The Japan Rail Pass (or JR Pass, for short) can be a good way to get around Japan, but many travelers don?t realize that it?s not always your best option for exploring the country. Depending on the specifics of your itinerary, the Japan Rail...

Japan is renowned for its world-class rail and outstanding cuisine, and one of the best ways for travelers to experience both is by sampling ekiben (bento boxes designed for train travel). Ekiben, ubiquitous in train stations throughout...

Boutique Japan is seeking an experienced and ambitious Full-Time Sales Specialist to join our talented remote team. If you have professional travel industry experience as a sales specialist designing bespoke trips for savvy world travelers,...

If you?re considering a trip to Japan during one of the country?s peak travel seasons, be aware that things can get crowded. After swaths of springtime sakura bloom across the country, domestic travel spikes during holidays like Golden Week and...

Japan’s borders reopened to independent travelers in the fall of 2022, and since then visiting Japan has been virtually as easy as it was before the pandemic. On April 29, 2023, the government of Japan officially did away with its last...

Winding through Japan?s central mountains, the 17th-century Nakasendo Trail leads travelers along ancient stone forest paths, through preserved Edo-era villages, and deep into the lost landscapes of feudal lords.  The beauty of this trail...

Japan is fun, fascinating, and safe, making it one of the world?s best destinations for family travel. Whether you?re traveling with babies, young children, teenagers, or all of the above, Japan?s engaging and eclectic culture has something...

Japanese cuisine is a huge reason so many of our travelers visit Japan, but what about traveling through the country if you have serious dietary restrictions or food allergies" Japanese food is astoundingly varied and overwhelmingly healthy,...

After gradually easing travel restrictions for months, the Japanese government finally reopened Japan’s borders to independent travelers in October of this year. Since June, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida continually expressed his...

I arrived in Matsumoto on a cold night, the chill of winter still enveloping the streets, a breath of rain in the air. The mountain cold was disorienting after having arrived from a distinctly warmer Tokyo, on a bus that seemed to trundle endlessly...

Hakone, in the shadow of Mount Fuji, is one of the greater Tokyo area?s most popular countryside escape destinations, thanks to its beautiful scenery, luxurious ryokans, and wealth of rejuvenating onsen (hot springs). But it’s not all...

After gradually easing travel restrictions for months, the Japanese government has finally reopened Japan’s borders to tourists. From the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, our team of Japan travel experts has been closely monitoring...

Do you love travel and spreadsheets" Boutique Japan is hiring a Full-Time Operations Specialist to join our globally distributed team. If you are incredibly organized and detail-oriented, and passionate about immersive travel, you may be the...

Since June, Japan has been gradually easing its travel restrictions, and on September 22, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that Japan’s borders will finally reopen to independent travelers on October 11. From the early days...

Yes, though the current requirements are strict, but on September 7 the restrictions will ease significantly, making it easier for tourists to visit Japan. Technically, Japan has been open to tourists since June, but the conditions have been...

Technically, Japan is open to tourists, but some key restrictions remain in place, and the truth is that Japan’s border policies can be quite confusing. You may have seen headlines declaring that Japan has reopened, though the reality is...

In June, Japan finally reopened its borders to tourists, yet many temporary restrictions remain in place, and the country’s current border policies can be quite confusing. You may have seen headlines declaring that Japan has reopened,...

If you love food, culture, and immersive travel experiences, it?s no surprise you?re thinking about a Japan honeymoon. As one of the world?s most fascinating countries, over the last several years Japan has become an increasingly popular...

Even with the opening of Toyosu Market, the classic Tsukiji Market in Tokyo remains one of Japan?s most iconic and historic marketplaces and a must-visit for food lovers. In 2018, Tsukiji Fish Market’s wholesale operations moved to Toyosu, and to...

No, at the moment, Japan is not open to tourists, though despite the travel restrictions many travelers are still planning trips to Japan for later this year (2022) and next (2023). Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, our team of Japan...

In Tokyo’s western suburbs you?ll find the one-of-a-kind Ghibli Museum ? a fantastic and whimsical museum dedicated to the legendary Studio Ghibli film studio (often considered “Japan’s Disney�). Co-founded by director Hayao Miyazaki,...

Even if you don?t love cold weather, it?s hard to resist the magic of winter in Japan, the coziest time of year (with delightfully few tourists). Japan is well known for the beauty of its seasons. The cherry blossoms in spring. Vibrant fall...

If you?re planning a trip to Japan, one of the most important, enjoyable, and challenging steps is deciding where in Japan to go. With so many amazing places to choose from, and so much online content to sift through, figuring out your ideal...

If you?re planning a trip to Japan, one of the most important, enjoyable, and challenging steps is deciding where in Japan to go. With so many amazing places to choose from, and so much online content to sift through, figuring out your ideal...

One of the most common questions we get from travelers is, Can you visit Japan during Covid-19" While Japan has managed the coronavirus pandemic surprisingly well, the country has not yet reopened to tourists. Like most countries in Asia,...