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Where to Go in Japan
Japan Travel Destinations

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Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle

Photo by Shizuko Mishima
Now, you decided to go to Japan. Where will you visit while you're there? See a map of Japan for locations of regions and cities in Japan.
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Japan Travel Destination Guide

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Hokkaido

Hokkaido is the northmost island in Japan. The spectacular landscape and beautiful natural suroundings attract many travelers. See pictures of Hokkaido. The weather is mild in summer. There is no rainy season in Hokkaido. It's very cold in winter, but it's a good destination for skiing. Also, you can visit many onsen (hot springs) in Hokkaido.

Tohoku Region

Kanto Region

  • Tokyo is the largest city in Japan. It's a good destination for travelers who want to enjoy the city life. There are lots of restaurants, shopping districts, theaters, amusement parks, temples and shrines. There are many English signs in Tokyo, so it's not hard for English-speaking travelers to get around Tokyo. For a sample Tokyo itinerary, read A Day in Tokyo.
  • Kamakura, Nikko, Yokohama, and Hakone are good day trip destinations from Tokyo.

Chubu Region

Kinki Region

  • Kyoto is the old capital city of Japan and is the most popular destination for travelers in western Japan. There are so many temples and shrines to visit in Kyoto. You should be able to immerse yourself in Japanese traditional culture in Kyoto. For a sample Kyoto itinerary, see A Day in Kyoto.
  • Osaka is the primary city of Japanese business in western Japan. Osaka is another good destination for travelers who want to enjoy the city life of Japan. There are many theaters and shopping districts in Osaka.

Chugoku Region

  • Hiroshima is located in this region.
  • Visit Miyajima Island, where the famous, huge red torii gate is built on the ocean.

Shikoku Region

  • Shikoku isn't so popular for foreign travelers, but it's famous as a pilgrimage to 88 sacred Buddhist temples.
  • Kotohira-gu shrine in Takamatsu is a good place to visit. Takamatsu is also famous for Sanuki-udon noodles.

Kyushu Region

  • The weather is mild in Kyushu, but keep in mind that the precipitation tends to be high during the rainy season. A popular destination is Nagasaki. It's an exotic town, and there is the Hauis Ten Bosch Theme park.
  • You can visit volcanoes, such as Mt. Sakura in Kagoshima and Mt. Aso in Kumamoto.
  • Kumamotojo is a famous Japanese castle.
  • Beppu Hot springs in Oita is one of the best onsen in Japan.
  • Okinawa has its distinct culture and the beaches and islands attract many visitors

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