First to Fukushima prefecture in southern Aizu, which is a four hour train ride from Asakusa. Arrive at Tonohetsuri Station which is the stop for Shimogo-machi in Fukushima prefecture, a little town surrounded by greenery. One of the most famous spots in Fukushima prefecture is Tonohetsuri which is filled with rocks and each of them has a name.

Next, take a 5-minute train ride to Yunogami hot springs area where you can see fields of lavender and lush greenery. The area which became famous during the Edo period has only 20 small inns and visitors can stay in traditional Kaya grass roofed houses. The Oogiya inn is built from a 180 year old house and is the only one with a grass roof. It was built without the use of a single nail and houses seven rooms. Guests get to enjoy country cooking at the inn, but to have a hot spring bath, it’s a short trip to the nearby Shinyu inn which offers guests an outdoor hot spring bath.

Next, head off to southern Izu by express train from Tokyo for a journey that takes 2 hour 45 minutes. Stop at Shimoda Station and catch the bus for a 50 minute ride to Nakagi on the southern tip of Izu. Walk towards the harbour to the Jinshi inn which is near the Misaka port. The inn has four Japanese styled rooms, costing 9800 yen (S$130) for one night and two meals. Here, the meals are self-serviced and comprise mainly of seafood and the local delicacy, Tenkusa or Ceylon Moss.

A stay at Jinshi inn also comes with a chance to swim and play with the Bottlenose dolphins of Shizuoka. After the sea, soak in the Shimokamo hot spring. The hot spring bath known as Kinnoyukaikan, is popular with day trippers especially the southern style outdoor bath. The heat from the hot springs are also used to help grow muskmelons which are available all year around in Nakagi as greenhouses are kept warm by the heat from the hot springs which are piped underground. Take a boat trip to Hirizo Bay which is five minutes away and locals enjoy camping and snorkeling in the clear waters.

A 1 hour 35 minute ride by bullet train from Tokyo will see you in Shusenji Station also in southern Izu. Take the bus which runs through the mountains to Matsusaki. This is a small fishing town, surrounded by mountains and filled with inns. Apart from views of the ocean, visitors can discover Japanese traditional craft. The village has remains of walls built in the Meiji era for protection from fire and are called namako(sea cucumber) walls because the plaster between tiles look like sea cucumber.

Visitors can stroll by a beach or discover the art of Sikkui (plaster). There is a building with pillars covered in Sikkui made from seaweed and calcium hydroxide and covered with fine dragon detailing. Nearby, there is also a sikkui museum.

Alternatively, stay at the Masaya inn which is filled with plaster paintings and and offers guests the chance to try their hand at sukkui. One night's stay at the craftman’s inn with two meals costs 7875 yen (S$104). To enjoy a hot spring outdoor bath, there is the Kumomi which is open from June to September and sits right next to the sea.