Must see Japanese spots

[will161]

Hi,

It looks like I'm going to be spending around 2-3 weeks travelling in Japan during September later this year, pending acceptance from the Japanese university in Kyuushu I'm looking to go on exchange with, and was looking for advice for some must-see spots. I went to Japan for 10 days around 5 years ago, and lived in Gifu prefecture for a year as well, so speaking Japanese and getting around isn't a problem. I've been to a lot of the major tourist destinations already; Tokyo, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, Kyoto, Nagoya, Nagasaki, Hiroshima etc. etc., and was looking for places that you might know which are a little bit off the typical tourists' beaten track, or maybe some interesting destinations in and around Kyuushu.

I'll be flying into Narita and travelling the distances between major cities most likely by night bus (saves on accomodation too XD); probably spending around 4-5 days in Tokyo, a few days worth up around the Nikko/Kinugawa/Utsunomiya area, and then slowly working my way down to Kyuushu around Silver Week (23 September). I'm not sure if there any interesting festivals around this season?

[missfreckles]

Not sure you have already been to Mt Fuji & Fuji-Lake area yet .
Personally I love Oshino Hakkai , in Yamanashi Prefecture.
It has beautiful surroundings , old villages , hot springs.
When I first visited here , and saw Mt Fuji , it took my breath away !

Enjoy

If you're into this kind of thing, The Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Hot Springs Amusement Park & Spa Resort located by Mount Fuji is one of the only places in the world where you can take a red wine bath.

[rosemarge]

Imperial Palace and East Garden, the gardens in the imperial palace is amazing.

[pinkiwong]

I have always wanted to go see the monkeys that bathe in the hot springs in the winter. I heard that they are plentiful in the Tohoku area during the snowy season. Always seemed amusing to me, personally.

[rclark]

Originally Posted by Travel Forum Guest

If you're into this kind of thing, The Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Hot Springs Amusement Park & Spa Resort located by Mount Fuji is one of the only places in the world where you can take a red wine bath.

A red wine bath? Sounds... Unique. What's the circumstance of that, exactly?

The Kiso Valley in Nagano prefecture is quite lovely, it's a series of towns along an old road through the mountains, very picturesque.