JAPANESE COUNTRYSIDE

The Japan Alps in the north-central parts of Honshu offer some of the most exhilarating wilderness outings in the country. You won't believe what you can see.

High levels of aluminum hydroxide turn this Hokkaido pond an incredible shade of blue. If it looks familiar, you may recognize it from Apple's OS X Mountain Lion wallpaper!

Back in the day, getting ocean fish to Kyoto was back-breaking work. You can still hike the 1,300-year-old path that brought mackerel to the ancient capital.

Take a zipline above Japan's largest lake!

Tour around the Shiretoko Five Lakes on a 3-kilometer course. The serene path, fresh air and magnificent scenery on the edge of the Sea of Okhotsk are sure to relax you.

Check out this video highlight of Fukuoka's Oshima Island—and then pack your bags!

Easily accessible from Tokyo and home to luxury resorts, shops and restaurants, Karuizawa is a gorgeous year-round getaway. But autumn is when the town shows its true colors!

Gankoyama has recently become a mecca for outdoors adventurers and eco-tourists.