A Journey to Matsumoto—A Charming Castle Town Located at the Foothills of the Majestic Japan Alps
Posted on November 14, 2010 within News
At the end of October, I journeyed to Matsumoto, a charming castle town located at the foothills of the majestic Japan Alps in Nagano Prefecture. Matsumoto is one of my favorite towns in Japan and I always look forward to the opportunity to visit there. Autumn is an especially beautiful time of year to visit Matsumoto as the cool crisp air allows for a picture perfect view of Matsumoto’s four hundred year old castle, a national treasure, set against the backdrop of the Japan Alps with their first dusting of snow.
On this most recent trip to Matsumoto, I had the pleasure of staying at Myojinkan, a wonderful ryokan or Japanese inn located approximately forty minutes outside of town. As I passed through forests and valleys laden with autumn foliage on my way to Myojinkan, my sense of anticipation gradually heightened and I was not to be disappointed. Myjoinkan offered not only splendid rooms but a wonderful onsen or Japanese bath where one can peacefully relax in enticingly warm water while gazing upon a beautiful mountain stream. The food at Myojinkan was excellent with an abundance of local produce and seasonal vegetables.
A visit to Matsumoto is not complete without a stroll down Nakamachi Dori with its Edo period kura or storehouses, many of which have been converted into restaurants and shops. Without fail, I always leave Matsumoto with an antique or local craft as a remembrance of my visit there. Matsumoto can be visited on an overnight trip from Tokyo or as part of a journey that will take you onwards to the delightful town of Takayama.
Philip Rosenfeld
Japan National Tourism Organization Features JapanQuest Journeys
Posted on October 10, 2010 within News
Please take an opportunity to download and glance at a Featured Article (refer to Page 5) from the Japan National Tourism Organization JNTO Featured Article appearing in their October 2010 newsletter which highlights our uniquely different approach to experience the wonders of Japan.
Click Here For JapanQuest Journeys Featured Article PDF
Scott Gilman
Travel in Luxury Accessing the Finest of Japan
Posted on October 6, 2010 within News
Imagine being whisked away on a journey to Japan, flying first-class to Tokyo, met by your own personal concierge, picked up by a chauffeured car and taken to the luxurious Ritz Carlton, Mandarin Oriental or another one of our favorite Five-Star hotels. Continue that evening with a sumptuous dinner of local cuisine at an out of the way spot specializing in delicacies you can only dream of and will crave to revisit.
Explore the vibrancy of a city that offers quintessential Japan tucked away among some of the most contemporary architecture in Asia. Explore the city’s highlights, delve into our uniquely presented special experiences—only available with our access—fashion trend spotting or antique art plotting, sake appreciation, tea ceremony, and powerful kanji calligraphy – this and much more awaits you on your fascinating journey to Japan. Your every wish will be attended to when you travel on a bespoke luxury journey with JQJ.
Scott Gilman
Autumn in Japan
Posted on September 20, 2010 within News
Please download and glance at our Flyer describing enchanting Japan during the Autumn season–traveling with JapanQuest Journeys on a bespoke luxury experience. Autumn arrives in but the blink of an eye to transform the foliage on mountain slopes into a blaze of red, orange and yellow, a celebration of colors that easily rivals the beautiful costumes on a Kabuki stage.
Let JapanQuest Journeys expertly lead you on an unforgettable and compelling trip full of intimate discoveries through the real Japan, through the seasons of a country traditional yet modern, and rich in scenic beauty and cultural heritage.
Click Here For JapanQuest Journeys’ Autumn Flyer PDF
JapanQuest Journeys
A Delightful Onsen Awaits
Posted on September 20, 2010 within News
Japan is blessed with an abundance of natural hot springs or “onsen” located in wonderfully scenic areas throughout the Japanese archipelago. Onsen are be found at the base of mountains, along riverbanks and next to the sea. During the coming months we will introduce you to some of our favorite onsen in Japan but first I want to describe to you the pleasure of an onsen experience.
Many of Japan’s fine ryokan or inns are built in areas with naturally occurring hot springs. Such inns often have both indoor onsen baths and outdoor outdoor onsen baths called “rotenburo “ After checking into your inn and getting settled in your room, change into a light cotton robe or “yukata” and proceed to the onsen where you will first shower before entering the delightfully warm bath. In general, one would start with the indoor bath before heading to the rotenburo. As you soak in the soothing water and beads of sweat appear on your forehead, move to the rotenburo where the blast of fresh outdoor air will leave you with a wonderfully refreshing feeling before you enter the rotenburo and soak in the natural surroundings about you. When you are done, simply dry off (no need to take a shower again as the onsen waters contain minerals good for your skin) and head to your room where a sumptuous dinner awaits you. Enjoy the onsen again prior to retiring for the evening or upon awakening in the morning. An onsen experience is truly wonderful and we look forward to guiding you to the finest onsen that Japan has to offer.
Mitsuna Satooka
Announcing an Exciting New Partnership with Asia Jet for Private Luxury Air Travel Together With JapanQuest Journeys’ Bespoke Luxury Journeys to Japan
Posted on September 13, 2010 within News
JapanQuest Journeys and Asia Jet have joined as Partners to bring our high-end clients the ultimate in luxury air and on-the-ground travel experiences – tailor-made and uniquely designed to specific client requirements. Asia Jet, the only company dedicated to providing a luxury lifestyle private jet card program in Asia, offers a range of services to suit both regional and worldwide requirements. Through its exclusive alliance with Metrojet, Asia Jet Card members enjoy convenience, quality, safety and one of the largest charter fleets in the region. JapanQuest Journeys will offer customized journeys in the months ahead both on a seasonal and year-round basis as joint offerings with Asia Jet.
Our Partnership will expand JapanQuest Journeys’ footprint deeper into the Asian luxury travel marketplace – bringing our clients a superior and unique experience from the leader in ‘Bespoke Luxury Journeys to Japan.’
Scott Gilman and Philip Rosenfeld
An Extraordinary Opportunity to Experience Japan
Posted on September 3, 2010 within News
Please take an opportunity to download and glance at our Flyer which illustrates how JapanQuest Journeys can capture the imagination and attention of high-end travelers worldwide. Share it with your family and friends. Our blog will be updated on a regular basis with our marketing communications–making them available to our valued clients, high-end travel agents and all those that visit our website and blog.
Click Here For JapanQuest Journeys’ Flyer PDF
JapanQuest Journeys
Meeting a Newcomer is an Opportunity to Be Treasured
Posted on August 18, 2010 within News
From long ago there is a Japanese Zen teaching, ichigo ichie, that means ‘meeting a newcomer is an opportunity to be treasured.’ This saying lies at the heart of our service philosophy and I promise you that we will always strive to ensure that you feel you are our treasured guest. At JapanQuest Journeys, we will endeavour to anticipate your needs by placing ourselves in your position and doing our utmost to always ensure a proactive and heartfelt response to your needs and requests. We look forward to the opportunity to meet you and to provide you with the finest in Japanese hospitality and I know that through us, you will experience the essence of ichigo ichie.
Mitsuna Satooka
Welcome to JapanQuest Journeys!
Posted on August 4, 2010 within News
Welcome to JapanQuest Journeys! Through this blog, we will be sharing with you our wealth of experience, expertise and fervor for Japan that has flourished over twenty-five years. I first visited Japan in 1983 and have since lived in this fascinating country for nearly fifteen years. My co-founder, Scott Gilman, has visited, lived and worked in Japan since 1990. During our time in Japan, we developed a passion for travel within the country – fueled by a deep affection for its people and a love of its art, culture, food and natural beauty. Although I have traveled extensively throughout all of Japan’s forty-seven prefectures, I am always eager to embark on my next trip in Japan for each journey is an adventure filled with new and wonderful surprises. Over the next weeks, months and years, Scott and I look forward to sharing with you the Japan that we have come to know so well and love. It is indeed a country that will capture your imagination.
Philip Rosenfeld
