From Samurai Gardens to Subtropical Shores: Japan's Next Great Escape - Kanazawa & Okinawa

With its fast trains, impeccable bento boxes and cities bursting with neon light and color, Japan has become an object of collective obsession in the United States. The iconography we’ve built up around this archipelago nation is so vivid it elicits gasps of joy or jealousy whenever travel plans are mentioned—and lately, it seems like truly everyone is going. Most American travelers, understandably, concentrate their time on the cultural capitals of the main island, Honshu, spending several nights each in Tokyo and Kyoto, and perhaps taking the bullet train to Osaka to sample its renowned food scene. The northernmost island of Hokkaido is steadily rising in popularity thanks to its hot springs and world-famous ski resorts like Niseko, and smaller islands like Kyushu and Naoshima are drawing travelers with their history and contemporary art. Meanwhile, top luxury brands like Ritz-Carlton and Aman are leading guests to lesser-known locales like Nikko and Ise-Shima with glamorous resorts.

Still, with 47 prefectures and nearly 7,000 islands, Japan offers so much more to explore beyond the usual hubs, whether it's your first trip or your fifteenth. Two lesser-visited regions we’d propose for your shortlist: Kanazawa, a former castle town on the Sea of Japan, where Edo-era geisha districts, samurai residences and gold-leaf artisans sit alongside one of the country’s best contemporary art museums; and Okinawa, Japan’s subtropical southern chain—and one of the world’s Blue Zones—whose distinct Ryukyuan history, turquoise reefs and laid-back pace feel worlds away from the mainland. Below, take a closer look at these singular regions and find out what you need to know to plan a trip.

Set on the Sea of Japan, on Honshu Island's northern coast—2.5 hours from Tokyo on the Shinkansen bullet train—Kanazawa is compact, cultured and deeply tactile. This is a city to experience through the hands as much as the eyes: the cool weight of a lacquered bowl, the delicate flutter of gold leaf pressed onto a pastry, the padding of footsteps on packed earth down a centuries-old samurai lane.

Here, travelers can meander past shopfronts gleaming with Kutani porcelain and bolts of Kaga-yuzen silk—still dyed by hand using techniques passed down for generations—and duck into traditional tea houses where lattice screens filter the afternoon light. The city produces over 99 percent of Japan's gold leaf, a legacy of its Edo-period wealth: ruled by the powerful Maeda clan, Kanazawa was once one of Japan's richest and most influential castle towns. Because it escaped destruction during World War II, it has retained its authentic samurai districts and their historic architecture; it was under the patronage of these very samurai that Kanazawa's crafts first flourished, birthing the artisanal spirit that still defines the city today—and extends into other realms, like cuisine (Kanazawa is often hailed as the "Sushi Capital of Japan").

Day One

Arrive from Tokyo by Shinkansen bullet train and meet your guide for lunch at a local favorite spot known for teppanyaki-style cooking and premium Noto beef. In the afternoon, begin at Kenrokuen, the 28-acre landscape garden beside Kanazawa Castle and one of Japan's three great gardens, then continue on to the restored castle grounds and the Nagamachi Samurai District, where earthen walls and former residences preserve the historic atmosphere of the old town.

Day Two

Start the day with a guided tour of Omicho Market, a maze of vendors piled high with freshly-caught seafood and local produce; in colder months, snow crab and yellowtail are the seasonal draws, while sweet shrimp, nodoguro fish and Kaga vegetables are prized year-round. Pick up ingredients at the market before a hands-on cooking class focused on Kaga cuisine—and paired with local sake. In the afternoon, cross the Asano River to the Higashi Chaya District, a historic geisha (or locally called "geigi") district known for its traditional houses and small boutiques. This is a perfect spot for strolling, shopping and taking photographs—or reserve a private geisha performance for deeper cultural immersion. Finish off your day with a formal kaiseki dinner.

Day Three

Spend the morning meeting with local artisans and try a hands-on workshop in a lacquerware or Kutani porcelain studio—and meet the gold-leaf master at Hakuza and learn how he preserves the UNESCO-recognized craftsmanship while innovating it for modern products. Next, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art offers a modern counterpoint that shows how Kanazawa's creative identity is continuing to evolve. Later, take a private car to Kaga, a nearby city known for its hot-spring ryokans and serene atmosphere. Alternatively, continue your trip to Kyoto or Osaka by bullet train.

More than 900 miles to the south, the subtropical prefecture of Okinawa comprises over 160 islands—including Okinawa Main Island, home to the capital city, Naha—that once made up the historic Ryukyu Kingdom. The culture and heritage here are entirely distinct from those of mainland Japan, and so is the air itself: warm, salty breezes drift in off coral reefs, palm fronds and fukugi trees rustle overhead and the scent of simmering pork and bitter melon waft from open-air kitchens at midday. Here, Japan's mountain and urban landscapes give way to white sand, dense subtropical forest and vivid blue water, a setting that fosters a slower pace for daily life. This is just one of many reasons why Okinawa is one of the original Blue Zones—the five regions in the world with the highest concentration of healthy, active centenarians.

Travelers can dig deeper through immersive experiences like a longevity-focused cooking class and meetings with local farmers and healers to learn about "kusuimun," the Okinawan concept of food as medicine. Be sure to save time for treatments like an island blessing and massage with local herbs, seashells and Miyakojima "snow salt," which can be found at beachfront resorts like Rosewood Miyakojima. Wellness can also be explored in ancient natural sites like Yanbaru, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site celebrated for its biodiversity, and through cultural experiences like a karate workshop (the martial art was created here).

Day One

Arrive by domestic flight from Haneda Airport (HND) in Tokyo or Itami Airport (ITM) in Osaka and transfer to Naha, Okinawa's capital, for a private guided tour of the city's highlights. Visit the Nakagusuku Castle Ruins, a well-preserved 15th-century Ryukyuan gusuku (castle) and UNESCO World Heritage Site; Shuri Castle, the former royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom; and Shikinaen Royal Garden, a serene retreat blending Chinese, Japanese and Okinawan design that was once used by the royal family to host foreign envoys. Round out the day with a stop at Makishi Market.

Day Two

Transfer to the coastal city of Nago. Begin with a private guided visit to Urumarche Market, a farm-to-table complex in Uruma City known for fresh local produce and artisanal goods. Then, experience a Blue Zone cooking class centered on "kusuimun"—Okinawa's traditional concept of food as medicine—for modern health and longevity. In the afternoon, take in the sea views at Cape Manzamo, one of Okinawa's most scenic spots—especially at sunset—before dinner at Ufuya, where authentic Ryukyu cuisine is served in a beautifully converted traditional Okinawan house.

Day Three

Sleep in and spend the morning at leisure on the beach, enjoying a thalassotherapy treatment or trying water activities before transferring north to the Yanbaru forest region. Stop in Ogimi, a rural village and a Blue Zone, for lunch at Emi-no-Mise, where owner Emiko will share the secrets of Blue Zone longevity cuisine through her carefully crafted dishes. In the afternoon, join a nature guide for a private tour of the Yanbaru Forest, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site prized for its biodiversity. After, visit a local awamori brewery to learn about Okinawa's distilled spirit (and sample a taste or two). Stop by the Bashofu Textile Museum to see fibers from banana plants woven into exquisite traditional cloth. For travelers with more time, a guided tour of Motobu makes a worthwhile detour for the Churaumi Aquarium (one of the largest in the world, known for its success in whale shark breeding), the picture-perfect Bise Fukugi Tree Road and the ruins of Nakijin Castle.

When to Go

Mid-March through April and late October through November are ideal times to visit—when Kanazawa's seasonal beauty pairs well with milder weather in subtropical Okinawa. Spring brings Kanazawa's gardens to life alongside pleasant conditions down south, while late fall offers vibrant autumnal hues in the north and more comfortable temperatures in Okinawa after its hottest, stormiest typhoon months. Winter is also worth considering for travelers more drawn to food and culture than to beaches: it's one of Kanazawa's best seasons for local seafood, while Okinawa remains fairly mild.

The Japan Airlines Advantage

Japan Airlines brings a distinctly Japanese approach to air travel, combining thoughtful hospitality, elevated service and comfort across every cabin. As of summer 2026, JAL operates nonstop service to Tokyo from major U.S. cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and San Diego, with Los Angeles and Honolulu also offering nonstop service to Osaka/Kansai.

JAL delivers a premium travel experience even in Economy Class, with more generous legroom, attentive service and thoughtfully prepared in-flight dining. Travelers can choose from a variety of meal options, including washoku Japanese cuisine and Western-style dishes. Baggage allowances are also generous: international Economy and Premium Economy tickets include two checked bags of up to 50 pounds each, while Business and First Class tickets include three bags of up to 70 pounds each. Sports enthusiasts also benefit from an extra checked-bag allowance for equipment, including skis and snowboards, golf clubs, diving gear and even bicycles.

About Japan Airlines Vacations: This feature is brought to you in partnership with Japan Airlines Vacations, the official vacation brand of Japan Airlines, offering dynamic and curated vacations packages that bundle JAL flights, partner hotels and local experiences across Japan into a single holiday package. Contact the Indagare team to learn more.

This article was created in partnership with Japan Airlines Vacations.