Part of the Fuji Five Lakes area, Lake Kawaguchi offers exceptional views of Japan’s most revered mountain ... the paddies are flooded with water, and the sunset glints on the ocean and inland ...

Still on the main island, but perhaps less popular for North American skiers since it’s not on a mega pass, Shiga Kogen offers some of the best intermediate terrain and lower-angle powder skiing in ...

With cobbled streets centred around a willow-lined canal, the historical quarter of Bikan in Kurashiki is one of the prettiest in Japan ... It’s the best sunset viewpoint in town and looks ...

Traveling for things like architecture, museums and food culture is great, but there’s something to be said about natural splendor—like the perfect sunset—and its ability to make a trip great.