The Seotonoyu of Akigawa hotel is surrounded by lush greenery and water just like a mountain brook. To enter the hotel, you will have to walk across a bridge. Nearby, the Akigawa River, a branch of the Kanagawa River gurgles between the hills. Finally arrive at Seotonoyu of Akigawa hotel which opened on the 15th April 2007. It is a hotel with both hot springs and restaurants and is fully equipped with many facilities.

The hotel's suites are located in the garden and they are two-storeys high. The interior's gorgeous and spacious, and guests can enjoy the beautiful views of the garden just at their doorstep. A 2-days, 1-night stay with breakfast is 7500 yen.

Take a walk outside next and visit a hometown workshop in Akiruno. The workshop has pottery stoves where tourists can try making pottery. This place is also famous for its cultural heritage, the making of Gondou paper. Gundou paper is famous for its excellent quality and elasticity. Watch a demostration of how to make the paper and learn how to make it yourself.

The next hotel to head to is the Akigawa Hotel, also in Tokyo. Enjoy a sumptous dinner which includes a popular Japanese dish of local asparagus, tuna fish and prawns. Another recommended dish is a chinese dish of fried fish mixed with shark's fin soup and stone fried red king crab and botan shrimp. The last course is a luxurious 5 course dessert which includes wild grape syrup ice cream. The entire "Kaede Set" costs 5300 yen.

If you have time, it's worth taking a 15 minute bus ride to Hinohara, in the Satoyama woodlands. Feast your eyes on Hossawa Falls, one of Japan's 100 famous falls. It's about 60 metres in height and is divided into four parts.

The next new and inexpensive inn on the list is in Okuhida, the most famous hot spring location in Japan. The Shinjuku Station west exit where the Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal stands is the starting point for the trip to Okuhida . After a four and a half hour bus ride, arrive at Hirayu Hot Springs entry to Okuhida, which lies at an altitude of 100 metres. The famous Kamikouchi and Norikuradake mountains sit here and it's a perfect place for mountain climbing or hot spring luxurating. Proceed to Miyama Owan, a new hotel which opened on 28th April 2007 and it lies under the Hida Range.

Head to Hirayu Falls Park which is a nature reserve just 20 minutes away. It contains one of Hida's famous tourist spots - the Hirayu Falls. Do visit a 100 year old house which faces the great falls for some yummy handmade wheat noodles. You can even try making your own noodles for just 1000 yen. After your meal, visit a bear pasture nearby. A lot of wild bears live in Okuhida and there are over 100 different types.

Walk back to the hotel and choose a bathrobe of your own style and colour, before heading for your room. The suites are divided into two parts, an 8-tatami Japanese-style room and an 8-tatami Western-style room. Every room has a gorgeous view of Kasagatake and a semi-outdoor bathroom. A one night stay only costs 18000 yen.

There are separate bath houses for men and women where guests, after soaking, get a free cup of cold milk. Dinner at the hotel consists of dishes made with handpicked local ingredients. Some of the dishes include Salvelinus leucomaenis (char), Grilled Hida Beef, Herbal Turtle Nabe. A one night stay with two meals inclusive costs 18000 yen. The hotel even provides free ramen as supper at night.

Apart from free late-night snacks such as ramen, the hotel also provides free transport to Kamikouchi which is a 30 minute bus ride. At Kamikouchi bus terminal, walk through the highlands and feel the fresh breeze in your hair. Pay a visit to the famous Taishoike Pond which was formed in the fourth year of the Taisho era, when the Yakedake Volcano, Japan's only active volcano, erupted.

Finally, take a 1 hour and 10 minute train ride on the North-East Tokyo Line to reach the Nasu Highlands, in Tochigi Prefecture.

The next hotel is here and is called the "Nasu Highland" hotel. A one night stay with breakfast included costs only 5250 yen. Cross the "Siobara" suspension bridge and enjoy the splendid views of nature on the way. Arrive at Rock Hot Springs, an outdoor hot spring facing the Houkigawa River.

Enjoy a soak in the hot springs before heading back to the hotel.

Nasu Forest Four Seasons Club was completed on 28th of April and lies in the centre of nature. Rooms are Western-styled with Japanese designs and come with free use of the Nasu Hot Springs. Japanese-style Dinner at the hotel is a standard fixed rate of 3150 yen and consists of Nasu Beef Sashimi, local chicken from Tochigi Prefecture, steamed egg and mutton soup which form part of a total of 10 dishes.