Aoni Onsen Village, Aomori. Photo by Aomori Prefecture.
JAPAN IS AN IDEAL haven for well-being, and Japan Airlines (JAL) is your gateway to discovering its lesser-known treasures, thanks to its comprehensive domestic network.
With the JAL Japan Explorer Pass, there’s never been a more opportune moment to immerse yourself in Aomori’s therapeutic mineral-rich hot springs, the incomparable sand saunas of Kagoshima, or countless other wellness retreats and pursuits across the country.
Japan is renowned for its abundance of natural onsens, saunas, forest bathing opportunities, and a plethora of other rejuvenating activities. It offers visitors an extensive array of inviting relaxation experiences. Whether you favour luxurious spa getaways or understated mountain retreats, you’ll uncover an enchanting haven for rest and renewal for the body and mind.
With approximately 2,300 wellness destinations across Japan, finding a tranquil setting for your holiday is effortless. The JAL Japan Explorer Pass is a simple, flexible and affordable way to discover the distinctive wellness culture and ambience of regional Japan. The pass grants access to over 30 cities within JAL’s extensive domestic network.
Often with more appealing rates than domestic train journeys, the JAL Japan Explorer Pass offers zone-based pricing structures at JPY7,700, JPY11,000, and JPY14,300—inclusive of taxes and fees—to more than 30 locations around Japan. It’s especially useful for travellers who wish to visit multiple cities or regions within Japan.
Start your wellness retreat to Japan by flying JAL domestic, with complete with spacious Economy Class seats, for an extra comfortable journey.
Wellness Abounds
From Southern to Northern Japan, your JAL Japan Explorer Pass places a wide range of indulgent wellness destinations and pursuits within convenient — and budget-friendly — reach.
Among Japan’s most cherished wellness activities are prolonged, soothing, and invigorating dips in mineral-rich hot springs – and no location boasts superior choices than Aomori, situated at the northernmost point of Honshu.
Presenting an ideal fusion of nature and tradition, Aomori’s naturally occurring hot springs, supplied by geothermal waters, are thought to possess curative qualities. Guests can luxuriate in the calming, therapeutic waters while enveloped by the awe-inspiring splendour of Aomori’s mountainous terrain and verdant woodlands.
Kagoshima, situated in the charming south of Japan, offers visitors the chance to experience the area’s distinctive sand saunas, marvel at active volcanoes like Sakurajima, bask in pleasant weather, and partake in wellness activities ranging from hot springs, such as the famous Ibusuki onsen, to pursuits in the Amami Islands and beyond.
The region’s sand saunas are referred to as sunamushi. Guests recline in heated volcanic sand, which is thought to stimulate circulation and alleviate stress. The warmth and pressure of the sand create a profoundly relaxing sensation heightened by Kagoshima’s tranquil coastal ambience.
There is no better place to delve into the Japanese art of forest bathing than in stunning and mysterious Yakushima Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s home to ancient, moss-covered forests filled with millennia-old cedar trees and towering mountains.
Here, you can relax and refresh yourself through forest bathing, or “shinrin-yoku,” a Japanese practice of immersing oneself in nature to promote health and well-being alongside rare Loggerhead Turtles and Erabu Flying Foxes.
Okinawa, an archipelago long celebrated as a haven for scuba diving, idyllic beach getaways, and breathtaking island vistas, is also famous for its nutritious and flavorful cuisine. This cuisine is thought to contribute to the remarkable longevity of Okinawans, with many surpassing the age of 100.
Immerse yourself in this culinary marvel by sampling the local diet, abundant in vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, served in modest portions. Anticipate encountering sweet potatoes, leafy greens, and tofu on your plates, along with the practice of ‘hara hachi bu,’ which entails eating only until you feel 80% full.
Feel the JAL Difference
Flying with JAL provides an added level of comfort and convenience. Check-in your luggage for a hassle-free experience with JAL’s generous baggage allowance two pieces of luggage, up to 23KG each, in Economy Class. The airline also offers free onboard Wi-Fi and complimentary inflight beverages on select routes.
Most guests will also be thrilled to discover that airports are less crowded than nearby trains and train stations. This makes travel days easier and more seamless, with less time wasted waiting in lines and more time devoted to health and wellness pursuits. The pass is available year-round and ticket purchases can be made up to 24 hours before departure.
From luxuriating in Aomori’s restorative hot springs to immersing in Yakushima Island’s ancient forests, Japan offers an array of inviting wellness experiences, and JAL’s Japan Explorer Pass makes exploring these destinations easier than ever. To learn more and purchase a JAL Japan Explorer Pass for yourself, visit www.jal.co.jp/arl/en/world/japan_explorer_pass/lp/?r=explorejapan.
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Images courtesy of Japan Airlines, unless otherwise noted.
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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