Beneath the fiercely azure sky that has earned the moniker “Yatsugatake Blue,” is a land of rich nature, rustic vineyards, and mountain top views that see the land and sky disappear into each other.

The lesser-known side of Kyoto is a place of quaint fishing towns, quiet beaches, and gently flowing waters. A perfect get-a-away from the bustle of city life and an ideal location to discover what small town Japan has to offer.

From traditional dishes, sweeping scenery, festivals and dances – there is more than enough to discover from the snowy heart of northern Japan to the shores of Sado Island, a place where deities can still be seen dancing across the sea…

It is easy to enjoy the coastal scenery of the area gliding along the rides atop a rental E-bike.

The unique dish of Kannawa Onsen is jigoku-mushi, in which fresh vegetables, meat and fish are steamed in a jigoku kettle (called a “hell”) with 100 °C hot spring water.

The areas that are now Akan-Mashu National Park and Kushiro Shitsugen National Park have long been inhabited by the local Ainu.