The picturesque town of Shibu Onsen in Nagano prefecture is the perfect balm for a busy visit to Japan. It’s traditional, quaint, and a glorious place to explore several uniquely Japanese experiences.

Part of the experience of staying in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese guesthouse, is the relief you’ll feel as soon as you walk in the door. It’s a mindset shift, the opportunity to fully switch to a ...