Why The Hotel Well-Hub Haneda makes the ideal base for adventurous Japan travellers

For carnivores, a sukiyaki meal is an essential part of any stay in Japan. The hot-pot dish combines tender cuts of beef with vegetables, tofu and ingredients such as jelly-like shirataki noodles, which are lightly cooked in a sweetened soy-sauce broth. Then you fish them out and dip them into beaten raw egg – pure meaty bliss.

At Oishi, the taste bud-pampering experience gets elevated further with melt-in-your-mouth wagyu provided by the historic meat wholesaler Hiyama, one of Tokyo’s premier purveyors of top-grade Japanese beef. The other ingredients meet the same high standard, with seasonal organic greens from a farm in the mountains of Nagano, premium free-range eggs, and rice selected by a certified ‘five-star master’ of the staple grain. Pair all that with a pick off the tightly curated wine list and you have yourself a feast you’ll keep reminiscing about for days.

First time at the show? No worries: English-speaking staff are on hand to cook your meat and veg, so you can focus on eating – and on the spectacular view of the glittering lights and aviatorial action of Haneda Airport.

This ground-floor café could be the comfiest spot of them all at Well-Hub, and that’s saying a lot. With natural light streaming in through the warehouse-style windows, you’re invited to kick back among Americana-coded miscellanea and gaze out at the spacious lawn, all while warm analogue tunes emanate from a pair of massive vintage speakers.

River Cafe boasts a plentiful menu of French- and Italian- inspired sweet and savoury bites (don’t miss the jiggly coffee jelly!), plus a solid selection of burgers, sandwiches and wood- fired pizza. On the drinks front, be sure to try the craft beer courtesy of Haneda Brewery nearby, or explore the range of soft drinks from smoothies to additive-free sodas.

On a sunny weekend day, arrive early to secure a seat on the terrace by the aforementioned lawn, and watch as local motorcyclists gather by the car park to show off their polished rides.

How Well-Hub’s all-star cast of sports and culture instructors like to spend their time at the hotel:

‘Tea culture is such a rich expression of the Japanese spirit and sense of beauty,’ says Mutsuki Yamamoto, Well-Hub’s go-to tea master, whose classes provide an introduction to the traditional form of hospitality in an informal and easy-going setting. ‘The practice of tea teaches you to be more altruistic and considerate of others. In that way, I think tea can make the world a better place.’

A former sommelier and bartender, Yamamoto runs a teahouse in the beach town of Zushi south of Tokyo. His favourite thing about Well-Hub’s activity programme is its ability to inspire and make your stay feel more meaningful. ‘It’s like a portal into Japanese culture,’ he smiles. ‘Tea, karate and yoga all stimulate the senses and open up new avenues of thought.’

Trained in Hawaii and based in beachside Shonan south of Tokyo, Yumi knows a thing or two about laidback life. Her early-morning sessions aim to help you soothe both mind and body and start your day in the best possible way. ‘Yoga can help you restore balance after an adrenaline-fuelled outing, as well as relieve stress and help you sleep better,’ she says. ‘I hope my classes can help guests enjoy their vacation to the fullest.’

Besides yoga by the river, Yumi’s perfect day at Well-Hub includes indulging in another of the hotel’s morning highlights. ‘I recommend the buffet breakfast,’ she says. ‘They’ve got a great selection of yoghurt, fruits and veggies, not to mention the onigiri.’

Former World Championship athlete Takehiro Kaga’s morning classes function as a crash course to karate for beginners of all ages. You’ll learn how to warm up, punch, kick, parry and belt out martial arts-style greetings, all over the course of 45 minutes. ‘My goal is simple,’ says the ever-jovial instructor. ‘Make sure that everybody has fun, and that nobody gets hurt.’

When he’s done with a session, Kaga enjoys hanging out at River Cafe with his family. ‘It’s child- and pet-friendly, and there’s plenty of space for both our son and our dog to run around,’ he smiles. ‘Just the other day, we all had breakfast together after my class. When my son gets a little older, I hope he’ll want to try karate here, too.’

The spots worth seeking out in The Hotel Well-Hub Haneda’s home neighbourhood – all within biking distance from the hotel

After getting your bearings at Well-Hub, go out and discover Japan’s natural beauty on these adventurous excursions, from Hakuba to Okinawa. Just stop by the activities counter in the lobby, and the staff will help you with your next stop.

Hakuba Valley in the Northern Japanese Alps is one of the country’s best-known snow resorts, and for good reason. The host town of the alpine skiing and ski jumping events at the 1998 Nagano Olympics comprises ten distinct resorts, all with stunning scenery, and you can easily shuttle between the various slopes to make the most of the diverse area.

Numerous hot springs are dotted around the valley and make a great place to relax after a day of riding the trails. Hakuba is also very English-friendly and is a popular spot for international travellers. The season runs from late November to early May.

Hakuba Valley is accessible in under three hours from central Tokyo via shinkansen and bus. An hour-and-a-half shinkansen ride will get you to Nagano Station, then an hour-long bus ride will take you directly into Hakuba.

WHERE TO STAY
Hakuba Tokyu Hotel
Elegant lodge-style property a mere 500 metres from the Happo-One resort, Hakuba’s largest, with easy access to a plethora of excellent dining options.

Once you’ve gotten a feel for Japan’s waves on a Well-Hub day trip to Shonan, it’s time to step things up a notch and steer south to the Izu Peninsula for bigger breaks. Start at the picturesque Shirahama Beach, an 800m stretch of white sand known for its excellent surfing conditions. Tip: there’s a constant break in front of the small Shinto shrine near the edge of the beach. Shirahama is spacious and clean, and there are convenience stores and restaurants as well as facilities to rent beach umbrellas.

Nearby Tatadohama Beach offers a fine mixture of nature and seashore, with rolling waves that make it popular among surfers, while the smaller Imaihama Beach is recommended for beginners.

Izu is about three and a half hours from central Tokyo. Take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Atami Station and switch to the local Ito line to Izukyu Shimoda Station.

WHERE TO STAY
Izu Imaihama Tokyu Hotel
Right in front of Imaihama Beach, this Hawaii-inspired getaway boasts predictably stunning ocean views, hot-springs baths and restaurants serving local seafood.

Those whiter-than-white sands and bluer-than-blue waters? Not AI: they really exist around Miyako Island, some 300km southwest of Okinawa Island. The ocean at Miyako has such a beautiful shade that it’s often referred to as ‘Miyako Blue’, and the island is known as a great diving spot. There’s no need to go deep either: you stand a pretty good chance of encountering sea turtles and brilliantly colourful tropical fish when snorkelling at spots like Yabiji or Shigira Beach.

Among triathletes, Miyako is well known as the venue of the All-Japan Miyakojima Triathlon, which takes place on the island every April. If you think you’re up for a 3km swim, a 123km bike ride and a full 42km marathon – all in one day – enter the participation lottery in November. Miyako can be reached in three hours by direct flight from Haneda Airport.

WHERE TO STAY
Miyakojima Tokyu Hotel & Resorts
Tranquil and comfortable 247-room resort right on the doorstep of Yonaha Maehama Beach, often considered one of the most beautiful in Asia.