Every year in winter the Zoo holds a capybara hot spring event. It usually starts at the end of November and lasts until early April. During the event on most weekends and certain weekdays the capybaras of the Zoo will take a bath in hot springs that the zoo constructed specifically for the capybaras.

Every January 15th, the village of Nozawa Onsen (located in Nagano Prefecture) holds a massive fire festival called the Dosojin Matsuri.

Nestled between the Myoko and Yuzawa ski areas of Niigata is the smaller and less well-known Cupid Valley - also known as Yukidaruma Kogen, or Snowman Plateau/Heights! Being off the main track it is usually quieter and less crowded than bigger resorts, yet still has runs up to 4km, and many things to enjoy in a day trip.

Ito is one of the famous onsen areas that’s located on the eastern coast of the Izu peninsula.

Packed with historical breweries producing some of the most distinct and high-quality sake in Japan, Niigata’s sake history dates back hundreds of years.

In this article, I want offer some suggestions for walking routes where you will discover all of it: historical sites, temples and shrines as well as nature and food!

Lot’s of small museums are hidden among the city center and enable you to learn more about Japanese culture as well as famous inhabitants the city has seen in the past centuries.

Sado is a peaceful island situated off the coast of Niigata Prefecture. It is accessible by ferries running every hour or so between Niigata and Ryotsu Ports. If you are not worried about missing the only ferry of the day, you can also jump on in Naoetsu and get off in the little town of Ogi.

Ogaki, known as the “City of Water” due to the Suimon River with its canals forming a ring around the old part of town to protect Ogaki Castle.

Sumatakyo Valley is a rural area of Japan a few hours west of Tokyo and has so much to do off the beaten path. As you travel Japan, especially when you are in more rural areas, we highly recommend asking around for advice. That is how we found so many unique experiences on our 50-day runAway Japan adventure.

At the north-eastern end of Japan’s Noto Peninsula, just a short drive away from the city of Kanazawa – known for its samurai districts, museums, and gardens, is the beach they call Goshikigahama or Five Colors Beach.

Since these cities aren't what the typical tourist thinks to drop in on, you also won’t have to suffer through the crushing crowds, and can instead enjoy a more relaxed, authentic taste of Japanese beauty and culture.