Eco Tour in South Greater TokyoYamanashi / Saitama / Chiba

Lake Kawaguchiko is the second largest of the Fuji Five Lakes and renowned for its views of Mount Fuji. On the lake's eastern shore, enjoy a variety of museums, including Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum and Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, or relax at one of the area's hot springs. The nature-encircled lake also acts as the perfect venue for outdoor activities, such as windsurfing, camping, fishing, hiking, boating, or cycling. For aerial views of Lake Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji, ride the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, located off the lake's southeastern banks.

After basking in the majestic form of Mount Fuji, head to Katsunuma in Yamanashi Prefecture to try some delicious wine. Interestingly, Yamanashi is Japan's most prolific wine region, producing about a third of the country's domestically made wine. For a taste of the prefecture's history, stop by Budo no Oka, located in Koshu City, to sample about 180 different kinds of wine in an underground wine cave. After the wine tasting, have lunch at the facility's observatory wine restaurant where you can enjoy views of the Kofu Basin and Southern Alps as you dine on western cuisine paired with Yamanashi wine. Be sure to stop by Budo no Oka's wine shop as well to pick up a souvenir. Please note that Budo no Oka does not sell wine-sampling tickets to drivers. If you are traveling alone, we recommend you visit Miyako-en, a museum about Japanese winemaking, instead.
After enjoying Japan's local wine industry, we recommend that you spend the night in Omiya, Saitama so you are close to your morning activity the next day.

Embrace the gardener in you as you explore the cherished art of bonsai at Omiya Bonsai Village, located in Saitama Prefecture. This unique village was founded in 1925 by a group of bonsai gardeners in search of fresh air and water and today is home to six gardens that display bonsai. Bonsai is more than just the Japanese art of altering a tree's shape and height through growing techniques. The term also refers to appreciating the overall beauty of plants and trees in combination with pots and stones. With bonsai, gardeners can capture the alluring beauty of nature and tell stories of the passing seasons with weathered trunks. Bonsai's purposeful, yet nature-influenced appearances represent Japan's respectful and harmonious relationship with the environment.
Walk through the village's gardens and streets and admire the diversity of bonsai styles. Then, for a deeper understanding, visit the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama—the world's first publicly run museum dedicated to the art of bonsai. The museum features more than 120 creations and bonsai-related items, with around 70 pots on display in the building and garden. The facility rotates its displays throughout the year, demonstrating the importance of seasonality in Japanese culture. After your experience, you will leave with a greater appreciation for the unique art form.

Oyama Senmaida, situated in southern Chiba on the Boso Peninsula, is recognized as one of Japan's "100 Best Rice Terraces" and is famous for its captivating views. From the area's highest point, admire cascading fields punctuated by reflective rice paddies and encircled by lush forests. Aside from its picturesque views, the area also serves as a place where you can participate in agricultural activities such as rice planting, weeding, and harvesting via the Oyama Senmaida Preservation Society. Oyama Senmaida is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in the blessings of nature.