Do you love travel and spreadsheets? Boutique Japan is hiring a Full-Time Operations Specialist to join our talented remote team. If you are incredibly organized and detail-oriented, and passionate about immersive travel, you may be the perfect fit! Relevant experience in a comparable position in the travel industry is required. Who Are We? Who Are You? Essential Skills and Experience Tasks and Responsibilities Important Details Apply Know someone that’s perfect for this job? Please share this post with them! Who Are We? Boutique Japan is an award-winning travel company that specializes in c ..read more

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 Japan, are much more than basic pre-arranged meals in a box. Reflecting local and seasonal specialties, the best ekiben are beautifully presented and feature a colorful array of ingredients, offering travelers a uniquely Japanese culinary experience. Excited to explore Japanese cuisine while traveling between Japan’s best destinations? To help you travel like a ..read more

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, you may be the perfect fit! Experience as a sales specialist in the travel industry is strictly required for this role. Who Are We? Who Are You? Essential Skills and Experience Tasks and Responsibilities Important Details Apply Know someone that’s perfect for this job? Please share this post with them! Who Are We? Boutique Japan is an award-winning travel ..read more

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 lies in its changeability, moving from town thoroughfares on mountain slopes to winding dirt tracks amid dense forests. Historically connecting Kyoto and Tokyo, the Nakasendo is now one of Japan’s most renowned hiking routes.  Instead of walking the full length of the original trail, many choose to complete smaller sections, particularly in the stun ..read more

When planning your trip to Japan, the timing of your visit is key, thanks to the countless seasonal experiences and holidays that take place throughout the year. Visit in spring, and savor a glass of umeshu under the cherry blossoms; come back in summer, and enjoy the lively dancing of the Bon Odori festivals. Japan boasts some of the most colorful and culturally fascinating festivals on Earth, and more national holidays than most other countries. But while certain celebrations are worth planning around, it’s also essential to be aware of how local holidays can affect travel plans – particular ..read more

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, but traveling around Japan with special dietary requirements — whether you’re vegan, have celiac disease, or adhere to a kosher or halal diet — is no easy feat. The good news is that it’s definitely possible, with proper advance planning. To help you get more out of your trip we’ve put together this introduction to exploring Japan if you have unique dietar ..read more

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, Studio Ghibli is behind some of Japan’s — and the world’s! — most beloved animated films, such as “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Princess Mononoke,” “Spirited Away,” and “Ponyo.” The wonderful Ghibli Museum attracts a huge number of visitors, and tickets are extremely limited. In this article we’ll go over ways you can get tickets, and other tips on visiting the Ghibli M ..read more

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 foliage. Even the lively festivals (matsuri) of summer. Yet winter is often overlooked, despite offering some of Japan’s most sublime experiences — and fewer tourists. (See our full article on the seasons and when to visit Japan). Because we love winter in Japan both for its unique experiences and its relative lack of crowds, we’ve compiled a few of our fav ..read more

At Boutique Japan, our specialty is helping travelers who believe that travel is about unique experiences, not just sightseeing or checking items off a list. But when you’re planning a trip to Japan, it can be hard to know which places are worth visiting, and which places to skip. After all, some popular experiences are actually worthwhile and live up to the hype, while others are just as touristy as they look on Instagram. If you’re looking for inspiration on where to go and what to do for a truly memorable Japan trip, we recommend the remarkable places and experiences listed below. Some are ..read more

While they’ve become increasingly popular since we first fell in love with them years ago, the villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama remain among the most photographed places in rural Japan. Historically, Shirakawago and Gokayama were very difficult to access, and thus quite isolated from the surrounding areas. But in the modern era they’ve been connected via an impressive network of mountain highways and tunnels, making them almost too accessible. To experience the villages in a meaningful way — and minimize your encounters with large tour groups and buses — it’s worth doing a bit of extra pla ..read more