Hakone
#3 in Best Places in Japan
Mountainous Hakone is one of Japan’s most popular hot spring destinations. Nestled within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the town features 17 different hot springs, plus a hot spring theme park with unique baths like one with coffee and another with mulled wine. After you’ve dried off, visit one of Hakone’s art museums, such as the Hakone Open-Air Museum, the Okada Museum of Art or the Hakone Museum of Art. No Hakone vacation would be complete without enjoying spectacular views of Mount Fuji from Lake Ashinoko and the Komagatake Ropeway.
Kamakura
#4 in Best Places in Japan
Overlooking Sagami Bay less than 38 miles southwest of Tokyo, Japan’s former political capital attracts culture hounds and outdoor enthusiasts in droves. Kamakura features a multitude of temples, shrines and monuments, including the 36-foot-tall Great Buddha of Kamakura statue. What’s more, the city offers three white sand beaches – Yuigahama, Zaimokuza and Koshigoe – where visitors can surf, paddleboard and swim, among other activities. When it’s time to eat, head to Komachi-dori Street to try local delicacies like shirasu (raw or boiled, salted and dried whitebait) and candied bean snacks.
