Honeymoons in Japan

By Audley Japan specialist Layla

I’m yet to meet anyone who has journeyed to Japan and not fallen in love with it. The country appears to have a distinctive draw that leaves a lasting impression on its visitors.

For honeymoon couples, Japan provides a cultural adventure. If you'd like to spend the whole of your post-wedding getaway relaxing on white sand then Japan isn’t for you (although it is home to some fantastic beaches).

What it does offer is deeply rooted history and traditions — where else could you learn the arts of the tea ceremony, kimono wearing, and samurai sword fighting? Juxtapose this with ultra-modern cities, mountain scenery, and culinary experiences to rival anywhere in the world, and you have Japan.

Japan makes a great honeymoon destination if you have one week or two. Nine days is enough to explore Tokyo and Kyoto, while in a two-week trip you can extend your journey to cover more of the country.

Memorable honeymoon experiences in Japan

Staying in a traditional ryokan

The concept behind the ryokan (a Japanese inn) is a simple one — it’s a home from home, Japanese style — but it can also be a wonderful eye-opener to the authentic delights of the Japanese way of life. Most ryokans are small and family-run, and many provide the intimate stay that honeymoon couples so often seek.

The personal service you receive at a ryokan is impeccable. As part of your stay, your evening meal is included, and usually served in the privacy of your room. Food is normally kaiseki style (a banquet of little dishes), locally sourced, beautifully presented, and based on the seasons. Typical dishes include homemade pickles, vegetable tempura, rice, miso soup, as well as raw and cooked fish dishes, and meat you cook yourself at the table on a small hot stone barbecue.

Some ryokans also have private onsens (hot spring baths). Immersing oneself in the warm water is a popular Japanese pastime. Normally bathing is communal, and men and women will be separated as it’s customary to enter nude. However, in some ryokan, you can enjoy the exclusivity of your own personal onsen attached to your room.

Each ryokan has its own individual characteristics, and they range from simple, authentic stays which may have changed little in the last 200 years to more modern properties with luxurious furnishings and facilities. Your specialist can help you pick one that best suits your preferences.

Taking part in a traditional pastime

Kyoto, two and a half hours south of Tokyo, is considered the cultural heart of Japan thanks to its collection of temples, shrines, gardens, and traditional wooden architecture. Here, you can take part in a Japanese pastime with a local woman who‘s an expert in anything from calligraphy and tea ceremonies, to kimono wearing, ikebana (flower arranging), and cookery.

I took part in a private tea ceremony while in Kyoto. Despite having lived in Japan for six years, I had no idea about the history of this practice, or why it’s become so ingrained in Japanese society.

I arrived at a machiya (traditional wooden townhouse) to be met by my kimono-wearing teacher and tea expert. She explained the history of the ceremony before demonstrating the tea-making process. I had a taste, then attempted to replicate it myself under her watchful eye. The tea used is a powdered green tea called matcha, which tastes quite bitter. That’s why it’s usually served with traditional wagashi sweets. It’s also frothy, as you whisk it during the tea ceremony.

Alternatively, you could take part in a kembu experience to learn about samurai culture, which includes a lesson on sword technique.

Discovering Japan’s captivating capital city

Tokyo is a highlight in itself, and it’s worth giving yourself enough time to explore its many faces. It’s easy to get around the city under your own steam by navigating the metro system or simply strolling on foot.

The Shinjuku district typifies the side of Tokyo that many visitors picture. It’s a buzzing metropolis with neon signs, people on the go, and an exciting atmosphere. Meanwhile, nearby Harajuku is where you’ll see Japan’s young and hip showcasing their wacky fashion sense — a far cry from Japanese tradition.

The New York Bar in the Park Hyatt hotel is a great place to enjoy a cocktail and take in the bright lights of Tokyo at night. If the bar looks familiar, it’s because it had a starring role in the film Lost in Translation. It’s one of my perennial haunts in the city for pre-dinner drinks.

Tokyo is a city of contrasts, and among the towering skyscrapers you’ll find little pockets of calm, where well-preserved temples and shrines offer a moment of contemplation away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Meiji Shrine, with its wooden columns and copper roofs, and the brighter red-and-gold Senso-ji Temple are two such places.

Tokyo is not short of places to stay. I rate the Conrad hotel for its location, as it’s close to Tokyo’s main train station, the Tsukiji Fish Market, and Hamarikyu Gardens.

Relaxing on the beaches of Okinawa

If you’d like to spend time on the beach during your Japan honeymoon, then Okinawa is a fitting choice. A collection of over 160 islands with a subtropical climate and beaches to rival those of the Maldives, this archipelago is a direct contrast to Japan’s fast-paced cities.

Okinawa is a short domestic flight from Honshu, Japan’s main island. For a quieter experience, head to Miyako Island, where hotels tend to be smaller, boutique properties that lead onto white-sand beaches. If you’d like an island that’s a little more active, I recommend Ishigaki. Here, you can scuba dive and snorkel, or take day trips to nearby Iriomote Island, an area of swamps and mangroves that provides the ideal setting for jungle hikes.

Exploring the countryside of Hokkaido

For honeymoon couples who'd like to explore Japan’s great outdoors away from the crowds, I’d recommend heading to the northern island of Hokkaido. Compared to Honshu, Hokkaido is much less visited by Westerners.

The area is known as Japan’s ‘wild north’, a collection of tree-covered national parks, fishing towns and mountain villages. The best way to travel around is to drive along the island’s quiet roads. Getting behind the wheel here is an absolute pleasure, especially during koyou (autumn leaves) season, when the landscape is awash with hues of crimson and gold.

During the summer months (between June and August), the rolling fields of the lowland areas feature rows and rows of vibrant flowers. Sunflowers and lavender are harvested here, and you’ll drive past contrasting fields of purple and yellow.

Wildlife is also prevalent in Hokkaido, both in the national parks and on the coast. During my time on the island, I visited the Shiretoko Peninsula on the east coast, where I took a whale watching cruise and was lucky enough to spot a sperm whale. You might also see brown bears, Ezo red foxes, deer, and an array of seabirds.

Generally, hotels in Hokkaido are a little more basic than on the other islands, and boutique properties are harder to come by. Options range from small lodges with limited facilities, to larger, sprawling resorts that can be a bit dated. However, what you lose in comfort, you gain in experience.

Best time to honeymoon in Japan

Japan is a year-round destination, and there are benefits to visiting during each season. March to May is the most popular time to travel, when the cherry blossom is in full bloom. However, I try to visit in the autumn (October to November), when the trees turn a vivid red. At this time, the country is just as impressive as during cherry blossom, but has fewer crowds.

• Find out the best time to visit Japan