DEEPER JAPAN

Smoke-free sipping may not be Japan-standard just yet, but now you can at least enjoy your coffee in clean air at a few more non-Starbucks chains almost anywhere in the country!

Move over Starbucks and Tully’s, a new wave of coffee is beginning to surge in Japan.

Choose from large spas, private family baths, mixed-gender onsen and more!

Deep in a snow-covered mountain valley nestled in the Japanese Alps, a natural hot spring bubbles out of the earth, enshrouded in curtains of thick steam.

Onsen critic Isamu Gunji risks his naked life to bring us 14 unforgettable outdoor hot springs that are barely on the map.

Hokkaido is a must-visit place for nature lovers. After its harsh and snowy winters, the land shows off tulips in spring, lavender fields in summer, cosmos in autumn, and many more colorful flowers throughout the year.

Many onsen ban tattoos, and even among Japanese young people, a little over 60 percent still don't favor allowing them in the bath. But there's no need to fear: We've compiled some solid tips on how to enjoy the water.

Edo-Period philosopher Hayashi Razan identified the three best onsen in all of Japan.