Iwate

Located in the north of Japan's main island, Iwate prefecture is home to a number of ski resorts that are perfect for the winter and some golf clubs to occupy you during the summer months. With a rich culture and history, the Iwate snow festival comes especially recommended to those looking to learn about the local culture or just to have fun. If that starts getting too chilly for your tastes, a trip some of Iwate's onsen hot springs is sure to warm you up. For those travelers looking to go to the out-of-the-way locations, Iwate has a number of rare and interesting temples and shrines. In Hirazumi village, a set of five of them has even been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.