Summer

Summer

Chasing salt air and cicadas, we slip off the map; lava islands, rice-paddy terraces, and sunlit shrines.

Rishiri Islands Volcanic Majesty: Towering Peaks, Serene Lakes Hard hike
Hokkaido

Rishiri Island

This wild island with its rich and protected fauna and flora is a nature lovers’ paradise. Guided tour available.

Quiet
Full day at minimum; 2–3 days recommended if you want hiking (e.g., Mount Rishiri) and to explore multiple viewpoints/trails.
Quaint Canadian village replica, rural Japan Nostalgic
Hokkaido

Nostalgia for Canada at Hokkaido

Welcome to a Canadian ghost town in the heart of Hokkaido. Formerly a theme park reproducing the fictional village of Avonlea, Anne of Green Gables has long gone.

Difficulty
Risk
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine Some hiking
Kumamoto

The Incredible Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine

At the foot of Mount Aso stands a small shrine with a mystical atmosphere, lost in the middle of a cypress forest. Take the path with stone torii gates and discover this timeless place.

Some crowds
Half day (about 2–4 hours on site including the climb and visit to Ugetoiwa)
Aerial view lush green soybean hills landscape Easy walk
Hokkaido

The Lovely Soya Hills

This pristine white path not far from Wakkanai is a popular destination. Let’s discover an unusual landscape.

Quiet
Half day (about 3–5 hours) for the hills and the 3 km White Path walk; full day if traveling from/returning to Wakkanai or combining with Cape Soya sights
Imposing war memorial tower against sunset skyline. Lively
Kansai

Osaka Great Peace Tower

This oddly designed tower is a cenotaph, in other words a funerary monument that doesn’t contain human remains but was erected in memory of a person, or group of people.

Fireworks Festival
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Shishijima Some hiking
Kagawa

Shishijima: Island of the Goat (or of the 19 Residents)

It’s early. I call on my host: couldn’t you recommend an island around here for my morning constitutional? Of course, he told me. So join my mate on his boat down there. He’ll take you to his place! On Goat Island! You’ve a deal there, I miaow readily, whiskers quivering with excitement.

Quiet
Half day (allow extra time if hiking to the Okusu camphor tree and wandering the abandoned villages)
Quaint Japanese mountain village alleyway, traditional architecture Easy walk
Chubu

Tsutsuishi: Where fine days dissolve in smiles

One beautiful summer morning, I head for Tsutsuishi on the local train.

Quiet
Half day (about 3–5 hours) including travel from Itoigawa; 1–2 hours if already nearby and just exploring the station, village lane, and sea-front huts.
Abandoned overgrown village path through lush foliage. Off the map
Chugoku

Itaibara : Tottori’s Forgotten Hamlet

Quitting the autoroute that leads to the town of Chizu, I take a mountain road. It’s typical of this terrain where you often come across deer, foxes, monkeys, sometimes even bears, especially early morning just before sunrise.

Difficulty
Risk
Lush Rebun Island, Hokkaidos serene meadows, azure sea. Some hiking
Hokkaido

Rebun: The Flowered Floating Island

Frantically I put my foot down, driving along the incredible Route 106 (the last stretch of road to the north of Hokkaido) through a storm where the sky and the ocean are as one.

Some crowds
Full day for a quick visit (or overnight if you want to hike and see more of the island).