Honeymoons in Japan

I haven't met anyone who has visited Japan and didn't fall in love with the country. A mysterious allure brings tourists to this land and changes them forever. For a comprehensive exploration of Japan's enchanting attractions and cultural wonders, consider consulting a Japan travel guide.

Japan offers a cultural journey for honeymoon couples. Even though the country has some beautiful beaches, there are better places to spend your time lounging on the sand and reading a book than a honeymoon in Japan.

Traditions like the tea ceremony, donning a kimono, and wielding a samurai sword are unique to Japan and cannot be learned anywhere else. Japan combines these traditional elements with cutting-edge urban centers, breathtaking natural landscapes, and delectable cuisine that can hold its own against any world.

Japan is a fantastic choice if you need a short trip for your honeymoon. You can see Tokyo and Kyoto in nine days, but you can extend your vacation to cover more of the country in two weeks.

Memorable honeymoon experiences in Japan

Stay in a traditional ryokan

In-room ryokan hot spring bath (onsen)

Despite its relatively simple concept, staying at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) is a fantastic way to get to know the authentic charms of Japanese culture—a house away from home, Japanese-style. Since families manage most ryokans, they can provide the personal service many honeymooners seek.

In a ryokan, you will enjoy outstanding personal service. We include your evening meal in your stay and often provide it in the comfort of your room. Food is normally kaiseki style (a feast of small meals), obtained locally, artfully prepared, and often depending on the seasons. The menu has raw and cooked fish dishes, meat that you cook at the table on a little hot stone grill, and handmade pickles, vegetable tempura, rice, and miso soup.

Private onsen (hot spring) baths are available at certain ryokans. Japanese people love to soak in hot springs and other natural hot springs. We often divide public baths between men and women because of the cultural norm of bareness. Some ryokan, however, provide the luxury of an in-room onsen all to yourself.

Various ryokans are available, from traditional inns that have mostly stayed the same for 200 years to cutting-edge hotels with all the contemporary conveniences. Your expert can guide you in choosing what fits your needs and tastes best.

Take part in a traditional pastime

A traditional Japanese ritual for preparing green tea

Located about 2.5 hours south of Tokyo, Kyoto is often called "the cultural heart of Japan" due to the abundance of shrines, gardens, and traditional wooden buildings. You may learn about and participate in various traditional Japanese activities, such as calligraphy, tea ceremonies, kimono dressing, and cooking, with a group of local women.

While in Kyoto, I attended a private tea ceremony. I've lived in Japan for six years, yet I had just learned this was a cultural norm when I started researching it.

My kimono-clad tea master and instructor awaited me when I arrived at the machiya, a traditional wooden townhouse. She described the ritual's origins before showing how to brew tea properly. I sampled it first, then attempted to duplicate the procedure under my instructor's attentive observation. Green tea, which is the purest kind of tea and also the most bitter, is the norm in Japan. The water is whisked during the tea preparation ritual until it becomes frothy.

You might also participate in a kembu event, which teaches you about samurai culture and involves a swordsmanship demonstration.

Discover Japan's captivating capital city

Tokyo at night

Tokyo is a must-see, so be sure to spend plenty of time to see everything it offers. You can see much of the city by using the subway or walking around.

The Shinjuku neighborhood exemplifies the Tokyo that many foreigners imagine. It's a vibrant city with neon signs, busy streets, and a thrilling vibe. Outside of Shinjuku, the Harajuku neighborhood is where the young and trendy of Japan flaunt their eccentric style.

To see Tokyo at night while sipping a martini, go to the New York Bar at the Park Hyatt Hotel. The movie Lost in Translation features the bar. This bar is one of my regular stops in the city for a drink before supper.

Among the soaring skyscrapers of Tokyo are quiet enclaves where well-maintained temples and shrines provide a respite from the city's constant activity and allow for some quiet reflection. Some examples are the red and gold Senso-ji Temple and the Meiji Shrine, which include timber columns and copper roofs.

There are plenty of accommodation choices in Tokyo. The Conrad Hotel is well-known due to its convenient location and proximity to the Tsukiji Fish Market, the Hamarikyu Gardens, and the central train station in Tokyo.

Relax on the beaches of Okinawa

Okinawa

Okinawa is the perfect spot for a beach vacation on your honeymoon in Japan. This archipelago starkly contrasts Japan's bustling metropolis; it consists of more than 160 islands, all enjoying a subtropical temperature and beaches that can hold their own against those of the Maldives.

The main island of Japan, Honshu, is just a short flight from Okinawa. 

Miyako Island is a great place to escape it all, with its white-sand beaches and charming boutique hotels. Ishigaki Island is a good option if you're looking for somewhere with a little more going on. Visitors may go scuba diving and snorkeling or take day cruises to Iriomote Island to explore the mangroves and marshes.

Japan's less obvious highlights (Hokkaido)

Hokkaido's flower-filled meadows near Shikisai Hill

The northern island of Hokkaido is the best option for honeymooners who want to see the natural beauty of Japan away from the madding hordes. Westerners tend to visit Honshu more often than Hokkaido.

Japan's 'wild north' is a region of forested national parks, coastal cities, and mountain communities. The best way to travel is to drive along the island's quiet roads. The countryside is flooded with fall colors during Koyou season, making driving a joy.

June through August is the peak flowering time in the lowland areas when rows of brilliantly colorful flowers cover the sloped fields. You may travel through purple, lavender, and bright yellow sunflower fields.

Hokkaido is home to various animal species, especially around the shore and national parks. I took a whale-watching tour off the Shiretoko Peninsula on the island's eastern coast and saw a sperm whale while I was there. There is a chance of seeing Hokkaido brown bears, Hokkaido red foxes, deer, and several species of seabirds.

Hokkaido hotels are slightly more rudimentary than those on the other islands, and it might be challenging to find unique, boutique hotels there. There are various options, from cozy inns with little amenities to grand resorts that may be showing their age. You could feel less at ease, but the memories you make will last a lifetime.

Best time to honeymoon in Japan

Fujiyoshida, Japan at Chureito Pagoda and Mt. Fuji

Japan is a year-round destination; each season has unique advantages. Most tourists go there between March and May when the cherry blossoms are most beautiful. However, I like to go in the fall when the trees are brilliant crimson and the weather is pleasant. Comparatively, there are fewer tourists in this beautiful nation than during cherry blossom season.

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