Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture is continuing to shine as a must-visit destination that combines culture, outdoor adventure, and culinary experiences including a variety of new offerings across the region.
New experiences include improved Mt. Fuji experiences, seasonal festivals, and scenic flights – all of which make it the best time to explore this bucket-list destination.
Climb Mt. Fuji safely and comfortably
New safety measures have been put in place for climbing Mt. Fuji this season to ensure a safe and pleasant climbing experience. Depending on climber preference and strength, Mt. Fuji has four trails leading to the summit, with three originating in Shizuoka. Climbers are now required to make reservations or register their details, as well as be met with specific entry hours to climb.
Mt. Fuji sightseeing charter flight
Fuji Dream Airlines is now taking travellers for a breathtaking scenic charter flight that offers aerial views of Mt. Fuji. A flight like no other, this exclusive sightseeing flight operates at a lower altitude and is designed solely to give you up close and personal views of the majestic Mt. Fuji from the sky.
Sound of Japan’s summer – Enshu Furin Festival in Fukuroi
The sound of Furin (wind bell) is an iconic part of Japan’s summer, and with the Fukuroi Wind Bell Festival held until late August, it is the perfect time to beat the heat at the three temples in the city where colourful Furin adorn the grounds. Hattasan Son’eiji is filled with the soothing chimes of nearly 4,000 Furin when the wind blows. Visitors are invited to make a ‘Wishing Wind Chime’ by writing their wish on a wooden strip, as well as enjoy seasonal summer sweets carefully crafted for the festival.
New MICHELIN Key hotels in Shizuoka
Shizuoka is also home to four hotels receiving the MICHELIN Keys for offering guests an exceptional stay and experience.
Asaba Ryokan (awarded two keys)
Asaba Ryokan is a historic inn passed down through generations of Japanese ownership. Nestled amidst the hot springs of Shuzenji and surrounded by greenery and a gently flowing river. Guests can indulge in fresh, seasonal cuisine that highlights the fresh produce of the area. The ryokan offers a serene bathing experience with outdoor baths set amongst bamboo groves and private onsens crafted from koyamaki timber for a truly luxurious experience. The resort also offers a “Shuzenji Cultural Journey” performance that brings the traditional Japanese arts to life.
Asaba Ryokan.
Arcana Izu (awarded one key)
This traditional country inn blends the charm of a ryokan with the sophistication of an international boutique hotel, offering a peaceful escape just 25 minutes from Shuzenji station. Guests can enjoy breathtaking forest views from the hotel’s French restaurant and unwind in private, spring-fed onsen baths on every room’s balcony. With its serene, adults-only setting, the resort promises a luxurious and intimate retreat for travellers.
Arcana Izu.
Ochiairo (awarded one key)
Nestled in the majestic mountains of Shuzenji, Izu, Ochiairo offers an authentic ryokan experience in a beautifully preserved wooden structure with a 150-year history. Guests can unwind in spring-fed baths, surrounded by natural woods and cave-like rock walls, or enjoy private, seasonal kaiseki meals served in their traditional tatami-mat rooms. As a Registered Tangible Cultural Asset, the resort provides a serene blend of nature, history, and rural Japanese hospitality.
Ochiairo.
Atami Izusan Karaku by Orix Hotels & Resorts (awarded one key)
Atami Izusan Karaku by Orix Hotels & Resorts offers a luxurious escape overlooking the sparkling Sagami Bay, complete with two infinity onsens that provide stunning ocean views. Each of the 57 spacious guest rooms features elegant furnishings and a private open-air hot spring, creating a serene retreat for ultimate relaxation. With its blend of modern amenities and breathtaking scenery, a stay here promises to be one of ultimate relaxation and comfort.
Other new hotels in Japan
Japan has also welcomed seven new hotels in 2025, offering travellers new ways to explore the country in destinations ranging from art-filled islands and secluded hot spring towns to urban centres that cater to a wide range of travel styles.
MUJI BASE TESHIMA II (Kagawa Prefecture)
MUJI BASE TESHIMA II opened in April 2025 and offers travellers a minimalist and thoughtfully designed retreat on the art-filled island of Teshima. Housed in a restored traditional home, the property blends MUJI’s signature simplicity with local craftsmanship and includes views of the island’s landscape. Designed for couples or small groups seeking a slower style of travel, the stay is ideal for those visiting Setouchi Triennale or looking to immerse themselves in Teshima’s creative, coastal charm.
Muji Base.
Rosewood Miyakojima (Okinawa Prefecture)
Rosewood Miyakojima opened in March 2025, marking the brand’s debut in Japan. The all-villa resort features 55 private pool villas designed by Studio Piet Boon, using Ryukyu limestone and natural materials to reflect the island’s landscape. Guests can dive into experiences like Okinawan spearfishing, marine ecology tours and pottery workshops, or unwind with tradition-inspired spa rituals, beachfront dining, and panoramic sea views. This is a refined stay for couples, families, and solo travellers seeking both culture and calm.
Rosewood Miyakojima.
One Fukuoka Hotel (Fukuoka Prefecture)
One Fukuoka Hotel opened in April 2025, it is perched on the top floors of the newly developed One Fukuoka Building, a sleek new mixed-use development in the heart of Tenjin, Fukuoka’s premier shopping and business district. Directly connected to Tenjin Station and across from Tenjin Underground Shopping Centre, the hotel offers unmatched convenience and panoramic views of Hakata Bay. With easy access to boutiques, cafes, and major attractions, the hotel caters perfectly to couples, solo travellers, and small families.
One Fukuoka Hotel.
Villa Tsubonakagawa (Ehime Prefecture)
Villa Tsubonakagawa, which opened in February 2025, is a luxury, whole-property retreat set in the Okudogo area near Matsuyama City. Designed for privacy and exclusivity, the villa features expansive interiors, a private garden, and its own helipad, offering a seamless arrival for guests arriving by air. Surrounded by lush, forested hills and hot spring-rich terrain, the stay is ideal for couples or small groups seeking a serene, nature-immersed escape with easy and central access to the cultural charms of Matsuyama.
Villa Tsubonakagawa.
Ishinoya Beppu (Oita Prefecture)
Opened in July 2025, Ishinoya Beppu is a modern hot spring retreat set in the heart of Beppu, one of Japan’s most renowned onsen towns. Located adjacent to the newly renovated Sand Bath facility in Shonin Park, the property offers a tranquil base to experience the region’s therapeutic bathing traditions in both classic and contemporary forms. The hotel features elegantly minimalist rooms, open-air baths, and serene communal spaces designed to encourage rest and reflection. Ideal for couples, solo travellers, and wellness-focused guests, Ishinoya Beppu is a fresh new addition to Oita’s vibrant geothermal landscape.
Ishinoya Beppu.
Gran Lectore Yugawara (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Gran Lectore Yugawara is an all-inclusive wellness retreat in the heart of this historic hot spring town. The revamped six-storey hotel which re-opened in February, features just 55 spacious rooms, some with a private open-air bath, designed to offer a peaceful modern escape. Guests can enjoy natural onsen, a sauna, and an in-house restaurant MAKIBI, which serves wood-fired seasonal cuisines. With drinks, meals and activities included in the stay, it’s ideal for couples, solo travellers or friends seeking a rejuvenating getaway.
Gran Lectore Yugawara.
Base Layer Hotel (Aichi Prefecture)
Opened in July 2025, Base Layer Hotel is the debut property of FAV Hospitality Group’s new “culture-business hotel” brand, developed with GREENING Co. Located in Nagoya’s Nishiki district, it’s close to multiple subway lines and blends convenience with creative energy. The hotel includes 186 rooms across seven types, a reservation-only private sauna, shared laundry and locker rooms, and curated goods for sale. Designed with solo and business travellers in mind, it’s equally welcoming to anyone seeking a modern, flexible base with local character.
Base Layer Hotel.
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