![Japan Map ~Where to visit~]()
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, is surely worth visit. It offers unlimited choices of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors. Tokyo Sky Tree and other new attractions are must-see spots, but historical part of Tokyo, such as Asakusa should not be overlooked.
Recommended spots;
・Historical district of Asakusa and Sensoji temple・Meiji-Jingu Shrine・Imperial Palace Plaza・Edo-Tokyo Museum・Tokyo Sky Tree・Department store and brand shops in Ginza・Electric and manga/anime shops in Akihabara area・Shinjuku Golden Town
At least 3-4days required for explore.
Sapporo
Sapporo is capital city of Hokkaido island, northern part of Japan. With the best seafood, vegetables and Ramen noodles, it is one of the most gourmet city in Japan. Sapporo is convenient place for starting exploring all over Hokkaido. Typical route for tourists is 3N4D tour visiting Sapporo, Otaru and Lake Toya. Furano, famous for its flowers and nature, is 150mins drive away from Sapporo.
Recommended spots;
・Odori Park（Venue for Sappro Snow Festival in every Feb.）・Moiwayama・Fish market
Otaru, famous for beautiful canal and historical western style buildings is 1 hour drive.
Nikko
Nikko is very famous for UNESCO World Heritage site, including Toshogu shrine and the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Nikko had been a center of Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship. Nikko National Park offers scenic, mountainous landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, wild monkeys and hiking trails. Nearby hot spirng resorts are good choice for stay.
Recommended spots;
・Nikko Toshogu Shrine・Futarasan Shrine・Rinnoji Temple・Kegon Waterfall・Lake Chuzenji・Iroha slope road・Senjogahara hiking route
and more.
At least whole day is needed for sightseeing for temples/shrine, and 2 days needed for explore more.
Kamakura
Kamakura 1.5 hour drive from Tokyo, was former capital city of Japan from 12th to 14th century.
Kamakura offers numerous temples including the Great Statue of Buddha, shrines and other historical monuments.
Recommended spots;
・Kotokuin Temple (The Great Statue of Buddha)・Hasedera Temple・Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine・Shopping at Komachi dori
1 day trip from Tokyo can be arranged.
Hakone
Hakone is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, and just 2 hours from Tokyo. It is very famous for hot springs, and thousands of tourists visit there for short break. Beautiful Mt. Fuji can be seen from Lake Ashi.
Recommended spots;
・Lake Ashi short cruise・Owakudani volcanic valley・Hakone open-air museum・Ropeway ride to Mt.Komagatake
Lake Kawaguchi and Mt.Fuji area is just 2 hours from Hakone. 1 day trip from Tokyo can be arranged but it is recommended to go to Hakone and Mt.Fuji area for 1N2D.
Mt.Fuji
Mt.Fuji is in Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefecture. Lake Kawaguchi is one of the best viewpoint for taking photos of Mt.Fuji. Surrounding area is full of world heritage sites and hot spirng resort is very attractive to relax.
5th Station of Mt.Fuji, departing point of climbing, can be visited except for winter time. You can climb Mt.Fuji from mid Jul to mid Sep for 1N2D.
Recommended spots;
・Lake Ashi short cruise・Owakudani volcanic valley・Hakone open-air museum・Ropeway ride to Mt.Komagatake
Lake Kawaguchi and Mt.Fuji area is just 2 hours from Hakone. 1 day trip from Tokyo can be arranged but it is recommended to go to Hakone and Mt.Fuji area for 1N2D.
Kanazawa
Kanazawa has prospared much in Edo period(1603-1867) and now is the capital of Ishikawa prefecture.
During World War Ⅱ, Kanazawa was Japan's second largest city (after Kyoto) and parts of the old castle town have survived in good condition. The most famous sightseeing place is Kenrokuen garden which is considered as one of Japan's "three best landscape gardens".
Recommended spots;
・Kenrokuen garden・Higashi Chaya Gai (Chaya district)・21st century museum・Oumicho market
The World Heritage site "Shirakawago", old houses with dethached roofs is on the way to Takayama town, 1 hour drive form Takayama.
Takayama
Takayama is a city in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. It is famous for its old city.Hida beef is a must-dish to try. This small town is very far from Tokyo but is a gateway to Shirakawago, world heritage site, and Kanazawa historical town. Also, it is easy access from Matsumoto Castle.
The Takayama Festival, held in spring and autumn, is considered one of Japan's best festivals.
Recommended spots;
・Old town・Yatai Kaikan Museum・Jinya・Hida Folk Village
The World Heritage site "Shirakawago", old houses with dethached roofs is on the way to Kanazawa town, 1 hour drive form Takayama. At least half day needed for exploring.
Kyoto
Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 to 1868. It is definately one of the most exciting and worth visiting sightseeing cities in Japan.
Countless temples, shrines and other historical structures survive in the city. Dinner with Maiko/Geisha performance in Gion town is popular among tourists.
Recommended spots;
・Kinkakuji Temple・Kiyomizudera Temple・Arashiyama・Nishiki market・Gion district
Osaka, commercial and gourmet city in Japan and Nara, also old town with the Great Statue of Buddha are both 1 hour drive from Kyoto. At least 2-3 days required to see Kyoto and 1-2 days more needed for explore nearby cities.
Osaka
Osaka is West Japan's center city with population of 2.5 million. Osaka has completely different atmosphere from Tokyo.
It is now famous for shopping and gourmet city. Okonomiyaki, and Takoyaki are both popular local food, and many other great foods can be tasted anywhere. Kyoto and Nara, both historical cities are just 1hour drive from Osaka.
Recommended spots;
・Osakajo Castle・Umeda floating garden・Tsutenkaku Tower・Namba & Dotonbori shopping street・Kaiyukan Aquarium・Universal Studio Japan
Kyoto and Nara, also old town are both 1 hour drive from Osaka. At least half day required to see Osaka city.
Hiroshima
Hiroshima is the major city of the western Japan and home to over a million people.
The first atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and destroyed almost everything. After the war, Hiroshima made strong recovery and became one of the most powerful cities in Japan. Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome are the must- place to visit. Also, nearby Miyajima with world heritage site Itsukushima Shrine can not be overlooked.
Recommended spots;
・Atomic Bomb Dome・Peace Memorial Park and Museum・MIyajima island and Itsukushima Shrine・Small islands in Setonaikai
At least 1day is required for sightseeing Hiroshima and Miyajima island.
Okinawa
Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture, consisting many small islands.
Capital city "Naha" is located in the southern part of Okinawa main Islands, where famous "Kokusai Dori street" and "Makishi public market". There are hundreds of beautiful beaches in the main island and nearby islands.
Recommended spots;
・Shurijo Castle・Kokusai Dori street・Makishi public market・Chatan American village・Onnason Beach resort area
At least 3 days are required for sightseeing. Ishigaki, Miyako, Kerama, Taketomi and other small islands are accessible within 1 hour flight or ferry ride.
