How lucky can you get in Japan ? Very... if you take a trip to a lucky hot spring, stay over at a hotel that brings lodgers good luck and travel to lucky spots which may have you counting yourself lucky just taking in their beauty.

Start from Tokyo by Shinkansen rail for a one hour trip to Atami. This is an ideal family trip that will include Izu for a trip to get good luck and longevity. After arriving at Atami head for the ashiyu footbath at a hot spring that was a favourite of Ieyasu Tokugawa. It’s located in front of the train station and is called Ieyasu no yu.

Next, travel by bus for 15 minutes to Kinomiya Shrine, built over 1300 years ago. It protects the Atami area and is a popular place of worship. Look for a big tree, which is the tree

for health and longevity. If you go around the camphor tree that is over 2000 years old, your life will be prolonged for 1 year. Don't get too distracted by the sight of Atami's geisha women who come to worship God of entertainment Benzaiten who brings benefit to entertainers. From Atami, travel to Izu-hanto Peninsula which is 20 minutes by train. Arrive at Ito city and tuck into Choju (longevity) Manju, a tasty specialty of red bean paste surrounded by a bun.  Life is supposed to be prolonged for 1 year after eating one, but for the moment, life is sweeter. Not too far away is the lucky street spot of Oyukake Shichifukujin. Make sure you pour hot spring water when making your wish so it comes true. Pick up some special negaigami (wishing paper) to write your wishes and watch the paper melt as water is poured. Head back to Izu-inatori station and look for the nearby Golden Eye Bream monument that grants your wish if you turn it 3 times. After taking in the wonderful sea views, grab Izu's famous seafood. Tokuzomaru is a seaside restaurant which is directly run by a fish shop on the ground floor.  The Restaurant serves a great view and fresh fish such as Braised Golden Eye Bream which is a local celebrations dish. There is also the seafood set lunch with many luxurious ingredients including rice boiled with gardenia fruit. Take a taxi from Kawazu Station to another lucky spot, Izu Andyland, a popular aquarium that promises longevity with the tortoise theme park that exhibits 100 kinds of tortoises including the rare white tortoise and Aldabra Giant Tortoise that’s 200 years old. The park also features many cranes that are bred there.

Stay over at Shimoda to enjoy a hot spring and delicious food for health and longevity while stocking up on luck at a lucky hotel in Izu-Shimoda. Take a bus to Kannon Onsen to check into the hotel of fortune due to a stone that looks like Kannon that was found when they dug the onsen. The hotel and room have a relaxing atmosphere with a hinoki bath and a hot spring that is good to use and good for a drink. Dinner includes vegetables picked from the hotel's own farm, local seafood such as Izu lobster and monkfish liver togu, with hot spring water used for cooking.

The next day, go to another lucky spot via the Shimoda Ropeway. In just over 3 minutes you  reach the peak and the lucky spot of Mt. Nesugata with specially shaped stones representing gods that are worshiped.

A trip to Kyushu that includes Beppu and Yufuin is another worthwhile expedition.

At Oita airport in Kyushu pick up a rental car and move northward to Kunisaki-hanto which faces the sea. It is famous for its seafood so stop by fish shops to savour local specialties like roasted Largehead Hairtail or Gintachi. A drive 20 minutes further away brings you to Tomikuji where wealth comes from a 10 km long lucky road with temples and shrines. It' especially lucky for winning the lottery and starts from Kaiunbashi Bridge designed as a treasure ship. The lucky bridge leads to Maneki-neko Park with a monument that tells your luck when you put a stone in it. Next is the 1500 years oldTomiku shrine famous for financial luck to those who worship in it.The main part of the shrine is an Undama lion that can bring luck with money as well as other benefits to those who touch it. Consume luck at a reputable Soba restaurant which offers an auspicious dish called Hashimizu Kaiun Soba (Running water noodle) based on the seven mysteries of Futagoji Temple, where there is a never-ending stream of water. The water there is used to make Soba. Next, go to Beppu which has the best quality hot spring water at Kannawa Onsen.The mysterious hot spring called Ao no yu in Kannawa has water which as time passed, turned to blue. Not too far away, a place where the god of money Kinpaku-ryuo (Gold dragon king) is worshiped -  Kifune castle. It is represented by a snake which brings luck to those brave enough to touch it. Travel to Yufuin some 30 minutes away to stay in a hotel which can bring good luck. It's lucky to get a reservation at Kichijou-kaiuntei Mujinzo in the first place as only four groups get  to stay per day at the Japanese style inn with modern elements and a running rock bath. Some rooms also feature a hot spring. Meals are luxurious, featuring Blowfish which is an auspicious food, in sashimi and the hotpot main course at 5000 yen (S$ 64.50). Leave Yufuin and head to a studio in Kokonoe to win a hand-made Maneki Neko which has been lucky for many who've owned one. It is a 3 hour wait to find out if you, from the many people all over Japan, can buy the ceramic.  Travel by Yamanami Highway to a highland dessert shop with big and wide windows where the view of Mt. Aso can be enjoyed. It serves a lucky German sweet, Baumkuchen using delicious jersey milk and eggs and shaped as fortune rings.