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    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

        Solace and Giant Salamanders in Akiota

        Just beyond Hiroshima City is a tranquil outdoor destination home to some of Japan's last remaining oosanshouo, the elusive giant salamander.
        Kyoto Oni Trail Outdoor Japanvideo

        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

        The mystical oni is prevalent in Japanese children’s stories, usually as a way to scare kids straight. Adventure Travel Kyoto is shedding a new light on this folklore and developing a new hiking route in the countryside of Kyoto.
    • Summer
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        mead brewing in japan

        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

        Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
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        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
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        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
    • Winter
      • video

        CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao

        Keith Stubbs, a veteran in the snowboard industry, transitioned from rider to coach and instructor trainer for Snowboard Instruction New Zealand. After coaching in various Japanese resorts, he has established a permanent base in Madarao, outlining his plans for the area and future snowboard endeavors.
        shiretoko hokkaido outdoor japan

        New Horizons in Shiretoko

        During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.
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        Silent Resilience

        Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.
        ainu tour daniel moore outdoor japan hokkaido

        Heritage Hunting in Hokkaido

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
        shizukuishi skiing snowboarding outdoor japan

        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
    • Near Tokyo
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Near Kyoto
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
      • ainu tour daniel moore outdoor japan hokkaido

        Heritage Hunting in Hokka...

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
        getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
      • video

        CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao

        Keith Stubbs, a veteran in the snowboard industry, transitioned from rider to coach and instructor trainer for Snowboard Instruction New Zealand. After coaching in various Japanese resorts, he has established a permanent base in Madarao, outlining his plans for the area and future snowboard endeavors.
        shiretoko hokkaido outdoor japan

        New Horizons in Shiretoko

        During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.
        sayuri matsuhashi double role curling athlete japan outdoor

        Silent Resilience

        Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.
        shizukuishi skiing snowboarding outdoor japan

        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
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        Northern Shinshu’s Secret Stash

        A weak yen, revenge travel, and excellent ski conditions have led to high demand, booking out popular resorts like Hakuba and Nozawa Onsen this year. Fortunately, lesser-known gems like Togari Onsen, near Nozawa Onsen and Madarao, offer charming alternatives for powder seekers.
    • Travel
      • video

        CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao

        Keith Stubbs, a veteran in the snowboard industry, transitioned from rider to coach and instructor trainer for Snowboard Instruction New Zealand. After coaching in various Japanese resorts, he has established a permanent base in Madarao, outlining his plans for the area and future snowboard endeavors.
        shiretoko hokkaido outdoor japan

        New Horizons in Shiretoko

        During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.
        sayuri matsuhashi double role curling athlete japan outdoor

        Silent Resilience

        Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.
        ainu tour daniel moore outdoor japan hokkaido

        Heritage Hunting in Hokkaido

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
        shizukuishi skiing snowboarding outdoor japan

        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
    • Food and Drinks
      • video

        CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao

        Keith Stubbs, a veteran in the snowboard industry, transitioned from rider to coach and instructor trainer for Snowboard Instruction New Zealand. After coaching in various Japanese resorts, he has established a permanent base in Madarao, outlining his plans for the area and future snowboard endeavors.
        shiretoko hokkaido outdoor japan

        New Horizons in Shiretoko

        During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.
        sayuri matsuhashi double role curling athlete japan outdoor

        Silent Resilience

        Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.
        ainu tour daniel moore outdoor japan hokkaido

        Heritage Hunting in Hokkaido

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
        shizukuishi skiing snowboarding outdoor japan

        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
    • Races and Events
      • sayuri matsuhashi double role curling athlete japan outdoor

        Silent Resilience

        Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.

        Winter News and Notes

        Check out the latest news and winter events held at ski resorts all over Japan in 2024!
        dd4d brewing

        DD4D Brewing

        In nearly e...

Air it Out

There is no better time to head out to Japan’s great outdoors than autumn. Mountainsides turn from green to gold and red, and the days get shorter and cooler. We put together a list of five great AirBnB Experiences in and around Tokyo to inspire exploration and fun. Whether adventurous or curious, looking to slow down or fly along, there should be something here to fit the bill.

Canyoning in Okutama

On the far western edge of Tokyo stands the Okutama Range. Home to countless temples and peaks strung together with hiking trails as old as the mountains themselves, Okutama is one of the best places to truly step outside the city. For those hoping to do something adventurous, Mike Harris offers canyoning. A mix of climbing, jumping, swimming and sliding, it’s a great way to get up close and personal with the mountains, waterways, and valleys of the range.

Canyoning, Harris says, is a perfect way to get out and enjoy the outdoors. “Spring is awesome for river rafting, but in summer the water drops, so the thrills are not quite enough for people wanting a real adventure,” he says. “Canyoning is the perfect solution for summer.”

Harris is also a firm believer in the power of nature to rejuvenate and sees it in the faces of his customers. “I love seeing their beaming smiles after finishing a tour,” he says.

Tokyo Waterway Night Paddling

Takashi Fukuda thinks the advantages of exploring by water are some of the best and perhaps least appreciated. “People are not very interested in the river, but by changing their point of view, everyday scenery looks very different,” says Fukuda, an experienced paddler and guide. “The riverside is an ordinary cityscape, but in the evening, the color of the sky is reflected on the water, and a symmetrical townscape appears.”

Woven throughout the city, Tokyo’s waterways were once a main form of transportation and trade. Inspired by his own travels to places such as Taiwan, Costa Rica, Croatia, and Egypt, Fukuda offers his experiences in hopes of sharing this unique vantage point of his home. “Waterways are very peaceful, and it’s easy for beginners and kids,” says Fukuda, “so I hope that many people will experience it with me.”

Learn the Art of Wasabi Cultivation

Those seeking a quieter and tasty escape from the city will find a visit to David Hulme’s wasabi farm an excellent choice. An avid hiker in the Okutama area where his farm is located, Hulme gradually found himself part of the community and helping out with the local wasabi grower association. He moved here five years ago with his wife and started growing it not long after.

“The first use of wasabi was for pharmacology,” Hulme explains. “It’s antiseptic and bacterial qualities made it ideal for keeping food safe, which is one reason it’s paired with sushi.” This is just one of the many tidbits visitors to Hulme’s wasabida (wasabi farm) learn before harvesting this odd member of the brassica family to enjoy for themselves. At a makeshift table under the branches of Japanese cypress and cedar, Hulme demonstrates how to clean and grind the fresh wasabi before eating it with paper-thin slices of beef.

“Once you’ve tasted this,” Hulme says, gesturing to the wasabi on his plate, “there’s no going back.”

Meditate at a Temple, Hike, Do Yoga

In the foothills of the Tanzawa Range just south of Tokyo, Linda Gould offers guests an intimate look at a rural mountain area. A resident for more than 20 years, Gould adores her little town and is eager to share it.

She is also excited to share the joys of outdoor yoga. Gould, a yoga teacher for a little over a decade, brings both of these passions to life in this walk along the Mizunashigawa (No Water River) that takes in an archeological site and ancient burial tombs. “It’s such a quiet and sacred place,” says Gould before settling the group on their mats.

From there, Gould guides guests to a second park and finally to Taigakuin, a magnificent Buddhist temple designed by Tadao Ando. A perfect blend of modernity and tradition, guests get an overview of the temple grounds and history before meditating in the temple’s main hall. “No one expects this kind of thing in a small town,” says Gould, “but that’s why I love showing people around.”

Enoshima SUP (Stand Up Paddling)

An hour’s ride south of Tokyo is the beginning of Japan’s beach community. One of the best ways to take it in, at least according to Steve Marriott and Dylan Patrick, is by paddleboard. All ages and abilities are welcome as the two believe SUP has something for everyone. “People are sometimes really nervous, but then they realize how easy it is,” says Steve with a smile. “It’s like a stroll on the water.” 

Formerly a professional racer, Steve has been surfing and paddling for more than ten years in the area. Participants get an overview of the day’s plan from Patrick and Marriott along with some land lessons if this is their first time. Then, with life vests, board and paddle in tow, they hit the water. 

Once out, the views from the sea are stunning. Starting in September, things start getting especially spectacular as the air and water begin to clear. Winter, though, they say is the best. “The views of Mount Fuji are incredible,” says Patrick.

Book your experience at AirBnB Experiences.

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CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madara...

Keith Stubbs, a veteran in the snowboard industry, transitioned from rider to coach and instructor trainer for Snowboard Instruction New Zealand. After coaching in various Japanese resorts, he has established a permanent base in Madarao, outlining his plans for the area and future snowboard endeavors.

New Horizons in Shiretoko...

During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.

Silent Resilience

Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.

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