Aso Region

One of the world's largest calderas centered on Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture. Spanning 25km north-south and 18km east-west, approximately 50,000 people live within this globally rare formation. The smoking Nakadake crater, Kusasenrigahama grasslands, and panoramic views from Daikanbo offer magnificent natural scenery.

A cultural city in Hokuriku that flourished as the castle town of the Kaga domain, where tradition and modernity coexist at Kenroku-en Garden, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, and Higashi Chaya District. The 2015 Hokuriku Shinkansen dramatically improved access from Tokyo, triggering a tourism surge.

One of Japan's premier mountain scenic spots at approximately 1,500m elevation in the Northern Alps. Views from Taisho Pond and Kappa Bridge reflecting the Hotaka Range are sometimes called 'Japan's Switzerland.' Private car restrictions preserve the natural environment, making it a popular base for mountaineering and trekking.

A UNESCO World Natural Heritage archipelago roughly 1,000km south of Tokyo. Called the 'Galapagos of the East,' the islands are a treasure trove of endemic species. Accessible only by a 24-hour ferry, this remote paradise is popular for whale watching and diving.

The largest island in the Sea of Japan, off the coast of Niigata. Sado Kinzan gold mine was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024, and unique traditions like tub boats and Noh theater persist. Also known for the reintroduction of the crested ibis (toki), it blends nature and history.

Japan's largest sand dunes stretching roughly 16km east-west and 2.4km north-south along the Sea of Japan coast. Natural formations including wind ripples and sand curtains have earned the nickname 'Japan's desert.' Activities like camel riding and paragliding are also available.

Japan's northernmost Honshu prefecture, boasting diverse attractions including the Nebuta Festival, cherry blossoms at Hirosaki Castle, Oirase Gorge, and the Shirakami Mountains (World Heritage). A culinary treasure trove of apples and Oma tuna, Aomori offers Tohoku's nature and culture year-round.