Once a modest fishing village, modern Tokyo is a vast metropolis of distinct neighborhoods: Shinjuku's Golden Gai bars, Nihombashi's culinary and shopping scenes, Akihabara's gadgets and manga culture, and Asakusa's pottery shops. Explore museums covering Japanese history and culture, especially the Tokyo National Museum. Visit the Imperial Palace and Senso-ji in Asakusa, enjoy Tokyo's exceptional food scene, and take a selfie at Shibuya Crossing.

Once a modest fishing village, modern Tokyo is a vast metropolis of distinct neighborhoods: Shinjuku's Golden Gai bars, Nihombashi's culinary and shopping scenes, Akihabara's gadgets and manga culture, and Asakusa's pottery shops. Explore museums covering Japanese history and culture, especially the Tokyo National Museum. Visit the Imperial Palace and Senso-ji in Asakusa, enjoy Tokyo's exceptional food scene, and take a selfie at Shibuya Crossing.

Osaka offers superb cuisine, shopping, and a friendly spirit, with restored Osaka Castle as a standout link to Japanese history. Known as Tenka no Daidokoro ("The Nation's Kitchen"), it was once Japan's rice-trade hub and is now a gourmand's paradise. Enjoy views from Abeno Harukas, Japan's tallest skyscraper, then visit the aquarium and Dotonbori. Nearby Kyoto invites you with remarkable architecture, including thousands of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

Osaka offers superb cuisine, shopping, and a friendly spirit, with restored Osaka Castle as a standout link to Japanese history. Known as Tenka no Daidokoro ("The Nation's Kitchen"), it was once Japan's rice-trade hub and is now a gourmand's paradise. Enjoy views from Abeno Harukas, Japan's tallest skyscraper, then visit the aquarium and Dotonbori. Nearby Kyoto invites you with remarkable architecture, including thousands of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

Lovers of hot spring resorts, rejoice. Perched hillside on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, Beppu bubbles with life thanks to a preponderance of onsen (hot springs). Enjoy a variety of rejuvenating bath types, from heated sand to traditional steam to hot mud. As one of the country's most popular spots for enjoying a long, hot soak, most visitors find Beppu to be a delightful opportunity to absorb the more relaxed side of Japan's vibrant culture.

Lovers of hot spring resorts, rejoice. Perched hillside on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, Beppu bubbles with life thanks to a preponderance of onsen (hot springs). Enjoy a variety of rejuvenating bath types, from heated sand to traditional steam to hot mud. As one of the country's most popular spots for enjoying a long, hot soak, most visitors find Beppu to be a delightful opportunity to absorb the more relaxed side of Japan's vibrant culture.

Nagasaki, Japan's early gateway to the West, offers European-style homes, a busy harbor, fusion cuisine, and Castella sponge cake from Portuguese missionaries. It is also marked by the second atomic bomb, so a visit to Peace Park is a deeply moving must. Take in views from Mount Inasayama, drive through the countryside to Arita, birthplace of Japanese porcelain, and return to Nagasaki's oldest Chinatown for Chinese food adapted to Japanese tastes.

Located on the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula just two-and-a-half hours from Seoul, Busan is South Korea's second-largest city. With its deep harbor, it's also one of the largest commercial ports in the world. Often referred to as "the summer capital of South Korea," Busan is known for its exceptional beaches, scenic cliffs and ancient temples high in the mountains.

Discover Sakaiminato on Honshu's western coast, where folklore and modern life blend. Stroll Mizuki Shigeru Road, lined with Yokai statues and art, explore the lively fish market, and visit the Sakaiminato Maritime and Science Museum for the city's seafaring heritage. Don't miss local delicacies like Matsuba crab-Sakaiminato is Japan's largest producer.

Wander through the historic streets of Higashi Chaya District, where beautifully preserved tea houses transport you back to the Edo period. Immerse yourself in the artistry of Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's three most exquisite year-round landscape gardens. Delight your senses with a visit to Omicho Market, where you can sample fresh seafood and local delicacies. Explore the innovative exhibits at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, showcasing cutting-edge artistic expressions.

Explore the majestic beauty of Lake Tazawa, Japan's deepest lake, framed by verdant forests and surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Dive into the region's fascinating history at Kakunodate Samurai District, where well-preserved samurai residences and cherry blossom-lined streets evoke a sense of timeless elegance. Indulge in the local cuisine, renowned for its emphasis on fresh seafood and hearty mountain fare.

Hakodate offers natural beauty, historic buildings, and great food. It is known for hot springs, especially Yunokawa Onsen and the footbath-style ashiyu. Visit Goryokaku Fort for a bird's-eye view of the star-shaped fortress and moat from Goryokaku Tower. Shop in the Bay Area near Hakodate Port, where old red-brick warehouses have become a unique mall, then relax with tea and harbor views.

Once a modest fishing village, modern Tokyo is a vast metropolis of distinct neighborhoods: Shinjuku's Golden Gai bars, Nihombashi's culinary and shopping scenes, Akihabara's gadgets and manga culture, and Asakusa's pottery shops. Explore museums covering Japanese history and culture, especially the Tokyo National Museum. Visit the Imperial Palace and Senso-ji in Asakusa, enjoy Tokyo's exceptional food scene, and take a selfie at Shibuya Crossing.

Once a modest fishing village, modern Tokyo is a vast metropolis of distinct neighborhoods: Shinjuku's Golden Gai bars, Nihombashi's culinary and shopping scenes, Akihabara's gadgets and manga culture, and Asakusa's pottery shops. Explore museums covering Japanese history and culture, especially the Tokyo National Museum. Visit the Imperial Palace and Senso-ji in Asakusa, enjoy Tokyo's exceptional food scene, and take a selfie at Shibuya Crossing.