Shizuoka

Half of all Japanese teas are grown in Shizuoka - there is tea everywhere.

Atami

to stay:

You can do homestay in Ito (half an hour away from Atami). They have a pretty awsome homestay association which can also provide a volunteer tour guide to show you the sights. Here's the contact info:

Mrs. Ishida, chairwoman of Homestay Volunteer Group of Ito, Tel:0557-36-4757 or 363384

or Tsunako Horikoshi tsunakohorikoshi@mub.biglobe.ne.jp, Secretariate International Homestay Club in Ito

Kawane

If you are really interested in tea, this is the place to go. Take a private line train from Kanaya up the mountain to Kawane and ride a steam locomotive further up the mountain to view endless tea fields. There's a great onsen too!

Chubu

Be forewarned that you'll want to travel this area with a car, as there are very few train tracks in the deeper areas like the Japan Alps Park. Go to Shirahone onsen. Also be warned that many of the smaller roads are simply closed for the winter months, so check with locals which roads will get you where you want to go.

You can do Kiso in a day. Matsumoto's main attraction is the castle and surrounds, which can be done in an afternoon.