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Japan is an island nation known for its beautiful landmarks, outstanding cuisine, and innovative style and culture. Here’s how I’m planning an April birthday trip to this fashionable destination and how you can, too, with the Venture X card from Capital One.
As a wardrobe stylist and luxury travel writer, I spend much of my time exploring the world, but Japan is one place that I’ve yet to discover (and, from my research, it’s a country that should be on your list, too). If getting lost in the style and bustle of Tokyo, strolling under cherry blossom trees in Kyoto, or experiencing a whisky (in Japan, they drop the “e”) tasting tour in Yoichi sounds like your idea of a dream vacation, then here’s a pro tip: You can easily book an unforgettable trip like this one with the new Venture X card from Capital One.
Considering I travel more than 50 percent of the year, I’ve learned the value of elevating every minute of my journey — from a pre-flight snack in the airport lounge to lie-flat seats on an international flight. With the Venture X card, you can maximize all these five-star benefits and minimize any travel-related stress. As a Venture X cardholder, you have access to Capital One Travel, which can take the guesswork out of booking flights. Its features like the price prediction tool and price alert can help tell you the best time to buy and can help you save an average of 15 percent by alerting you when it’s the best time to book. What’s more, Venture X cardholders receive unlimited complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and over 1,300 Priority Pass™ lounges worldwide. These all-inclusive lounges offer luxurious amenities like restaurant-quality dining experiences, and they’re the ideal places to relax and fuel up before long-haul flights across the globe to destinations like Japan.
Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
Upon landing in Tokyo, I’d love to stay at the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku and take in the city views on the 52nd floor at the New York Grill, the hotel’s famed restaurant. When you book this hotel on Capital One Travel, you can feel confident that you’re getting a great room rate because Capital One Travel compares its prices to its competitors in order to give you a great deal.
For fashion enthusiasts, there are so many stylish neighborhoods in Tokyo to explore. Ginza, the city’s main shopping district, is home to many luxury boutiques and large department stores. If you love people-watching and street style, Harajuku, the iconic district known for vivacious fashion and ‘kawaii’ (cute) culture, and Daikanyama, which is often referred to as the Brooklyn of Tokyo, are must-visits. If haute cuisine is what you’re after, you’re also in luck — some of the best restaurants in the world are in Tokyo. I have my palate set on Den, which was voted one of the best restaurants in Asia with its playful take on Japanese fare. For cocktails, a visit to Zoetrope bar in Shinjuku, which is said to have an unparalleled selection of Japanese whisky, is a must. A whisky neat is my go-to drink, so I’m looking forward to ordering a whisky flight and tasting the smooth, smoky malts the country is known for.
Earn unlimited
2X miles on every purchase, every day.
After spending a few days in Tokyo, head west to Kyoto to spend the rest of your trip exploring this picturesque city. Thanks to the Shinkansen, Japan’s high-speed bullet train, you can easily get from Tokyo to Kyoto in a little over two hours. Since I’m planning to visit Japan in April, my trip will coincide with sakura, or cherry blossom, season. I can’t imagine a better way to spend my birthday than visiting some of Kyoto’s most scenic spots, such as Maruyama Park, Himeji Castle, and Arashiyama, and enjoying a birthday hanami — the Japanese tradition of observing the beauty of flowers. For a celebratory drink, I plan to visit Bar Cordon Noir, which is a stylish, dimly-lit bar known for not only (you guessed it) its incredible whisky selection, but also for its knowledgeable bartenders and hospitality. While in Kyoto, you can stay at some of the most luxurious hotels Japan has to offer. The one I’m eyeing is the Aman Hotel, which has spacious, ryokan-inspired rooms. This tranquil property, which is tucked away inside a garden and boasts a mineral-rich hot spring onsen spa, is the epitome of Japanese minimalism.
For my fellow whisky lovers who want to taste all that Japan has to offer, Nikka Whisky Distilling Company would be an excellent spot to round out your journey. Developed by Taketsuru Masataka in 1937, their traditional Scottish, coal-fired distillation boasts incredible accolades with its bold, burnt flavors. The distillery is located on the southeastern edge of the Shakotan Peninsula in Yoichi, so it’s a short flight from from Tokyo and would be an easy pitstop before heading home.
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary.
By using the Venture X card for this Japan itinerary and any purchases you make while you’re there, like a ticket to an authentic Japanese tea ceremony in Kyoto or must-have accessories and vintage finds from Harajuku, you can earn miles to put towards another memorable vacation. Venture X cardholders can also get up to $300 back in credits annually for bookings through Capital One Travel, along with 10,000 bonus miles on every account anniversary, which is equal to $100 towards travel. With Venture X, it’s easy to travel to those faraway destinations you’ve been dreaming about and elevate every moment while doing so. So, where will Venture X take you?
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