Standing tall a mere 62 miles outside of Tokyo is Mount Fuji, one of Japan's most important cultural, historical and spiritual sites. Every year, the mountain receives more visitors, both foreign and Japanese, than any other tourist destination in the country, with more than 200,000 visitors tackling its 12,380-foot summit. Although it is still considered an active volcano, it has not erupted since 1707, when it covered Tokyo in ash. Overnight hikes are popular for those wishing to see the morning sunrise that paints the sky in vivid hues. Rest stops are provided on a first come-first served basis at huts found at specific elevation milestones along the way. For those wishing to conserve calories, however, Mount Fuji is a regular stop on many tour operators' itineraries. These tours typically allow for multiple stops at mountain rest stations to take in the views.
Popular for its picturesque views of Mount Fuji, diverse flora, onsen and black eggs, Hakone National Park is a beautiful and relaxing stopover situated between Tokyo and Kyoto. After the 2.5-hour train trip from Tokyo, charge your camera batteries and head over to Kami Mountain's Owakudani Valley for the perfect Mount Fuji picture. If you're in need of some relaxation, however, you can recharge while soaking in one of the many natural hot spring onsens. Onsens, or hot spring spas, are plentiful in Hakone National Park since the area contains multiple volcanic mountains that give rise to the region's numerous sulfur pools. The kuroi tamago -- black egg -- is an edible oddity from this area, the result of boiling a regular egg in the sulfur-infused waters. But don't worry, it still tastes the same. Grab a few for the four hour train journey to Kyoto.
Ninety minutes outside of Tokyo via the JR Shinkansen is Hamamatsu, dubbed "Japan's City of Music." This large city was once a castle town, but now focuses on the production of musical instruments. The only museum of its kind open to the public in Japan, the Hamamatsu Musical Instrument Museum houses over 850 types of musical instruments from many different time periods. Visitors can even give an impromptu live performance in a dedicated corner of the museum. Other hands-on activities include the Hamamatsu-matsuri Festival. This festival, held at the beginning of May, sees competitors take to the skies with enormous battling kites. Also check out the food park at Shin-Hamamatsu Station, where you'll find a variety of vendors selling a smorgasbord of traditional Japanese street fare.
Located just under three hours on the Shinkansen JR line from Tokyo and around 90 minutes from Kyoto, Nagoya, Japan's fourth largest city -- and the birthplace of the popular Japanese gambling game Pachinko -- should not be overlooked. The city manages to balance a bustling urban beat with a laid-back attitude. Take your time while visiting sights like the Nagoya Castle and the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium. Or else you can spend the day leisurely shopping the high-end stores in Sakae or browsing through the trendy areas and flea markets of the Osu Kannon shopping area. There are also a wide variety of food vendors and restaurants hidden in Osu Kannon. Try the miso katsu, a Nagoya specialty of fried pork in breadcrumbs with a sweet miso sauce. Beer lovers can also hook up with free tours of the Kirin and Ashai breweries while in Nagoya.
