Over the past 18 months many of us have been stuck here in New Zealand only able to dream of holidays in exotic places amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
But with borders set to reopen soon, now is the time to plan your next overseas getaway - and Japan is the perfect country to reacquaint yourself with international travel.
Like many popular destination countries, people often stick to the main cities in Japan. But there is so much more to explore up and down the country and it's all easy to get to thanks to the fantastic public transport options.
To help with your planning of an unforgettable international holiday when borders reopen, here are 10 amazing, lesser-known outdoor Japanese adventures from Hokkaido in the very north to Okinawa in the far south.
Hokkaido: Explore the wonders of Shiretoko National Park
This is one of Japan’s most pristine national parks, located in the far northeast of the country's most northern prefecture. It's a diverse land, dramatically different in each season, and packed with bears, deer, foxes and rare birds among its many species.
The best way to explore the park is as part of a tour - parts of it are only able to be reached by boat or on foot, adding to its tranquil, isolated and relaxing aesthetic. In winter, the surrounding waters of the Sea of Okhotsk become one of the southernmost regions in the Northern Hemisphere to see drift ice.
The park covers almost 390km of land and about 220km of ocean, and earned UNESCO World Natural Heritage site status in 2005 for its singular blend of terrain and wildlife.
Aomori: Experience the explosive sound and colour of the Aomori Nebuta Festival
There are so many festivals to enjoy in Japan, but this annual festival in the northernmost prefecture of Japan's biggest island takes some beating. Aomori Nebuta Festival is an intoxicating affair you don't have to only observe but can also take part in yourself, as long as you're wearing the right sort of outfit.
During the festival, magnificent illuminated floats up to 5m high ('nebuta') are paraded around while the sounds of flutes, drums, and cymbals fill the air, all while dancers ('haneto') dressed in bright outfits dance and sing. The costume set can be bought or hired from local stores and tourists are encouraged to join in the fevered joy.
Besides the festival, there's plenty to do with your time in Aomori Prefecture, which features multiple World Heritage sites, national parks, hiking and cycling options, castles along with amazing seafood and sake to savour.
Tochigi: Glamping in style in Nasu
Glamping has become popular in Japan as it has in many countries in recent years, offering hotel-like hospitality while you're about as close to nature as you can get.
A great area to try Japanese style glamping is Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture with options including Towa Pure Cottages, Nenn Nasu Kogen and Nasu Hamil no Mori. Here, far away from the city, the stars are bright and the clear glamping domes allow you to stargaze from bed as you drift off.
Nasu boasts wonderful hiking trails, onsen, forests and winter sports attractions to explore, as well as local artisanal cheeses and craft beer. At the right time of year, you may even be dazzled by fireflies at your Nasu glamping spot - a treat you simply cannot enjoy in the city.
Gunma: Beautiful hiking and stunning hot springs in Kusatsu
Traditional hot spring public baths ('onsen') are the ultimate way to relax in Japan and located pretty much everywhere in the country. But the best onsen are those with extraordinary nature views to gaze upon for hours while you soak in gorgeous, naturally hot water.
Kusatsu is synonymous with onsen and is one of the country's best-known hot spring towns, in part thanks to its proximity to some of Gunma's most dramatic landscapes. There are several spectacular hiking trails to embark on with active volcanos, large natural ponds, ski resorts and forests among the highlights.
And after a day walking through natural wonders, absolutely nothing beats watching a sunset over a beautiful landscape from the warm comfort of a famously great onsen.
Nagano: Exhilarating canyoning in Hakuba
Canyoning is an exhilarating activity you can take part in just about anywhere in the world and it's all the more unique in Hakuba.
In the woodlands of the Northern Alps, leap over canyon walls, cascade down stunning waterfalls and witness some of the clearest water you will ever see. There is some hiking involved but most of your days will be spent splashing down in the pure waters of the Hakuba region.
For those after the full adrenaline rush, visit in May or June when the snow is melting and the rivers will be at their fastest and fullest. If you are taking the family, July may be a better option as the water has slowed down.
Yamanashi: Enjoy thrill after thrill after thrill at Fuji-Q Highland
Any roller coaster enthusiast on holiday in Japan owes it to themselves to spend at least a day at Fuji-Q Highland. It's built at the foot of the iconic Mt Fuji and it's hard to think of a more beautiful backdrop to scream through the air by.
Beyond roller coasters, the huge park's attractions include haunted houses, giant swings, a giant Ferris wheel, water rides, a Thomas the Tank Engine area and a 4D thrill ride based on the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion.
But the coasters themselves? Wow! There are six in total, including the 79m tall Fujiyama, which was the tallest in the world when it opened in 1996. Those with a need for speed will love the Do-Dodonpa, which goes from 0 - 180km/h in just 1.56 seconds.
Hiroshima: Climb Mt Misen while exploring Miyajima
Miyajima Island is easy to get to in under an hour from Hiroshima City and home to many amazing attractions. You can feed tame deer roaming the island as wind makes cherry blossoms rain if you go in the right season, and marvel at the striking Itsukushima Shrine.
Miyajima is also home to Mt Misen which at 500m is about two and a bit times the height of Rangitoto Island and offers stunning views - on clear days you can see as far as Hiroshima City around 30km away.
The mountain is historic, with a number of Buddhist structures near the peak. The Daisho-in Course both has the best views and is the easiest to walk, taking around two hours to get to the top from the town at its base. There are also motorised ways of summiting the mountain.
Shimane: Snorkel and kayak around the Oki Islands
The Oki Islands are located off a remote coastline along the Sea of Japan and are about as different from the country's megacities as you can imagine. There are nearly 200 islands in this UNESCO Global Geopark - but only four are inhabited.
As well as snorkelling and kayaking, this is an ideal spot for scuba diving, fishing and swimming. Shimane, the prefecture the islands are a part of, is a true hidden gem to explore, filled with amazing ancient history like Matsue Castle and one of the most significant Shinto shrines, the mighty Izumo Taisha.
Spend part of your holiday in Japan in Shimane Prefecture exploring stunning gardens and bathing in amazing onsen for a truly authentic Japanese experience with far fewer foreign tourists than other areas.
Kagoshima: Escape to the real-life fairy tale world of Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine
Some of the hiking trails in this area have existed for hundreds of years, dating as far back as the Edo Period (1603-1867). It's easy to see why: Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine's unspoiled beauty would have been spellbinding to any human in history lucky enough to go there.
Think moss-covered rocks with crystal clear spring waters running between them, all surrounded by ancient cedar trees creating scenes that truly look like real-life paintings.
Fans of Studio Ghibli movies will be delighted to know this area is the inspiration for Princess Mononoke, so walking through the trees of the valley is as if one is exploring the film itself - just without any boar gods, of course.
Okinawa: Enjoy an incredible marine walk experience
At last we come to Japan's southernmost prefecture: The pristine beaches, colourful coral reefs and sub-tropical jungle of Okinawa.
Among the many ocean-based attractions this series of islands offers is the chance to try an underwater marine walk. On one of these you pop a special dive helmet on that feeds air down a pipe from the boat above, letting you walk along the seafloor right up to the reefs as colourful fish swim about you.
You can even feed the fish and pose for photos with a special camera the tour operators provide. It's awesome fun for all the family as a unique way to explore the ocean.
Those are just ten locations proving how diverse Japan is as a travel destination and there are thousands more. So why not use the last of the downtime you have before borders reopen planning your next trip there.
This article was created for Japan National Tourism Organization.
