SUMMER VACATION

Japan offers countless stunning beaches along its nearly 30,000 kilometers of coastline. Some are directly accessible by train from Tokyo, while others are surrounded by 1,000 kilometers of open sea!

Fireworks festivals are a staple in Japanese summer. We'll take you to the biggest firework festival in Japan, Omagari Firework Festival, where you can bear witness to 20,000 fireworks by masters from all over Japan shot over the course of an evening.

The colors of northeastern Japan are vibrant and beautiful, from the pinks of spring to the wintry whites. But on this tour of the region, we focused on the emerald greens of summertime in Tohoku.

Come along with Nick as he explores the wetter, wilder side of Tohoku in the summer!

We're seeing stars at the Sendai Tanabata Star Festival!

While Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures were both badly hit by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, the region has now largely recovered, and is looking to see travelers flock in once again.

Has planning your first trip to the beach left your pockets empty, yet you still need to buy... everything? AAJ to the rescue!

Find some of the best hidden beaches in the Kansai region with this guide.