Sustainability in Japan is not a trend, it is a philosophy woven into everyday life, says the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).
The country, it says, offers immersive, low-impact experiences that encourage travellers to tread lightly while travelling meaningfully. Kamikatsu, Tokushima Prefecture is Japan’s first declared zero-waste town and offers Hotel Why, built largely from reclaimed materials as well as eco-tours.
Yanbaru National Park, Okinawa Prefecture has the Treeful Treehouse Sustainable Resort which is solar powered with accommodation in treehouses and aerohouses, all above ground to not to interfere with ground habitats.
Yakushima (pictured), Kagoshima Prefecture is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed island south of Kyushu, with primeval cedar forests and offers an otherworldly trekking experience, says the JNTO, with visitor impact carefully managed through strict conservation controls and guided hiking.
Kumano Kodo, Kii Peninsula (Wakayama & Nara Prefectures) offers pilgrimage routes through forested mountains and the sacred shrines of the Kii Peninsula, while in the historic town of Ozu (Ehime Prefecture) heritage preservation as a pathway to sustainable tourism includes accommodation in Ozu Castle, a reconstructed wooden tower, turning conservation into an immersive visitor experience.
Toyooka & Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo Prefecture; is a hot spring town with a 1300-year-old therapeutic bathing culture and status as a global leader in wildlife restoration.
Meanwhile, Yokohama will host the Green X Expo 2027 until 26 Sep where visitors can explore sustainable living through the beauty of flowers, greenery and innovative landscape design. See more HERE.
