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Find Japan in Santa Fe

Try sushi with a Southwestern kick

Sunset
1 /4 Jen Judge

Try sushi with a Southwestern kick

Shohko Cafe (shohkocafe.com) peppers its sushi menu with dishes like green-chile tempura and shrimp-stuffed jalapenos; viga ceilings and rice-paper screens extend the Santa-Fe-meets-Far-East theme. Check out the sake list (Demon Slayer and Only One Daughter are among our favorites) and, for a splurge, order the omakase—the chef's inspiration of the moment. Closed Sun; $$$; 321 Johnson St.

2 /4 Jen Judge

Hit the hot springs

Shoji and Ichiban are the latest bath experiences ($49 and $69 for 90 minutes) at Ten Thousand Waves (tenthousandwaves.com), the mountainside onsen, or hot springs, about 20 miles from Santa Fe Plaza. Soak in hand-thrown ceramic tubs (the first of their kind in America), set in an outdoor Japanese garden. On Hyde Park Rd.

3 /4 Jen Judge

Find your Far East style

The word shibui means "highest ideal of beauty" in Japanese, a concept that is taken seriously at Shibui antiques store (shibui.com). Pick up handwoven obis, samurai sword guards, and erotic woodblock prints at this jewel box of a shop, crammed floor to ceiling with Asian antiques such as tansus—traditional wooden chests. 215 E. Palace Ave.

4 /4 Jen Judge

Change your art perspective

There are fewer than 100 expert bamboo artists in Japan today, but TAI Gallery (textilearts.com) represents more than 40 of them. Take a break from the Southwest-themed galleries on Canyon Road and contemplate delicate bamboo weaves and undulating sculptures in TAI's soothing space. Closed Sun; 1601B Paseo de Peralta at Guadalupe St.