The season of summer is all about seeking out and creating new memorable experiences for yourself. From a nature drive in untamed Hokkaido, to a summer dance festival at Gujo Hachiman that lasts through the night, to Setouchi which is known for its scenic views, and a refreshing summer resort on the Shinshu plateau. Soak in the atmosphere along the way as we venture on different types of summer holidays for adults and experience the joys that can be found away from the hustle and bustle of cities.

First, find yourself in the exotic city of Kobe, located in the Hyogo Prefecture. Till this day, Kobe remains a posh city with many interesting sights and sounds for one to visit. A trip to what used to be the EH Bank, which has now been converted into a café, is a dining experience not to be missed out on. The building, which was originally built by a British bank, has maintained a bank-like interior, allowing visitors to visit the old bank vault among other things. The café has created an ambience that makes for a good dining place and is popular for both lunch and dinner. Serving exquisite, delectable dishes such as Pepperoncino grunt with hot peppers, the food is made thoughtfully with only carefully selected, top-quality ingredients.

If you enjoy jazz music and drinks, and are looking for a place to catch up with your old friends, Sone is the place for you. Sone is a pioneer jazz bar in Kobe and is home to local musicians who play live music. The ambience of the place seems to induce a sense of nostalgia and inadvertently transports one back to the time of one’s youth. Time flies while you reminisce about the past with your friends, while sipping drinks throughout the night.

After exploring enough of Kobe, take the Sanyo bullet train to Okayama and cruise along on the popular Marine Liner across to the Seto Bridge and around Shikoku Island. For a better view, hop on the observation car of the liner and take in the glorious scenery surrounding you. Passing the Seto Bridge, you will find yourself in the Kagawa Prefecture, where special Sanuki products await you.

At the Sakaide Station, there is one place that all tourists to the area must visit. Known for its famous Sanuki udon, a trip to the famed udon shop/restaurant is imperative! The udon cannot get any fresher as the Sanuki udon Hyogo is located right beside the noodle making factory. Don’t expect to be served at the shop, however, as self service is very common at the home of Sanuki udon. Fortunately, the steps to getting your very own bowl of famous Sanuki udon are not too difficult - collect a bowl on entrying the shop, choose the size of noodles and toppings and finally, top it all off with the soup which can but should not be mistaken for tea. Voila! Bon Appetit! At a very attractive low and affordable price of 280 yen (S$3.70), coupled with the excellently textured noodles, this meal would convert any non-udon lover into one.

After a satisfying meal, visit Kotohira which is famous for its shrine, nicknamed Ms Konpira of Sanuki, the protective god of the sea. You will have to work your way up 785 steps before you reach the main shrine. However, the walk will prove to be well worth the effort as the main shrine is one mighty looking structure.

Indulge in the rich heritage of Kotohira and visit another historical site and national treasure while still in the vicinity- the theatre where Nizaemon was performed for the first time. The old Kinpira Oshibai was built 170 years ago and is the oldest standing theatre in Japan. Well known for its exhilarating annual Kabuki performances, the stage setup is the same as what would be seen in the Edo era.

Travelling in Shikoku, you might also want to visit the Ehime Prefecture. Alight at Imbari in order to gain access to Shionami Road. The area is renowned for its breathtaking views enjoyed either by car, bicycle or even on foot. A laid back bike ride, along the inland sea of Japan, seems to be the popular choice amongst visitors. A variety of bicycles can be rented from nearby shops, including electric bicycles for those who are feeling a little lazy, but still do not want to miss out on the spectacular views. The best cycling route, which lasts around 60 minutes, is a round trip around the area’s most picturesque views. Shimanami Road crosses the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge and leads to Onomichi in Hiroshima. Honshu, Japan’s main island, is also accessible even on foot.

It will soon be evident to you that Yakitori (skewered grilled chicken) is a specialty of Imbari. The area has so many Yakitori shops that it even has a special map which allows visitors to easily locate the various shops in the area. Sancho is one of the more popular Yakitori shops in the area and its recommended dish is the Yakitori on a hotplate. Contrary to the usual Yakitori which is normally broiled, Yakitori in Imbari is usually grilled on the hotplate. This method has been around since the 60s and it removes excess grease and allows the chicken to cook perfectly till crisp.

Another local specialty to try is the local chicken sashimi. The most popular of the chicken sashimi includes the liver and chicken breast. Do not worry about food hygiene, as only the freshest can be served as sashimi.

Catch the train in the morning and travel to Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture. Visit the Dogo Hot Springs that author Soseki Natsume wrote about in his novel “Bochann”. Dogo Hot Spring is one of the best hot springs in Shikoku and one can indulge in a variety of indoor and outdoor hot springs while there. However, it is the Dogo Hot Spring Shrine that is the icon of this town. The public bath is registered as a national heritage site, and was built by Shirodaiku and is also frequented by Soseki Natsume. It even boasts a private bath for the royal family. You probably may feel like royalty for a while as you are pampered with the tea and snacks that are provided, while enjoying the baths.

Two hours and ten minutes from Tokyo, a luxurious summer holiday awaits adults in Suwa, Shinshu. Board the bus at Kamisuwa Station for Tateshina Plateau and you will arrive at an elevation of 900 meters. At that height, Mother Nature spreads out magnificently as she welcomes and relaxes her visitors at the plateau resort. Summer is a perfect time to visit the plateau resort as it serves as an escape from the relentless summer heat. The waterfall at the resort makes undulating drops of up to 30 meters and is surrounded by beautiful lush greenery. If you stand near enough, you can feel the light mist of the water that will refresh your body and soul.

Drop by the local hotel restaurant, that will transport you to the French countryside. The  hotel restaurant, which is also open to walk-in patrons serves omelet rice, which is made with local eggs, and is a menu favourite. The dish is served as part of a set meal that includes an appetizer, seasonal vegetables and a dessert.

After lunch, you can jump aboard the bus for more sightseeing. Arriving at Lake Suwa, the largest lake in the Nagano Prefecture with a perimeter of 16km, there are many sightseeing spots and hotels for visitors to visit all year round. One choice hotel to stay in is the fashionable Lakeside Katakura Lake Suwa Hotel. The hotel was built in 1948 and is a first-class hotel which has also been patronized by the Royals. With a keen eye for design, and much attention paid to the art and craft of the room, guests can indulge in the luxury of the rooms that have a retro feel to it. The most popular room is the one with the balcony view of Lake Suwa, where during summer, guests get a stunning fireworks display from their room.  The room also hosts a luxurious Cypress bathtub facing the lake and the hot water used is 100% spring water.

The luxury does not end there. Dinner is served in a private room for you and your friends to indulge in! The hotel’s signature dish is called “Hot Spring Steam” where Hot spring water is poured on top of ceramic ware and steamed. The hotel serves local eel and rich seasonal food with genteel hospitality. To top the night off, the dazzling Lake Suwa fireworks display that can be seen daily until 2nd September every year. The display is incredibly lavish as 800 fireworks are lit nightly. Don’t forget to take a look at the city view at night as it is also a sight to behold.

The next day, take a train through the plateau and head to Mt. Yatsugatake’s Nanroku, which is known for its excellent views. Arriving in Kiyosato, in Yamanashi Prefecture, the place has an atmosphere of rustic, yet stylish stores. Hop aboard a retro looking bus, called the Kiyosato Picnic Bus which goes to sightseeing spots in Kiyosato. This is especially convenient to visit the plateau’s scattered sightseeing spots. It also allows a reasonable amount of freedom as visitors can enjoy the view and get off wherever they like.

One of the stops along the charming route is where German style cottages nestle amongst the trees. The feeling of being completely at one with nature here is a sharp contrast from the hectic rush of Tokyo city. To feel even more at home with nature, there are even ‘Grass and Tree Dye’ workshops for visitors to attend. Fret not if you have no experience with grass and tree dye, at ‘Maurois Forest Rimbaud’, things are made easy for beginners. You can get your hands dirty while dyeing and designing fabric with materials provided at the shop. Many tree or grass dyed scarves and blouses are displayed in this popular shop and each item is of a natural colour.

Feeling guilty about all the food you have been eating? How about a healthy lunch at a forest restaurant called Izoruze. A tucked away place in Kiyosato, the meals includes fresh local vegetables and is a popular choice across generations. Enjoy tea in the European style garden after your meal and enjoy the gentle summer breeze as it brushes against your face.

To end off your trip, visit Akeno, a large piece of agricultural land that holds a large field of magnificent sunflowers with the majestic mountains as a backdrop. The area holds some 340,000 sunflowers and its hard to imagine that not to far from here is the urban jungle of Tokyo.

Or perhaps you might like to take a plane ride to the Tokachi Obihiro Airport for a different kind of summer holiday. In Obihiro, there are few cars and people and one is truly able to enjoy the silence and serenity of the place. Enter a place that feels like somewhere out of a story book as you visit the Kofuku (happiness) Station, which was very popular back in the day. The Hiroo Line Happy Station was discontinued in 1987 and is now a railroad park. As a souvenir to remember the place, buy a ticket that reads “From the Land of Love to the Happy Station.” If traveling with your lover, you may want to up the romance antics by ringing ‘The Happy Bell’ together, as a symbol of your future happiness together.

A perfect place to enjoy the natural northern beauty of Japan is Shikaioi Town. It is located in the middle of the vast Tokachi Plains. Be in awe as you feast your eyes on fields of sunflowers and delicate buckwheat flowers. Also, in this township, potatoes are rarely bought from the shops; you have to dig for them yourself. Put on the specially designed long boots that prevent you from getting dirty, and try your hand at digging for potatoes yourselves at a nearby garden farm.   Don’t forget to taste the ‘roots of your labour’ as you can enjoy freshly steamed potatoes here, free of charge. Without salt or butter, there is a natural sweetness to the Hakushaku potatoes.

Being in a small township has its advantages; you may even get lucky and have the opportunity to experience driving a tractor and see how sunflowers are harvested. No license is required as long as the tractor is on private property.