Tokyo to Niigata:

With centuries of history breathing life into every corner of the neighborhood, Asakusa is a hub of traditional culture in Tokyo. Visit Asakusa Engei Hall, an institution devoted to the art of rakugo—traditional Japanese comedy—where a single comedian tells elaborate, rapid-fire stories while playing different characters.

Nearby lies the city’s oldest temple, Sensoji Temple, famed for its iconic red lantern hanging at its Kaminarimon Gate entrance. Meanwhile, Hoppy Street is the perfect place to enjoy a tasty (and budget-friendly) meal at a traditional izakaya, before hopping on a jinrikisha for a private rickshaw ride, or taking a “water bus” cruise to see the sites along the Sumida River.

For culinary connoisseurs, looking for a taste of old-meets-new, Hobo Shinjuku Norengai is a collection of over ten modern izakayas and restaurants in one old-fashioned warehouse. Shops here excel at everything from snacks like gyoza (pot stickers) and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), to Showa-era homestyle dishes like omurice and ramen. Korean and Spanish cuisine is also available, offering international flavors.

Wellness and tranquility are fundamental aspects of Japanese living. Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest broadcast tower and second tallest man-made structure, offers yoga sessions on its 1,476 feet (450m) high observation deck. The class welcomes beginners, giving visitors to Japan a chance to stretch and re-focus, while taking in breathtaking views of the city. Afterwards check out Solamachi, located at the foot of Tokyo Skytree, featuring over 300 shops and dining options as well as the Sumida Aquarium and the Planetarium Tenku where visitors can gaze into the night sky.

Marunouchi is home to Tokyo’s financial district and embodies the stunning contrast between classical and modern. Here, visit the architectural marvel that is Tokyo Station, originally opened in 1914 it survived the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and now houses one of the most advanced train systems in the world. Every year from autumn to mid-February, the area is home to the Marunouchi Illumination. A walk along the cobblestone streets of the Naka-dori shopping area will reward visitors with spectacular city views complemented by trees draped in elaborate Christmas lights.

An extended stay at a Ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn, is one of the best ways to fully experience Japanese hospitality, fine dining and relaxation. Ryokan Okayama, offers modern, comfortable rooms and exceptional cuisine focused on fresh seafood (Iwagaki oysters, rockfish and prawns), mountain vegetables, Koshihikari brand rice produced in Myoko and local Kubiki Wagyu beef. For travelers looking to reinvigorate themselves, a soak in natural hot spring waters with a view of the snowy landscape and starlit sky will refresh your body and mind for the next day’s adventure.

Ryokan come in different shapes and sizes, and Ryokan Seifuso, offering ski-to-door access to Niigata’s Akakura Kanko Ski Resort, is a storied establishment with plenty of classic Japanese touches. Guest rooms feature tatami woven straw mat floors and comfortable low futon bedding. Traditional cuisine makes the best of local ingredients, for a sustainable, farm-to-table experience, or in this case sea-to-table as the menu at Ryokan Seifuso highlights the region’s best, and freshest crab. Lastly, reinvigorating hot springs will melt away your travel fatigue while idyllic snow country views take your breath away.

A ryotei is a traditional type of high-end Japanese restaurant designed to represent a region’s food culture and are known for their immaculate gardens and for hosting traditional plays. In the nearly 150-year-old Japanese restaurant Ryotei Ukiyo, visitors can enjoy Japanese gourmet meals such as sweet shrimp sashimi and grilled eel, or book ahead for the exquisite kaiseki ryori dinner, an extravagant multi-course meal with stunning presentation, focused on seasonality and tradition. The building itself is registered with the Japanese government as a Japanese Tangible Cultural Property, and each room is immaculately curated to represent classic Japanese design aesthetic, including rustic tatami floors, translucent paper doors and ambient lighting.

In Niigata, visitors can also learn more about world-renowned Japanese Sake. At Kiminoi Shuzo sake brewery, first established in 1842, learn all about the traditional brewing process of sake with a free sampling tour, and discover how the rice polishing process affects the final flavor profile. Blessed by abundant snowfall, which directly feeds into riverbed water from the Yashiro River stemming from Mt. Myoko, this region is perfectly suited for the water supply and temperature control required to fine-tune the nuances of this unique rice wine.