A 2 hour and 40 minutes journey on the express train from Tokyo station takes you to Matsumoto. Head to a mountain top hotel at the top of the Northern Alps with a great view of the clouds. Matsumoto is a 400 year old castle-like city surrounded by beautiful mountains and rivers. Many storehouses are located there and their styles are very traditional. There are also many streams running everywhere in this city, a typical sight in the Northern Alps.

Head to Matsumoto Castle. This 400 year old castle is the symbol of Matsumoto. On the way there, drop by Asama Hot Springs and try the fare at the Marui bean curd house. Their bean curd dishes are made with Shinshu's delicious water and it attracts customers from all over Japan. One of their popular dishes is bean curd tengaku - bean curd roasted with miso. Don't forget to try out the 5 course set main dish too.

After satisfying your tummy, enter the Utsukushiga-hara plateau and after another 20 minute ride, arrive at the hotel. Ogatou Hotel is located 2034m above sea level and at the lobby, Kumazasa tea is served to all visitors. Check out your hotel room and enjoy the stunning view of the clouds just outside your window.

Another popular place to head to is the hot spring bath. Imagine taking a bath amidst the clouds. The health spa is also a place you must head to for all their beauty courses such as body and foot treatments.

After pampering yourself at the hot spring and spa, enjoy a filling dinner at the hotel's dining room. The Kaiseki Set is made with fresh vegetables such as the ferns picked from the mountain with a main dish of stone-fried Shunsu beef. Those who wish to order ala-carte, should try out the hotel's specialty of trout sashimi.

The next morning, take a stroll around the mountain top and enjoy the fresh air. The Utsukushi-no-tou is the symbol of the plateau. In the past, the bell on the tower was used to guide mountaineers on days of heavy fog.

Alternatively, go to Numazu station and catch an hour's ride from Tokyo Station on Shinkansen. Head to West Izu, which is famous for it's dried seafood. It is Japan's top producer of dried mackerel. To buy the freshest seafood available, visit Numazu Port. Dried squid is available for S$7 each, and the fish in season currently are the Jack Mackeral and Barracuda. From the port, take a 50 minute speed boat ride to Toie which is famous for it's beautiful beach.

A Toukai bus will take you to your hotel. Head for Dougashima where the Seiryu is the only hotel in West Izu that provides visitors with a stunning view of the ocean right on the Dougashima Coast. The restaurant at the hotel serves the freshest fish from the West Izu sea which is even appreciated by the pickiest locals. The most popular set on the menu is the braised whole Kimetai. Another great dish is the mixed seafood rice set, made with 10 types of seafood, which tastes even better with egg yolk in it.

Check out the various rooms available such as the traditional Japanese room and the luxurious Japanese suite. The suite has a balcony that boasts of a hot spring bath where you can soak while enjoying the sea view all at the same time. All guests are treated to a complimentary tea set of powdered green tea and jelly in their rooms.

Head out for a walk and take a tour boat which cruises around the four islands of Sanshiro-shima. Inside the cave, there is a natural skylight where the falling light casts hues from the emerald water. Return to the hotel, don colourful kimonos and head for the hot spring. Hot spring baths are open 24 hours and they all face the ocean. Enjoying a hot spring bath at the seaside is the best way to refresh your body.

During dinner time, have a full course meal of Izu's finest seafood. The Kimetai sashimi plate is prepared by the head chef, using only the freshest ingredients, and the herbal hotpot is made with soft-shelled turtle soup. For appetizers, try out an assortment of seafood snacks.

An hour's flight from Tokyo takes you to Nanki-shirahama. Head to a hotel on a small island with a panoramic sea view. Sandan-beki rises 50m above the sea with waves crashing against the cliffs. Take a lift to get 36cm down to the cave. After visiting the cave, try taking a foot bath in the 83cm long foot bath lane which opened in February 2006 before proceeding to Adventure World. The most popular attraction is the pair of panda twins Aihin and Meihin born on 23 December 2006.

Hop on the express train to the seaside hotel. Arrive at the fishing port of Nachi-katsuura which is Japan's premier exporter of tuna. Head to an extremely popular Tuna restaurant. It is so popular there are always long queues outside, so you'll spot it without much problems. Try out the tuna set which is made with prime chuu-toro and costs only S$22.50 as well as the Katsuura specialty of pan fried tuna tail.

Finally, hop on a boat to Hotel Nakonoshima, a hotel located on a small island inside the national park. A room with two meals inclusive costs S$240 a night. Head to the open air hot spring and have your bath while listening to the soft sounds of the waves crashing. Dinner includes dishes such as the kaiseki set made with fresh seafood, freshly caught fish and kuroge and kumano beef. Another Katsuura specialty would be Tuna kabotu-yaki.

The next day, hop on a boat for a cruise round the islands and enjoy a dolphin show right in the middle of the sea. This show is part of the daily programme on this cruise and for just S$28.50, you will be able to get up close and personal with the dolphins.