From the Editor

Japan is back in business! It was an incredibly busy winter as travelers returned in a big way. Everyone in the travel biz was scrambling to staff up and find flights and accommodation for their guests. And it appears the pent-up desire for Japan travel is continuing through spring as overseas visitors flock to popular tourist destinations and parks in search of cherry blossoms. If you missed them in Tokyo or Osaka good news is you can ride the pink wave north and enjoy some hanami in some beautiful local destinations.

News recently broke that the current border control measures, which include certification of three doses or a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours of departure, will end on May 8, perhaps not soon enough for Golden Week travelers, but still another step forward to normalizing activities and travel in Japan. While we doubt Japan locals will be burning their masks anytime soon, it has been refreshing seeing so many foreign travelers walking around mask-free and a small, but growing, number of Japanese people loosening up their mask strings as well.

More and more events have been added to the calendar, including the GoPro Water Games, which is back in Honshu’s adventure Mecca—Minakami, Gunma. It’s a great opportunity to see some of the country’s top whitewater (and flatwater) athletes compete while joining some of the canyoning, rafting, river surfing or stand-up paddling along Minakami’s lakes and reservoirs. It’s a great area for glamping, camping, MTB or hiking if you want to stay dry.

Craft beer festivals are back with a vengeance as well and those who prefer cider should be excited about the upcoming Japan Cider Cup, the first of its kind. Lee Reeve, who contributes regularly to Outdoor Japan, has been a central figure in promoting craft cider in Japan and is behind the event, which will showcase many fine ciders. We also highlight the second annual Minka Summit, an exciting event for anyone who has dreamt of escaping the city, finding an akiya or kominka and living the inaka life. Find out more in our interview with Kominka Japan founder Stuart Galbraith IV.

For centuries, after the snow melts and the hills and valleys slowly turn from white to green, people begin foraging for sansai (edible plants) throughout Japan. Quinlan Faris has been joining the hunt for years and takes us along to show us what to look for (and what to avoid) in his feature “Spring Sansai.” Every season is a new adventure in Japan, and spring provides the unique opportunity to enjoy a birds-eye view—while kayaking—of a forest. Derek Yamashita visits the submerged forest of Ide, only possible for short time each spring, in his latest feature, and shares where travelers can catch some late season cherry blossoms in Tohoku.

We take a trip on the wild side from Kansai out west to Kochi down south for some great hiking, rafting, canyoning, local craft breweries and more. Nearer to Tokyo, we explore the history and hiking trails in Hakone while stopping by a local sake brewery and a tea house while enjoying epic views of Mt. Fuji. And finally we take another short escape from the capital to the seaside town of Katsuura, Chiba. It’s a quick 90-minute trip by car or train from Tokyo but it might as well be a world away once you get your feet in the sand, paddle out to the surf, or motor out on a boat tour of the beautiful coastline.

We hope readers enjoy the latest issue and wish everyone health, happiness and adventure this spring. Be sure to visit Outdoor Japan Online and follow us @outdoorjapan for more features, events and updates throughout the season.

—Gardner Robinson Editor-in-Chief

APRIL 21 - 23 P IL

Aichi Prefectural Citizens' Forest, Shinshiro Aichi

kominkajapan.org https://k minkasu

Kominka Japan is proud to host a series of talks, panel discussions, and DIY workshops & demonstrations with some of the world’s most respected Japanologists, craftspeople, architects, traditional carpenters, sustainability and community-building experts, and minka enthusiasts - as well as an exciting 'Minka Mall' featuring a range of artisan shops, informative minka-related booths, food, music, and more!