GREAT OUTDOORS

Find your inner peace and a bit of fresh air at one of these four areas of natural wonder, each only an hour or two away from the city center of Tokyo.

All across Japan, you can easily find an incredible mix of technology and greenery. And among all of its protected natural sites, four of them are UNESCO natural sites! Let's explore these verdant green wonderlands!

Don't let the snow keep you indoors! There's so much to do Tochigi in the wintertime.

Gunma is a hiker's paradise, and autumn is the ideal time to visit. As the leaves change color, discover one of the Three Great Scenic Wonders of Japan, beautiful marshes, waterfalls, hot springs and more!

Blessed with numerous mountains, lakes and rivers, Gunma offers a wealth of outdoors activities in the summertime. Try mountain climbing, rafting, canyoning, canoeing and more—then rest your weary bones in one of the region's celebrated hot springs.

At this new Kanagawa attraction, you too can be a Ninja Warrior…sort of!

The northeast region of Honshu, Tohoku, is a destination for all seasons. If you're looking to see nature at its finest, head north!

In my early 20s, I decided to use my summer holiday to travel the coast of Iwate on my own. I bought the JR Seishun 18 Ticket, which meant I had free range of almost all the JR stations in Japan—and I chose Miyako as my first stop.