Summer in the city leads us to beat the heat and escape to the cooler spots. Japan is resplendent with jewels of nature for sustainable, slow or silent travel that appeals to luxury or luxe-for-less seekers and budget bougie travellers. Cooling off in the city begins with a , shaved ice flavoured with matcha, strawberry, sweet plum or a variety of other citric blasts of refreshment.
These are trending across Tokyo and Osaka in ever-extravagant options. Another popular edible found at convenience stores is . Once boiled, these thin noodles are set in ice water and served with an umami-filled dipping sauce.
Summer time also reveals a bounty of fruit like apples, watermelon, muskmelon and yuzu so perfect they look plucked straight out of a fairy tale. Almost 70 per cent of Japan is forest, in which there are popular “Power Spots” where health and well-being enthusiasts immerse themselves in the phytoncide emissions of the woods for rejuvenation. And, there is a quantifiable physiological effect from doing this.
Escaping the bustle of Tokyo, , lies two hours west by train. Lush mountains gush with waterfalls and rivers that rush past trails, paths and caves. Okutama means “beyond the spirit of the waters.
” It’s an easy jaunt to inspirational scenery and serenity. On the Japan Sea Side, is renowned as the home of drumming, where you can beat massive drums in taiko drumming classes. It’s also a bastion of coveted high end sake breweries, including , a favourite of Rober.