JNTO Newsletter June – July 2023
Summer in Japan is a season of special beauty. It’s a great time to get out and explore the country’s nature, with long sunny days to enjoy, the buzzing of cicadas in the air, greenery everywhere you look, and a sense of joy that seems to run deep through everything. The northern island of Hokkaido is at its best in summer, with temperatures that are just right and fields full of flowers that cry out to be explored. In the tea fields of Saitama it’s harvesting season, and you can try your hand at picking the fresh leaves. This is also a great season to get out on the water and explore Japan’s coastline, and while most people think of the Japanese Alps as a winter destination, in summer they really come into their own. Read on to learn more about some of our favourite summer activities across Japan.
Most of Japan’s green tea comes from areas around Tokyo, and if you’re in the capital, why not make the short journey out to the tea fields, and try your hand at picking the leaves yourself with a tea-harvesting experience? About an hour from Tokyo is the city of Sayama in Saitama prefecture, one of the country’s most prominent tea-growing areas. Between May and October, at Miyanoen, a farm that has produced tea for more than a century, visitors can get out into the fields and harvest the sweet green leaves themselves, using a traditional bamboo basket to carry them. There’s even the option to wear the traditional tea-gathering dress – a short blue kimono paired with a red apron.
You can also join activities to learn how to make matcha, how to brew the perfect pot of green tea, and how to hand-roll tea leaves. And don’t miss the opportunity to try matcha shaved ice at the VW Bus café, the most summery of all Japanese desserts.
Surrounded by rolling hills, fields of flowers and patches of forest, Biei is at its absolute best during the summer months. About two and a half hours from Sapporo, the main city on the northern island of Hokkaido, this is a place where nature really puts on a show. One of the best ways to experience it, with the wind in your hair, the scent of flowers in your nose, and birdsong in your ears, is by bicycle. Join one of Field North’s guided half- or full-day cycling tours, and you’ll be led through beautiful landscapes to places that locals love best. It’s no wonder that Biei is featured in Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s list of the 50 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the World.
Pro tip – to see even more of Hokkaido’s beautiful flower fields during the summer months, hop on the Furano Biei Norokko Train. Passing through lush green landscapes, the train has open windows so you can feel the breeze on your face and take great photos and videos of the scenery passing by. At the Lavender Batake station, you can even walk to the lavender fields of Farm Tomita for more photos, sweetly scented air, and a taste of the farm’s famous lavender soft serve ice cream.
With almost 30,000 km of coastline, heading out on a cruise to discover Japan in a Cruise is a great idea, especially in summer. Whether you want to take a short five-day trip exploring the main highlights, or prefer a 20-day option taking in more of Japan’s island highlights, cruising is a fantastic way to get to know the country. Princess Cruises has been a pioneer in the Cruise Industry for the last 50 years, and the Diamond Princess, the first of the fleet built in a Japanese shipyard, offers cruises around Japan in comfort and luxury.
In 2023 the ship will offer a number of Japan cruises, departing Kobe and Yokohama, from June to October. Shore excursions include mountains, castles, temples and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But it’s not just about what you get see on land. A cruise onboard the ship includes experiences like folkloric performances, authentic Japanese cuisine, and the opportunity to soak in the largest Japanese onsen bath at sea, Izumi.
While many travellers associate the Japanese Alps with snowy winter scenes, they come into a completely new beauty during the summer. Amid the jagged peaks and deep forests of Nagano Prefecture lies Field Suite Hakuba Kitaone Kōgen, a luxury glamping site located in one of Japan’s most famous ski resorts, Happo-One. This is a place designed to let you truly enjoy the great outdoors with just seven tented rooms and the Kengo Kuma-designed Jyubako outdoor cabin perched 1,200 metres up in the mountains.
It’s a spectacular place at any time of day, surrounded by fresh air and no sounds other than nature. Early risers are rewarded by dazzling sunrises and misty mountains. Throughout the day, activities include hiking, kayaking, wandering through the forest or through gardens containing more than 200 varieties of wildflowers, soaking in the hot spring bath, or simply sitting quietly and taking it all in with a cup of herbal tea.
In the evening, dinner is served out in the open, featuring dishes created by chef Shingo Suzuki who trained at Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy for six years. Up here in the mountains, his cuisine focuses on local ingredients and seasonal produce from these lands blessed by nature. And after dinner it’s time for another show – stargazing into the clear night sky through high-powered telescopes for a bedtime story like no other.
Last Updated on 1 year by News Desk 2
