Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route
This tour route goes through the Northern Alps, lined with mountains over 3,000m above sea level, stretching 37.2km, and the difference in altitudes from the foot to the top is up to 1.975m.
The snow corridor, the breathtaking scenery, the trolley buses and cable cars that go right through the mountains—everything here was so exciting and unique. You really can't experience this anywhere else!
Kawazu-zakura blossoms along the Kawazu River
It is known that early blooming cherry blossoms, which begin to bloom in the beginning of February, along the Kawazu River. These cherry blossoms were discovered in Kawazu-cho in 1955 and are called "Kawazu Zakura" now. It is considered as a natural hybrid species between the winter cherry (Kanhizakura) group, which blooms starting from around January, mainly in warm regions, and the wild cherry (Oshima zakura) group, which is a wild species in Japan.
I visited a bit early in the season, so only about half of the cherry blossoms were in bloom. Still, it was totally worth seeing.
The parking lots in the town center get really crowded, so I recommend heading upstream along the river. It's less busy and you can enjoy the flowers comfortably!
Cape Soya
Cape Soya is the northernmost tip of mainland Japan. The monument "Northernmost Point of Japan" stands proudly at latitude 45 degrees 31 minutes 22 seconds, making it an excellent photo spot. The monument is designed as a cone that reflects the facet of the North Star, a symbol of the northern lands.
If you go to Hokkaido, you have to visit the northernmost point at least once.
It was cloudy when I went, but I still felt a sense of accomplishment!
I also recommend the 'White Road' near the cape, which runs through the Soya Hills. The unpaved road covered with scallop shells creates an amazing contrast with the scenery—definitely an Instagram-worthy spot.
Doai Station
Doai Station is an unmanned station on the Joetsu Line of East Japan Railway Company (JR East) located on the border of Gunma and Niigata prefectures. Known as the "Number One Mole Station in Japan" because its platform is located deep underground, a full 70 meters below ground level.
This is a hidden tunnel station in the mountains that only a few people know about. Not many trains stop here if you check the schedule.
After walking through a passageway that feels like a time slip, you reach a super long staircase down to the platform. It feels like it goes on forever!
It took about 10 minutes to get down to the platform, and there was no one waiting for a train. Most people just come to see the station itself.
Going back up takes longer than coming down—you'll need to take breaks on the way up.
It's such a unique and mysterious station, just being in this space was really exciting!
Shima Onsen
Located in the upper reaches of the Shima River, which originates in the Mikuni Mountains and is situated in a lush national park, Shima Onsen is a famous hot spring with a history of over 1,000 years. It is said that a military commander of the Minamoto clan（Genji） was guided by a child (an incarnation of a god) who appeared out of nowhere, heard an oracle that he would be given a sacred spring that would cure the illnesses of Shima (Yonman / 40,000 diseases), and found a hot spring that gushed forth.
The color of Lake Oku-Shima changes depending on when you visit. There are so many shades of Shima Blue.
Togakushi Shrine
Amanoiwato mythology has been passed on here and this shrine with over 2000 years of history has been the training place in mountain worshipping since around AD 850. Hokosha Hall at the bottom of the mountain, Hinomikosha, Chusha, Okusha, and Kuzuryusha Halls consist of Togakushi.The whole Mt.Togakushi has been sanctified as a holy place, a power spot that attracts visitors.
The shrine path is famous for its avenue of cedar trees. When you actually visit, you'll be amazed by the sheer number and size of these giant trees! Just a heads up—if it's raining, the path can get pretty slippery, so it's best to go on a sunny day.
Chirihama Nagisa Driveway
This is one of the few roads in the world along a sandy beach that can be driven on. The 8-kilometer-long road runs along the beach and can be driven not only by car but also by motorcycle or bicycle. The finely packed sand particles make driving along the beach like a scene from a movie, and it is especially moving to watch the sun set.
I visited during the SSTR motorcycle event! So glad I made it in time for the sunset—the scene of the sun going down was really moving.
Sekizenkan
It was established in 1691, known as the oldest hot spring inn in Japan. The structures have been designated as important cultural properties of Gunma Prefecture, and are the model for the bathhouse in the Ghibli film “Spirited Away”.
Sekizenkan is said to be the inspiration for the bathhouse in the Ghibli film 'Spirited Away.' I was lucky enough to stay in the 'Sansou,' which is usually hard to book! There are three types of accommodations: Honkan, Sansou, and Kashoutei. Honkan is the most affordable with a simple hot spring plan, while Sansou and Kashoutei are more upscale. Even in Sansou, the hospitality was fantastic and I had a wonderful time inside the inn. Dinner was a healthy Japanese kaiseki meal, and you could really tell each dish was carefully prepared. The hot spring water is gentle, and I can see why it's called the 'finishing bath' of Kusatsu. This is a hot spring inn with a high satisfaction rate—I want to come back every few years. Next time, I can't decide whether to stay in Honkan or Kashoutei!
Sendai Daikannon Statue
The largest statue of the Kannon in Japan is located in the precincts of Daikanmitsuji Temple, and its official name is Sendai Tendou Byakue Daikannon. The statue was completed in 1991 at a cost of approximately 4 billion yen by a businessman who was developing the surrounding area. The statue stands 100 meters above the ground.
You can actually go inside and climb up the Kannon statue. It's located in the suburbs of Sendai, on a hill, so you can see it from the city.
I visited on New Year's Day. Even though it was the morning of January 1st, there were hardly any people, which felt a bit strange. I took the elevator to the top floor and walked down the stairs. I paid a mysterious 500 yen entrance fee. By the way, it was freezing cold inside the statue.
Lake Yamanaka（Yamanaka-ko）
Lake Yamanaka covers an area of about 6.57 square kilometers and is about 980.5 meters above sea level. It is located at the third highest point in Japan. The lake is the closest to Mt. Fuji among the “Fuji Five Lakes " and offers beautiful scenery of the four seasons with the majestic Mt.Fuji.
You can see Mt. Fuji across the lake.
Since this is the closest lake to Mt. Fuji among the Fuji Five Lakes, I think it's where you get the biggest view of the mountain.
There are lots of great photo spots, so photography lovers will really enjoy it.