Surrounded by mountains, Chichibu is an inviting, nature-filled summer weekend destination.

Climbing Mount Fuji on a trip sponsored by a U.S. military base will cost more this year as Japan seeks to offset the impact of thousands of visitors to the iconic volcano by implementing a new hiking fee.

Chichibu, about 50 miles north of Yokota Air base in western Tokyo, provides a near-perfect outdoor experience, including day camping, barbecuing and a visit to an impressive dam.

Vegan food, especially Japanese curry, can be hard to find in Japan, but at Marugoto Vegan Dining Asakusa in Tokyo, vegan diners can enjoy the Japanese culinary classic.

Prepare to embark on a global journey — and beat drums from around the world — at the Miyamoto-Unosuke Drum Museum in Tokyo.

It’s a great time of year for mountain hikes on Mount Honita and Mount Kawanori. Go quickly, before the summer heat catches up to the area.

Pasta Vino, just five minutes from Osan Air Base’s walk-in gate in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, features such a wide selection of Italian appetizers and pastas with tomato or creamy sauces that narrowing your choice can be overwhelming.

Bikkuri Donkey is a middle-of-the-road Japanese hamburger steak chain known for going overboard from time to time. The eatery’s latest astonishment is a time-limited campaign called We Love Cheeeese.

Aquarium Sagamihara boasts a 131-foot tank of flowing water that replicates a living river environment. Just 30 miles northwest of U.S. Army Japan’s headquarters, it features living and lifelike replicas of creatures in and along the 81-mile-long waterway in Kanagawa prefecture. In addition to 100 species of fish, insects and amphibians, there are multiple interactive learning exhibits for children and adults to enjoy.

The Maple Butter Hotcake Pie debuted at McDonald’s Japan on April 24, and seems to be a hit with customers sampling the fast-food icon’s menu modeled after a kissaten, or Japanese retro-style coffee shop. But it goes away at the end of May.