Summer

Summer

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

Discover the raw beauty of Oshima Islands volcanic landscape with Mt. Miharas dramatic crater. Hard hike
Izu Islands

Oshima and its Black Desert

Oshima is the largest island in the Izu peninsula. It has an active volcano surrounded by black desert... the only desert in Japan!

Some crowds
Full day (plan 6–9 hours). The crater loop is relatively quick, but crossing/looping around the black desert can take much longer than expected and can make you miss the last boat.
Coastal sanctuary with 123 red torii gates along the Japan Sea, Motonosumi Inari Shrine. Easy walk
Summer

Motonosumi Inari Shrine

Motonosumi Inari Shrine is located in western Japan, far from the rest of the world. The nearest city, 80 kilometres away, is Yamaguchi. Never heard of it?

Some crowds
Half day (2–4 hours on-site plus extra time for driving/transfers); longer if visiting for sunset and allowing for parking/traffic.
Tranquil scene of nature reclaiming historic structure at Futtsu Park in Japan. Off the map
Chiba

Futtsu Park

Futtsu has something special to offer (who’d have thought it!) – a park on a small narrow peninsula. By stretching things a little (6 kilometres anyway), you can reach the seaport of Yokosuka on the other side and make a complete tour of Tokyo Bay.

Difficulty
Risk
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine Haunting
Kumamoto

Kumamoto: Greenery and Limpid Water

Difficulty
Risk
Breathtaking drive through lush mountains on Scenic Laputa Road. Ethereal
Kumamoto

Laputa Road

Did you enjoy the Studio Ghibli animation Castle in the Sky? Then you’ll fall under the spell of this part of Kyushu: the Laputa Road.

Misty Morning
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Mount Osore Some hiking
Aomori

Osore-san: Highway to Hell

We march towards the entrance of Mount Osore under the crazy heat.

Some crowds
Half day (about 3–5 hours on site, plus transit); Full day if doing it as a day trip from Aomori/Hachinohe
Mount Fujis Serene Tea Fields: Captivating Beauty Easy walk
Chubu

Green Tea Fields at Mount Fuji

You can visit a very pleasant spot very near Mount Fuji to appreciate the fields of green tea. Best to go in spring, early in the morning.

Some crowds
Half day (3–5 hours) for sunrise/early-morning photos and a visit to a nearby tea farm; Full day if combining with Hakone.
Stone arch in Japans tranquil landscape, surrounded by lush greenery and rolling hills. Easy walk
Japan

Okinawa: From Naha To Nago

How can you spend so much time in Japan without ever touching ground in the Ryukyu archipelago? You can’t! This first part is set on the main Okinawa island.

Some crowds
Half day to 1 day (often used mainly as an arrival/base city)
Tranquil watermill in lush Japanese wasabi farm, reflecting in clear stream. Easy walk
Chubu

The Azumino Wasabi Farm

The spot is marvellous: the birds, the sound of the water and the squealing mills... and from time to time, a damn mosquito.

Some crowds
2–3 hours (half-day if you also linger at the watermills/stream and try food stalls)
186+ Adventures to explore
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