Mount Fuji is an object of faith for Japanese people, and a place their hearts draw support from, as expressed by the official name under which it's registered as a Cultural World Heritage Site: 'Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration.'

Once you're done at the Railway Museum, there's also the Bonsai Village and a modern underground cavern to explore.

Take a three-minute trip from Mount Takao to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, then head down to the back alleys of Shinjuku's drinking districts.

Compact and beautiful, Mount Oyama is nestled in the northern reaches of Isehara City in Kanagawa's Tanzawa-Oyama Quasi-National Park.

Masaaki Hatsumi teaches the ways of the samurai and the art of ninjutsu to aspiring shadow warriors and law enforcement personnel from all over the world.

The Kaminoyama Onsen Kurort project is a wellness and leisure spot in Yamagata Prefecture that focuses on medical science-based healthy outdoor walks and invigorating visitors through local culinary and hot spring resources.

From urban planning and fish farming to food recycling and the re-invigoration of traditional techniques, a number of great ideas have come out of Japan's smaller towns and cities.

Despite their combined population of only 900, the villages of Shunran no Sato drew 11,000 visitors in 2014, attracted by the prospect of experiencing traditional Japanese life from locals only too happy to share.