Donkeys, llamas and capybaras are among the 140 animals at Izu Shaboten Zoo, less than a three-hour drive from U.S. bases near the Japanese capital.

A visit to cultural landmark Toho Cinemas Shinjuku, which is equipped with Motion EFX Theater, does not disappoint.

Itsukushima in Hiroshima Bay is known for its iconic floating torii, its forests and its wildlife. But the aquarium has some distinct claims to fame, including a unique species of porpoise.

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.