8 Sawamura, Karuizawa Livvy Boote Sawamura is an affordable, classy restaurant and bakery selling Western food in Harunire Terrace, the Hoshino Resort area of Karuizawa in Japan's Nagano prefecture
9 Nagakura Shrine Livvy Boote Near the centre of the resort town of Karuizawa in Japan's Nagano prefecture, Nagakura Shrine is a place of quiet beauty, shrouded by trees.
16 Night-time Azalea Paradise in Fukui Takako Sakamoto Magical night-time illumination at Nishiyama Park in Sabae City, an azalea paradise in Fukui prefecture.
Culture Visiting an Ama Diver Hut in Toba Cathy Cawood Meeting Japan's female Ama divers over a delicious seafood lunch with spiny lobster at Hachiman-Kamado, an Ama diver hut in Toba, Mie Prefecture.
Culture Toga Village, Toyama Michael Mighty Toga village in Toyama Prefecture is the perfect rural mountain getaway.
8 Myozenji Temple in Shirakawa-go Takako Sakamoto Magnificent Myozenji Temple standing deep in snow at World Heritage Site, Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture has the largest thatched roof in the village.
Activities Ohana Estate Mandy Bartok The Ohana Estate and garden features an old samurai mansion with Western-style accoutrements in the canal city of Yanagawa in southern Fukuoka Prefecture
Activities Echigo Hillside Park Kim Bergström Niigata Prefecture isn't short on wide open spaces, but if you want