This year was monumental for JAPAN Fes, as the movement expanded beyond New York City, with events in New Jersey and Paris this past fall. In celebration of the year, a Winter Market is planned ...

Pro tip, though: Skip Japan if you're looking for New Year's Eve revelry. This is a quiet family holiday in Japan, and many places shut down. Winter is also one of the driest periods in Japan.

Also, Japan is one of the few countries that requires an International Driver’s License to rent a car (in the U.S., AAA sells these for a nominal fee). Explore a UNESCO-recognized village.