WAG-A-LOT’s Craig Koch shares his travel tips for a relaxing Japan vacation.

World Traveler

“If you can’t make it to Japan, enjoy dinner at one of my favorite Atlanta restaurants, Umi, for amazing, modern Japanese cuisine in a stunning interior designed by the late Todd Murphy,” says Craig Koch pictured with pup Phil in the garden at the entrance to Umi KOCH PHOTO BY PATRICK HEAGNEY, SHOT ON LOCATION AT UMI AND M BY TASUKU MURAKAMI

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

Craig Koch, CEO and founder of WAG-A-LOT, considers a myriad of things before embarking on a family vacation. Getaways should be enjoyable and stress-free, and for Koch, this means planning his days in advance and ensuring his seven adopted dogs are well taken care of while he’s away.

With the variety and the pace of each day in mind, Koch spends months massaging his travel itinerary, which includes researched and secured restaurants and excursions. “I like to be somewhere for a while so I don’t feel like a crazy tourist trying to check off a lot of boxes in a short amount of time,” he shares ahead of his Japan vacation. “Every great trip starts with your dog’s vacation at WAG-ALOT! Experiencing my dogs dragging me through the front doors of WAG-A-LOT in excitement to play with their buddies makes me so happy and erases any sort of guilt about leaving them in Atlanta during our trip.”

The Sora Suite Bedroom at Amanemu in Japan. KOCH PHOTO BY PATRICK HEAGNEY, SHOT ON LOCATION AT UMI AND M BY TASUKU MURAKAMI

WHERE TO STAY

“In order to truly experience the beauty, drama, and diversity of Japan, I recommend a multi-destination journey among three Japanese Aman properties. From the vibrant, urban oasis of Aman Tokyo and Aman Kyoto’s cultural retreat to the natural serenity of Amanemu located in the Ise-Shima National Park overlooking Ago Bay, you will quickly fall in love with the many faces of this country.”

WHEN TO VISIT

Koch recommends visiting Japan in late October into early November. “The fall foliage adds an additional layer of poetic beauty to the already stunning scenery,” he says, “which allows me to do something the Japanese do best: grow from an appreciation of nature and subsequent reflection.”

The Living Pavilion at Aman Kyoto, Japan KOCH PHOTO BY PATRICK HEAGNEY, SHOT ON LOCATION AT UMI AND M BY TASUKU MURAKAMI

WHERE TO SHOP

“Stardust in Kyoto exudes love and authenticity,” he says. “It’s a great place to swoon over soulful, wooden serving pieces and ceramics while enjoying tea and a sweet treat.” In Tokyo, be sure to explore Daikanyama T-Site, revered as one of “The 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World” by Flavorpill, for vintage photography books.

EXPERIENCES & DINING

“Explore Meiji-Jingu and take in the tranquility of this impressive Shinto shrine in Tokyo’s wooded oasis,” he says. “Then, make your way by foot to Bills Omotesando, adjacent to the famed Harajuku District, for the best ricotta pancakes with honeycomb. Walking the colorful streets of Harajuku, laden with all things Japanese camp, is a must and preferably with a Brown Sugar Boba Tea from Xing Fu Tang in hand. As a dog lover, visiting the Mame Shiba Cafe to sit in a room full of Shiba Inu pups is soothing, priceless, and so Japanese!” For Koch, the perfect end to the day is a peaceful, traditional omakase dinner at Musashi by Aman Tokyo. “Omakase literally means ‘I will leave it to you’ and allows you to sit back and entrust a master chef to creatively prepare a Japanese meal in front of you with the freshest of ingredients,” he says.

Aman Tokyo, Japan, swimming pool at the spa awaits AMANEMU AND AMAN TOKYO PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAN RESORTS

“In order to truly experience the beauty, drama and diversity of Japan, I recommend a multi-destination journey among three Japanese Aman properties.”–CRAIG KOCH

“Hiking through the forest at Ise-Shima National Park is next-level spiritual and is best followed up with a spa treatment at Amanemu. Take full advantage of the restorative power of their hot-spring baths fed by the mineral-rich waters of Ise-Shima,” he says. “Japanese tea service, a sunset cruise on Ago Bay, and dinner at The Restaurant, where their focus is on fresh, local flavors like wagyu beef from Ise-Shima and coveted spiny lobster from Ago Bay, round out this day of peace and reflection.”

Serene tea for two in the bedroom suite at Aman Tokyo, Japan AMANEMU AND AMAN TOKYO PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAN RESORTS

“Aman Kyoto is situated in an extensive garden within walking distance to the must-see Kinkaku-ji Temple and 16 other UNESCO World Heritage sites,” he notes. “Start the day with an early breakfast at The Living Pavilion restaurant at Aman Kyoto, then head out on a bike to discover Kyoto temples, vistas, and bamboo forests. After a respite in our hotel, I love experiencing a different part of Kyoto with dinner at Cenci, where the chef creatively combines Japanese and Italian fare.” Koch ends his day strolling the picturesque alleyways of Gion, Kyoto’s famed Geisha district, where The Yasaka Pagoda, the five-story Buddhist pagoda temple, and great shops are found.

“The omakase experience with chef Murakami at UMI is next-level dining,” says Koch of the Atlanta restaurant. “Its masterful creations are decadent yet harmonious with one unforgettable bite after the next.” AMAN KYOTO PHOTO BY NACASA & PARTNERS, INC.