The cities and places you have to visit
From Tokyo's neon maze to Okinawa's tropical beaches, Japan has something for every travel mood.
The megacity that never sleeps — Shibuya crossing, Shinjuku ramen alleys, Asakusa temples and Harajuku fashion all within one subway ride.
Japan's kitchen — takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and Dotonbori's neon glow. Osaka people take pride in eating well and keeping it real.
Temples, shrines and geisha districts preserved from Japan's imperial era. Fushimi Inari's 10,000 torii gates and Arashiyama bamboo groves are unforgettable.
Hokkaido's capital is famous for its Snow Festival, miso ramen, craft beer and proximity to Niseko ski slopes. Lavender season rivals cherry blossoms for beauty.
Hokkaido's southern port city — a million-dollar night view from Mt Hakodate, red-brick bay warehouses, a buzzing squid morning market and the star-shaped Goryokaku fort.
A romantic canal town 30 minutes from Sapporo — gas-lamp-lit waterway, music-box and glassworks studios, herring-mansion architecture and some of Hokkaido's freshest sushi.
Japan's second-largest city — Minato Mirai harbour skyline, Japan's largest Chinatown, Kamakura temples and Hakone onsen, all within 90 minutes of Tokyo.
Japan's first permanent capital — Tōdai-ji Great Buddha, 1,200+ sacred deer roaming freely, Kasuga Taisha shrine and Naramachi old-town. 45 min from Kyoto or Osaka.
Japan's most cosmopolitan port city — Mt Rokko night view, world-famous Kobe beef, Harborland waterfront and Arima Onsen, 40 min from Osaka by JR.
Home to Ise Grand Shrine — the holiest site in Shinto, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu and rebuilt every 20 years. Walk the sacred forest to the Naiku inner shrine, browse the old Okage Yokocho street for Ise udon and akafuku mochi, and see the rope-joined Meoto Iwa wedded rocks at the Futami coast.
The Edo-era arts capital of the Japan Sea coast — stroll Kenroku-en, one of Japan's three great gardens, wander gold-leaf geisha teahouse districts, and feast on the freshest seafood at Omicho Market.
Tohoku's leafy capital — wander the tree-lined boulevards, feast on smoky grilled beef tongue (gyutan), catch the dazzling August Tanabata festival, and make it your gateway to the pine-dotted islands of Matsushima Bay.
The city of peace reborn — pay your respects at the Peace Memorial Park and A-Bomb Dome, ferry across to the floating torii of Miyajima Island, and tuck into a sizzling Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.
A perfectly preserved Edo merchant town deep in the Hida mountains — wander the Sanmachi old streets, browse the riverside morning markets, savour melt-in-the-mouth Hida beef, and use it as your gateway to Shirakawa-go.
Home to one of Japan's six original castles — the dramatic black-walled Matsumoto-jo National Treasure rises against the Japan Alps backdrop. A lively castle town that doubles as the gateway to Kamikochi, Azumino wasabi farms and the Kiso Valley.
A UNESCO World Heritage village in the Gifu mountains where steep thatched gassho-zukuri farmhouses sit framed by rice paddies — climb to the Shiroyama viewpoint for the postcard panorama and time a winter visit for the magical evening light-ups.
Japan's onsen capital on the Kyushu coast — tour the vividly coloured Seven Hells, get buried in a steaming hot sand bath, and wander streets where geothermal steam drifts up from every corner.
The castle town and friendly capital of central Kyushu — climb to the reborn black keep of Kumamoto Castle, stroll the Tokaido-themed Suizenji Garden, meet the beloved Kumamon mascot, and use the city as your gateway to the vast Mt Aso volcano.
The hillside harbour capital of western Kyushu — ride the ropeway up Mt Inasa for one of Japan's top three night views, wander the Western mansions of Glover Garden, walk the reclaimed Dutch trading post of Dejima, and sail out to the abandoned battleship island of Gunkanjima.
The most popular of the Fuji Five Lakes — wake up to Mt Fuji mirrored on the water, climb to the Chureito Pagoda for the postcard shot, stroll the lavender of Oishi Park, and soak in a Fuji-view onsen.
Japan's most scenic onsen resort — soak in a ryokan with Mt Fuji framed in your window, cruise Lake Ashi, ride the Owakudani ropeway and visit the open-air sculpture museum.
Japan's seaside former capital — meet the giant bronze Great Buddha, wander ancient zen temples in the hills, and ride the Enoden tram along the coast to Enoshima.
A UNESCO World Heritage mountain town — marvel at the ornate Toshogu shrine, chase the thundering Kegon Falls, and cruise highland Lake Chuzenji ablaze with autumn colour.
Japan's motor city with an impressive castle and a unique food scene — try hitsumabushi eel rice and kishimen flat noodles that you won't find elsewhere.
Japan's tropical paradise with crystal-blue waters, coral reefs and a distinct Ryukyu culture. The antithesis of Tokyo — slow, warm and stunningly beautiful.
The birthplace of tonkotsu ramen and Japan's yatai street-food stall culture. Friendly, compact and the gateway to all of Kyushu island's wonders.
