Mid-Year Break

7 Chome-7-1 Minami 2 Jonishi Chuo Ward, Sapporo, 060-0062

A a modern hotel perfectly situated in the heart of Sapporo, it is also steps away from the bustling Tanukikoji Shopping Street and the iconic Odori Park. It offers a convenient base for exploring city attractions and nearby ski resorts, like Sapporo Teine. Guests can enjoy comfortable, well-appointed rooms, a pizza restaurant and bar.

6-6 Miyagino, Hakone, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa 250-0401, Japan

The resort immerses guests in Hakone’s stunning mountain landscapes, south of Tokyo, near Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi. This serene retreat features spacious Japanese-Western style rooms, complete with tea facilities, microwaves, and forest views — no elevators, shoes off in some units. On-site public onsens offer therapeutic hot springs, alongside a restaurant, tennis court, and kids’ games room.

Kamiyamada Onsen 1 chome 33-4, Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture

A traditional Japanese Ryokan resort in scenic Nagano, blends Western and authentic Japanese styles across its 36 rooms. Guests enjoy indoor and outdoor onsens with natural hot spring water renowned for skin benefits, meticulously prepared meals featuring Shinshu specialties and seasonal local ingredients, and amenities like a cocktail bar, karaoke, gardens, and banqueting halls for up to 130 people.

1317-3155 Futo, Ito, Shizuoka 413-0213, Japan 413-0231

The resort provides a serene escape on Japan’s Izu Peninsula, featuring comfortable rooms with modern amenities and stunning coastal views. Guests enjoy relaxing public onsens, sauna, spacious gardens, barbecue areas, games room, and an onsite restaurant, blending Japanese tradition with leisure.

2 Chome-20-16 Minaguchicho, Atami, Shizuoka 413-0016, Japan 413-0016

The resort offers a coastal retreat along Atami Bay, blending Japanese tradition with modern comforts in elegantly appointed rooms featuring ocean views. Guests relax in a therapeutic public onsen with famed hot springs, enjoy gourmet dining highlighting local flavours, seaside barbecues, and amenities like a lounge, children’s room, games room, and pet-friendly options (conditions apply).

469 Mikuni Yuzawa-town Minami-Uonuma, Niigata Prefecture, Japan

The resort offers a cosy base for ski adventures at Naeba Ski Resort, just minutes away. This family-friendly property features spacious suites with panoramic mountain views, blending Japanese tradition and modern comfort, including heated floors and a laundry facility. Guests enjoy on-site dining with local cuisine and a lounge. It is located approximately 80 minutes from Tokyo by train.

Kamiyamada Onsen 1 chome 33-4, Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture

A traditional Japanese Ryokan resort in scenic Nagano, blends Western and authentic Japanese styles across its 36 rooms. Guests enjoy indoor and outdoor onsens with natural hot spring water renowned for skin benefits, meticulously prepared meals featuring Shinshu specialties and seasonal local ingredients, and amenities like a cocktail bar, karaoke, gardens, and banqueting halls for up to 130 people.

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7148 Hirao, Hasuike, Shiga Kogen, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano Prefecture 381-0401, Japan

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Kamiide, Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture 418-0103, Japan

This natural wonder captivates as one of Japan’s most beautiful waterfalls. This 150-metre-wide, 20-metre-high cascade resembles delicate white silk threads tumbling from a lava cliff, fed by pristine Fuji snowmelt in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage site and Natural Monument since 1936. Year-round scenic walks, bridges, and Mt. Fuji views draw visitors, with peak flow in spring and summer.

263-1 Hayashizakicho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0016, Japan.

The shrine dates to around 710 AD, founded when a fisherman caught a divine wooden statue in his nets, leading to its establishment under a sacred camphor tree. Renowned for its 2,000-year-old camphor tree – a National Natural Monument with a 23.9-meter trunk circumference – believed to grant longevity (one circumambulation adds a year to life). This power spot enshrines gods of fortune, health, and nature, drawing pilgrims via forested paths.

Nebara, Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture (general plateau area), Japan

A vast 10,000-hectare highland at Mount Fuji’s southwest base in Fujinomiya City, it enchants with misty mornings, lush pastures, and dairy farms producing fresh milk and cheese. At 800-900 metres elevation, it offers stunning Fuji vistas, ranches for animal interactions, camping at Lake Tanukiko, hiking, zip lines, and cycling amid ranches like Fuji Milk Land.

927-3 Futo, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0231, Japan

1186-8 Kinjokancho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0002, Japan

A modern replica built in 1959 atop Nishikigaura Mountain in Atami City, the castle mimics Momoyama-period architecture despite no historical predecessor. This five-story concrete tower serves as a panoramic observatory 160 metres above sea level, offering stunning 360-degree views of Sagami Bay, Atami coastline, and distant landmarks like Tokyo Skytree on clear days. Inside, museums showcase Edo-period artifacts, samurai armor, swords, and erotic ukiyo-e prints, with cherry blossoms blooming in spring gardens.

Higashikaigancho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0012, Japan.

1029-57 Futo, Ito, Shizuoka 413-0213, Japan〒413－0231

The resort complements the main Club Wyndham Sundance Izu-Kogen resort on Japan’s scenic Izu Peninsula, offering serene, spacious rooms with modern comforts like air conditioning, select kitchenettes, and refrigerators for a home-like feel. Guests indulge in relaxing onsens, saunas, and thoughtful amenities including a lounge, games room, and on-site restaurant serving breakfast and dinner.

Yuzawa Town, Niigata Prefecture 949-6101, Japan

Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen Town thrives as a vibrant winter resort, just 80 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo. Famous for heavy snowfall and over 1,000 years of hot spring history, it boasts alkaline waters soothing muscles and skin in ryokans, public baths, and unique sake-infused onsens at Ponshukan.

354-1 Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata 949-6101, Japan

Known as Yuzawa Museum of History and Folklore, the museum immerses visitors in the “Snow Country” world of Nobel laureate Yasunari Kawabata’s famous novel set in Yuzawa. Housed in a traditional keyaki wood gabled farmhouse, it displays artifacts from Jomon period sites, folk tools, and recreated rooms like heroine Komako’s.

949-6101 Niigata, Minamiuonuma District, Yuzawa, 2427ー3 CoCoLo, Japan

The Echigo Sake Museum at Echigo-Yuzawa Station celebrates Niigata’s status as Japan’s top sake-producing prefecture. Housed in the CoCoLo Yuzawa facility, it showcases over 90 local breweries with interactive exhibits on brewing history, rice varieties, and Echigo toji master brewers. Visitors sample 100+ sakes at Kikizake Bansho, enjoy sake baths, and shop souvenirs like sake-infused sweets.

Futai/Mikuni area of Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture 949-6212, Japan

Futai Dam, often enjoyed as part of the scenic Futaiko lakeside area, is a rock-fill dam on the Kiyotsu River. Rising 87 metres, it forms an emerald-green reservoir sometimes called Lake Futai, framed by Naeba’s forested mountains that glow with autumn colors. The dam serves as the lower reservoir for the Oku-Kiyotsu pumped-storage power station and can be viewed from Naeba Dragondola and nearby scenic routes.

202 Mikuni, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata 949-6292, Japan

Naeba Dragondola is Japan’s longest gondola lift at 5,481 metres, connecting Naeba Ski Resort to Tashiro Ski Resort. Named for its dragon-spine-like path over mountains, it offers panoramic views of Lake Futai, valleys, and forests – vibrant with autumn foliage or winter snow. Popular for skiing access and year-round sightseeing.

202 Mikuni, Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata 949-6212, Japan

The ski resort ranks among the nation’s largest, spanning 134 hectares with 24 varied runs for all skill levels. Connected by a 5.5 km gondola to Kagura Ski Resort, it offers 46 km of total skiing terrain, snow parks, and family activities.

7148 Hirao, Hasuike, Shiga Kogen, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano Prefecture 381-0401, Japan

The resort offers ski-in/ski-out access in Asia’s largest ski area, Shiga Kogen, with over 80 km of trails from the 1998 Nagano Olympics site. Recently refurbished, its 32 rooms blend traditional Japanese style with modern minimalism, including twin, king, and Japanese futon options, plus amenities like indoor/outdoor onsens, sauna, and ski rentals. Diners enjoy revitalised buffets, a new pizza bar, and an upcoming whisky bar.

8-40 Nagakura, Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano 389-0111, Japan

The resort is in the upscale resort town of Karuizawa, offering serene mountain views and a peaceful retreat amid lush woods. Guests unwind in spacious rooms with traditional Japanese bathrooms featuring bathtubs and showers, accommodating up to six in family suites. Amenities include bike rentals (seasonal), an on-site restaurant serving European cuisine and regional specialties, spa facilities, pet-friendly options, and a gift shop.

Kamiyamada Onsen 1 chome 33-4, Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture

A traditional Japanese Ryokan resort in scenic Nagano, blends Western and authentic Japanese styles across its 36 rooms. Guests enjoy indoor and outdoor onsens with natural hot spring water renowned for skin benefits, meticulously prepared meals featuring Shinshu specialties and seasonal local ingredients, and amenities like a cocktail bar,gardens, and banqueting halls for up to 130 people.

747 Shiobara, Nasushiobara-city, Tochigi 329-2921, Japan

It is a historic hot spring resort, known as a “treasure trove” with 11 distinct spring sources and diverse mineral properties, some with skin-beautifying effects. Nestled in a picturesque valley within Nikko National Park, the area features numerous suspension bridges, over 70 waterfalls, and lush hiking trails ideal for autumn foliage viewing.

3523 Takakuotsu, Nasu, Nasu District, Tochigi 325-0303, Japan

Nasu Safari Park offers an immersive drive-through experience with around 700 animals from 70 species roaming freely. Visitors can use their own car, rent one, or ride the special “Lion Bus” to see animals up close. A key highlight is feeding herbivores like giraffes and elephants, and even giving meat to lions and tigers through a protective mesh.

1790-2 Takakuotsu, Nasu, Nasu District, Tochigi 325-0303, Japan

The museum is a beautiful stone building inspired by traditional English manor houses. It houses an extensive collection of 19th-century antique stained glass from Britain, filling the interior with vibrant, colourful light. Visitors can enjoy daily pipe organ and music box performances within its three chapels, creating a serene, medieval European atmosphere.

215 Yumoto, Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi 325-0301, Japan

The Nasu Ropeway offers easy access to Mount Chausu (1,915 m), the highest and only active volcano in the Nasu mountain range. A four-minute aerial ride takes visitors to the 9th station, where panoramic views of the Kanto Plain and volcanic smoke are visible. From the top station, it is a roughly 40 to 50-minute hike to the summit. The scenery changes beautifully with the seasons, from spring azaleas to stunning autumn foliage.

1042-1 Ohshima, Nasu, Nasu District, Tochigi 329-3223, Japan

Nasu Animal Kingdom is a sprawling theme park divided into the indoor “Kingdom Town” and the scenic “Kingdom Farm.” It offers immersive encounters with over 600 animals, including red pandas, capybaras, and Pallas’s cats. Visitors can enjoy spectacular bird-of-prey shows and feed farm animals while taking in panoramic views of the Nasu Highlands.

3375 Takakuotsu, Nasu, Nasu District, Tochigi 325-0398, Japan

Nasu Highland Park is the largest amusement park in the northern Kanto region, nestled in the scenic landscapes of Tochigi. It offers over 40 attractions, including 10 roller coasters, making it a paradise for thrill-seekers and families. The park is uniquely pet-friendly, with specific rides and cafes designed for both visitors and their dogs.

206−22 Yumoto, Nasu, Nasu District, Tochigi 325-0301, Japan

The resort nestles at the foot of Mount Nasu within Nikko National Park. This serene retreat offers spacious apartments amid volcanic highlands, featuring barbecue areas, public onsen hot springs, and children’s facilities for family relaxation. Guests enjoy nearby hiking, cheese farms, and craft beers in this nature-rich escape.

2-chome-4-1 Asama, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0011, Japan

The pagoda is a striking five-story vermilion structure in Fujiyoshida City and serves as a peace memorial built in 1963 within Arakurayama Sengen Shrine grounds. Perched 400 steps up Mount Arakura, it honours fallen soldiers from World War II and earlier conflicts. Its Edo-period-inspired architecture frames breathtaking views of snow-capped Mount Fuji, especially amid 800 cherry blossoms in spring or autumn foliage.

Saruhashimachi, Otsuki, Yamanashi 409-0614, Japan

It is a historic arch bridge spanning the Katsura River gorge in Ōtsuki City. Designated a Place of Scenic Beauty, it exemplifies the rare hanebashi cantilever design with beams anchored into cliff faces, eliminating central supports. Dating to the Edo Period as part of the Kōshū Kaidō highway, its elegant structure inspired ukiyo-e prints by Hiroshige and Hokusai. Legends claim monkeys bridged the chasm, earning its “monkey bridge” name.

Yamanakako, Yamanashi, Japan

The lake is the largest and highest-elevation lake among the Fuji Five Lakes, lies closest to Mount Fuji at 980 metres above sea level. Formed by ancient lava flows, its shallow waters support boating, fishing, windsurfing, camping, and paragliding. Stunning Fuji reflections grace its shores, especially during “Diamond Fuji” sunrises.

1163-1 Azagawa, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0303, Japan

Fuji-Kawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture 401-0301, Japan

The lake is the second largest of the Fuji Five Lakes in Yamanashi Prefecture, sitting at Mount Fuji’s northern base and renowned for its stunning reflections of the iconic peak, especially during cherry blossom season or autumn foliage. Formed by volcanic activity, it spans approximately 15.3 square kilometres at 833 meters elevation, supporting boating, fishing, and watersports.

506-204 Hirano, Yamanakako, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0502, Japan

The resort overlooks the largest Fuji Five Lake, nicknamed Swan Lake for its graceful birds, in Yamanashi Prefecture. Multi-level maisonette rooms feature wood or garden views, twin beds or futons, with mini kitchen in each room. Amenities include a bath (not onsen), kids’ games room, and BBQ area.

3093-1 Katsuyama, Fuji Kawaguchiko, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi 401-0310, Japan

The resort nestles at Mount Fuji’s foothills by Lake Kawaguchi, blending Japanese tradition with modern comforts. Guests enjoy panoramic lake and Fuji views from spacious rooms. Onsite highlights include public onsen baths, sauna, restaurant, BBQ area, kids’ games room and free bike rentals (seasonal).

The castle is a National Treasure in Matsumoto City, renowned as the “Crow Castle” for its striking black exterior and elegant five-story keep built between 1593-1594. Constructed during the Sengoku period under lords like Ishikawa Kazumasa, its intricate wooden interior features steep stairs, trapdoors, and defensive apertures for arrows and stones. One of Japan’s few original castles surviving in authentic form, it offers panoramic views and hosts seasonal festivals.

491 Motoyoshicho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture 380-0803, Japan.

The temple dates to 642 AD and houses what many believe is Japan’s first Buddhist statue – a hidden golden Amida Buddha brought from Korea. This inclusive site, unaffiliated with any sect, has drawn pilgrims for 1,400 years, offering salvation to all regardless of status, with rituals like the rare Gokaicho unveiling every seven years. Its massive 1707 wooden hall, inner passages (Naisen), and surrounding museums highlight Edo-era pilgrimage culture amid scenic streets.

474 Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-8505, Japan

The shrine is a significant Shinto sanctuary nestled within the serene Maruyama Park in Sapporo. Established in 1869 by order of Emperor Meiji, it was built to enshrine the pioneering deities and act as a spiritual heart for the development of Hokkaido. Today, it is a year-round cultural hub, particularly famous as a top spot for cherry blossom viewing in spring and for hosting the vibrant Sapporo Festival in June.

2 Chome Kita 1 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0001, Japan

The tower stands as an iconic wooden landmark in central Sapporo, built in 1878 as a drill hall for Sapporo Agricultural College, now Hokkaido University. This American-style structure, Japan’s oldest clock tower, features a clock installed in 1881, chiming reliably ever since. It serves as a museum showcasing city history and draws visitors near Odori Park.

Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

Odori Park is a 1.5-kilometre green oasis that runs east-to-west through the heart of Sapporo, known for its beautiful gardens, fountains, and sculptures. A year-round cultural hub, the park is famous for hosting major events like the world-renowned Sapporo Snow Festival in winter, the Yosakoi Soran Festival and Beer Garden in summer, and the Autumn Fest in the fall. The iconic Sapporo TV Tower stands at the eastern end, offering panoramic views of the area.

6845 Taihirayama, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano Prefecture 381-0401, Japan

The park is famous for wild Japanese macaques – known as snow monkeys – bathing in natural hot springs. Located in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park at 850 metres elevation, visitors reach it via a 30-40 minute forested hike from Kanbayashi Onsen, about 45 minutes by bus from Nagano Station. Open year-round, winter (December-March) offers the iconic snowy scenes, while monkeys roam freely in this “Hell Valley” habitat.

Togakushi, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture 381-1393, Japan

Togakushi Shrine comprises five ancient shrines – Okusha, Chusha, Hokosha, Kuzuryusha, and Hinomikosha – nestled at the base of sacred Mount Togakushi in Myōkō-Togakushi Renzan National Park. Linked to Japanese mythology where deity Tajikarao hurled a cave door to reveal the sun goddess Amaterasu, it dates back over 1,200 years, evolving from a Shugendo ascetic center with ninja training ties.

3640 Hotaka, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture 399-8303, Japan.

It is Japan’s largest wasabi cultivation site in Azumino City, spans 15 hectares along the clear snowmelt streams from the Northern Alps. Established in 1915, it produces over 150 tons annually using pristine, 13°C water ideal for the shade-loving plant, with picturesque watermills, walking paths, and wasabi-themed eateries offering ice cream, soba, and beer. Free entry draws visitors for scenic hikes and farm tours year-round.

Hirao 7148, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano Prefecture 381-0401, Japan (central Shiga Kogen area)

It is Japan’s largest interconnected ski area in Yamanouchi, spans 18 ski fields across 600 hectares with elevations from 1,340m to 2,307m. Hosted Olympic events in 1998, it offers over 80km of trails for all levels, reliable powder snow from November to May, and terrain parks, connected by 48 lifts and shuttles. Summer hiking and onsen nearby enhance its appeal in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park.

1300-13 Gora, Hakone, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa 250-0408, Japan

The resort is located in Hakone’s Gora Onsen district, blending Western architecture with Japanese elegance. Just a two-minute walk from Hakone Gora Park known for its French-style gardens, guests staying at the resort enjoy public onsens with renowned hot springs, mountain views, and on-site facilities like a kids room and restaurant.

250-0631 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture

Known as “Great Boiling Valley,” it is an active volcanic crater in Hakone, formed by an eruption about 3,000 years ago. Steaming sulfur vents, hot springs, and bubbling pools create a dramatic, otherworldly landscape with a strong egg-like smell from hydrogen sulfide. Visitors ride the Hakone Ropeway for stunning aerial views, often spotting Mount Fuji on clear days. Try the famous kuro-tamago (black eggs) boiled in geothermal waters—eating one adds seven years to your life, per legend.

80-1 Motohakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa, Japan

Founded in 757 during the Nara Period, the shrine stands majestically on Lake Ashi’s shores, enveloped by ancient cedars. Revered by warriors like Minamoto Yoritomo and Tokugawa Ieyasu for protection and victory, it honors deities for safe travels along the historic Tokaido Road. Iconic features include the vibrant red “Peace Gate” torii rising from the water and the Gongen-zukuri main hall.

Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture 250-0631, Japan

The field transforms into a silvery sea from late September to early November, when tall susuki grass sways in the wind across 180,000 square metres on Mount Hakone’s slopes. Recognised among Kanagawa’s top 50 scenic spots and 100 flower sites, the wide trail allows immersive walks amid golden autumn hues, offering Fuji views on clear days. Spring features controlled burns for regrowth, preserving this historic grassland once used for thatching roofs.

1285 Kozukayama, Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa 250-0631.

The musuem opened in 2002 within Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, showcases over 9,500 works amassed by Pola cosmetics founder Tsuneshi Suzuki. Highlights include Impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, and Cézanne, plus Picasso, Van Gogh, and contemporary pieces in galleries blending seamlessly with surrounding forests via underground architecture and natural light.

1-1 Moerenuma-koen, Higashi-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 007-0011, Japan 1-1 Moerenuma-koen, Higashi-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 007-0011, Japan

The park spans 189 hectares as a visionary “landscape sculpture” crafted by Isamu Noguchi from a former landfill, unveiled in 2005. Highlights encompass the luminous Glass Pyramid (Hidamari) hub, 62-metre Mount Moere offering sweeping vistas, innovative playgrounds amid cherry forests, and the dramatic Sea Fountain geysering 25 metres skyward seasonally. Bike rentals enhance exploration of its art-nature fusion across all seasons.

5 Chome-3-7 Fushimi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0942, Japan

The ropway provides access to one of Japan’s top three-night views from an altitude of 531 metres. The journey involves a large ropeway to a mid-station, then a smaller mini cable car (Moriscar) to the summit, where you can see panoramic cityscapes, the Sea of Japan, and surrounding mountains. It operates year-round, closing only for maintenance or bad weather.

3 Chome-1 Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959, Japan

Maruyama Zoo in Sapporo is the oldest zoo in Hokkaido, nestled within the lush Maruyama Park. This family-friendly destination focuses on naturalistic habitats, offering up-close views of over 170 species, including popular polar bears, Amur tigers, and local Ezo squirrels. Highlights include the impressive Polar Bear Pavilion and the Elephant House, providing an engaging and educational experience year-round.

Minami 3-jo Higashi 1-chome to 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

It is a historic fish market in central Sapporo, often called “Sapporo’s kitchen,” that has been operating for over a century. Visitors can explore a lively atmosphere of shops selling fresh seafood like king crab, sea urchin (uni), and salmon roe (ikura), as well as local produce and snacks. The market is famous for its small restaurants offering delicious kaisen don (seafood rice bowls) for breakfast or lunch, allowing diners to enjoy the ocean’s bounty right on the spot.

Urabandai Lake Resort, Yudairayama-1171-1 Hibara, Kitashiobara, Yama-gun, Fukushima 969-2701, Japan

The resort overlooks Lake Hibara in Bandai-Asahi National Park. This highland retreat offers spacious suites with lake and mountain views, blending Japanese style with modern comforts like futons or Western beds. Amenities include public and private onsens from Nekoma Hot Springs, Japanese/French restaurants, a café, lounge, spa, and ski lockers for winter sports.

Inawashiro-machi, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

The lake is Japan’s fourth-largest lake within Bandai-Asahi National Park. Known as the “Heavenly Mirror Lake” for its exceptional clarity and reflections of Mount Bandai, it spans 104 square kilometres. Its acidic waters support limited aquatic life but host migratory swans in winter. Popular for boating, fishing, and “spray ice” phenomena, it supplies irrigation via historic canals.

Inawashiro-machi, Bandai-machi, and Kitashiobara-mura, Yama-gun, Fukushima 969-3100, Japan

It is a stratovolcano known for its dramatic 1888 eruption that reshaped it into multiple peaks and formed scenic Urabandai lakes like Hibara. Nicknamed “Aizu Fuji” for its former conical shape, it anchors Bandai-Asahi National Park, offering hiking trails from beginner-friendly Happodai (two hours to summit) to advanced routes amid beech forests and sulfur vents.

Kitashiobara-mura, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture

The “Five Colored Lakes” is a stunning cluster of volcanic ponds at Mount Bandai’s foot. Formed after the 1888 eruption, their ethereal hues – from turquoise and cobalt blue to emerald and red – shift with weather, seasons, and minerals like iron oxide. 4-km beginner-friendly trail links lakes like Bishamon-numa (rowboats available), Ao-numa, and Ruri-numa, passing bridges through beech forests.

Yamamoto, Ouchi, Shimogo-machi, Minamiaizu-gun, Fukushima Prefecture 969-5207, Japan

It is a remarkably preserved Edo-period post town in Shimogo-machi. Established around 1640 along the Aizu Nishi Kaido route, it features over 30 thatched-roof houses serving as inns, shops, and eateries for travellers. Designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 1981, residents maintain it under “don’t sell, don’t rent, don’t destroy” principles.

1-1 Otemachi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture 965-0873, Japan

Also known as “Crane Castle,” it stands as a symbol of samurai resilience in Fukushima. Originally built in the 14th century as Kurokawa Castle, it was expanded in the 16th century by Gamō Ujisato into a pentagonal fortress with deep moats and stone walls. The white-walled, five-story tenshu (main keep), houses a museum on Aizu history. Surrounded by cherry blossoms in spring, it offers panoramic city views.

Higashiyamamachi Yumoto, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture 965-0814, Japan

It is a historic hot spring town in Aizu-Wakamatsu City, boasting over 1,300 years of history. Discovered by priest Gyoki in the 8th century, it served as a retreat for Aizu samurai during the Edo period and ranks among Tohoku’s top three onsens. Silky sulfate springs ease high blood pressure and skin issues, with 15 ryokans along the Yugawa River offering rotenburo and kaiseki meals.

Yahata, Ikkimachi, Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Fukushima 965-0003, Japan

The hill holds poignant historical significance from the 1868 Boshin War. It is the site where 19 teenage members of the Byakkotai samurai corps committed seppuku (a Japanese ritual suicide), mistakenly believing Tsuruga Castle had fallen. The summit features their graves, monuments, a bronze statue, and Sazaedo Hall – a unique double-helix pagoda. Escalator access for a fee leads to panoramic views.

Katsuura Hilltop Hotel & Residence, 441-1 Sawakura, Katsuura, Chiba 299-5231, Japan

The resort perches along Chiba’s stunning Pacific coastline in Katsuura, offering breathtaking ocean views from its high-floor rooms. The resort features comfortable, self-contained apartments with private kitchenettes and balconies, some offering refreshing ocean views. Guests can enjoy onsite facilities like private baths, an onsite restaurant, indoor onsen and welcoming sauna.

2163-97 Hama, Onjuku-cho, Isumi District, Chiba 299-5107, Japan

This beachfront resort is nestled on the serene coastlines of Onjuku. The resort offers direct access to the ocean, and many rooms feature stunning sea views. Guests can enjoy amenities such as free Wi-Fi, bike rentals and an outdoor barbecue area. The area is renowned for its beautiful, sandy beaches and excellent surfing spots.

174 Yoshio, Katsuura, Chiba 299-5242, Japan

Katsuura UnderSea Park features a spectacular underwater observation tower extending 60 metres into the Pacific Ocean. Visitors descend eight metres below the surface to view vibrant marine life, including seasonal fish and coral, through 24 observation windows. Located within a beautiful marine reserve in Chiba, it offers a rare glimpse into a natural aquatic ecosystem without getting wet.

589 Daijingu, Tateyama, Chiba 294-0233, Japan

The shrine is an ancient Shinto sanctuary with a history spanning over 2,670 years, considered one of Japan’s top three shrines for financial fortune. The main deity, Amenofutodama-no-Mikoto, is revered as the god of industry and business prosperity. Surrounded by nature and a sacred forest, the tranquil grounds offer a peaceful escape, and it’s a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing in spring.

3048 Ichinomiya, Ichinomiya-machi, Chosei-gun, Chiba 299-4301, Japan

The shrine is a prestigious, ancient Shinto sanctuary with a history spanning over 1,200 years. Enshrining the goddess Tamayorihime-no-mikoto, it is a renowned “power spot” believed to bring good fortune for matchmaking, safe childbirth, and business prosperity. The shrine’s annual Kazusa Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Festival) in September is a vibrant event, and its first torii gate is famously illuminated by the sunrise on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes.

Fudodo, Kujukuri, Sambu District, Chiba 283-0113, Japan

It is Japan’s longest stretch of sandy coastline, running for 66 kilometres along the Pacific Ocean on the Boso Peninsula. Unlike the typical rugged coastlines of Japan, this vast, arc-shaped beach is a laid-back destination renowned for excellent surfing, swimming, and marine sports. The area has a local feel with seaside shacks selling fresh seafood and the famous local hamaguri clams.

Motona, Kyonan, Awa District, Chiba 299-1901, Japan

It is a spectacular coastal mountain known for its jagged, “saw-toothed” silhouette. A ropeway or hiking trail leads to its summit, where the terrifying Jigoku Nozoki (Hell Lookout) offers breathtaking views from a precipice. The mountain houses the vast Nihon-ji Temple complex, featuring one of Japan’s largest stone-carved Buddhas and thousands of smaller statues.

181 Kashiba, Kamogawa, Chiba 296-0041, Japan

It is a premier marine park offering thrilling animal performances and educational exhibits. Visitors can enjoy spectacular shows featuring killer whales (orcas), dolphins, and sea lions against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. The park is committed to conservation and provides opportunities for up-close encounters with a wide array of marine life.

319 Hamakatsuura, Katsuura, Chiba 299-5233, Japan

It is one of Japan’s three great morning markets, with a history spanning over 430 years. Held daily except Wednesdays, it features lively stalls where locals and visitors buy fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, and local specialties like Katsuura Tantan-men (spicy ramen). Interacting with the friendly vendors is a key part of the authentic, historic experience.

Kamogawa Grand Tower, 834 Hiroba, Kamogawa-shi, Chiba 296-0044, Japan

The resort is a charming coastal escape in Chiba featuring traditional Japanese-style rooms with modern amenities, many of which provide scenic garden or ocean views. Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and cocktail bar, a sauna, adult and kids’ pools, and private outdoor onsens. Additional perks include a café, bike hire, and easy access to the famous Kamogawa Sea World.

Hama, Onjuku, Isumi District, Chiba 299-5107, Japan

The beach is a stunning, two-kilometre stretch of white sand on the east coast of Chiba’s Boso Peninsula, renowned as one of Japan’s best surfing spots. Located just 90 minutes from Tokyo by train, its clean waters and consistent waves attract both swimmers and surfers of all skill levels. The beach features amenities like showers and nearby surf rentals.