Tianai Road, whose name translates as 'Sweet Love', is a 600-metre-long tribute to romance. Local tradition holds that couples who walk its length hand-in-hand will earn a blessing for their future together. The stroll is punctuated every 20 metres by a framed love poem, 28 in total, and a dedicated red mailbox awaits love letters, each stamped with a special seal bearing the word 'love'.

The original little temple atop a hill was destroyed by a typhoon back in the 1950s, and then later rebuilt at its current location. Walking up the path to the structure, you will pass 1200 stone statues representing the disciples of Buddha, which have been carved by a priest and townspeople who learned the craft from him. This off-the-beaten-trail temple is an amazing site for those looking to go beyond tourist staples.

Another popular way of getting to know Fort Myers' landscapes and nature is going on a boat trip. Manatee & Eco River Tours (manateeandecorivertours.com) organize trips along the Caloosahatchee and Orange rivers, with a naturalist on board to tell you about the local flora and fauna. Different options are available — check out the manatee tours (only December to March), which allow visitors to get close to these uncommon sea creatures, or get into a romantic mood with a sunset tour. Book your trip on their website. Magic Wind Adventure Sailing (sailmagicwind.com) is run by an enthusiastic couple that offers sailing trips on the gulf for up to 6 passengers. Book your trip on their website or by phone.

Developed in the Sengoku period as a village for the visitors of the nearby shrine (Yasaka Shrine), the historic district is famous for being the home of geisha (the Japanese entertainment). Narrow streets dotted with teahouses, local eateries, traditional wooden houses, and bars and nightclubs are crammed with tourists from all over the world, wishing to see a geisha in their colourful kimono. The best way to explore the picturesque district is from Hanami-kōji street towards Shijō-dōri.