Skipping the major tourist centers of Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo, I spent a week exploring Japan’s Kii Peninsula in search of wellness. Here, buzzy biohacking trends and self-care fads give way to something much older: walking through nature and honoring traditions that have endured for more than a thousand years.

I followed sections of the Kumano Kodo, an ancient pilgrimage network winding through forested mountains, visited Buddhist monks in hillside temples, and stood in the cool mist of Nachi Waterfall, a sacred site worshipped for centuries.

The Kumano Kodo stretches over 620 miles across the Kii Peninsula, more than anyone can take on in a single week. So I narrowed in on three of its most significant shrines, with additional stops in Nara that show how Japan’s approach to wellness is grounded in nature, ritual, and stillness.

-Kelsey Wilking, newsletter editor

Explore more of Japan

The Kii Peninsula is often called the “Prayer Room of Japan.” It’s home to the sacred Ise Jingu shrine and ancient temples like Todai-ji, where centuries-old spiritual traditions shape daily life.

Most travelers stop at Kyoto. But the wider Kansai region holds some of Japan’s most compelling destinations, from Himeji Castle to Osaka’s electric food scene and the spiritual trails of the Kumano Kodo.

Each spring, Japan’s parks and riversides fill with people gathering beneath blooming sakura trees. If you’re planning a trip around the bloom, timing and location make all the difference. Here’s what you need to know.

Japan’s most iconic mountain rises more than 12,000 feet above central Honshu. While some travelers hike it, many come for the views, lakeside trails, and nearby onsen towns.

Japan’s geothermal hot springs are deeply rooted in culture. Understanding the etiquette, from bathing rituals to tattoo rules, makes the experience far more rewarding.

Beyond cities and cuisine, Japan is a spectacular trekking destination. These hikes range from multi-day alpine routes to forested trails steeped in history.

Stay in restored machiya townhouses or design-forward apartments that place travelers in Kyoto’s most atmospheric neighborhoods.

Traditional inns aren’t limited to rural Japan. In Tokyo, authentic ryokan still offer tatami rooms, tea service, and relaxing onsen baths.

Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has welcomed travelers for more than 1,300 years, making it the oldest continuously operating hotel on Earth.

From neon-lit Dotonbori to laid-back Namba, Osaka blends historic temples with one of Japan’s most exciting food scenes.