Wondertrunk & co.

Wondertrunk & co. Formerly The Art of Travel. Sharing new perspectives on Japan with a global community of travelers.

Our experienced travel team is ready to help you plan and book your dream trip to Japan. Choose from our range of whole-country itineraries, explore a single destination on a short excursion, or opt for a fully custom trip. From popular sights to well-kept secrets, we aim to introduce you to new Japan horizons.

Some journeys are about the destination. This one is about everything in between.The Seven Stars in Kyushu glides throug...
22/04/2026

Some journeys are about the destination. This one is about everything in between.

The Seven Stars in Kyushu glides through misty mountains, coastal towns, and centuries of Japanese tradition, all from the comfort of one of the world’s most extraordinary luxury sleeper trains. With just ten suites on board and routes shaped around Kyushu’s landscapes and culture, the experience is as much about slowing down as it is about where you’re going.

This is Kyushu, seen at its own pace.

Not all symbols of resilience are loud. Some sit quietly, returning upright no matter how many times they are tilted.The...
17/04/2026

Not all symbols of resilience are loud. Some sit quietly, returning upright no matter how many times they are tilted.

The Daruma is shaped in the image of Bodhidharma, a founding figure of Zen Buddhism, and has been one of Japan’s most enduring good luck figures for centuries.

Traditionally painted red for protection, it arrives with one eye blank — filled in when a goal is set, completed only when it is fulfilled. In some regional styles, cranes and turtles appear in the design, older symbols of longevity woven into a newer one.

Fall seven times. Rise eight.

A small object, held in the palm. A steady reminder, kept in view.

The Art of Aizome A keepsake in blue.Not all souvenirs are bought. Some are dipped slowly into living color.In a quiet s...
07/04/2026

The Art of Aizome

A keepsake in blue.

Not all souvenirs are bought. Some are dipped slowly into living color.

In a quiet studio scented with fermented indigo, cloth lowered into the vat emerges green — then deepens into blue with air and time. Patterns take shape through folding and binding. The color stays on the hands long after.

Early visitors named it Japan Blue. The cloth was prized for outlasting everything around it.

Some things you bring home. Some things come with you.

Right now, across Japan, the landscape is shifting.For a few days each spring, even the most familiar views feel unfamil...
28/03/2026

Right now, across Japan, the landscape is shifting.

For a few days each spring, even the most familiar views feel unfamiliar.

Soft light. Fresh blossoms. Mount Fuji, unchanged in the distance.

Sakura season in Japan



Behind shrine curtains and beneath mountain skies, Kagura is still performed today.A traditional dance with roots in Shi...
20/03/2026

Behind shrine curtains and beneath mountain skies, Kagura is still performed today.

A traditional dance with roots in Shinto ritual, now seen in both sacred settings and community stages across Japan.

Ornate embroidered costumes depict dragons, deities, and folklore. Masked performers move in deliberate, ritualized steps, accompanied by drums and flutes that echo through shrine halls and village stages. Stories are passed down through generations, shaped by each region.

Iwami Kagura in Shimane is among the most widely known, recognized for its dramatic storytelling and vivid performance. Yet hundreds of Kagura traditions exist across Japan, each distinct to its local community.

Some are performed as offerings. Others as seasonal or public celebrations.

Across all of them, the connection remains between people, place, and something less easily defined.

Not everything is preserved by being kept still.

When the workday ends, lanterns glow along side streets and beneath train tracks.These are the places where some of Japa...
13/03/2026

When the workday ends, lanterns glow along side streets and beneath train tracks.

These are the places where some of Japan’s most memorable meals happen.

This is the izakaya.

Small neighborhood taverns. Seasonal plates. Sake poured without ceremony. Evenings with no fixed end.

Unpolished. Familiar. Full of life.

These are the places where some of Japan’s most memorable meals happen.Izakaya Culture | Japan After DarkWhen the workda...
13/03/2026

These are the places where some of Japan’s most memorable meals happen.

Izakaya Culture | Japan After Dark

When the workday ends, lanterns glow along side streets and beneath train tracks.

This is the izakaya.

Small neighborhood taverns. Seasonal plates. Sake poured without ceremony. Evenings with no fixed end.

Unpolished. Familiar. Full of life.

The Side of Japan You Didn’t Know Existed - Discover Eastern Hokkaido Neon cities. Ancient temples. Cherry blossoms. Eas...
23/02/2026

The Side of Japan You Didn’t Know Existed - Discover Eastern Hokkaido

Neon cities. Ancient temples. Cherry blossoms. Eastern Hokkaido is something else entirely.

Drift ice transforming the Sea of Okhotsk into a moving white horizon each winter
Rare wildlife, including the commanding Steller’s Sea Eagle
Raw volcanic landscapes — caldera lakes and vast national parks
Ainu heritage, the indigenous culture of northern Japan, deeply rooted in this land

This is a quieter, elemental Japan — shaped by climate, distance, and tradition.

Not every journey needs to follow the familiar path.

Photo 1-3 & 5-6: © Peter Leong
DriftIce

ALLU Vintage Shopping – Wondertrunk ExperienceVintage shopping in Japan is high on many travelers’ bucket lists. While m...
16/01/2026

ALLU Vintage Shopping – Wondertrunk Experience

Vintage shopping in Japan is high on many travelers’ bucket lists. While many visitors head to boutiques most often featured online, these spots can be crowded, with higher prices and limited inventory. Looking beyond them often leads to a more rewarding experience.

ALLU is one of our favorite vintage brands that is not yet fully on the tourist radar, and is quietly loved by discerning international shoppers.

ALLU is trusted for its serious curation and refined approach to pre-loved luxury. With multiple boutiques across Tokyo and Osaka, the brand combines deep inventory with beautifully designed spaces and a refined presentation that allows exceptional pieces to take center stage.

Why We Love It:
An insider favorite among local collectors and seasoned vintage shoppers
Carefully curated inventory featuring exceptional pieces in excellent condition, with opportunities to find true gems at a thoughtful price point
A refined shopping environment with knowledgeable, attentive staff

Locations to Know:
ALLU OMOTESANDO – A standalone house on a leafy backstreet, with a terrace and 4 floors of amazing vintage finds.
ALLU SHINJUKU – A bright, expansive space across from Isetan, designed with approximately 94 percent eco-friendly materials and a focus on sustainable luxury. It even features a traditional teahouse!
Additional boutiques in Tokyo (ALLU GINZA) and Osaka (ALLU SHINSAIBASHI and ALLU SHINSAIBASHI ANNEX)

Insider Detail:
ALLU’s parent company, Valuence Japan, recently made global headlines after acquiring the Original Birkin at auction for approximately €8.6 million, a record price.

Perfect For:
Discerning vintage lovers
Guests who prefer discovery over hype
Collectors looking for serious pieces in a refined setting

Credit: Valuence Japan Inc.
.jp

Omotesando Shinjuku

Discover NisekoOn Hokkaido’s northern slopes, Niseko has become Japan’s go-to ski destination for consistent powder, Mou...
09/01/2026

Discover Niseko

On Hokkaido’s northern slopes, Niseko has become Japan’s go-to ski destination for consistent powder, Mount Yotei views, and a growing collection of luxury stays. It is also a place where demand, distances, and peak season logistics can catch travelers off guard.

Why It Stands Out:
Reliable snowfall and varied terrain across four connected areas: Hanazono, Niseko Village, Grand Hirafu, and Annupuri
A lively, international scene shaped by a large Australian and global community
A strong mix of slope time, onsen culture, and standout dining

Where to Stay:
Best 5-star resort stay - Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono, set within the Hanazono resort with ski-in/ski-out access and expansive mountain views
Best location - Skye Niseko in Grand Hirafu, just steps from top restaurants, lifts, and aprés ski
Top luxury pick - Seasons Niseko in Annupuri, known for ultra private villas, serene surroundings, and a refined alpine experience

Perfect For:
Ski-focused travelers seeking abundant powder snow Groups with mixed preferences, since each area offers a different pace
Anyone who values onsen time as much as ski time

Pair it With:
A night at Zaborin, one of Japan’s finest ryokans, for a true nature retreat. Private indoor and outdoor onsens in each villa let you soak while snow falls through the forest.

Wondertrunk Tips:
Book early and set expectations for Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year, when accommodations and restaurants fill fast. Plan four to five nights for the best rhythm.

Consider hiring a guide for a few half days, even if you are an experienced skier, since Niseko can be surprisingly confusing and easy to navigate wrong in low visibility.



©

Kyoto by Boat with a Former Apprentice Geisha - Wondertrunk Experience Meet Kohaku, originally from Fukuoka and a former...
09/12/2025

Kyoto by Boat with a Former Apprentice Geisha - Wondertrunk Experience

Meet Kohaku, originally from Fukuoka and a former maiko (apprentice geisha) who trained for five years in traditional performing arts. She moved to Kyoto at the age of 16, and shared with us her passion for creating moments where travelers can feel the true gentleness and spirit of Kyoto.

The Experience
Set in Arashiyama, this private one-hour boat tour drifts along the river near the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge. A skilled boatman poles the wooden boat upstream while Kohaku shares shamisen music, stories about Kyoto and maiko culture, and small touches of omotenashi that make the moment feel calm and personal.

“I hope guests can relax into Kyoto’s rhythm. It is a place that feels incredibly comfortable, yet always full of quiet excitement.”

How It Began
“During my maiko years, I met many overseas guests who were curious about Kyoto. I wished I could connect with them more directly. I knew it could be so much more fun if we could really communicate.”

What started as that wish has grown into a quiet, intimate experience on the river.

Her Favorite Moments
“When shy travelers open up, those warm, genuine smiles give me an incredible sense of fulfillment.”

What Makes This Experience Special
It offers rare, personal access to Kyoto’s traditions with someone who has lived them from the inside. The river, the music, and Kohaku’s warmth come together to create a meaningful and serene moment in one of Kyoto’s most beautiful neighborhoods.

Wondertrunk Tip
Choose a late afternoon departure for soft river light and especially atmospheric views of Arashiyama.

Tea Experience at Ryosokuin - Wondertrunk ExperienceTucked within the quiet backstreets of Kyoto, Ryosokuin Temple is a ...
27/11/2025

Tea Experience at Ryosokuin - Wondertrunk Experience

Tucked within the quiet backstreets of Kyoto, Ryosokuin Temple is a haven of stillness, with a serene atmosphere and beautifully preserved Zen architecture. The temple’s wooden corridors open onto a traditional garden, where every detail reflects centuries of quiet refinement.

Guests are welcomed for a private tea experience in the temple’s tranquil surroundings. This is an intimate way to feel Kyoto at its quietest and most refined.

Why include Ryosokuin in your Kyoto itinerary:
Ryosokuin is usually closed to the public, which makes this private tea experience especially meaningful. Through this intimate gathering, guests are welcomed into spaces that are not ordinarily accessible, offering a calm and deeply personal way to encounter the quieter side of Kyoto.

The garden is distinctive, with its pond, soft moss and seasonal white leaf foliage; a combination that gives the space a quietly otherworldly quality.

The tea is shared in a peaceful setting with a temple host, rather than as a brief self guided stop. The temple blends centuries old Zen architecture with contemporary programs and perspectives, offering a view of temple life that feels unique even in temple-rich Kyoto.

住所

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
150-0001

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