Best Activities Spot List

A bathhouse exuding old-fashioned charm

A resort train with superb views

This ropeway connects Yunoyama Onsen with Mt. Gozaisho, located 1,212 meters above sea level. From the window you can see the townscape of Yunoyama Onsen and Yokkaichi, as well as Ise Bay, and the natural scenery surrounding Mt. Gozaisho transforms every season: azaleas in spring, red dragonflies in summer, colored leaves in autumn (from mid-October to late November), and beautiful frost-covered trees in winter.

The Rokko Arima Ropeway takes about 12 minutes to travel between Rokko Sancho Station, where Rokko Garden Terrace provides a sweeping vista of urban Kobe and Osaka Bay, and Arima Onsen Station, where clouds of white steam drift upward from one of Japan's three most famous hot springs. While gliding through sky, you can savor the superb view of the majestic nature of Mt. Rokko with scenery that changes with the seasons. What's more, there are attractions dotted across the mountain to enjoy at your leisure such as the Rokko Alpine Botanical Gardens and Rokkosan Country House. After unwinding in an onsen, take the ropeway back to Mt. Rokko.

The Hakone Ropeway operates for about 4km from Tougendai station, facing Lake Ashi via Ubako and Owakudani stations, to Sounzan station. Opened in 1959, currently over 2 million people ride it each year. On the route going through Hakone mountains, you can view the nature which changes by seasons, such as cherry blossoms, azaleas, hydrangeas, and red and yellow leaves, as well as allowing you to view Mount Fuji in the distance on a sunny day. From Sounzan Station, the terminal station, you can change trains to Hakone Tozan cable cars and go to Gora Onsen (hot springs) and further down to the Hakone Open-Air Museum by Hakone Tozan Railway.

This studio has started offering a new experience called the Maiko Location Photo Plan, where you can take a photo in front of a Kyo-machiya (townhouse in Kyoto) or in the Higashiyama area. To experience being a maiko, you can choose from a variety of gorgeous attire and wear traditional Japanese makeup using face powder and a water-soluble lipstick. Other popular plans include Couple Plan where you can take a photo with your partner wearing a kimono, and the Kids Maiko Plan for children aged five and over (height: 100 centimeters or more).

An easy way to get halfway up the mountain

Located just one meter away from the sea, this is a public open-air bath that Shirahama Onsen is famous for. According to the ancient history books, such as the Nihonshoki (Chronicles of Japan) and the Manyoshu (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves), Prince Arima visited this place about 1,350 years ago.

A big onsen resort with large hotels lining Mutsu Bay. It offers a wide range of events and leisure activities.

The well-trimmed lawns and glass sides of the large Japanese building that is home to the beautiful TAKAO 599 MUSEUM can be found by continuing from Takaosanguchi Station to the Kiyotaki cable car station, crossing the intersection, and going along the road that heads to the shrine. The museum presents the incredible ecosystem of Mt. Takao from a fresh perspective, and is a renovation of the former Takao Natural Science Museum. It opened its doors as a place that preserved the elements of a museum, and added the comfortable atmosphere of a park. There is no charge for admission.

The headquarters of the famous TV Asahi face the lush Mori Garden, being a vital part of Roppongi Hills. On its first floor, the TV Asahi shops sells all kinds of goods and merchandise of the channel. This includes all-time favorites such as Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan, shows and animations that aren't only majorly popular in Japan but also abroad. Around 2,000 different unique items and a lot of special editions can be found here, making for excellent souvenirs that perfectly represent the modern Tokyo that Roppongi Hills and TV Asahi stand for.

This footbath was constructed when JR Ogoto Station was renamed as Ogoto-onsen Station on March 15, 2008. Tradition says that Ogoto-onsen was discovered by Denkyo Daishi Saicho, the founder of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hiei. The building is designed to recall a hexagonal hall located in Hayao Jizoson, where stone jizo statues (guardian deities of children) allegedly made by Saicho, are enshrined.

This open-air bath is right next to Shirahama Beach. Since you can wear a swimsuit while soaking in this pool-like bathtub, it's convenient to visit after a day at the beach. The hot water that springs from its own source is constantly replenished, ensuring the water is always fresh. During the non-summer seasons, it's used as a footbath instead.

Nikkotei Oyu is a time-honored inn, which is popular among one-day tourists to enjoy hot spring bathing. There is an open-air bath surrounded by bamboo trees, which is large enough to accommodate some 20 people. There is also a room for up to five people, which is recommended for a family.

Held early every Sunday morning in front of Yugawara Tourist Hall. Naturally you can find produce unique to the seas and mountains around Yugawara as well as goods you can only buy directly from the producers or manufacturers at bargain prices. Enjoy haggling with the stall owners and maybe you will get a great discount or a little something extra. Held every Sunday Business hours: 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. (cancelled during stormy weather) Venue: The open area in front of Yugawara Tourist Hall Products available: local specialties, dried fish, vegetables, tangerines, seafood, accessories, home-made bread, pickles, and many other things Access: From Yugawara Station, take the bus headed to Okuyugawara or Fudo-Taki for about 10 minutes. We are right next to the Ochiaibashi bus stop.