On the shores of Lake Ashi, Hakone Sekisho evokes Edo-period travel. Inspired by the relief and awe of travelers who gazed upon Mount Fuji, a single step inside draws visitors into their world.

Shake off the chill of winter, or any season for that matter, with a dip in the refreshing hot spring waters of Hakone. A quick day trip from Tokyo is just what the doctor ordered for weary travelers who need a break from the Tokyo streets.

Odawara Castle blends samurai legends, cherry blossoms, and sea-breeze views, where history and nature meet—an easy escape from the Tokyo metropolitan area.

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)

Planted under Tokugawa Ieyasu’s road reforms, these pines marked distance and time. Once a guide for travelers, they still quietly recall the Tokaido in Oiso.