Japan's Northern Highlights

Brimming with undeniable energy, Japan's capital and largest city is a vast metropolis full of museums, parks, and cultural monuments.

Vibrant colors, tastes, smells, and sounds awaits you as you venture into the heart of Tokyo, where streets buzz with energy.

With interesting architecture and and abundance of bars, this Shinjuku district has become Tokyo's flourishing nightlife hub.

Honoring Emperor Meiji, this Shinto shrine is nestled within a tranquil forest, offering walking paths and amulets stalls.

Dating to the 17C, this ornate shrine boasts gold-leaf doors and pillars, fine sculptures and artwork, and ancient relics.

Though the largest city in Japan, Yokohama retains a laid back atmosphere, boasting jazz clubs, fine restaurants, and more.

With rides and attractions for all ages, both adults and children will love Japan's exciting Disney theme park.

One of the world's most upscale shopping districts, Ginza features many boutiques, department stores, cafes, and chic restaurants.

Japan's oldest national museum is the country's largest art museum and exhibits artwork and archaeology from all over Asia.

Tokyo's oldest temple dates to the 17C and is a favorite of foreign and local travelers, boasting gardens, eateries, and charm stalls.

A museum tracing the history of Tokyo throughout the Edo Period, featuring a replica of an iconic bridge, city models, and more.

Providing easy access to the national park surrounding Mt. Fuji, this charming town also offers museums and traditional hot springs.

Only an hour from Tokyo, Kamakura is saturated with history, boasting many fine temples and shrines, as well a lovely popular beach.

Dating to the 17C, this garden incorporates motifs of Chinese landscaping, featuring ponds, falls, bridges, and walking paths.

Tokyo's red-light district may never hosted a Kabuki theater, but it now offers bars, shops, clubs, restaurants, and movie theaters.

Encompassing a variety of styles, visitors enjoy strolling through various types of gardens ranging from Japanese to English and more.

Leading into Ueno Park, this district is home to some of Tokyo's most iconic cultural landmarks including museums, temples, and more.

Enjoy some of Japan's most breathtaking scenery at this park, mostly made up of forest-covered mountains and home to ancient shrines.

Favored by locals and travelers alike, the city offers an array of cultural monuments, shrines, hot springs, and many fun activities.

Nestled amidst picturesque mountains, this town offers many historic landmarks, as well as easy access to nearby natural attractions.

One of Japan's most significant temple complexes, Zenko-ji dates to the 7C and boasts over 30 temples and a wealth of ornamentation.

Walk along streets lined with historic buildings and colorful shopfronts, full of fresh mountain air and buzzing with energy.

Made up of five unique shrines, this complex is located at the base of Mount Togakushi and is surrounded by 300 Cryptomeria trees

Nestled among mountains, this valley offers an array of beautiful hiking trails. Be advised that the area is closed in the winter.

A city favored by both travelers and locals for its stately historic castle, surrounding nature, fine galleries, and quaint streets.

Located at the heart of the Japanese Alps, Takayama is a beautiful small town, home to elegant 17C architecture, galleries, and historic temples.

Climb over 1,000 stone steps to reach this stunning temple, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu who was known for bringing peace to Japan.

A lovely spa town home to magnificent nature and hot springs, where visitors enjoy the convalescent waters of the baths and pools.

Full of color and bursting with energy, this city is home to plenty of green places, vibrant nightlife, and a superb culinary scene.

After exploring the streets and alleyways of the center, its shops and shrines, be sure to sample the miso ramen Sapporo is famed for.

Admire the Shinto iconography of this 19C shrine, explore the large grounds full of cherry trees, or visit the adjacent park.

Take a cable lift to the top of the ski jump used in the 1972 Winter Olympics, and enjoy the splendid views over the city.

An extensive park dotted with impressive features, such as a glass pyramid, a man-made mountain, an artificial beach, and more.

Popular for its natural hot springs, this stunning park is named for its two volcanic lakes and is home to several majestic peaks.

This open-air museum replicates Hokkaido's traditional villages, presenting original buildings and streets full of atmospheric charm.

Escape the bustle of the city to the pleasant greenery of this park, boasting interesting features and nearby cultural landmarks.

One of the first international port cities in Japan, Hakodate is dotted with architectural curios and is famed for its seafood.

Take a quaint tram ride through the central streets, taste some delicious local sushi, and enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the center.

Head to the top of this 334m tall mountain for spectacular views of the surrounding area at the observation platforms.

Built in 1855 to protect the Tsugaru Strait from the Russians, this historic fort now features a park with cherry blossoms and a museum.

Visit the gardens of Japan's first monastery, enjoy an exhibit of photographs documenting monastic life, and admire its architecture.

Popular for its natural hot springs, this stunning park is named for its two volcanic lakes and is home to several majestic peaks.

Famed for its abundance of zelkova trees and general verdure, the city also offers a superb culinary scene, local crafts, and museums.

Have some sushi or locally famous Japanese bbq, then head out to explore the colorful streets of this center.

Honoring the city's founder and an iconic historic figure, Date Masamune, this mausoleum boasts ornate black and gold decorations.

With its unique architectural style, this 17C Shinto shrine also boasts black lacquer interior and gold-leaf ornamentation.

A regional history museum exhibiting local relics, and items belonging to the legendary warrior, Date Masamune, the city's founder.

Included in one of the "Three Views of Japan," this stunning bay is dotted with over 260 pine-covered islands.

Dating to the 11C, the sites that make up Hiraizumi include temples, and palaces, ruins, all set in stunning nature.

Known for its towering cliffs - some jutting out of the sea, this coastal park boasts majestic scenery and delicious sea-food.

Favored by locals and travelers alike, the city offers an array of cultural monuments, shrines, hot springs, and many fun activities.

A theme park replicating a township from the Edo Period, featuring historic buildings, costumed actors, theaters, buskers, and more.

Boasting a charming botanical garden, this port city offers an easy access to nearby natural attractions.

Brimming with undeniable energy, Japan's capital and largest city is a vast metropolis full of museums, parks, and cultural monuments.

Vibrant colors, tastes, smells, and sounds awaits you as you venture into the heart of Tokyo, where streets buzz with energy.

With interesting architecture and and abundance of bars, this Shinjuku district has become Tokyo's flourishing nightlife hub.

Honoring Emperor Meiji, this Shinto shrine is nestled within a tranquil forest, offering walking paths and amulets stalls.

Dating to the 17C, this ornate shrine boasts gold-leaf doors and pillars, fine sculptures and artwork, and ancient relics.

Though the largest city in Japan, Yokohama retains a laid back atmosphere, boasting jazz clubs, fine restaurants, and more.

With rides and attractions for all ages, both adults and children will love Japan's exciting Disney theme park.

One of the world's most upscale shopping districts, Ginza features many boutiques, department stores, cafes, and chic restaurants.

Japan's oldest national museum is the country's largest art museum and exhibits artwork and archaeology from all over Asia.

Tokyo's oldest temple dates to the 17C and is a favorite of foreign and local travelers, boasting gardens, eateries, and charm stalls.

A museum tracing the history of Tokyo throughout the Edo Period, featuring a replica of an iconic bridge, city models, and more.

Providing easy access to the national park surrounding Mt. Fuji, this charming town also offers museums and traditional hot springs.

Only an hour from Tokyo, Kamakura is saturated with history, boasting many fine temples and shrines, as well a lovely popular beach.