honshu.
Tokyo – the urban metropolis, not only the most densely populated area in Japan but also one of the most populous cities in the world. Tokyo is a place that combines the future with the past in a unique way: skyscrapers, neon lights and busy crossroads are just one of the many faces of the city. Those, for sure, but also temples and shrines, quiet streets and museums, sophisticated restaurants, elegant bars and izakayas, high end boutiques and small second hand shops, cosplay and salarymen – it’s the combination of all this that makes Tokyo so unforgettable.
And yet, seeing only Tokyo is not enough… so much more awaits you just outside the megalopolis: in fact, the Kanto region is full of world-heritage temples, onsen (hot springs) and nature that cannot be found in Tokyo.
The Chubu region is at the heart of Japan’s largest island Honshu, between Kanto and Kansai. The region hosts many of Japan’s tallest mountains, including the sacred Mount Fuji and the Japan Alps, making it the perfect place for ski and onsen (hot spring) lovers. In addition to the wonderful nature, you can also find some of the most beautiful examples of the bygone lifestyle in the villages and cities that dot the region and that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While exploring the Chubu region, you will start noticing how the northern and the southern parts are distinctively different. Facing the Sea of Japan, the northern part still features one of the most elegant and refined local cultures of Japan, whereas the dynamism of the people living in the southern part made it famous for business and technology.
Kansai is a region in Honshu, the largest of the four main islands of Japan.
It used to be the political and cultural center of Japan for many centuries, so it is not surprising that it still hosts about half of all Japan’s Important Cultural assets and National Treasures.
In Kansai you’ll find the traditional Japan of your imagination – exquisite food, classical performing arts, Japanese tea ceremony, handicrafts, Zen gardens and temples that have been transmitted from generation to generation. The old capitals of Nara and Kyoto are where you will admire the deep, multilayered culture that Japan has built throughout its history, but Kansai is also the place where you can appreciate the spirit of initiative that permeates modern cities like Osaka. And yet, Kansai is more than just a collection of fascinating cities, it is also a place of lovely nature and deep spirituality.
The Chugoku Region is located in the western part of Japan’s main island, Honshu.
Together with some very famous destinations, the region also hosts some hidden gems, places that you would never guess could be found in Japan, such as the high sand dunes along the Sea of Japan coast. Other natural gems are scattered around the region and their variety is just amazing: fields of flowers, waterfalls, coasts, trekking routes…And yet, Chugoku also offers plenty of cultural activities. For its recent history, Hiroshima is by far one of the most visited cities in the region, whereas other cities will show you the most tranquil and picturesque side of the region, among the highlights: one of the most beautiful gardens of Japan and the shrine dedicated to the god that creates all the connections and ties that we make during our lifetime.
Located south of Honshu, Shikoku is the smallest of Japan’s main islands.
Shikoku offers plenty of attractions: its beautiful seas, mountains, rivers are as intriguing as its long and fascinating history, excellent food and rich culture.
On one hand, Shikoku is most famous for its 88 Temple Pilgrimage route established by Kukai, the founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. On the other hand, the islands of Naoshima and Teshima in the Seto islands are perfect examples of places where nature and contemporary art coexist. This is the true charm of Shikoku: its stunning nature is so intertwined with traditional culture that visiting Shikoku is a wonderful exploration of both past and present. Adventures in nature are complemented by spectacular festivals, long-standing hot springs, stunning art and deep spirituality.
Kyushu is Japan’s third largest island, located southwest of the main island Honshu.
The island is famous for its fertile farmlands as well as for its active volcanoes and hot springs, so many that Kyushu is also called the ‘‘onsen island’. In fact, for thousands of years, the mineral-rich waters of Kyushu’s hot springs have healed and soothed emperors, samurai and regular people. In addition, its beautiful coasts are a great attraction for surfers.
Being geographically very close to East Asia, throughout history Kyushu has functioned as the gateway to Japan, being a link between the country and the rest of the world. The special dynamism of the people is reflected in Kyushu’s rich gastronomy, where the products of this fertile island (often organically grown) are used to create dishes that assimilate global influences.
Okinawa is Japan’s southernmost prefecture.
Consisting of about 160 different islands all featuring white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, wild jungles, Okinawa is the perfect destination for a relaxing holiday. Beside a wide range of activities in nature, such as hikes and scuba diving, you will also have the opportunity to understand the unique features of the region. Its distinctive food, music, arts and crafts are the result of a combination of influences coming from different parts of Asia and Japan.
Okinawa used to be an independent country known as Ryukyu Kingdom until the late 19th century, and the mixed culture that had characterized its history is still reflected in the open, friendly and laid back atmosphere that one can immediately feel while visiting any of the islands in Okinawa.
