Five Best Towns in Japan (Near Beautiful Mountains & Lakes)

• Hakone, known for its hot springs, owes its reputation to its geographical location. Sitting atop an ancient volcano, it’s home to numerous hot springs. In the upper highlands, you’ll find milky white onsens beneficial for your skin. For quick skin recovery, try the onsens at the foot of the mountains, known for their high alkaline levels.
• Next, visit the Sengokuhara pampas Grass Fields, recognized as one of the “Best 50 scenic spots in Kanagawa” and “Best 100 spots for sightseeing flowers in Kanagawa”. It offers stunning views and plenty of fresh air.
• Don’t miss Owakudani. Take a cable car ride to see the steaming thermal volcanic vents amidst the mountains. The cable car also provides a view of Mount Fuji from Hakone, offering breathtaking views of the towns and landscapes.
• Lake Ashi is a highlight of Hakone. Spot the beautiful pirate ship sailing on the lake, a moment worth capturing, especially with Mount Fuji in the background. You can also try fishing or rent a kayak.
• If you love high-altitude places, take a ride on the Komagate Ropeway. It takes you to Hakone’s highest peak, where you can see Mount Fuji and even the Pacific Ocean.
• Visit the Hakone Shrine, a place of worship over 1000 years old. People come here seeking blessings for health, marriage, and other fulfilling moments.
• Take a boat cruise for pleasant sightseeing around the lake. The ride offers a better opportunity to see Mount Fuji.
• For adventure seekers, try the Forest Adventure. It’s a structured activity spot in the woods of Hakone, offering zipline rides and rock climbing.
• A 15-minute uphill walk from Kowakien Station on the Hakone Tozan Train line will lead you to the refreshing Chisuji waterfall.
• Hike Mount Kintoki to see Mount Fuji from a different perspective and observe the geological evidence of Hakone’s volcanic landscape.
• If you have time and resources, play golf in Hakone. There are four golf courses: Sengoku, Daihakone, Hanone-en, and Yunohana Golf Course.
• Experience Zazen Meditation at Jyosen-Ji Temple in Miyanoshita. It’s a chance to find inner peace and relaxation.

Hakone is home to many museums:

1. The Venetian Glass Museum in Sengokuhara specializes in Venetian glasses.
2. The POLA museum, an art gallery in Gora village, showcases impressionist and western art, including works by Monet, Chagall, Manet, and Renoir.
3. The Narukawa Art Museum has a great collection of Nihonga, contemporary Japanese paintings rooted in classical Japanese art techniques from the Heian Era. It also offers a great view of Lake Ashi and the surrounding mountains.
4. If you’re interested in geology, visit the Hakone Geo Museum to learn about the origin of Hakone’s hot springs.

Hakone is nice to visit at any time of the year. However, I would recommend considering a trip during the autumn season. This is when the fall foliage transforms the town and surrounding mountains into a vibrant canvas of golden hues. It’s important to remember that Hakone is a favored destination among tourists. As such, it tends to get quite crowded during the weekends.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route offers a unique and spectacular journey through the Northern Japan Alps. This route is traversed by various means of transportation, including cable cars, electric buses, and a ropeway.

It serves as a connector between Toyama City in Toyama Prefecture and Omachi Town in Nagano Prefecture. The route offers travelers the opportunity to witness the magnificent scenery of the Tateyama Mountain Range, which forms part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park.

• The “Yuki-no-Otani” snow wall — a sight to see. From April 16 onwards, the route opens to the public with the snow cleared from the road. Given that Tateyama is one of the places in the world with the heaviest snowfall, the result of the snow removal is a towering snow wall, standing 15 to 20 meters high. Visitors can stroll through this man-made snow canyon and marvel at its firm structure.
• Another attraction at this site is “Hell Valley”, where you can witness volcanic activities like steaming volcanic gas emerging from the ground.
• Visit Mikuriga-Ike Pond for a picturesque scene of a volcanic lake that mirrors the peaks of the mountain ranges.
• Marvel at Mount Tsurugidake, also known as Mountain Sword due to its shape, is home to the last existing glaciers in Japan.
• As you traverse the route, you’ll get a chance to see and approach the summit of Mount Tateyama. The peak is adorned with shrines and Toriis, attracting worshippers. A hike up the mountain on a clear day offers a view of Mount Fuji.
• The Tateyama ropeway offers an unforgettable ride on Japan’s longest one-span ropeway. From here, you can enjoy stunning views of Kurobe-ko Lake and Ushiro Tateyama Mountain.
• Witness the Kurobe Dam, a remarkable project of the 20th century. It’s the world’s largest arch-type dome and stands as the highest in the world.
• Visit the Midagahara Highlands to see a dramatic view of the eye-pleasing mountainous forested hills, which transform into a colorful landscape every autumn.
• Go to Syomyo Falls and Hannoki Falls. They are the two highest waterfalls in Japan, standing at heights of 350 meters and 500 meters, respectively.
• Lastly, the Akushiro wall — the largest monolith in Japan, it extends more than 8 kilometers in length. The difference in height between its top edge and foot is 500 meters.

• If you’re visiting during the spring season, make sure to see the cherry blossoms in Jouganji-Gawa Park. It’s considered one of the best spots for cherry blossom viewing in Tateyama.
• Immerse yourself in the local culture at the Tateyama Town Buried Cultural Property Center. Here, you can view pictorial diagrams, artifacts, models of relics, and excavated remains from Tateyama Town.
• Experience the power of nature at Iwamuro-no-Taki Falls. Listen to the roar of the water as it crashes into the rocky plunge pool in the heart of the forest. Recognized as one of Toyama’s national treasures, it may hold undiscovered secrets.
• Take in the landscape of Tateyama at Daikanbo Nature Park. Situated 325 meters above sea level, it provides an excellent vantage point to observe the changing landscape of Toyama Prefecture, from Alpine mountains to plains and shores.
• For a panoramic view of Tateyama, visit Toyama’s wide-area Clean Center Observation Deck. Rising 80 meters above the ground, the observatory offers clear views of the town’s scenery and the transitioning landscape of Toyama Prefecture.
• At Konchu Okoku (Insect Kingdom) Tateyama Tateyama Shizen Fureai Kan, you can participate in an Insect Friendship Class. This unique experience allows you to learn about Japanese rhinoceros beetles, dragonflies, and fireflies.
• Visit Tounoukan for another unique activity. Here, you can learn how Etchu Setoyaki (Etchu pottery) is made through art classes guided by a professional ceramicist.
• Finally, explore and relax in Green Park Yoshimine. Wander through the forest, spot natural hot springs, and commune with nature. It’s a two-in-one destination where enjoyment and relaxation go hand in hand.

The ideal time to visit Tateyama Town coincides with the “Yuki-no-Otani” event, when the impressive snow walls are formed. This period also marks the opening of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Typically, this occurs in early spring, spanning from mid-April to May. As winter approaches, starting from mid-November, the Alpine Route closes once again.

While Magome may be a small town, it still offers a handful of worthwhile activities that are worth exploring:

• Capture the beauty of Magome through your lens. This picturesque town is a delight for photography enthusiasts. However, it’s important to remember that some of the houses in Magome are private properties, not exhibits, and we should respect the residents’ privacy.
• Pay a visit to the Toson Memorial Museum and Tsuchimaya Shiryokan. Here, you can explore the famous works of Shimazaki Toson, a renowned writer who was born in Magome.
• Immerse yourself in the history of Magome at the Wakihonjin Museum. This museum showcases displays that depict the history of this old Nakasendo post town.
• Stop by the Shimizuya Shiryokan. This small museum exhibits various belongings of Magome’s citizens, including scrolls, clothing items, and pottery.
• Embark on an exploration of the old Nakasendo. The Magome-Tsumago Trail, a part of Nakasendo, offers impressive scenery, including scenic mountains and valley vistas. Along the way, you’ll encounter waterwheels, the Otaki and Metaki Falls, and various shrines.

Summer is the ideal time to visit Magome, thanks to the dry and sunny weather. However, winter visits are not highly recommended as snow can render some paths inaccessible.

Like any popular tourist destination, Magome can get quite crowded, particularly on holidays and weekends. The influx of tourists can make it challenging to capture those perfect “Instagrammable” moments. So, plan your visit accordingly to make the most of your experience!

In December 1995, Shirakawa was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On that day, Shirakawa gained the title: “An irreplaceable treasure, either produced naturally by the Earth or through the history of mankind.”

This alone is reason enough to visit Shirakawa. It’s a must-visit place as it exemplifies human adaptability to environmental, social, and economic situations.

Moreover, the simple life in Shirakawago, combined with the scenic mountains around it, can make anyone feel as if they’re in a whole new world, far removed from the chaos of the world. Shirakawa is divided into the Ogi-machi Gassho Style Village and the Southern Nature Area. This means that the awe-inspiring activities don’t stop in the town center but extend to the wilds surrounding it.

While sightseeing is a key part of any visit to Shirakawa, there are several other activities that can enrich your experience in this unique treasure:

• Take a tour of the Wada house, the largest gassho-style house in Shirakawa. Constructed in the 1800s, it has been preserved in its original state, including the garden, fields, and waterways. The second floor, open to the public, is filled with artifacts and items used by the Wada Family, some of which are said to be 300 years old.
• Spend some time reflecting at the Myonzenji Temple. This temple, known for its yew tree and bell tower gate, offers a glimpse into a monk’s residence in Shirakawa.
• Explore the magnificent interiors of a gassho-style house at the Nagase House. This five-story house, with its distinctive large roof and eleven-meter rafter beams, was once the residence of the Nagase family, who were doctors.
• Immerse yourself in the history of Shirakawa Village at the Gasshozukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum. Here, you can experience life in ancient Japan through the preserved structures, including a watermill, temple, and shrines. The museum grounds also offer a peaceful spot to rest, complete with soba restaurants and shops.
• Discover the sericulture of Shirakawa at the Tajima House. This will give you an idea of how the people of Shirakawa thrived with silk culture as their key industry.
• Take in panoramic views of Shirakawa from the Tenshukaku Castle Keep Observatory. From here, you can behold the fairy tale scenery of the Ogimachi settlement and the backdrop of the mountains.
• For a different perspective, visit the Ogimachi Castle Ruin Observation Area. This medieval mountain fortress in the northwestern part of Shirakawa offers stunning views of the Ogimachi.
• Finally, immerse yourself in the surrounding natural attractions.
  • Soak your skin in the mineral-rich warm waters of the Hirase Hot Springs.
  • Marvel at the Miboro Dam, the largest in Asia when it was constructed in 1960.
  • Enjoy a lakeside stay at the Hakusan Lakeside Lodge and witness the stunning colors of Lake Hakusui.
  • Lastly, visit the Shiramizu Waterfall, a spectacular thin waterfall nestled in the forested cliffs of Shirakawa.

Winter is the ideal time to visit Shirakawa. During this season, the village and houses are blanketed in snow, creating a stunning scene reminiscent of gingerbread houses.

However, if you’re seeking a tranquil and comfortable exploration experience, consider visiting during the shoulder season. This includes late spring or early autumn. During these times, you’ll encounter fewer crowds, and the cost of travel remains relatively low.

Here are some activities you can enjoy when you visit Furano:

• Take a ride on the Furano Cable Car. You don’t need to travel to Switzerland to experience a cable car ride with views of beautiful ice-capped mountain ranges.
• Stop by the Rokugo Viewing Platform. Here, you can feast your eyes on a stunning panorama of Furano’s great outdoors.
• Spend some time relaxing in Asahigaoka Park. Especially during the cherry blossom season, this park offers picturesque spots to photograph Mt. Tokachidake framed with blooming cherries.
• Visit the Furano Winery & Furano Wine House. Located on a hilltop amidst fields of flower farms, it’s an excellent spot to catch a view of Mount Tokachidake.
• Explore the Stone House of Goro. This location offers a super Instagrammable scenery that will add beautiful countryside photos of Japan to your social media feed.
• Take a trip to Farm Tomita. Share the vibrant colors of the flowers in Farm Tomita with your social media friends.
• Visit the Choei Lavender Farm & Nakafurano Flower Park. Here, you can marvel at the rainbow-colored fields. You can also take the ski lift to get an overlooking view of the farm.
• Warm up in Fukiage Onsen. Nestled in the middle of the forest on Mount Tokachidake, this gem is open 24 hours a day, allowing you to visit whenever you feel cold.
• Experience a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon ride. Float in the air and take in the views of Hokkaido’s ice-capped mountains.
• Join the Flying Dolphins Adventure Service for a rafting adventure. It’s a perfect way to maximize your stay in Furano. Don’t just sightsee; get active and have some fun!
• Try trekking with a horse or dogsled. This fantastic and adventurous activity awaits you in Furano.
• Finally, embrace the wind with paragliding. Let a qualified paragliding instructor fly you above the heart of Hokkaido. It’s an experience filled with awe and thrill.

If you’re planning a trip to Furano or Hokkaido specifically to see the flower fields, the optimal time to visit is in the early morning during mid to late July. This is when the flowers are at their peak, fully bloomed and displaying their vibrant colors.

That being said, Furano is a beautiful destination that offers a plethora of activities throughout the year. So, regardless of the season, a visit to Furano should be a delightful experience.