Japan is full of small towns and hidden gems that have their own histories, cultural activities, and top-tier accommodations.

Rent a car, see more. We like the ability to explore more rural areas when traveling, so we rented a car in Kyoto and set off for the Japanese Alps, an area known for winter sports including skiing.

OSHU CITY, Japan — Shohei Ohtani's hometown in northern Japan is a rural place, famous for its high-quality Maesawa beef, its history of making traditional ironware and the intense green hills ...

Catherine Heald is a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List and specializes in trips to Japan and Southeast Asia. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Heald at [email protected].