Visit a hidden hot spring area so high up in the mountains that you need to use a snowmobile to reach the hotel.  20 minutes on a powerful snowmobile will take visitors to the Takamine Hot Spring Hotel that stands at an elevation of 2000 metres. Takamine (high peak) is at the bottom of Shinshu Joshinko Plateau National Park and was opened in the Showa 31 period.

It offers a panoramic view at the hotel which comes with Japanese style rooms complete with tatami mats starting from 12000 yen(S$ 152) for one night with 2 meals. The hotel's hot spring is on the second floor and has a great view from the large windows that open out on to mountains. Dinner is served in the dining hall with the other guests and consists of 12 originally-created dishes using local ingredients. Carp is the hotel's speciality so expect dishes such as minced fresh Carp that are kept in a tank until ready to cook, and grilled fresh-water carp steak.  There's also buckwheat crepe, mugwort dumplings and Wild Plant Tempura. Day time activities inclues a climb to the summit of the 2000 metre snow mountain from several trails available. The beginners’ trail will take 15 minutes for a slow trek up with a mountain guide. The summit offer a magnificent view from Yatsugatake to the Alps.

Next, a transfer at Nagoya to the Tokaido Line,to reach Gifu prefecture will uncover another hidden hot spring, remains of the castle town of Shogun Nobunaga Oda and a hotel reminiscent of a farm house. The top of Mt. Kinka, is mighty Gifu Castle which can be reached by cable car in 3 minutes as opposed to a one hour trek on the walking trail that Samurai once used every day. There is a panoramic view of the whole city and the Nagara river below which is well-known for Cormorant fishing.Visitors can take a step back in time by walking the cobbled streets and visiting antique homes and shops which people still use. Look out for a delicate rolled cake shaped like a fish and with sugar paste inside which has been made for centuries, and an Italian restaurant within a historical building serving recipes from Northern Italy with a Japanese touch. The lunch set which comes with dessert and coffee is 2,900 yen (S$37). Head back to the station and take a shuttle bus to the Shinmei Hot Spring Inn. It's about

1.5 hours to the hidden hot spring inn situated in an area called Itadori near the border of Fukui prefecture. Shinmei Hot Spring is an isolated hotel with a traditional setting, including a hearth that is part of the farmhouse look and feel to the hotel which is 160-years-old and built with no nails. The use of natural wood and indirect lighting keeps the building warm. A 3 room suite with a hearth costs 21,000 yen (S$ 265) with two meals. To enjoy the outdoor hot spring, guests need to walk through a bamboo forest. The water will feel slippery as it is a lotion bath and that is why it is called the beautiful skin bath. There is also an outdoor bath made of cypress. After sunset, dinner consisting of 12 dishes is served in a dining area with a hearth. Taro Rice Cakes which are a local delicacy is served with a host of local delicacies such as famous Hida Beef and Edamame Soup with Char Stock a signature dish. Next go to Koriyama from Tokyo, then change to the Banetsusai Line to head to a hidden hot spring located on the border between Fukushima and Yamagata prefectures. The entrance town is Kitakata which was a trading post and the remaining 130 warehouses tell of a past prosperity. Many old buildings are re-used and one is a restaurant featuring traditional Aizu handcraft along with genuine Kitakata Ramen - the popular flat and curly noodles is served in a soup that is soy sauce based with typical toppings such as green onions,fishcake, roast pork, bamboo shoots for  550 yen per bowl.

Also visit Paulownia Museum with various types of shoes and clogs, a 100 year old shop famous for its Aizu handmade Rice Crackers using Aizu grown Sasanishiki Rice. Head by bus to Nicchu Hot Spring in the mountains to stay overnight at the Yumotoya Hot Spring Hotel. It stands surrounded by deep forests and has been a healing hot spring for 200 years. The milky hot spring is lukewarm and a constant 40 degrees Celsius. Dinner is a rare experience as it is served in a hand-made snow house. Although it is made from hard snow guests will find that even if it's snowing outside, it remains warm inside the snow house since no wind comes in. From January to February guests can request hotpot dinner in a snow  house or enjoy a meal of local traditional food such as wild Maitake Mushroom Soup  grilled Aizu Beef and Hatto made with Buckwheat Flour.