I know it's a cliché, but my husband and I spent our honeymoon travelling Japan's famous Golden Route. And honestly? The hype is justified. From Tokyo's coffee shops and Kyoto's temples to the natural hot springs in Hakone, it is hands down one of my favourite places I've ever visited.
As a beauty editor, I'd earmarked plenty of time for browsing Cosme – Tokyo’s beauty mecca (think Space NK, if Space NK had several floors and a queue out the door). Standing at the counters that first afternoon, surrounded by women testing serums and concealer, I couldn’t help but notice how radiant everyone looked. I kept wondering: what were these women doing differently?
The Japanese approach to skincare
"In Japan, many of us grow up learning to care for our skin from a young age," skincare specialist and esthetician Kyoko Getz tells me. "Not because we are trying to achieve perfection, but because caring for ourselves is considered a form of respect." She also points to the Japanese value of consistency. "We believe that small daily habits have a greater impact than dramatic, short-term solutions."
Getz also tells me about Ichigo-Ichie – the idea that each moment is unique and will never come again in quite the same way. "Whether preparing a meal with seasonal ingredients, enjoying a cup of matcha, or taking care of your skin, there is value in slowing down, being present, and giving your full attention to what you are doing," she says.
"In Japan, caring for ourselves is considered a form of respect"
It's safe to say I came home with a suitcase considerably heavier than the one I left with – but it's these ideas, more than the products, that I've held onto since.
Sun protection extends far beyond SPF
We travelled at the end of May, after the last blossom had fallen but before rainy season officially began. Temperatures climbed into the low 30s, yet the streets were full of umbrellas. In the UK, that usually signals rain. But in Japan, it meant the opposite. Women moved through the heat in long sleeves, floaty wide-leg trousers and wide-brimmed hats, shielding themselves from the sun.
Ginza's flagship UNIQLO had dedicated an entire wall to UV-protective clothing – a category I'd never even noticed before. Meanwhile, every convenience store had shelves overflowing with sunscreen, sold alongside drinks and snacks for the equivalent of just a few pounds. Clearly, sun protection extends far beyond SPF. Umbrellas, UV-protective clothing and SPF are all part of the equation.
"I do believe the Japanese approach is rooted more in prevention than correction," says Getz. "Rather than waiting for problems to appear, we focus on protecting the skin's barrier, wearing sunscreen every day and supporting the skin's natural ability to function well over time."
To get on board with the Japanese approach to SPF, I picked up Biore's UV Aqua Rich Water Essence Sunscreen SPF 50, £15.99, and Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF50+, £35.99
Hydration comes in layers, not one heavy step
After five days, we swapped Tokyo's neon lights for the mountains of Hakone, staying in a modern ryokan with a private hot spring. Waiting in the bathroom was a line-up of skincare: two cleansers, an essence and a milk, each almost water-like in texture. Layering one after another, they disappeared into my skin within seconds, leaving it hydrated and dewy.
That lightweight, layered approach runs through Japanese skincare. Rather than relying on one rich cream, a typical routine builds hydration through several watery layers – from lotions and essences to lightweight emulsions. Getz says many of her Los Angeles clients unintentionally compromise their skin barrier by over-exfoliating, layering too many active ingredients or constantly chasing the latest trend. "My advice is to simplify your routine, focus on maintaining hydration, strengthening the barrier and give your skin the chance to do what it was designed to do."
To add this new approach to my routine at home, I picked up Takami's Daily Renewing Soft Peel, £35, which is a best-seller in Asia and only recently launched in the UK, to much beauty editor excitement. I also brought Tatcha's The Essence Treatment, £102, and Shiseido's Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, £67, home with me.
Healthy hair matters more than volume
Volume ranks high on many of our beauty wish lists here in the UK. In Japan, though, it's shine that takes centre stage. Despite the thick humidity, almost everyone seemed to have impossibly glossy, healthy-looking hair. I also noticed several salons advertising 'head spas' – essentially a facial for your scalp. "In Japan, people tend to invest more time in maintaining their hair through regular treatments," says Gen Itoh, style director at STIL Salon, who has worked in both Japan and UK salons.
© Instagram"Hair is often treated with the same care and attention as skincare, with a focus on prevention and maintaining long-term condition," he continues. Drawing on his experience in both countries, Itoh says Western trends often lean towards creativity and transformation, while Japanese haircare places greater emphasis on shine, healthy texture and natural movement.
"Hair is often treated with the same care and attention as skincare"
In Cosme, hair masks, oils and leave-in conditioners occupy almost as much shelf space as skincare, with countless products promising softness and shine. I came home with a tub of the cult Fino Premium Touch Hair Mask, £9.99, while &Honey Deep Moist Hair Oil, £16.99, was another bestseller I spotted time and again. Itoh says ingredients such as camellia (tsubaki) oil, rice-derived extracts, hydrolysed keratin, silk proteins and ceramides are commonly used to improve strength and manageability.
Bathing is a beauty ritual
One of the highlights of the trip was escaping the pace of city life for Japan's natural hot springs. As well as the private onsen in Hakone, we also visited a shared rooftop onsen in Osaka (the rumours are true – men and women bathe separately, and you go in nude).
Getz tells me bathing is deeply embedded in Japanese culture. "It's not just about cleansing the body. It's a daily ritual to relax, improve circulation, quiet the mind, and transition from the busyness of the day into a more peaceful state."
Naturally rich in minerals such as sulphur and silica, the hot-spring water can also leave skin feeling softer. After a dip in Hakone, I can confirm that my limbs felt silky smooth.
While I can't recreate an onsen at home, I can be more intentional about carving out time to unwind. Come winter, I'll be swapping rushed showers for long soaks in the bath. "That practice of slowing down is at the heart of Japanese beauty," adds Getz.
