The 6 Most Beautiful Villages in Japan
Japanese Countryside Tohoku Resorts
While travelers tend to be drawn to Japan's major cities, there's much to be savored in its quiet countryside, where a different, deeper kind of beauty awaits.
Japan's 4 Most Notable Volcanoes
Mountains Japanese Countryside
Because of its location on the Ring of Fire, Japan has more than 100 volcanoes—making it a top destination for those interested in these powerful symbols of danger and beauty.
A 'Tarai' Boat Experience on Sado Island
Sado is a large island off Niigata located in the Sea of Japan. There are an express vessel and a regular ferry that leave from Niigata, taking about an hour by express and 2.5 hours by regular ferry.
Conservation of an Icon
Mount Fuji is recognized as both a World Heritage Site and a three-star Michelin spot. But how do you protect a natural site from the erosive forces of its own popularity?
Top 3 Alkaline Onsen for Beautiful Skin
Grab your towels, ladies! Who needs bottled Pitera when the answer lies just a soothing soak away?
Exploring the Japanese Countryside
Whether you've been to Japan's rural parts or not, get ready to explore the Japanese countryside with a jittery boy and his cameraman dad!
What's Your #MyJapanStory?
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has launched the #MyJapanStory video page, a site that brings together more than 100 videos related to Japan.
Community Maintains Traditional Thatched Roofs
Once a flourishing post town, Ouchi-juku is home to many traditional thatched-roof residences, and residents adhere to an annual tradition of harvesting pampas grass every November to preserve their classical and eco-friendly roofs.
Swiss Priest Guides Visitors at Koyasan
Coming to Koysan 18 years ago, Swiss national Kurt Kubli Genso became a Buddhist priest, and now guides visitors around this three-star World Heritage Site in five different languages.
Quit Monkeying Around!
Watching these snow monkeys relaxing in the hot springs is enough to make anyone want to take a dip in an outdoor bath!
Feel Like a Feudal Lord in Ritsurin Garden
There isn't just one reason why Kagawa Prefecture's Ritsurin Garden has been awarded three stars in the Michelin Guide—there are thousands of them!
20 Meters of Snow in Toyama
Every spring, 30-ton snow cutters carve through some of the deepest snow accumulations in the world to create the Snow Wall, or 'Yuki-no-Otani.'
Visit 3-Michelin-Starred Gokayama
Take the new Hokuriku Shinkansen to visit the splendidly preserved, Michelin three-starred Gokayama village in Toyama Prefecture. If you want to get away from it all and be surrounded by nature and heritage, Gokayama is for you.
This Region's Sushi is So Good it Has a Museum
Shizuoka Prefecture is the source of roughly half the tuna in Japan, making it only natural that the region is home to great sushi—and even a sushi museum!
3 Magical Ghibli Hikes
Hayao Miyazaki’s animation has touched the hearts of old and young time and time again. The films produced by his incomparable Studio Ghibli often depict beautiful countryside scenes, some of which were inspired by real hills and mountains in Japan.
Rivers & Shaved Ice in Nagatoro, Saitama
Nagatoro in Saitama Prefecture is a lovely place surrounded by the nature of the Chichibuchi region. The natural scenery of mountains and rivers is beautiful, and the somehow wistful site of the mountain villages is relaxing.
No Wolf Can Blow these Straw Monsters Down!
Niigata has a rather surprising tourist attraction thanks to the leftover straw from farmers—and the creative mind of Amy Goda.
Japan’s Top 20 Three-Star Michelin Spots
Japan is one of the best travel destinations on the planet. Here’s why.
Top 3 Cycling Routes in Japan
Change your perception of Japan by taking an unforgettable bicycle ride through some of the country's rural and picturesque areas.
Nature’s Art: The Frost-Covered Trees of Zao
The mountains of the Zao Mountain Range are one of the defining natural features of the Tohoku region.
