Kimono,Tea and Bullet Trains

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

Featuring historic buildings from the Edo Period, this open-air museum offers demonstrations and workshops of traditional crafts.

A museum of contemporary art, housing temporary and limited solo exhibitions by Asian and international artists.

Full of shrines and home to Shinto festivals, this popular district boasts historic buildings, shops, stalls, and geisha houses.

Offering a superb experience of the traditional Japanese hot spring bath, this theme park is perfect for a leisurely afternoon.

Fanning out from the world's busiest railway station, this district is famed for its shopping, eateries, and diverse entertainment.

Based on the series Doraemon by Fujiko F. Fujio, this fun museum is great for children as well as adults familiar with the series.

Respectfully called Fuji-san by the locals, this volcano is a symbol of Japan and can often be viewed from miles away.

With a focus on contemporary art from the last 50 years, this excellent museum also features temporary exhibits from other eras.

Boasting a collection of "Lifestyle Art," visitors enjoy admiring the artwork and if they're lucky can even see a Japanese tea ceremony.

Perhaps Tokyo's best site to see the blooming of cherry blossoms, this great park offers walking trails and a lovely boat pier.

Dedicated to Studio Ghibli, whose Japanese animation has become renowned, this excellent museum offers many fun interactive exhibits.

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

Home to the iconic Mt. Fuji, this national park is uniquely dispersed among several natural attractions, lakes, hot springs, and islands.

A thriving metropolis full of history, Nagoya is best known for its cultural wealth, including theaters, museums, and shrines.

Lined with shops and cafes, Nagoya's historic center offers an interesting insight into the vibrant local culture.

A museum housing over 12,000 items, including historic armor and weapons, traditional theater costumes, ceramics, art, and more.

A museum tracing Toyota's progress from its unexpected origins as a textile factory, towards its current developments in robotics.

This aquarium is home to dolphins, beluga whales, and orcas, and offers fun for all ages with its feeding and training shows.

A culturally significant city, Nara is full of Japanese heritage, historic landmarks, as well as a wealth of shrines and temples.

Visit Japan's renowned Shinto shrine complex, walking through torii gates, taking in unique cultural elements, and enjoying the calm.

Wander around the garden and visit the former factory, where a gallery exhibits traditional ceramics by a famed Japanese company.

A free daily tour from Toyota's Exhibition Hall through its welding and assembly lines. Be sure to book in advance.

Full of history, this modernized city offers easy access to nearby landmarks, as well as several temples, museums, and parks.

A small city with a rich maritime history, Kobe boasts a cosmopolitan charm, cultural landmarks, and several museums.

This rugged national park is known for its valleys, gorges, and impressive Alps, some of whose peaks reach over 3,000 meters.

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

A bustling urban center, Osaka blends Japanese innovation with ancient traditions, and offers superb culinary experiences.

Mostly destroyed during WWII, Osaka features a distinctly cosmopolitan vibe, with fine dining, skyscrapers, and 3 million inhabitants.

Visit Japan's tallest skyscraper for amazing views from its observation deck. The building also features a museum, restaurants, and shops.

Ride up 112m on this 17 minute long Ferris wheel ride, which offers spectacular views of Osaka Bay and the surrounding area.

Most of the buildings of Japan's first Buddhist temple were destroyed over the years, but meticulously rebuilt.

A culturally significant city, Nara is full of Japanese heritage, historic landmarks, as well as a wealth of shrines and temples.

A district renowned for its pleasant nature, featuring a bamboo grove, diverse flora, architectural curios, and quaint villages.

Similar to the Universal Studios theme parks in the United States, the rides in this exciting park are based on TV and films.

An impressive spa complex that draws water from natural geothermal springs, featuring pools, Jacuzzis, and more.

Home to the Mint Museum where visitors can learn about Japanese currency, the Mint also boasts over 300 stunning cherry blossom trees.

One of Japan's most iconic landmarks, this famous castle's grounds span over 15 acres, encompassing 13 important structures.

A 7C Buddhist temple with several remarkable architectural elements, including the Main Hall, the covered staircase, and the gate.

A small city with a rich maritime history, Kobe boasts a cosmopolitan charm, cultural landmarks, and several museums.

Visit at night for the full experience, this bustling street is known for excellent shopping, fine dining, theater, and more.

Enjoy 360 degree views of the city, all the way out to Awaji Island from this impressive 170m high observation deck.

Stroll through this bustling historic shopping district, make sure to check out the variety of shops and excellent restaurants.

Predating Buddhism in Japan, this famous 3C shrine is one of the world's only examples of Sumiyoshi-zukuri shrine architecture.

Home to the amazing Koya-san monastic complex (where visitors can spend the night), this tableland is surrounded by stunning forests and peaks.

A national park most popular during the cherry blossom season, but also featuring shores, mountains, forests, and native flora.

The capital of Imperial Japan for a whole millennium, the charming Kyoto is full of museums, cultural monuments, castles, and parks.

Wander through the quaint winding streets of the center, admiring traditional wooden houses, visiting shops, and sampling local food.

Walk through a long line of scarlet shrine gates on your visit to this 8C temple, and ask for good fortune from the local fox deity.

Dating to the 9C, this temple complex houses Kyoto's oldest building and features cultural monuments, murals, a garden, and more.

A veritable shrine to the Japanese tea ceremony, this museum houses ceramic works made by 15 generations of the renowned Raku family.

A culturally significant city, Nara is full of Japanese heritage, historic landmarks, as well as a wealth of shrines and temples.

A district renowned for its pleasant nature, featuring a bamboo grove, diverse flora, architectural curios, and quaint villages.

A significant cultural landmark, this palatial complex boasts exquisite examples of traditional Japanese architecture and gardening.

A temple complex dating to the 14C, home to several national treasures, 22 sub-temples, renowned murals, and a tranquil garden.

This 13C historic palace fuses traditional architectures of zen and samurai styles, and boasts an incredible pure gold-leaf facade.

Exhibiting over 6,000 items, this museum boasts rich collections of fine art, traditional craftsmanship, and archaeological findings.

A small city with a rich maritime history, Kobe boasts a cosmopolitan charm, cultural landmarks, and several museums.

A 7C Buddhist temple with several remarkable architectural elements, including the Main Hall, the covered staircase, and the gate.

Known as the "Silver Pavilion" due to original plans to silver plate the building, this 15C villa is surrounded by a fine garden.

Famous for its picturesque moss garden, this incredible temple offers a unique meditative experience. Be sure to book in advance.

Surrounded by tranquil gardens, this 13C zen temple is home to a wealth of decorative elements and several exquisite works of art.

Full of atmospheric charm, this popular district was once known for its geishas, now features tea-houses, shops, and restaurants.

Full of history, this modernized city offers easy access to nearby landmarks, as well as several temples, museums, and parks.

Home to the amazing Koya-san monastic complex (where visitors can spend the night), this tableland is surrounded by stunning forests and peaks.

Erected over a waterfall, this fine 17C temple boasts superb architecture and a famed terrace that affords remarkable panoramic views.

Traditionally led by members of the imperial family, this temple boasts scenic gardens, Japanese architecture, tea-houses, and more.

The longest wooden structure in Japan is famed for the 33 pillars along its sides, and an impressive statue of a 1000-armed deity.

A 17C temple complex boasting architectural gems, historic artifacts, lovely gardens, and relics of cultural significance.

A national park most popular during the cherry blossom season, but also featuring shores, mountains, forests, and native flora.

Originally a castle town, this city is home to historic landmarks including its iconic castle, temples, and a botanical garden.

Retaining ancient Japanese architecture, as well as traditional samurai and geisha districts, Kanazawa also boast a great art museum.

One of Japan's best gardens is famed for its beauty. It features a tea house, a temple, Japan's oldest fountain, and more.

Stroll through this delightful historic center, lined with traditional wooden houses, rich in historic charm.

A museum of contemporary art housed in an impressive circular complex, known for its experimental and interactive installations.

Displaying nearly 20 types of traditional Japanese crafts, this museum exhibits textile, woodwork, pottery, paintings, and more.

Travel back in time to this preserved village known for it gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some dating back over 250 years.

This rugged national park is known for its valleys, gorges, and impressive Alps, some of whose peaks reach over 3,000 meters.

A 17C garden maintained by four consecutive generations of the same family, featuring waterfalls, various flowers, and a tea house.

A fine example of traditional Japanese dwelling, this villa features several remarkable architectural elements.

This 16C temple is famed for its many hidden staircases, secret chambers, and escape tunnels, and is often nicknamed the Ninja Temple.

Named for the family that ruled the town from 1471-1573, these ancient ruins include temples, homes, craft shops, streets, and more.

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

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

Full of history, this modernized city offers easy access to nearby landmarks, as well as several temples, museums, and parks.

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

Stroll through this lovely Japanese city, admiring the wealth of historic architecture, particularly the 17C wooden houses.

A hall dedicated to the lavishly ornate traditional floats used in annual Takayama festivals, each a work of exquisite craftsmanship.

See how local people lived in the 17C-19C at this excellent open-air museum, home to over 30 preserved buildings.

Dating to the 17C, this house was the seat of local government for over a century and now hosts a daily farmers' market.

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

Travel back in time to this preserved village known for it gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some dating back over 250 years.

The former residence of a candle maker, this old merchant's house exhibits artifacts dedicated to local life.

The site of one of the town's main businesses for ten generations, it now features a museum dedicated to local culture and tradition.

Home to a lovely collection of 19C-20C glass art, the museum features Art Nouveau and Art Deco pieces as well as an impressive fountain.

This rugged national park is known for its valleys, gorges, and impressive Alps, some of whose peaks reach over 3,000 meters.

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

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

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

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

Surrounded by ornate gates, Yokohama's Chinatown is built around the impressive Kantei-byo Temple and is known for its restaurants.

Stroll through this traditional Japanese garden, admiring the meticulously cared for plants, large pagoda, and 15C temple.

A museum tracing the history of ramen noodles, where you can follow its production process and sample many variations of the dish.

Wander through this busy city, stopping in trendy cafes, excellent restaurants, and jazz clubs, getting to know the local atmosphere.

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

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

A public park littered with cultural monuments and lush greenery; it also features wonderful panoramic view of Yokohama Port.

Explore the famous commercial Motomachi Street, located on Yamate Hill, originally settled by Westerners who relocated to the area.

A family-friendly interactive museum dedicated to instant ramen noodles, where you can compile your own flavorful cup of noodles.

Japan's second tallest building is home to the Sky Garden observatory which offers 360-degree views of the city, reaching Mount Fuji.

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

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

Respectfully called Fuji-san by the locals, this volcano is a symbol of Japan and can often be viewed from miles away.

Featuring historic buildings from the Edo Period, this open-air museum offers demonstrations and workshops of traditional crafts.

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.

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

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