Release Date: August 25, 2025
Japan embodies a unique blend of cutting-edge technology and rich history surrounded by the beauty of nature. Travelers who venture just a short train ride away from the bustling cities are met with the breathtaking splendor of Japan’s majestic mountains, stunning flower gardens, and captivating forests. These serene landscapes, especially in lesser-known areas like Hokkaido, Ehime, and Hiroshima, offer the ideal backdrop for a revitalizing wellness escape. Infused with Zen practices and cultural teachings, these small towns, villages, cities, and islands might hold the key to extended vitality and an all-encompassing renewal of the body, mind, and soul.
### Discovering Hokkaido
Hokkaido is renowned for its vast, unspoiled terrain, drawing in skiers, snowboarders, and outdoor enthusiasts with its snow-covered mountains. As the snow gives way to spring, Hokkaido transforms into a colorful tapestry of lavender, lupine, sunflower, and lilac blooms.
Exploring Hokkaido’s pristine countryside on horseback is a truly immersive experience. These noble creatures, once essential for various tasks like logging and farming, now graze peacefully in lush pastures. Visitors can engage in equine therapy and bond with these gentle animals at Northern Horse Park, a mere 15-minute drive from New Chitose Airport. Guests can embark on horse-drawn carriage tours and enjoy sleigh rides through the snowy landscape in winter.
For a therapeutic sojourn in nature, Nonno-no-mori in Tsubetsu beckons visitors to partake in “shinrin-yoku” or forest bathing. Amidst the peaceful setting, one can meditate, listen to the harmonious tunes of birds and flowing rivers, and inhale the fresh forest air. The park boasts three picturesque forest trails adorned with Japanese primroses, adding a touch of elegance to the landscape.
Akan-Mashu National Park in eastern Hokkaido boasts three stunning calderas formed by volcanic activities. Along Lake Kussharo, visitors can indulge in free outdoor hot spring baths (requiring swimsuits) and experience a unique “sand bath” at Sunayu beach. By digging a hole, guests can revel in the soothing hot spring water that seeps through the sand.
### Unwinding Through Onsen Retreats
No visit to Hokkaido is complete without a rejuvenating retreat at one of its renowned onsens or hot springs resorts.
Nestled in Kamikawa, Northern Hokkaido, Hotel Taisetsu Onsen & Canyon Resort presents a modern retreat with a mix of Japanese and Western-style rooms. The resort features five public baths, including spacious indoor baths and invigorating open-air options.
In Jozankei, central Hokkaido, Chalet Ivy Jozankei offers a luxurious ryokan-style hotel experience blending traditional Japanese customs with Western comforts. Spa Nikur’s treatments reflect the cultural heritage of the indigenous Ainu people and utilize locally sourced Hokkaido ingredients for a truly authentic spa experience.
Continue Reading rnrn