Several Japanese cities are increasing the “bathing tax” for overnight visitors to onsen (hot spring) resorts, in an attempt to deal with rising tourism. This tax has been raised in regions including ...

Tucked into the forested hills of Kumamoto Prefecture is Kurokawa Onsen, a small hot spring village that feels like it’s been preserved in time. Compared to more well-known Kyushu onsen towns like ...

As co-founders of the Vancouver-based design firm SHED Studio, Colin Faber and Leni Niemegeers-Faber are partners in both business and in life. Although they established their practice in 2003, ...

Above: An onsen in the newly renovated Nishimuraya Honkan, a ryokan in the town of Kinosaki. The Gora Kadan ryokan in Hakone. Located inside the national park that is home to Mount Fuji, it is less ...

Certain kinds of accommodation offer a window into the national soul. Step onto the flagstones of an ancient English inn, into the pine-panelled cosiness of an Alpine rifugio or beyond the gates of an ...

Ginzan Onsen, a popular Japanese hot spring town known for its scenic snowy views, has begun limiting entry to day trippers during winter peak season, becoming another destination to tackle ...

On a recent concert tour in Japan, I had the chance to visit several thermal baths and to chat with people about the tradition of bathing. I was fascinated by their differences with American spas.

One is spoiled for choice when it comes to onsen (hot springs) in Japan. Nowhere is this more evident than the island of Kyushu, with subterranean waters heated by no less than nine active volcanoes.

The ‘art island’ of Naoshima, on the Seto Inland Sea, draws crowds for its pumpkin sculpture by Yayoi Kusama, the Benesse House Museum and installations set in historic homes. Accommodation struggles ...