Japan attractions

The Toyohira River stretches for 45 miles (72 kilometers) through the Japanese island prefecture of Hokkaido, from Mt. Oizari (Oizaridake) through Jozankei to Sapporo before combining with the Ishikari River and emptying into Ishikari bay. In Sapporo, the river’s banks are lined with pathways, which are popular with joggers and walkers.

In Tokyo’s trendy Ginza district, this contemporary gallery showcases work by both Japanese and international artists, such as Sophie Calle, Olafur Eliasson, Kengo Kito, and Hiroshi Sugimoto. It’s well-known for its photography exhibitions, but also displays mixed-media installations, sculptures, and works from diverse art movements, with receptions and artists’ talks to catch.

Bird lovers don’t need to leave bird-spotting to chance around Mt. Fuji. The Fuji Kachoen Garden Park is a flower garden and aviary that’s home to a number of owl species and other inhabitants. Stroll through greenhouses bursting with begonias and fuchsia, attend a bird show or feeding, and catch views of Mt. Fuji in clear weather.

Standing at 6,444 feet (1,964 meters), Mt. Kenashi (Kenashiyama) is the tallest summit in the Tenshi Mountains, on the border of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. The Asagiri Plateau at the base of the mountain stretches to its more famous neighbor, Mt. Fuji, and hiking or camping here affords views of Fuji.

Famed for its more than 100 years of towel production and home to almost 200 towel factories, the city of Imabari in Ehime Prefecture honors its colorful culture and heritage at the Towel Museum. Here, towels are elevated from everyday items to works of art, and visitors can learn all about how this essential item is manufactured.

In Aomori Prefecture’s chilly climate, the steaming waters of volcanic Jigokunuma Pond are quite a contrast, especially when surrounded by fiery red and orange fall leaves. “Jigoku” means hell in Japanese, and travelers with a sensitive nose might agree the sulfur fumes make this an unappealing place. However, it’s naturally beautiful, and you can take a dip in the warm waters.

Four uninhabited islands in the Seto Inland Sea, collectively known as the Tomogashima Islands, boast a colorful past and an atmospheric setting for exploring off the beaten path. Visitors can wander back in time along hiking trails that lead past old military fortifications backdropped by lush nature.

Asagiri Food Park, at the foot of Mt. Fuji, highlights the produce and other specialties grown and produced in the Fuji area. The park has a buffet restaurant, a milk factory, a sake (nihonshu) brewery, and a sweet potato shop, among other spots to complete the foodie experience with a view.