Owakudani
After changing from the cable car to the ropeway at Hayamiyama Station on the main route of the Hakone tour, While enjoying an aerial walk for a while the scenery suddenly changes.
There's a visitor center where you can take a break, plus restrooms and a souvenir shop. Super convenient.
Narai-juku
It is Japan's longest post town, stretching about 1 km along the old Nakasendo Route. Located at the highest elevation among the 11 inns on the Kisoji Route, which is known for its perilous passes, the town used to be so crowded with travelers that it was called "Narai Senken (Narai of One Thousand Buildings)”.
The old-fashioned streets are really beautiful.
Matsushima Cruise
Over 260 large and small islands are in the heavenly Matsushima known as one of the Three Great Views of Japan. A large boat on a regular schedule goes around Matsushima Bay in the affordable “Niomaru Course (Middle schooler and older 1,500 yen, Elementary child 750 yen)”. It leisurely cruises a 17km route in 50 minutes around Niojima Island, Kagetajima with an imposing rocky cliff, Funairijima where ancient ruins were found, Katsurashima and Nonoshima which are inhabited.
If you're visiting Matsushima, you have to take the cruise! After the boat ride, go try the grilled oysters.
Ueno Farm
A garden unique to Hokkaido, adorned with plants centering on perennial grasses that grow in the northern climate. The flowers bloom with different colors dramatically according to season, hence the name “Dramatic Garden”.
This is a super popular spot on social media. The garden is only open until mid-October in winter, but the café is still open.
Nomura Family samurai Residence
Nomura Family followed the warlord Toshiie Maeda when he entered the Kanazawa Castle in 1853, then served him on executive posts in the Kaga Domain for 11 generations. This is where the Nomura Family used to live and the only place publicly opened among many mid and upper-class samurai residences in Nagamachi area.
The closer a mid-to-upper class samurai residence was to the lord's castle, the better the view over the castle town. The garden here is really well maintained.
Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple (Kongosan Kinjoin Heikenji)
Kawasaki Daishi is considered the birthplace of the "Hatsumode" tradition. Every year during the first three days of the New Year, approximately 3 million people visit for worship.
This is a famous temple in Kanagawa Prefecture. It's really close to Tokyo, and you can see lots of local Japanese people coming here to pray for good luck.
Oshino Hakkai – The 8 Springs of Oshino
Oshino Hakkai is the collective name for Mt. Fuji’s 8 natural ponds, Deguchi-ike, Okama-ike, Sokonashi-ike, Choshi-ike, Waku-ike, Nigori-ike, Kagami-ike and Shobu-ike. Once a former lake, the area has dried up and formed the 8 spring-sourced ponds that remain today.
I thought the "8 Springs" would be huge and take a long time to walk around, but it turned out they're just eight small ponds. I almost laughed out loud when the tour guide was explaining it. 🤭
Sakurajima
Sakurajima is an active composite volcano located in Kagoshima Bay. It is a symbol of Kagoshima, and part of Kirishima-Yaku National Park. The volcano began to form around 26,000 years ago, and it has had 17 major eruptions.
The volcano crater is always puffing out smoke. The locals are so used to it, it doesn't even faze them anymore.
Expo’70 Commemorative Park
Using the same site that once held the Japan World Exposition 1970, this sprawling public park is filled with green hills, trees and an open-armed welcome from the “Tower of the Sun” statue created by Taro Okamoto. You can make advanced reservations to secure your tour inside the tower, a steel “tree of life” that stretches as high as 41 meters tall.
This is a really big park. It's a bit far from the city, but if you love spending time outdoors, this place is perfect for you.
GOTEMBA PREMIUM OUTLETS
GOTEMBA PREMIUM OUTLETS was established in 2000 and is the largest outlet mall in Japan. It is easily accessible from famous tourist spots such as Hakone, Izu, and Mt. Fuji, and is a popular spot to stop by during sightseeing.
If you're on a group tour to Tokyo or Hakone, this spot is always on the itinerary. It's not just Taiwanese groups—there are lots of tourists from mainland China too.