Handn blog Japan is home to many regions that boast stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. When choosing a place to own a vacation home and spend quiet time, various factors need to be considered.
In the 2024 ranking of Japan’s vacation home destinations, five areas stand out: Shinshu-Karuizawa, the Izu Peninsula, Hakone, Nasu, and Hokkaido. Each of these areas has unique features and attractions that make them compelling choices for buying a vacation home.
This article will detail the allure of each area and clearly explain why you should consider purchasing a vacation home there.
Hakuba is a ski resort located in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture. In addition to enjoying the magnificent nature of the Northern Alps, there are several of Japan’s top ski resorts where you can enjoy winter sports.
Magnificent Nature:
You can fully enjoy the majestic nature of the Northern Alps. Hakuba offers views of famous peaks like Mount Hakuba and Mount Shakushi. There are numerous hiking trails that allow you to experience the rich natural beauty of the area.
Winter Sports:
Hakuba boasts several of Japan’s top ski resorts, where you can enjoy winter sports. There are courses suitable for everyone from beginners to advanced skiers. Additionally, activities such as snowboarding and snowmobiling are available.
Hot Springs:
There are many inns and hotels with high-quality hot springs in Hakuba.
【hakuba village】Recommended Top 10 Day Trip Hot Springs in Hakuba Village
Karuizawa is a premier vacation home area in Nagano Prefecture. The expansive grounds feature forests, lakes, and highlands, allowing you to enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons. Additionally, Karuizawa offers a wide range of activities such as winter sports and golf, ensuring year-round enjoyment.
The expansive grounds with forests, lakes, and highlands offer beautiful scenery throughout the seasons. Located at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, the Karuizawa Highlands are cool in the summer and offer stunning snow views in the winter. Karuizawa boasts numerous spots to appreciate nature’s beauty, such as Shiraito Falls and Kumoba Pond. Known as the “City of Flowers,” Karuizawa is also famous for its blooming flowers throughout the year.
Variety of Activities:
You can enjoy activities such as winter sports and golf. Karuizawa has multiple ski resorts and golf courses, providing year-round opportunities for recreation. The area is also rich in outdoor activities like cycling and hiking. Additionally, Karuizawa offers numerous hot springs to help you relax and rejuvenate.
Tateshina is a highland resort located in central Nagano Prefecture. It is known for its majestic nature, hot springs, and rich culinary offerings.
Majestic Nature
Tateshina is a highland area situated at the foot of the Yatsugatake mountain range.
It boasts beautiful mountains, lakes, and highlands, allowing visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of all four seasons.
Mountains:
Tateshina, located at the foot of the Yatsugatake mountain range, offers stunning views of majestic mountains. The highest peak in the Yatsugatake range, Mt. Akadake, is about a 30-minute drive from Tateshina.
Lakes:
Tateshina is home to several beautiful lakes. Notably, Lake Miyota, situated in the heart of Tateshina, is a popular tourist attraction.
Highlands:
Tateshina, at an elevation of over 1,000 meters, is a highland area. It offers cool summers and snowy winter landscapes.
The reasons to recommend a villa in Yatsugatake include its rich natural environment. Situated in the Tateshina Highlands, which features mountains rising to around 2,000 meters, it offers clear air, beautiful starry skies, and seasonal landscapes. It is ideal for escaping the summer heat due to its cool climate and provides opportunities for skiing and snowboarding in the winter.
Additionally, it boasts excellent accessibility, being approximately a 2-hour drive from central Tokyo and about 2 hours and 30 minutes by train from Shinjuku Station.
Furthermore, Yatsugatake offers a variety of activities. You can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, camping, and skiing, as well as visit tourist attractions like hot springs, art museums, and museums.
While enjoying these activities, you can spend a relaxing time in the midst of nature.
When utilizing a villa in Yatsugatake, you can take advantage of the natural environment, excellent accessibility, and various activities to refresh and enjoy an active vacation.
Tateshina boasts numerous inns and hotels with high-quality hot springs.
Day-trip bathing is also available, allowing you to easily enjoy the hot springs while staying at your villa.
Tateshina Onsen Village is located on the shores of Lake Tateshina. The hot springs in this area feature various types of water, including simple thermal springs, alkaline simple thermal springs, and sulfur springs, which are believed to help with nerve pain and fatigue recovery.
Tateshina Onsen Village offers a variety of accommodations, including ryokans, hotels, and pensions. Additionally, day-trip bathing is available, attracting many visitors.
Tsuya no Yu is a day-use hot spring located on the shores of Lake Tateshina. The spring’s water is a simple hot spring, known for its benefits in relieving nerve pain and fatigue.
Tsuya no Yu boasts an abundant water supply and prides itself on its use of free-flowing spring water directly from the source. Additionally, from the outdoor bath, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lake Tateshina.
