Autumn 2014: Biking and Hiking in Karuizawa

Visit Date: 11/02/2014 (Best viewing Time: mid October to early November)

Karuizawa is a laid-back town located at the foot of the active volcano Mt. Asama in southeastern Nagano, Japan. The town is situated on a plateau with an altitude of about 1,000 meters and surrounded by various mountains giving it a breezy and refreshing environment. It was introduced as a mountain resort by a Canadian missionary in the late 1800s.

The town offers various outdoor activities, scenic locations, shopping opportunities, and relaxing dining places. It is an ideal venue for nature as well as fashion lovers. Its lovely natural attractions provides magnificent views of fall colors and offers many sight-seeing activities.

 Pond near the Yagasaki Park, a few meters away from Karuizawa Station.

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Autumn 2014: Tenjindaira & Ichinokurasawa Hike

Visit Date: 10/25/2014 (Best viewing Time: mid October to mid November)

Minakami (みなかみ町 Minakami-machi) is the largest and northernmost town in Gunma Prefecture and is popular for its beautiful mountains and hot springs. The area has also become prominent for its adventurous outdoor activities including white water rafting, bungee jumping, canyoning, mountain biking, and snow sports among others. It is also an outstanding destination during the autumn season as the area offers wonderful vistas of fall colors as the leaves change in the surrounding valleys.

Autumn 2014: Tenjindaira & Ichinokurasawa 01

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Beating the Summer Heat in Hayama Isshiki Beach

There’s no better way to enjoy a hot summer’s day than going to the beach and having fun in the water or just lying back and relaxing in the sandy shores while enjoying the cool sea breeze, listening to the waves lapping the shore, and watching beautiful people pass by.

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Hiking Mt. Jinba 陣馬山

Traveling and exploring outdoors with your child is a perfect tonic for parenting stress. But with the crowded summer destinations, fully-booked hotels, expensive Shinkansen and plane fares, there seems to be nowhere else to go. Instead, we decided to go on a hike on a lesser visited but no less impressive mountain near Tokyo.

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