Yukata Strolls: Experience Japan in a Simple Summer Kimono

One of Japan’s rare black castles, Okayama Castle is made even more unique with five sides of unequal lengths. Enhance your visit to the castle with a kimono rental (for free!) or try your hand at pottery making. When exploring the historic town of Kurashiki, take a turn down Kojima Jeans Street, the birthplace of high-quality Japanese denim, and pop into one of its more than 30 shops. And when hunger hits, sweet rice dumplings known as kibi dango are a local favorite that make a tasty snack or wonderful souvenir.

With a large pond encircled by a 2 kilometers walking path, Ohori Park is a popular destination for joggers and walkers alike in central Fukuoka. Head out of the city to the historic castle town of Akizuki where you’ll step back in time, strolling among old samurai homes and clay moats in a scenic town reminiscent of the 19th century and before. After a day of walking and hiking, sit down for a steaming hot bowl of Hakata ramen with its rich pork bone broth and thin noodles. Visit different ramen shops and you’ll find a variety of toppings for this Fukuoka original.

Summon the Age of the Samurai with a stroll through Suizen-ji Jojuen Garden near Kumamoto Castle. Built around a large springwater pond, the picturesque feudal garden reproduces the 53 Stations of the Tokaido, the main route connecting Kyoto and Tokyo in pre-modern Japan. Kumamoto also boasts Japan’s largest active volcano, Mount Aso. Its immense caldera–18 kilometers wide and 25 kilometers long–is itself populated with mountains, hot springs, and people. Kumamoto ramen adds boiled chicken bone broth, fried garlic, and sesame oil to the traditional tonkotsu base. A must try for noodle lovers!