Maboroshi Hakurankai, or Phantom Exhibition, is a display of creepy, salacious and off-beat art in Ito city, south of Tokyo. The private exhibition has clowns, vintage toys and mannequins. It’s a perfect stop for anyone interested in the quirkier aspects of Japanese culture.

The main attraction at Bear Tree Park in Sejong City is — you guessed it — the more than 100 bears of the Asia black and brown species.

Grandberry Park, a sprawling shopping outlet in Machida only 30 minutes from Camp Zama, the headquarters of U.S. Army Japan in greater Tokyo, is a breezy option to beat the heat this summer. With more than 240 stores, including a market, a movie theater and multiple play spaces, there’s something for everyone in the family.

The Tokyo Police Museum, a six-story building a 7-minute walk from the Tokyo Station, showcases hundreds of years of policing history in Japan, and to top it off, it’s a completely free experience.

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

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.

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.

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.

Fireworks have been a big part of Japanese culture for centuries. Nomura Hanabi Kougyou, of Mito city in Ibaraki prefecture provides the sparkle behind about 40 such shows per year.