The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kure Museum opened on April 5, 2007, and is the only museum in Japan where you can board a real submarine. The JDS Akishio, commissioned in 1986, was in service until March 3, 2004.

Tumon’s Matapang Beach Park, almost dead center along Tumon Bay, offers crystal-clear waters, white sand and breathtaking views — but you might miss it if you don’t look closely.

Perched along the scenic coastline of Japan’s Iwate prefecture, the Taro Kanko Hotel once stood as a symbol of hospitality, offering guests views of the Pacific Ocean and the nearby Sannoiwa Rocks. But since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, it has been transformed into a poignant memorial.

For those traveling through Japan’s Iwate prefecture, a visit to Takata Matsubara Memorial Park for Tsunami Disaster and the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum serves as more than a history lesson. It is an encounter with resilience, a tribute to those lost and a call to never forget.

The Fire-Walking Festival, or Saito Goma-Ku, held at the base of the sacred mountain of Takao, draws thousands of spectators each year. This year’s event is scheduled for March 9.

At Hanegi Park in Setagaya Ward, the annual plum blossom festival is underway, offering vibrant hues of pink, white and yellow amid a delightful fragrance. The event, which concludes in early March, marks the 46th season of celebrating ume in the area.

From fresh produce and seafood to traditional snacks and handmade goods, Gunsan Public Market near Kunsan Air Base offers something for everyone.

There are a dozen ski resorts in and around Yuzawa, one of the most accessible snow sports destinations for U.S. troops stationed in or near Japan’s capital and a regular stop for base outdoor recreation day and weekend bus trips.

The Maansan Trail offers those at Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base an easy, refreshing winter hike not too far away.

The Niigata, an information center a short walk from Ginza Station in Tokyo, opened in August and includes a restaurant and sake and craft shops and hosts events promoting tourism in the western Japanese prefecture.