Japan, on Honshu Island

Established in 1886 in the heart of the Shinjuku district, this department store is still at the cutting-edge of the avant-garde! It is one of those places which seem to dictate trends and fashion. One urban legend says that the store's founder, a kimono salesman, would withdraw from sale those designs that had been oversold. Even today, you can find everything here that you were - or weren't - looking for. From the spa treatments on the 8th floor to the bento (small lunch boxes) and an incredible selection of wines on the lower ground floor … I particularly like the dedicated food section. You can find every kind of food that Japan produces here.

I stay at Roppongi when I am in Tokyo. My parents' tomb lies nearby. I love to go for walks in this district, which is teeming and calm all at once. Beginning in the late 1990s, Roppongi became one of the capital's trendy spots, with its restaurants, bars and nightclubs. However, you can still wander through nature, as on the walk to the Zojoji temple or the former Atago sanctuary - both founded at the very beginning of the 17th century.

Noh plays are regularly performed in the heart of the Asaba estate at a hundred-year-old theatre located at the water's edge. Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to see a show during my last visit. Favoring emotion as opposed to texts, Noh combines song, music and dance. Only men perform and it is the oldest form in Japanese classic theatre.

Onsen are a true Japanese tradition. There are an estimated 3000 natural hot springs spread across the archipelago - from the coastline to the remotest parts of the mountains. I try to visit as often as possible. The end of the year is always a special time to relax in these thermal baths - whether they're inside a ryokan or in the great outdoors. You are in the mountains, surrounded by névé snow, immersed in water that is pure and warm…

Matsumoto is home to my favorite restaurant in Japan. Founded in 1894, Alps has just a few tables and only serves Soba (buckwheat noodles) that are handmade on the premises. In three words: freshness, flavors, purity. A simple and gastronomic delight…

Overlooking the city, Matsumoto Castle is one of the few castles designated as a National Treasure. Constructed at the end of the 16th century, it typifies the Sengoku period. Its towers are all made of black wood and the city's inhabitants call it the 'Black Crow'. The entire castle looks like a giant pagoda. Many festivals and events are held here throughout the year, including major taiko (Japanese drumming) concerts.

Matsumoto is famous for being one of the sunniest cities in Japan. In spring, hikers and tourists turn up en masse to discover Mount Kobo. On its slopes, some five thousand cherry trees show off their most beautiful blossoms for a time that is both precious and fleeting. It is a poem delivered by nature, like this haiku by Moritake: 'A fallen flower/ Rises back up to its branch/No, it was a butterfly.'