Summer

Summer

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

Rock sculptures resembling human forms in Habushiura Natural Park Easy walk
Izu Islands

Niijima: The Island of Lava Cascades

An overnight ferry from Tokyo, a mountainous island of white rhyolite and the lava cascades of Koga: a day on Niijima, in the Izu archipelago, between cliffs, beaches and volcanic rock.

Some crowds
Full day for the main viewpoints + sights (or 1–2 days if pairing with nearby Shikinejima)
Aokigahara: Haunting Beauty & Silence at Mount Fuji Easy walk
Summer

Japan’s Suicide Forest: Aokigahara

Aokigahara, known as Japan’s suicide forest, is a unique place in other ways. Silent, no wildlife in sight, magnificent trees and shrubs, and really easy to lose yourself in.

Some crowds
Half day (3–5 hours) for forest walks + one or two lava caves; full day if combining multiple caves/trails around Fuji Five Lakes
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 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.
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

Suizen-ji, Kumamoto Castle after the 2016 earthquake, limpid rivers and green valleys: a tour of Kumamoto Prefecture by car, train, boat and on foot, beyond the famous Laputa Road.

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

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.
249+ Adventures to explore
Mizuki Shigerus fantasy bronze children statues on sphere Tottori Octagon Tunnel Kumamoto Discover Super-Kamiokande: Neutrino Observatory Marvel in Kamioka. Interview Relaxed bunnies lounging on mossy garden enclosure. Hiroshima Interior of Dōgo Onsen bathhouse with steaming stone bath, blue mural Ehime Browse All → Every adventure in one place