Condé Nast Names Their Top 2023 Travel Spots

Western Japan makes the list

Japan Travel Staff

Hot on the heels of Lonely Planet publishing their Best in Travel lists for the coming year, Condé Nast Traveler recently released their compilation of 23 Places to visit in 2023. Western Japan featured in this collection, with Seto Inland Sea cruises and new onsen experiences touted as just a couple of reasons why visitors should explore this part of the country.

Some of the other highlights mentioned by Condé Nast in their writeup include a Ritz-Carlton hotel set to open in Fukuoka in spring, the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen connecting Nagasaki to the bullet train network, and a new gallery at the Comico Art Museum in Yufuin designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma.

The Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen at Nagasaki Station (Photo: Sevenstars20 / CC BY-SA 4.0)

There is some crossover between Lonely Planet and Condé Nast with the areas they're excited about for 2023 – both lists mentioned Fukuoka, a region that is highly regarded for its food culture. The prefecture has plenty to enjoy aside from the food on offer, with beautiful shrines and temples, shopping destinations, and stunning nature as just some of the drawcards.

Both Condé Nast and Lonely Planet highlighted Fukuoka as a place to watch in 2023 (Photo: drufisher / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

If you're contemplating a visit to Western Japan during 2023, check out the following content on our website covering some of the destinations mentioned by Condé Nast:

Western Japan is generally regarded as the area surrounding the Seto Inland Sea. The Tōkaidō Shinkansen connects Tokyo to Shin-Osaka, with the Sanyo Shinkansen running from Shin-Osaka Station (Osaka Prefecture) to Hakata Station (Fukuoka Prefecture).

Flights also connect Tokyo with Western Japan, with numerous routes daily from Haneda Airport (HND) to hubs like Osaka (KIX and ITM), Fukuoka Airport (FUK), and Nagasaki Airport (NGS).