Hakone Ropeway
From Sounzan to Togendai Station, a ropeway runs about 4km. You can ride in a gondola and look over the lush nature of Hakone mountains, Lake Ashinoko, Mt. Fuji and Sagami Bay. Enjoy a skywalk for about 24 minutes.
If you have the Hakone Free Pass, this ropeway ride is included—such a great deal!
PEANUTS Cafe SUNNY SIDE kitchen
A charming café where Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the gang from Charles M. Schulz’s beloved PEANUTS comic welcome you for a cheerful and heartwarming experience. The theme centers around “wholesome food that brings happiness to your day.”
The desserts are just too cute—I almost couldn't bring myself to eat them! The placemats, utensils, even the napkins all have the characters printed on them. So much attention to detail.
Takao Visitor Center
The Takao Visitor Center sits atop the summit of Mt. Takao, filled wall to wall with intriguing details about the mountain's wildlife, plants, history and hiking trails.
The maps and hiking route guides here are really detailed. If it's your first time at Mt. Takao, you don't have to worry about getting lost at all.
Japan Mint Bureau Ministry of Finance (Mint Museum)
The Mint Museum converted a building originally built as a thermal power plant in 1911 (Meiji 44). The brick exterior was maintained throughout the transformation to this date. In 1969, the museum opened to the public to display valuable coins and other items stored by the Mint. Later, with the motto of "a people-friendly, environmentally friendly, and attractive museum," the museum introduced the latest techniques to its exhibits and facilities to make it more accessible. As a result, the museum underwent a major renovation and reopened in April 2009.
There were a lot of people, but the cherry blossoms in full bloom were absolutely breathtaking.
Lake Motosu (Motosu-ko)
Located at the western foot of Mt. Fuji, the lake has a circumference of 12.6 km, an area of 4.7 square km, and a depth of 122 meters. Among the Fuji Five Lakes, it has a particularly large amount of untouched nature. The quality of the water is excellent, and it boasts "the highest transparency in the Honshu region".
When you visit Lake Motosu, you can also snap some great shots of Mt. Fuji in the background. The scenery is beautiful and there aren't many people around.
Isawa Hot Spring Resort
In January 1961, hot water gushed from a vineyard in the town of Isawa and flowed out into a nearby river, creating the "Aozora Onsen," which is said to be the beginning of Isawa Onsen. It is one of the largest hot spring resorts in Yamanashi, the land of hot springs, with more than 30 inns and hotels, ranging from budget inns to large hotels with swimming pools so you can enjoy various hot springs.
Besides enjoying the hot springs and staying overnight, there are plenty of wineries nearby. The staff are super attentive when explaining how the wine is made, and you can even taste the delicious wines right there.
Hachiman-bori Canal
Omihachiman city is located in the Koto area on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa in the central Shiga Prefecture. It is a scenic castle town where the blessings of Kokoku (Lake Country) and old and new Western and Japanese culture are alive.
Charming little bridges and flowing water—it's the perfect spot to relax and enjoy some peaceful downtime.
Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho
Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho offers a wide variety of Osaka's representative dishes such as okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kushikatsu (skewered pork cutlets).
This retro food street has a great vibe, with lots of small shops. I ended up buying a bunch of stuff!
Yamato Museum (Kure Maritime Museum)
A museum introducing the Yamato, the world’s largest battleship during World War II. Visitors can also learn about Kure’s history and science and technology. The 1/10-scale battleship Yamato, the symbol of the Yamato Museum, has been recreated based on original blueprints, underwater survey footage, and crew testimony. It continues to share the importance of peace and the excellence of science and technology with future generations.
Kure played an important role for the Japanese Navy during World War II. If you're visiting Hiroshima, it's worth stopping by here.
Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan, nicknamed “USJ”, is a large-scale theme park with entertainment for everyone, both children and adults alike. The park is separated into different areas, each with a different theme from popular titles across the world.
Both adults and kids had an awesome time here!