Dive head-first into Japan’s dynamic drifting subculture with Drift Taxi, a complete ride-along experience with a professional driver from Fukushima’s Ebisu Circuit.

Yanaka Ginza is a quaint shopping street in Tokyo that transports visitors back in time to the charm of a traditional downtown district. Located just minutes from Nippori Station, this 170-meter street offers a mix of Japanese street food, unique shops, and a warm atmosphere. This is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a glimpse of shitamachi – Tokyo’s old-fashioned neighborhoods.

If you’re looking to escape the fast pace of the big cities, fewer places are better than the serene Sawara’s Historical District. Once an important trading town, this area of Chiba has kept its rustic charm while remaining a welcoming haven for weary visitors and those searching for power spots.

Less than two hours from Tokyo in an area of natural marvels, visitors can enjoy the remarkable atmosphere at Nihonji Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple on the mystical Mount Nokogiri. History buffs will love Nihonji, and Japan’s largest historical stone Buddha is carved right into the mountain! (Photo by Tsubasa Muroi.)

Walk along a route once used by pilgrims, aristocrats, and merchants in ancient Japan as you wander the Nagano streets of Narai-juku, one of the best-preserved stations of the Nakasendo route that connected Tokyo to Kyoto.

Known for unique clay warehouses, the former castle town of Kawagoe has so much in store for visitors to Saitama. Learn about the historical area and chomp on traditional treats while wearing a kimono on this special cultural activity.

Enter a spiritual world filled with natural beauty, lavish detailing, and vibrant coloring.

You don’t have to leave Tokyo to find unparalleled natural beauty and outdoor activities! Mt. Takao and Okutama together are the perfect backyard for nature lovers.

Can you imagine a floating parking area in the middle of the sea? Umihotaru, on the Tokyo Wan Aqua-Line Expressway, is a combination of engineering skills and scenic beauty. Located on a man-made island in the middle of Tokyo Bay, it offers travelers a broad panoramic view of the bay and the Tokyo skyline, making it especially attractive for photographers and sightseers.

Inside of one imaginative Saitama building that resembles a scrambled castle lies a wonderful tribute to Japanese comics and young adult books. Come inside the Kadokawa Culture Museum, famed architect Kengo Kuma’s recent work that’s promoting the world of design inside and out.

Climb the iconic Ishidan stone steps at Ikaho Onsen in Gunma Prefecture, where 400 years of history converge with traditional hot spring culture.

An art project in and of itself, the Enoura Observatory is a great place to get off the beaten path. The facility combines the artistic sensibilities of Japanese art and design with the beauty of nature. This brainchild of Hiroshi Sugimoto is a location where one can explore the origins of art. (Photo: Winter Solstice Observation Tunnel and Optical Glass Stage ©Odawara Art Foundation)

From the backwoods of Myoko to the slopes of Echigo Yuzawa, Niigata is home to dozens of ski resorts scattered throughout the prefecture. To enjoy one of the country’s coolest snowy getaways, hop on a bullet train from Tokyo (which can take 70 minutes or more) to find a winter wonderland!

Samurai culture still thrives in Aizuwakamatsu, a castle town in central Fukushima. A distinguished school aims to keep traditions alive by introducing the authentic culture of the ancient samurai warriors to the entire world.

Waiting high up on Mt. Minobu is an area that just might be the place to catch your breath and center yourself. From the fresh crisp air of the mountains to the morning meditations offered at Kuonji Temple, there’s no shortage of options for unwinding during your visit to Yamanashi.

While it may be easier to call Byobugaura Cliffs the “Dover of the Orient,” no words could properly convey the serenity of this colorful jagged landscape lining the Chiba coastline.

Step back in time as you traverse Asakusa, the downtown of days past. The entertainment district of Edo, Tokyo’s former name, is a mash-up of history and culture right in the heart of the capital city.

Yamanashi is the most prolific wine region of Japan with over 140 years of growing experience, producing a third of all the wine made domestically. So there’s simply no better place to tour vineyards while tasting the best the country has to offer.