Holidays with accomodation that spell savings and fun.

A stay at Kurokawa onsen must include a visit to the open bath Daikan no yu. It is a specialty of this inn. and is watered by a 300 year old spring. But your visit will pay off if your first tour the surrounding area and learn all you can while enjoying the sights. These include the famed princess bath Bijin no yu which is supposed to improve skin conditions. The hot spring in Ikoi-ryokan is good to skins with water that is soft and gentle to skin.

This is one known as one of the hundred best hot springs in Japan. In terms of food, the menu often includes famed Oguni black pork, called Joya nabe locally. Another specialty is strawberry begonia which tastes best in May to July and becomes aromatic with deep frying. An unusual dish is Futaego horsemeat, which comes from around the stomach of the horse and is served only to those who take part in the inn's special plan. The main course may the hardest to digest - - a quiz of Kurokawa onsen. You can find the answers easily in Kurokawa and can win for guests one of three privileges, including momentoes such as a pair of Japanese clogs, to lunch coupons.

For atmosphere, history and amusement begin your next trip from Nagasaki. Go to Chinatown where there're over 40 shopsincluding Kakuni manju offering soft bun with tasty pork rib meat, a fruit daifuku offering many flavors from Apple to Loquat daifuku among the 15 flavors available.

Nagasaki was a prosperous trading port with European atmosphere so don't be surprised to find the Holland Slope, it is an unusual spot and should not be missed by visitors. The stone-paved road with has a number of historical spots to discover while on a walk along the tree-lined paths which are among the hundred best roads in Japan. From Bakumatsu to Meiji era, foreigners lived around the area where villas have been changed to galleries and museums that form part of the history and scenery of Nagasaki.

At lunch time, stop at Shikairo, the shop which originated Champon in 1899, at the end of the Meiji era. The man who came from China and opened the shop, created Champon for Chinese students who were studying in Japan as he wanted to offer food which is cheap but rich in nutrients. The original Champon is made of fresh seafood and vegetables from Nagasaki with thick, white creamy broth. Stay over at the Holiday Inn Nagasaki which is in the center of town and better yet, it offers a Discounted Plan on Age.

Those who are over 60 years old will enjoy 60 % discount on the room rates of 20790 yen (S$ 332). So if there's two of you, both get to stay for 8316 yen (S$ 132.80) as the price is per room, not person, making it a very affordable stopover.

And yes, you can enjoy 90% off if you're 90 years old or travelling with someone of that age! The twin room under the discount plan at the high-class hotel offers large beds and luxurious furniture imported from Italy. With its good location, it's not hard to pop outside to an alley called Shianbashi yokocho to visit a sushi shop, called Tenichi which offers discounted set meals for guests who stay in the hotel. Tenichi which is just 5 minutes away on foot from the hotel is famous for serving fish only in season, such as Pike eel dobinmushi, fresh tilefish caught around Goto Islands and grunt caught around Nagasaki. The meal also includes sushi featuring tuna, horse mackerel and urchin. It normally costs 4600 yen (S$ 73.50) is priced at 3000 yen (S$ 47.90) for Holiday Inn guests who enjoy a discount only for food if they use the Discounted Plan on Age.

From Nagasaki, head out to Isahaya to visit a castella shop which is 200 years old. Sugitanihonpo, also has a discounted plan here.
and better yet, visitors can try to make castella by paying 1500 yen (S$ 24) per person. As the process includes baking, visitors can spend the time deliciously by trying the six flavours of castella at the shop. You can eat as much as you like for free while waiting. Another reward from the 20 minute wait at the shop, a piece of castella you made to take home.

The next discounted trip is at Izu Peninsula which is reached by travelling from Tokyo by Express Odoriko for two hours. Arrive at Shuzenji Station and head for a hotel that offers half price for all so best to travel as a family.

Take a bus from the station and a 10 minute ride brings you to the oldest hot spring in Izu,Shuzenji onsen. It's 1200 years old surrounded by nature and an atmosphere that many famous writers loved. Nearby is Taizanso, a lovely hotel that's 56 years old and rewards guests with a plan for filial piety.

Guests who travel with their parents who are over 75 years old get to stay at half price. All members of the family travelling together with the 75 year parents enjoy the half price. The rooms which are named, such as "Zu" is a blend of both Japanese and modern style. There's also a campaign called Enjoy Privileges by Going for a Walk in a Yukata.

If you wear a Yukata and visit some shops you'll enjoy specials since Shuzenji is a cozy spa town. For a meal try zendera soba at a soba shop that will even give you some fresh wasabi to take home, and this is an entire wasabi plant from Amagi.And if you're in the Yukata, you also get to take home gifts of black rice candy. Walk around the town which is surrounded by nature and very relaxing until it's time to rest. Visit a tea shop that also offers desserts, which is by the river. Again, the yukata worn means privileges. This time, the shop's specialty, black rice mochi which tastes like black sesame is offered with coffee and tea that's ordered. Back at the hotel take a hot spring bath until it's time for dinner.The creative cuisine includes scallop and tomato carpaccio with cucumber sauce, tomato chicken with cream cheese, served as a western chawanmushi and Izu's fresh seafood. Also on the menu is Japanese beef steak ishiyaki that is marbled and fresh which guests get to cook themselves. There's also sakura shrimp kamagohan as it is in season and available from Izu.The next day after breakfast that is full of local ingredients, take a bus from the hotel for a 10 minute ride to a place called Nijinosato. The hotel will have coupons for guests and that offers adults a discount from 1000 yen (S$ 16) to 600 yen (S$ 9.70). Nijinosato is a large theme park with many flowers and trees as well as a a small stream locomotive to ride around. Taking the train from the Showa period is relaxing and rewarding with views of Mt Fuji if the weather is good.