Tokyo is Japan’s capital and the world’s most populous metropolis.

It is located at the head of Tokyo bay on the Pacific coast of central Honshu.

Today, Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors. The city’s history can be appreciated in districts such as Asakusa and in many excellent museums, historic temples and gardens.

Sapporo, capital of the mountainous northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, Japan’s fifth largest city.

Sapporo became world famous in 1972 when the Olympic Winter Games were held there. Today, the city is well known for its ramen, beer, and the annual snow festival held in February, featuring enormous ice sculptures.

Kyoto was Japan’s capital and the emperor’s residence from 794 until 1868.

Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its exceptional historic value, the city was dropped from the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and escaped destruction during World War II.

Countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today, such as Kiyomizudera Temple and Kinkakuji draw lots of attention from visitors.

It’s famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It’s also known for formal traditions such as kaiseki dining, consisting of multiple courses of precise dishes, and geisha, female entertainers often found in the Gion district.

Kanazawa is sometimes called “little Kyoto”, often compared to Kyoto (though significantly smaller than the ancient capital).

Now Kanazawa is renowned for its impeccable geisha and samurai districts, the iconic Kenrokuen stroll garden, and its wonderful cuisine – including some of Japan’s highest-quality seafood.

Kanazawa is on Japan’s central Honshu Island. It’s known for well-preserved Edo-era districts, art museums and regional handicrafts. Kenrokuen Garden, begun in the 17th century, is celebrated for its classic landscape designs incorporating ponds and streams. Adjacent Kanazawa Castle was built in the 1580s, Japan’s only Buddhist fiefdom.

Osaka is Japan’s second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai Region for many centuries.

In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose Osaka as the location for his castle, and the city may have become Japan’s political capital if Tokugawa Ieyasu had not terminated the Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi’s death and moved his government to Tokyo.

It’s known for its modern architecture, nightlife and hearty street food. Osaka also has a historical side, the highlight of which is Osaka Castle. The castle is a great place to discover more about Japanese history. It’s surrounded by a moat and park with plum, peach and cherry-blossom trees especially in April when the sakura blooms and the weather is often at its best. Sumiyoshi-taisha is among Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines.

Kobe has been an important port city for many centuries. Its port was among the first to be opened to foreign trade in the 19th century.

Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is also considered one of Japan’s most attractive cities.

In 1995, Kobe was hit by the Earthquake, which killed over 5000 people and destroyed tens of thousands of buildings. Today the city is completely rebuilt, and few signs of the terrible event remain.

It is known for its signature marbled beef, the outdoor hot springs of Arima Onsen. and scenic setting of mountains framing the harbor. The Ikuta Shrine, dating to the 3rd century, is among Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines. Antique cable cars connect Kobe to Mt. Rokko gives you panoramic views over the port. Kobe’s Nada district is famous for sake.

If you wish to add a rural element into your itinerary, Takayama is one of the best choice.

Hiroshima was largely destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II.

Today, it is a modern city on Japan’s Honshu Island. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park commemorates the 1945 event. In the park are the ruins of Genbaku Dome, one of the few buildings that was left standing near ground zero.

Other prominent sites include Shukkei-en, a formal Japanese garden, and Hiroshima Castle.

Fukuoka, sits on the northern shore of Japan’s Kyushu Island.

Because of its closeness to the Asian mainland (closer to Seoul than to Tokyo), Fukuoka has been an important harbor city for many centuries and was chosen by the Mongol invasion forces as their landing point in the 13th century.

It’s known for ancient temples, beaches and modern shopping malls, including Canal City. Maizuru Park contains ruins of 17th-century Fukuoka Castle. The central Hakata district contains Tōchō-ji Temple, home to a 10m wooden Buddha and the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum, with displays on daily life in the Meiji and Taishō eras.