Big O, Tokyo. Snuggle up and enjoy the views of downtown Tokyo as you ride the world's first centerless Ferris wheel, located in the middle of downtown Tokyo at LaQua, the city's premier entertainment and shopping center. The 15-minute ride is as exhilarating as it is romantic, and when it's over, top it off with more amusement rides, a stroll through an upscale mall with some 70 shops and restaurants, or a massage and hot-spring bath at the adjacent Spa LaQua. [ More Info ]

Enoden Railway, from Kamakura to Fujisawa. Enjoy beautiful mountain and shoreline views, as well as some of Japan's most important historic sites, on a trip back in time aboard the Enoshima Dentetsu (Enoden) railway line, located about 25 miles southwest of Tokyo. Since 1902, these quaint two-car electric trolleys have been chugging along six miles of narrow tracks as they deliver passengers to numerous temples, shrines, and other famous sites in the Kamakura area, including the awe-inspiring Daibutsu (Great Buddha), the largest wooden statue in Japan, and diminutive Enoshima Island with its views of Mount Fuji. [ More Info ]

Fujiya Hotel, Hakone. Escape for a romantic getaway at this historic hotel, opened in 1878 and combining rustic charm with old-fashioned comfort and service. Stroll its beautiful landscaped garden, relax in its hot-spring baths, and fall in love all over again in its elegant dining rooms. The surrounding Hakone resort area offers spectacular scenery, views of Mount Fuji, countless mountain retreats, some of the country's best thermal waters, and unique attractions like the Hakone Open-Air Museum with its beautiful grounds and statues. [ More Info ]

Hyobaku Ice Festival, Hokkaido. Lose yourselves in a fantasy world of illuminated ice sculptures, frozen waterfalls, and exploding fireworks at Sounkyo Onsen's magical winter festival (February - March), one of many festivals in Hokkaido embracing the winter season. A hot-springs resort village, Sounkyo Onsen serves as a springboard to Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan's largest national park and renowned for its stunning mountain views, wildlife, and ski slopes, including Mount Kurodake, accessible by cable car directly from Sounkyo Onsen. [ More Info ]

Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto. Share an enchanted afternoon on the vast grounds of Kyoto's oldest Shinto shrine, established more than 1,000 years ago and now a World Cultural Heritage Site. Its vast grounds include the famous Honden and Gonden, while nearby Moidoro-ike Pond offers a tranquil setting where you can relax, bird watch, or enjoy a quiet ramble. The Aoi-matsuri (Hollyhock Festival), staged here in May as one of the three biggest imperial festivals in Japan, has been celebrated since the 6th century. [ More Info ]

Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo. Stroll through the majestic gardens and woods of this beloved shrine, founded in 1920 to honor the spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. If you're lucky, you might even witness a traditional Japanese Shinto wedding ceremony. Occupying the former estate of a feudal lord, it's surrounded by an evergreen forest composed of 365 different species, donated by people from all over Japan. It's a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city, yet just outside its main gate is Harajuku, the capital's hippest destination for youthful fashions and fun. [ More Info ]

Restaurant Luke, Tokyo. Savor a romantic dinner amidst Tokyo's most dramatic views. This elegantly modern French restaurant at the top of St. Luke's Tower, a high-rise overlooking the Sumida River, hovers above the expanse of Tokyo Bay and the metropolitan skyline. While you're in Tokyo, be sure to sample some of the city's other award-winning cuisine. For 2008, Michelin awarded it's coveted 3-star rating to an astonishing eight Tokyo restaurants and, overall, Tokyo was awarded more stars than any other city in the Michelin guides.

Rokko Cable Car, Kobe. Enjoy a nostalgic 10-minute ride aboard a restored cable car from Rokko Station in Kobe to the 3,072-foot summit of Mount Rokko. In addition to its fantastic panoramas of glittering Osaka Bay, considered one of Japan's best nighttime views, Mount Rokko beckons with other tourist attractions as well, including a botanical garden, Japan's oldest golf course, and a ropeway that continues onward to Arima Onsen, one of the oldest hot-spring resorts in Japan. [ More Info ]

Sunset Dinner Cruise, Tokyo. Capture some of the most romantic views of downtown Tokyo as you sail the Sumida River aboard a traditional Japanese houseboat. You'll savor authentic local dishes prepared with fresh seafood and vegetables as the sights of the city float gracefully by. There are also other options for cruises, including lunch and afternoon cruises for a different perspective of the city, cruises on modern vessels serving French cuisine, and jaunts around Tokyo Bay. The port town of Yokohama also offers water tours, from shuttle boats connecting important sites or bay cruises to Chinese buffet cruises complete with live jazz. [ More Info ]

Tsurunoyu Onsen (Hot Spring Resort), Akita. Luxuriate in natural hot springs at this historic ryokan (Japanese-style inn), nestled in the Nyuto hot-spring village in the beautiful mountains of northern Honshu. First opened as an onsen more than 350 years ago, Tsurunoyu Onsen is a slice of old Japan with its traditional wooden buildings, indoor and outdoor baths, tatami rooms, and delectable Japanese dinners delivered to your room. In winter, the entire region is a snow-covered wonderland, with ski slopes just a short bus ride away. [ More Info ]