Adventure #231

Camping/Glamping – Deer watching
and open-air hot springs in World
Heritage Site: With Japan’s variety
of climates and changing seasonal
landscape there are many locations to
set up a tent and immerse yourself in the
great outdoors for both beginners and the
more experienced. Deep in the forests
of Shiretoko Natural World Heritage Site
and National Park in eastern Hokkaido is
Rausu Onsen Campsite. This unique site
allows visitors to spot native fauna like the
Ezo deer and then relax in an open-air hot
spring nearby.
Canyoning – Explore canyons carved
out over millions of years: There are a
number of places to experience canyoning
in Japan, including in Hokkaido and
Nagano, but some of the best canyoning
can be found in the nature-rich area of
Minakami in Gunma Prefecture. There is
no better way to seek adrenalin inducing
summer thrills than in the fast-flowing
waters from Japan’s Northern Alps that
have over millions of years carved out
Kamoshika Canyon, creating smooth
slides and deep pools. Descend a
15-meter waterfall using ropes, then swim,
slide and jump down canyon walls, all with
the help of an experienced guide.
Caving – Go caving in one of Asia’s
largest cave systems: Japan harbours
several mystical, ancient caves. Okinawa,
known as a diving destination, offers a
magical and exotic cave diving experience
in its famed Blue Cave. Additionally, one
of the largest and most beloved collections
of caves in Asia is found on Okinoerabu
Island in Kagoshima. The large cave
system attracts spelunkers from all over
the world to explore a 1.2 km illuminated
section of the cave, with milky stalactites
and emerald-green pools.
Climbing – Experience the spectacular
seasonal beauty from on high: Did
you know 70% of Japan is made up of
mountainous areas? That may be why
climbing is so popular in Japan as it offers
a wealth of trekking and rock-climbing
locations, with incredible views of a
changing natural landscape. Mt Myogi in
Gunma Prefecture is a rewarding climb
for the adventurer looking for a challenge.
There are an assortment of rock
formations and swathes of natural beauty
that showcase the colours of the season.
Culture – Try on, and learn about the
ritual around the kimono: Travelling
across Japan, you will find regional
traditions and differences offering a
unique tapestry of traditional performing
arts and long-established customs. In
Hokkaido, learn about one of Japan's
indigenous peoples, the Ainu; study the
ways of the ninja in Shiga; try karate in
Okinawa; observe mesmerising kagura
performances in Miyazaki or learn about
the Ama free-divers in Mie. Dressing in a
kimono is a ritualistic process that is well
worth a try on your next visit. Put yourself
in the hands of an expert at Ryoan—a
kimono shop in Shizuoka City, established
in 1965. The English-speaking owner will
help you pick out a kimono, dress you, and
explain the history of the garment.
Cycling – Ride along a scenic lake:
Japan is lined up and down with scenic
cycling routes, including world-famous
tracks such as the Shimanami Kaido
which connects Shikoku to Honshu. Lake
Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan, is one
of Tohoku's most scenic spots year-round.
In the warmer seasons, cyclists from
around the world gather to explore the
numerous beauty points that line its 20 km
course. There are plenty of bikes available
to rent nearby so that you can enjoy an
unforgettable trip while cycling beside the
stunning cobalt blue lake.
Diving - Dive with a swarm of
houndsharks in Chiba: As an island
nation that stretches over 3000 kilometers
long, Japan boasts several diving sites
along its long coastline. This underwater
world is populated with a diverse variety
of marine creatures. The southern coast
of Chiba Prefecture's Boso Peninsula,
jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, is a
prime location for diving, surfing, fishing,
and other marine activities. The Ito-
Tateyama area is one of the few places in
Japan where divers can experience the
‘shark scramble’, a swarm of hundreds of
banded houndsharks. There are also large
populations of red stingray, bulgyhead
wrasse and longtooth grouper.
Fishing – Try your luck ice fishing
amidst the snowscapes of Mt
Akagi: Japan is both mountainous and
surrounded completely by water, offering
various fishing locations in which to test
out any number of fishing methods. Lake
Akan in the Akan-Mashu National Park
in Hokkaido and the Japan Alps near
Gifu and Nagano are both famous for fly
fishing, while Okinawa and the Ogasawara
Islands are perfect for deep-sea fishing.
Climb Mt. Akagi, one of the Three Famous
Mountains of Gunma Prefecture, to the
frozen Lake Onuma, where you can take
part in traditional smelt ice fishing. Cut a
hole in the ice and dangle string to catch
a fish and if you are lucky enough you can
bring your catch to a nearby restaurant to
have it deep-fried or turned into golden
brown tempura.
Food & Drink - Make soba noodles in
the birthplace of Japanese buckwheat
noodles: A tour of Japanese dining offers
glimpses of Japan's climate, aesthetics
and even religious values. Try making
soba in Nagano Prefecture, one of the
most famous areas for the buckwheat
noodle dish. Soba was likely first made
in Nagano, and pristine water and local
buckwheat make its noodles particularly
delicious. There are many specialty shops
around the region today, a handful of
which offer soba-making experiences.
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