Gregory Starr | AllAbout Japan

Booking.com’s Luiz Rodrigues on Diversifying Japan’s Inbound Market

From promoting lesser-known destinations like Amami Oshima and Furano to addressing overtourism, sustainability, and inclusivity, Luiz Rodrigues is looking to diversify experiences across the country. In this interview, he discusses post-pandemic rebound travel, the growing role of AI in creating seamless journeys, and how technology can connect visitors with authentic, off-the-beaten-path Japan while supporting regional economies.

Onsen

Hiking

Hiking Tokyo’s Active Volcano: The “Sacred Fire” of Oshima Island

Mt. Mihara is an active volcano on a nearby island with a fascinating history, superb seafood, hot spring baths, and welcoming local people. It can be climbed on a day trip from central Tokyo, but you should at least plan on staying overnight.

Temples & Shrines

Buddhism

The Most Important Japanese Shrine You've Never Heard Of

While Usa Jingu Shrine is the most prestigious shine of the Shinto religion after Ise Jingu Shrine, it is little known, even among many Japanese. But it is an important part of Japan's religious history, and gateway to the fascinating Kunisaki peninsula.

Hiking

Tohoku Pacific Coast

Hiking Japan's Michinoku Coastal Trail: 4-Day Itinerary in Iwate

This section of Japan's 1,000-kilometer trail down the northern Pacific coast offers great hiking, spectacular views of the rugged coast and insights into the devastation caused by the 2011 tsunami.

Samurai

Martial Arts

Warrior Portfolio: From “An Illustrated Guide to Samurai History and Culture”

With the vividly illustrated pages of this new book, author Gavin Blair takes a deep dive into depictions of the legendary samurai warrior class.

Cafés

Robots

Meet a Robot with Heart at Tokyo's Lovot Café!

The robots at this café are cutting edge—developed and programmed to react emotionally to interaction with humans. Now, for the price of a simple meal, you can get a glimpse of how our future will be spent with the cutest “care robots.”

Art

Kagoshima

The Vibrant Island Art of Tanaka Isson

The Japanese painter Tanaka Isson fled mainland Japan for one of the country’s most beautiful southern islands—Amami Oshima. There he labored for years in obscurity, creating large, vivid artworks of his subtropical surroundings.

Restaurants

Japanese Food

Ramen, Japanese Pickles, and Michelin Stars

He’s written over 1,000 restaurant reviews for the Japan Times newspaper. Now he shares some of his favorite dishes, memorable meals, classic menus, and why soba is the most underrated Japanese food.