What are some of your favorite getaway spots in Japan when you feel the need for a short holiday?

Central Fukushima or northern Ibaraki. An hour and half out of Tokyo, and filled with endless forests, rolling hills, waterfalls, hot springs, tiny hamlets, empty roads that meander through it all, and hardly any other tourists.

On our last overnight trip, we didn't see a single non-Japanese person the entire time despite the supposed "inbound" boom. There, I let the cat out of the proverbial bag.

Short holiday? Okinawa and Hokkaido used to be good but recently I find popping to Haneda and a short flight to Taiwan, Korea or Vietnam is much better.

Chichibu

Quaint, traditional admosphere, clean clear river, beautiful low lying mountains for hiking. Cooler in summer

Mimido Rock in Kumakogen-cho in Ehime. Camp there and swim there while staying cool and seeing old friends.

Other option is to camp on one of the many beaches where no one cares if you're there or not and to wake up to the sight of good surf.

Other then the Earthquake that happened on January 1st where I live in Okunoto is probably the best place to relax in Japan. This will return back to normal as they were before the Earthquake in the coming years. Okunoto has very easy going friendly locals especially toward foreigners, so many places of natural beauty, mountains and the sea, stars at night are beautiful, great for meditation and stress relief, great food and fresh vegetables that are in expensive, etc. Why I live here and why I won't live anywhere else in Japan. Some of the place to visit after things have calmed down in a few years in Noto Cho are:

1 Tsukumo Wan

Ishikawa Ken Route 35 along Uchiura. From Ushitsu to Matsunami. Great view of Toyama Bay.

3 Yanagida Shokubutsu en. Seeing the stars at night.

4 In the summer many kinds of Kiriko Matsuri. My town will have the Abare Matsuri this year tomorrow and Saturday 7/5 and 7/6.

To my me, my wife, and children the best place for us in Japan.

Other places I visit in Japan

1 Osaka, Kyoto, Otsu for business, shopping, and Biwako.

2 Aomori to twice a year once in the summer and once in the winter to visit my wife's family. To get there I drive along the sea of Japan using route 8 and route 7 to see the Sea of Japan. No I do not use the expressways because you always miss so much. I stop in Akita City for the night. Next day stop at Tazawako before my family and I get to Aomori. In Aomori I like to visit Omagasaki, Towada Ko, Mutsu, and Ogawara Ko and other places.

Here in Aichi I have always liked the Chita peninsula. Nice beaches, green mountains and lots of different things to do makes it a nice getaway.

Every year I post the same thing: Shirahama beach. The one in Izu is much closer but Shirahama in Wakayama works too. Okutama is also good if you are more of a mountain/camping person.

Around Kawazu and Imaihama on the Izu Peninsula. Drive down the spiralling bridge, through some narrow valleys and along the river. The beaches are pretty wild down that way - huge surf last time we were there. It was my kid's first time in the ocean, with waves, and she had a blast.

Tokyo for one rural dweller. I usually try to to make it for Tigers/Giants game like this July 15/16/17. During the day I go visit Gardens/Museums and eateries I am keen on trying. When your live in the rural/ bush you appreciated visiting City but never envy people who are city/suburbs dwellers lifestyle.

Hawk, Lovely area. I use to live up the back of Usami. That spiral ramp way is something else. If you looking for a good eatery try the Burgers opposite the fish market in Shimoda. they also sell Willkonson Ginger Ale in a glass bottle. I can still remember how good it was from back 2014 when I first came across this burger place.

Cycle along the Edogawa River for 20-odd KM and then string my hammock up between 2 trees and enjoy the greenery.

The hardest part is coming home when the wind has normally shifted to blow from the South.

Some good ideas / suggestions here...thanks guys.

If you find yourself stuck in Tokyo and want to break away take a short and inexpensive flight to Hachijo Island. Enjoy nature, fresh air, fresh seafood and hot springs for not a lot of money.

The mountains. Big ones you hike up. Lower down, little roads in the mountains, best explored on two wheels, engine optional.

There is the odd nice spot, but generally there is too much concrete at the coast for my liking.

I would say anywhere near the lake or around Enoshima. I like the sea while looking around the shops and cafes nearby. I also like the lakes around Mt. Fuji. There are very peaceful and I love relaxing at ryokans. I love taking the Shinkansen and kicking back from the Kansai area.

Just head up your local river,sit there,and enjoy the minus Eon,or whatever they term it this year.

If it was up to me,I would be up above 2000m from late July to October every year.

Kobe. It’s great for a weekend city break, and with it but an hour’s flight from Ibaraki airport, it’s even closer.

I cycle along the Kano River to Izu, usually to Shuzenji, sometimes further. Going along the coastal road towards Osezaki is also great. All can be done within a day and cost nothing except all the liquids I consume (and eventual bike maintenance), so I can effectively have a short holiday every weekend, weather permitting.