The Japan Concierge

11/04/2026

We loved every minute of our stay at the design led hotel. There's a real generosity of spirit in everything from the rooms, the F&B offering, right through to each and every staff interaction.

Rooms are intentionally styled to feel residential so you'll feel like you're returning to your (very chic) Tokyo apartment at the end of each day. Fans of mid-century design will love the aesthetic of this boutique property.

We don't usually advocate dining in house when Tokyo offers so many incredible dining options but we highly recommend dinner at Shikaku, one of our favourite dining experiences in recent times.

We'll definitely be back.

Send us a DM if you're keen to add The Aoyama Grand Hotel to your Japan itinerary.

Note: This post is not sponsored, we paid for our stay and meals. We just really loved the hotel!

19/03/2026

Today Japan celebrates Shunbun no Hi, the Vernal Equinox, a national public holiday honouring the balance of nature and the arrival of spring. 🌿

It is one of the most quietly beautiful moments in the Japanese calendar, rooted in the Buddhist tradition of Ohigan, a time for reflection, visiting ancestors' graves, and appreciating the world around us. Families gather, temples hold services, and across the country the first cherry blossoms begin to stir.

Dreaming of experiencing Japan next spring? Let us help you plan something truly special. 🌺

16/03/2026

Close your eyes. What do you see? 🌸

Cherry blossoms drifting like pink snow. The brilliant vermilion of a torii gate reflected in still water. A centuries-old castle rising above the morning mist. Neon lights blazing through a rain-slicked Tokyo street at midnight.

Japan is not just a destination. It is a feeling.

And the extraordinary thing? Every single one of those images is just the beginning. Behind them lies a country of extraordinary depth, quiet ritual, breath-taking beauty and unforgettable flavour.

We'd love to know, which image comes to mind first for you? Drop it in the comments below 👇

When you're ready to turn that daydream into reality, The Japan Concierge is here to craft your perfect Japanese journey, from the iconic to the wonderfully unexpected.

15/03/2026

One of Japan's most magical early summer experiences is right in the heart of Tokyo! ✨

Each year from mid-May, the gardens of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo come alive with thousands of glowing fireflies (hotaru) 🌿✨ flickering above a centuries-old garden stream. Since 1954, the hotel has carefully cultivated its own firefly ecosystem, raising Genji fireflies in a dedicated facility and releasing larvae into the garden each January. By late May, up to 500–600 of these magical insects can be spotted on a single evening.

The best time to visit is between 19:30 and 21:00, when the garden falls dark and the fireflies begin their ethereal display around Benkei Bridge and the old watermill.

On rainy evenings, they gather near the Gojo Waterfall corridor 🌧️ - a perfectly atmospheric alternative. Add in the hotel's famous Tokyo Sea of Clouds drifting through the mist-filled garden, and you have a scene straight from a dream 🌫️

This year's Firefly Evenings Dinner Buffet runs from 17 May to 30 June 2026, with Japanese and Western menus to suit all tastes 🍽️

Fireflies hold deep cultural significance in Japan, long associated with the souls of loved ones and the fleeting beauty of summer. To witness them in the middle of a city like Tokyo is something truly special.

Planning a trip to Japan in early summer? Let us arrange the details. 🌐

#蛍

13/03/2026

Travelling to Kyoto? 🏯Did you know there is a new lodging tax in effect from 1 March 2026?💰

Kyoto has introduced a revised lodging tax that applies to all hotels, ryokan and short-term stays.

The tax is charged per person, per night, based on your room rate:

¥200 | rooms up to ¥6,000
¥400 | ¥6,000–¥19,999
¥1,000 | ¥20,000–¥49,999
¥4,000 | ¥50,000–¥99,999
¥10,000 | ¥100,000+

The tax is collected directly by your accommodation at check-in or check-out and goes towards tourism infrastructure and the preservation of Kyoto's cultural heritage. 🎋

Worth factoring into your travel budget when planning your trip. Any questions about travelling in Japan? We're here to help. 👇

04/03/2026

Have you been sleeping on Fukuoka? 😴✈️

We've recently come back from a week in Fukuoka Prefecture and honestly, we didn't want to leave. This city has everything - incredible history, world-class food, buzzing street life and some of the warmest hospitality we've encountered anywhere in Japan.

Highlights included:

🍣 A stunning omakase vegan lunch at Sushi Shima in the Ohori Park district
🏯 Shofukuji Temple, the first Zen temple ever built in Japan
🎨 The Fukuoka Art Museum, with works by Kusama, Dalí and Basquiat
🏮 An evening of Yatai hopping - Fukuoka's iconic open-air street food stalls

And for our vegan and Muslim travellers, Fukuoka Prefecture has created a dedicated restaurant map to make exploring the food scene even easier.

This is just Part 1 - next up, we discover Yanagawa's canals and a hotel with a very extraordinary history. 👀

Read the full blog at the link below!

https://thejapanconcierge.com/articles/discovering-fukuoka

From ancient Zen temples and world-class art to vegan sushi and atmospheric street-side Yatai stalls, discover why Fukuoka should be at the top of your Japan travel list.