Known for its annual snow festival, Sapporo is one of Japan’s most vibrant cities and is extremely visitor-friendly. It has fantastic food and plenty to do. Here’s a sampling.

Cycle the island of Hachijojima south of Tokyo for an amazing experience off the beaten path.

West of the road were a series of lakes, ponds, marshes and wetlands between you and the sea. To the east was the Iwaki River, farm villages and the southern end of the Tsugaru Mountains, the northernmost mountains of the Ou chain.

In Japan, etiquette is the main imperative, people slurp their noodles really loud, buying souvenirs for everyone is of extreme importance and being shy, not expressive, is the main behaviour. It is certainly a different culture that fascinates many people outside the country. So what can we learn by studying Japanese mannerisms?

To truly experience Osaka like a local, you need to take to the streets on a bicycle.

Japan has a transportation network that extends from the heights of its famed Shinkansen bullet trains down to bicycles. While the cost of traveling long distances can appear expensive at first, thrifty travelers can find a variety of discounts to make trips more affordable. Be sure to explore your options thoroughly to find what's best for your budget.

“Kagorin”, the public bike sharing system is a great way to travel around the city of Kagoshima and save up costs on transportation!

In Furano, bike riding is a fantastic way to explore and has a good value at 200 yen per hour. Because Furano has rich and delicious food at many attractions, bike riding is also a good way to sample local delights without adding to your waistline. In Japan, helmets are not compulsory for adults so if you prefer to wear one, bring it along.

Do you like cycling? Japan has some unique rules for cycling that must be obeyed. The Japanese government thinks that it is not only for your own safety, but it is also for the other people's safety in Japan.

The Muko river in Hyogo prefecture finds its source all the way up in Himeji city. It falls from a mountain named Mt Shirakami in the Tamba highland range and travels all the way into Osaka bay and splits the cities of Itami and Takarazuka, doing the same to Nishinomiya and Amagasaki, along the way.

Cycling is very common in Japan especially when transport is very expensive. For example in Tokyo, a 10-minute train ride on the Toei Subway line (a private line) can cost up to 280 yen. Therefore, many Tokyoites prefer to walk or cycle than to take public transport.

As the breezes get colder and the days get shorter, please don't be one of the millions of people annoying your friends with this statement. Yes, Autumn is upon us, and the time for outdoor activities is dwindling. But it's not gone yet, and in Kansai, it's beautiful, brilliant, breezy, and justbetter.