Lake Nojiri was another one that didn't make our final Nagano itinerary, but it sounds like exactly the kind of place that makes you want to slow down your travel pace. Picture this peaceful mountain lake that somehow manages to be a year-round destination - summer for water sports and hiking, winter for hitting the slopes.

What's cool about Nojiri is how it seems to embody that perfect Japanese balance of natural beauty and cultural significance. It's got that "hidden gem" quality where it's popular enough to have decent facilities but not so overrun that it loses its peaceful vibe.