<Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens>
Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens make for a lovely escape from the city. Because of its location right near Tokyo Dome City and Iidabashi, it is easy to stop by when in the area for a much needed dose of nature.

<Lunch at Kagurazaka Oishimbo>
I felt far and away from modern Tokyo at this traditional looking hideaway located off a back alley, down a cobble stone street. A great atmopshere combined with delicately prepared Japanese washoku cuisine.

<Kagurazaka>
Kagurazaka is a scenic area of Tokyo noted for its historic atmosphere. A unique spot to spend a few hours browsing specialty boutiques and restaurants — all set in a quiet, residential neighborhood where you can get away from the city and have a relaxing afternoon.

<Asakusa Hanayashiki, Ninja experience>
Ninjas are one of the most famous and mysterious elements of Japanese history, and this quirky attraction gives visitors the chance to experience the basics of “ninja training.” Our English-speaking instructor was very friendly and had a great energy, which made this activity all the more fun. Between learning how to sword fight, mastering the art of disguise, and finally trying our hands at throwing ninja stars, there were lots of laughs from our group throughout the experience. I especially recommend this for families with children.

<Asakusa>
It's always enjoyable to be in Asakusa, walking through Nakamise dori and shopping for crunchy senbei snacks and sweets. It's always one of the first places I take friends and family when they visit Japan. I have been there many times, but the nostalgic atmosphere of Asakusa is very special to Tokyo and it never gets old.

<Dinner at Rin>
This is a restaurant popular among the locals with a cozy, convivial atmosphere. The menu has other Japanese food such as sashimi and tempura. All of it goes down even better with some Japanese sake. It's quite tiny — but a great place to get to know the people sitting next to you!

<Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo>
This hotel is located right next to Shinjuku station which means great access for any destinations in Tokyo area. Not to mention the clean room and the free Wi-Fi, but also having facilities like gym and lounge and nine restaurants all in the hotel is impressive.

<Shinkansen>
I love traveling on the Shinkansen in style! It's only a two-hour trip from Tokyo to Sendai, and when we arrived I was still enjoying the scenery through the window with my bento lunch. Also, the reserved seats are very wide and comfortable — a definite plus.

<Rental Cycle>
I ride a bicycle around Tokyo all of the time, so it was great to get out and do it at our travel destination — that way we could see and experience places we otherwise would have missed if just traveling by train, bus or car.

<Shiroishi Castle>
After being demolished during the Meiji Restoration, Shiroishi Castle was rebuilt in 1995 to give visitors an idea of what the castle would have looked like in its heyday. While only one of the original castle’s many buildings was reconstructed, it is surrounded by a lovely lawn dotted with cherry trees and has some stunning views from the top floor. When visiting the castle, I recommend taking the opportunity to dress in samurai armor—it’s a unique experience that provides both a new way of looking at samurai culture and some great photo opportunities! In spring, a picnic under the cherry blossoms is a quintessentially Japanese experience.

<Lunch at Hikarian>
At Hikarian, we slurped noodles in a traditional thatched roof building that was built back in the Edo period. Hikarian specializes in a noodle recipe called shiroishi umen, which is like a short, thick udon noodle. They have several varieties and I'd love to try the sesame flavor next time.

<Yajiro Kokeshi Village>
Kokeshi dolls are one of my favorite Japanese souvenirs to bring to friends and family back home, so it was fun to see how they are made and to learn a bit about their history. Trying to paint one myself gave me a renewed respect for the artisans who do this as a career—it’s certainly not as easy as it may look!

<Yunushi Ichijo Ryokan>
When in Shiroishi, do yourself a favor and stay at the wonderful Yu-Nushi Ichijo Ryokan. From the moment the staff greeted us at the door this was the epitome of Japanese “omotenashi” hospitality. The hotel buildings are historic and beautifully maintained, the food is delicious and artfully presented, and the rooms are spacious, elegant, and extremely comfortable. The open-air bath is an added bonus that shouldn’t be missed. A warm soak in the fresh mountain air is the perfect way to relax after a long day of sightseeing. I look forward to returning to Yunushi Ichijo for a longer stay in the future.

<Hiking at Zao Okama crater lake>
Exploring the area around the Zao Okama crater lake at Mount Zao was the highlight of my trip to Zao. I recommend going early in the morning to avoid crowds and spending as much time as possible hiking the trails and taking in the views. Another name for the lake is “goshiki numa,” or “five color pond,” as it appears to change color depending on the angle it is viewed from and the way the light hits it. I wish I had had more time to attempt to see and photograph it in all of its five colors!

<Shinkansen>
The 30-minute trip passed too quickly. I always enjoy the clean, cozy — and extremely puntcual — bullet train. I felt the punctuality definitely helps all the tourists.

<Matsushima Islands Area: Zuiganji Temple, Kanrantei, Godaido>
Matsushima is a lovely, picturesque little town, perfect for a leisurely stroll around the temples, food stalls, shops and restaurants. Located just across from the train station, Kanrantei makes the perfect first stop. Transported from Kyoto and now overlooking Matsushima Bay—said to be one of Japan’s top three scenic destinations—the tea house provides a peaceful and understated atmosphere. The tea set consisting of matcha and a selection of local sweets is the perfect way to take a short rest after the journey while refueling for the rest of your day. While Godaido and Zuiganji are among the most popular sights in Matsushima, don’t skip Entsuin Temple. Located just next to the temple of Zuiganji, Entsuin is surrounded by Zen rock gardens, ponds, moss-covered ground, and cedar and bamboo groves for the ultimate in serenity. Rare to temples in Japan, there is even a Western style rose garden, which makes for an interesting juxtaposition. Even on weekends, the temple does not get particularly crowded, and sometimes you can even feel as though you’re in your own private sanctuary.