Until recently Japan wasn’t a popular honeymoon destination, but with the rise of Japan as one of the world’s most important culinary capitals, foodie honeymoons in Japan have become an increasingly popular phenomenon.
Over the past couple of years, we’ve had the pleasure of helping an increasing number of wonderful culinary travelers from around the world plan mouthwatering foodie honeymoons throughout Japan.
As you eat your way through Japan, you will have the chance to…
Exquisite kaiseki cuisine at the lovely Ryokan Kurashiki
- Share food and sake with culinary insiders and shokunin (masters)
- Soak in rural open-air onsen (hot springs)
- And experience Japan’s legendary hospitality wherever you go, from gorgeous traditional ryokans and luxurious hotels, to hole-in-the-wall izakayas and sushi-ya
So if you are passionate about food, and looking for one of the most unique honeymoon destinations imaginable, a foodie honeymoon to Japan will be a magical and unforgettable experience!
To help you begin envisioning the possibilities Japan offers (whether you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary trip, or romantic holiday), we’ve compiled a short list of our absolute favorite culinary experiences and romantic destinations throughout Japan.
Mmm, ramen (tonkotsu ramen in Fukuoka, Japan)
Japan Foodie Honeymoon Experiences
We’ve already featured many of our favorite culinary experiences in Japan elsewhere on our website.
The short list of food and beverage experiences listed below come directly from honeymoon itineraries we’ve arranged over the past couple of years:
- Dining and drinking at a renowned Tokyo izakaya with a sake expert and culinary insider
- Going on a “ramen safari” in Tokyo with a noted ramen expert
- Exploring Tsukiji Fish Market with a chef and former Tsukiji fishmonger
- Learning to make Edo-style sushi at the authentic sushi counter of a master sushi chef
- Exploring gorgeous, irresistible depachika (department store food halls) in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka
- Eating your way around Kyoto and Osaka by bicycle
- Walking and nibbling your way around the traditional Yanaka district in Tokyo, and the charming Fushimi area of Kyoto
- A traditional tea ceremony at a Zen temple in Kyoto, or cultural heritage house in Tokyo
- Exploring tiny whisky and craft cocktail bars in Tokyo and Osaka
- Dining at an intimate sushi or kaiseki counter alongside a culinary insider/interpreter
- Izakaya-hopping in Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo
For a look at more of our favorite experiences in Japan, culinary and otherwise, check out our article on 25 experiences to add to your bucket list
Onsen in winter, Beniya Mukayu
Romantic Places in Japan
If you’ve never soaked in an open-air onsen while the snow falls all around you, or waded in the aquamarine waters of Japan’s subtropical islands, you might not yet be aware that Japan is full of exquisite, romantic destinations.
One of the most unique and memorable experiences you can have in Japan is at a ryokan with onsen.
At many of Japan’s best ryokans, you can splurge on a room with its very own rotenburo (open-air hot springs bath)!
Private onsen at Gora Kadan, one of Japan’s most renowned luxury ryokan
Below are some of our favorite places in Japan for honeymoons and romantic getaways, whether you dream of ocean views, mountainous landscapes, impeccable gardens, or glittering skylines.
- Aman Tokyo, one of a handful of our favorite luxury hotels in the Tokyo metropolis
- The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, a beautiful hotel with an impeccable location on the Kamogawa river in the ancient capital of Kyoto
- Gora Kadan, a legendary luxury ryokan in Hakone
- Asaba, a beautiful ryokan in lovely Shuzenji Onsen, in Japan’s Izu Peninsula
- Benesse House, a unique museum-hotel on the art island of Naoshima (a must-visit for lovers of art and architecture)
- Beniya Mukayu, a luxurious ryokan near the Japan Sea coast, about one hour from the historic city of Kanazawa
- Nishimuraya Honkan, a beautiful ryokan in the charming onsen town of Kinosaki Onsen
- Kurokawa Onsen, a remote and picturesque onsen village deep in the heart of Kyushu Island
- The Yaeyama Islands, a small island group at the southwestern extreme of the Okinawan archipelago
See more of our favorite boutique and luxury properties and a short list of our favorite ryokans
Evening blue skies over Tokyo’s glittering skyline
Bespoke Japan Honeymoons
Japan is an extremely traveler-friendly country and a wonderful destination for independent travelers. In case you’re planning your own trip, here is a link to what we think are the best free online trip-planning resources.
For those who don’t have the time or desire to do all the planning, we offer bespoke Japan trip planning (you can see a few of our sample trips here).
Whether or not you end up choosing Japan for your honeymoon, we hope these places and experiences help inspire an extraordinary honeymoon for you!
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