Beyond the neon glow of Tokyo and the iconic torii gates of Kyoto lies the soul of Japan – found in the quiet mountain villages where elderly artisans still craft washi paper by hand, and where ryokan owners have perfected the art of hospitality over generations.

Here, time moves differently. In the steaming waters of a hidden onsen nestled among bamboo forests, or at a family-run izakaya where the chef refuses to write down a menu because "today's catch decides tomorrow's offerings," you'll discover the Japan that exists in the spaces between tourist checkboxes.