If you want to experience a different side of Japan than the one most tourists find, you should look outside the big cities. In lesser-known rural areas and remote islands, you can try life as a sake brewer for a few days, go canoeing and snorkeling in beautiful UNESCO areas, take part in daily life in a local village and go on a guided bike tour of a popular onsen town.

JR East and JR West have announced an extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line from Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture to Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture, which officially opened on March 16, 2024. Here are a few fun things that you can do along the way!

Renowned throughout Japan for its impressive mountain ranges and abundance of pristine snowy tracks available for winter sports (it was the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics), Hakuba has always been a popular weekend destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo to get lost in nature, whether it be to experience the wondrous snowfall or go hiking across mountain ranges in the green season.

Niigata Prefecture, accessible from Tokyo through the Hokuriku or the Joetsu Shinkansen, is famous for its rice, natural scenery, and tons of snow. There are a plethora of things to do in the prefecture, so let’s take a quick look at some highlights!

The southernmost prefecture of the sublime Tohoku region, Fukushima is the closest getaway from Tokyo to experience this region’s unique beauty and cultural richness. From stunning natural wonders to historic towns, Fukushima prefecture highlights the best sights and experiences Japan has to offer. Come with us on a tour of this must-see travel location, which has undergone a recent renaissance.