Osaka, JAPAN

Osaka is a designated city in the Kansai region of Japan. It is the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and the largest component of the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Japan.

Mount Koya, JAPAN

Mount Koya, the center of Shingon Buddhism founded by Kobo Daishi in 805, houses over 100 temples, including Kongobuji (head temple) and Okunoin (his mausoleum). Visitors can stay in shukubo (temple lodgings), experience shojin ryori (vegetarian cuisine), and join morning prayers. A key pilgrimage site and UNESCO World Heritage location.

Kyoto, JAPAN

For over 1,000 years, Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan. Today, its economy is based around information technology. It is home to the Nintendo headquarters, one of the world's most popular video game corporations.

• Fushimi Inari Taisha

  Fushimi Inari Shrine is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilions torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Foxes are thought the Inari's messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds.

• Kinkaku-ji

  The name of this Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto translates to the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion." It sits on a beautiful, tranquil lake. It was originally built in 1397 and rebuilt after a 1950 arson.

  Duration: Approx. 40 Minutes

• Gion

  Gion is the most famous district of Kyoto which reserves many old streets and architectures to feel the old Japanese culture.

Lake Biwa, JAPAN

Lake Biwa is Japan's largest freshwater lake. With a history spanning 4 million years, it's one of the world's oldest lakes and a vital ecological and cultural landmark.

• Shirahige Shrine

  Standing in the northwestern part of Lake Biwa is the oldest Shinto shrine in Omi, which is said to be over 2,000 years old. The symbol of the shrine is a vermilion-lacquered Otorii gate stands in the middle of the lake across Route 161, which is known as a power spot with a spectacular view.

Fukui, JAPAN

Fukui Prefecture is a hidden gem in Japan's Hokuriku region, known for its rich history, stunning nature, and unique cultural experiences.

• Eihei-ji

  Eiheiji is one of Japan's two head temples of Soto Zen Buddhism, renowned for its deep spiritual atmosphere and rigorous monastic training. Founded in 1244 by Zen Master Dogen, the temple is nestled in the quiet mountains of Fukui Prefecture, offering visitors a chance to experience authentic Zen practice.

Katsuyama, JAPAN

Katsuyama is known for its rich natural beauty, dinosaur fossils, and hot springs. It serves as a gateway to the sacred Mount Haku (Hakusan) and offers a mix of outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.

• Dinosaur Museum

  Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is one of the leading dinosaur museums in the world. The spacious museum building without pillars is filled of various dinosaur skeletons, fossils of other animals and plants, diorama with dinosaur life reconstruction models, and so forth.

• Daishizan Seidaiji Temple

  Seidaiji Temple, founded in 1987 by businessman Kiyoshi Tada, features Japan's largest five-tiered pagoda and a 17m seated Great Buddha modeled after China's Longmen Grottoes. Its Butsuden Hall houses 1,281 smaller Buddha statues within expansive 22-hectare grounds.

Kanazawa, JAPAN

Kanazawa is a historic city in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, renowned for its well-preserved Edo-era districts, traditional crafts, and stunning gardens.

• Kenrokuen

  Ranked among Japan's "Three Great Gardens," this 17th-century landscape garden in Kanazawa features seasonal beauty, iconic pine trees, and traditional teahouses. Famous for yukitsuri (winter snow supports) and illuminated night views.

• Omicho Market

  Kanazawa's bustling 280-year-old food market with 170+ stalls selling fresh seafood, sushi, and local produce. A must-visit for food lovers.

Gokayama, JAPAN

Gokayama is a hidden gem in Toyama Prefecture, famous for its UNESCO-listed gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs. It offers an authentic glimpse into traditional Japanese mountain life.

• Ainokura

  Ainokura is a serene thatched-roof village in Gokayama (Toyama). This UNESCO-listed gem features 23 traditional gassho-zukuri houses, some converted into cozy minshuku inns and craft workshops.

Shirakawa, JAPAN

Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Gifu Prefecture, enchants visitors with its iconic gassho-zukuri farmhouses - steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snow. A perfect blend of tradition and breathtaking landscapes.

• Ogimachi

  Ogimachi, the heart of Shirakawa-go, is a picturesque village famed for its UNESCO-listed gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs. Stroll past historic homes, visit the open-air museum, and climb to the panoramic viewpoint for iconic vistas. Seasonal charms include cherry blossoms, lush rice fields, and magical winter illuminations - a perfect blend of tradition and natural beauty.

Takayama, JAPAN

Takayama enchants with its Edo-period charm - wander Sanmachi's wooden merchant houses, sample premium sake, and savor melt-in-your-mouth Hida beef. Don't miss the morning markets or the breathtaking Takayama Festival floats.

• Hida Folk Village Museum

  Hida Folk Village is an open air museum exhibiting over 30 traditional houses from the Hida region, the mountainous district of Gifu Prefecture around Takayama. The houses were built during the Edo Period (1603-1868) and were relocated from their original locations to create the museum in 1971.

Hida Furukawa, JAPAN

Hida Furukawa enchants visitors with its well-preserved Edo-era streets, tranquil canals, and historic sake breweries. Don't miss the stunning Furukawa Festival with its majestic floats and lively performances.

• Hida Crafts Museum

  Hida Crafts Museum showcases the exquisite woodworking traditions of the Hida region. Discover intricate carpentry techniques, handmade furniture, and folk artifacts in a charming timber-framed building. Watch local artisans demonstrate traditional skills, and browse unique wooden souvenirs - a perfect stop to appreciate Japan’s rural craftsmanship.

Matsumoto, JAPAN

Matsumoto City is located in the middle of Nagano Prefecture where the 1998 Winter Olympics were hosted. It sits at the foot of the Japanese Alps, nestled between the mountains in the heart of Japan.

• Matsumoto Castle

  Crow Castle - Japan’s oldest surviving feudal fortress, nicknamed for its striking black exterior. Climb its wooden keep for panoramic mountain views, explore hidden samurai defenses, and stroll the cherry blossom-lined moat. A masterpiece of 16th-century architecture, blending wartime grit with understated elegance.

Tokyo, JAPAN

One of the 47 prefectures of Japan and has been the capital since 1869. The Greater Tokyo Area is the most populous metropolitan area in the world. It is the seat of the Emperor of Japan, the Japanese government and the National Diet.

• Senso-ji

  Founded in approximately 628 AD, this Buddhist temple in Tokyo is the city's oldest as well as one of its most important. The street leading to the temple is called the Nakamise-dori and features many retail shops and kiosks.

  Duration: Approx. 40 Minutes

• Nijubashi

  Meaning "Double Bridge" in Japanese, this bridge is one of the most famous in Japan. Though there are two separate bridges, when you look at them from the right angle, they appear to be a single two-storied bridge,

• Akihabara

  This district in the Chiyoda Ward of Tokyo became the city's major shopping center for household electronic goods, giving it the nickname "Electric Town." It is a center of otaku culture and seeks to replicate the anime world.

  Duration: Approx. 1 Hour

• Shibuya

  Shibuya is a popular shopping and entertainment area found around Shibuya Station. In this regard, Shibuya is one of Tokyo's most colorful and busy districts, packed with shopping, dining and nightclubs. Shibuya is also a center for youth fashion and culture. Its streets are the birthplace to many of Japan's fashion and entertainment trends. Numerous department stores and shopping malls can be found around the area catering to all types of shoppers.

• Tokyo Skytree

  As the target of Tokyo, the Tokyo Clear Sky Tower is 634 meters high, which is the highest tower in the world. Tokyo Clear Sky Tower is located on the east side of Tokyo near Asakusa, Jinshicho and two countries. It used to be a handicraft area in Tokyo, leaving behind the traditional Edo culture and retaining the handmade technology of traditional Japanese crafts. It is an area that promotes the unique development of Tokyo.