Sapporo is the largest city on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, home to the world-renowned Sapporo Beer and February’s Sapporo Snow Festival.

Otaru is a romantic port town famous for its canal, glass workshops, and music box museum.

Lake Toya is a volcanic caldera lake in Hokkaido’s verdant south, bordered on one side by picturesque Mount Usu.

Hakodate is a city and port in the Oshima Sub prefecture and is the third largest city in Hokkaido.

Asahikawa is a city in the center of Hokkaido, noted for the Otokoyama Sake Brewery, the wide popularity of the Asahikawa Zoo, and delicious ramen.

Furano is a farming town in the center of Hokkaido, popular in summer for fields of brilliant purple lavender blooms.

Abashiri is a pleasant region on Hokkaido’s east coast - the site of the notorious Abashiri Prison, as well as the dramatic drift ice off the coast.

Shiretoko is situated on Hokkaido’s eastern tip near the Sea of Okhotsk, an unspoiled region supporting a diverse ecosystem.

The Akan Mashu National Park in a forested park area in eastern Hokkaido well known for three pristine lakes – Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, and Lake Kussharo.

Kushiro is a wetlands region in southern Hokkaido, home to the Kushiro Marshlands – the nesting grounds for the Japanese red-crowned crane.

Morioka, the capital city of Iwate prefecture, sits at the foot of Mount Iwate, known among foodies for their delicious soba noodles.

Hiraizumi was once the home of the powerful Northern Fujiwara Clan and rivaled Kyoto as a city during the Heian Period.

Matsushima is a gorgeous coastal town in the Tohoku region featuring a picturesque bay filled with pine-covered islets.

Sado Island is a small island off the western coast of Japan, near Niigata city.

Sendai is a city on the northeastern shore of the main island, and the largest city in the Tohoku region.

Sakata is a port city in Yamagata Prefecture, in the verdant Shonai Region.

Nikko is famous for being the resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and center for Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship.

As the capital of Japan, Tokyo is known as one of the main cities with various attractions and sites.

Hakone has hot springs, beautiful nature, Lake Ashi, and amazing views of Mount Fuji in the distance.

Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan and has been worshipped as a sacred mountain. The perfect cone shape of the mountain is iconic of Japan.

Matsumoto is a castle town in Nagano Prefecture, home to the world-famous Matsumoto “Black Crow” Castle, one of Japan’s 12 original castles.

The Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture is the place where you can see Snow Monkeys bathing in a natural hot spring.

Takayama is located in the northern mountainous region of Gifu Prefecture. The city is known for their traditional structures in Old Town and festivals.

Kanazawa has many historical attractions and the 21st Century Museum, but the city is known for the Kenrokuen. It is one of the three best landscape gardens in Japan.

Shirakawago is a village located in the mountainous regions that borders Gifu and Toyama prefectures. It is where you can see the famed Gassho zukuri (prayer hand farmhouses) that were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Kiso Valley is located in Nagano Prefecture, and contains an old traditional highway called the Nakasendo.

Karuizawa is a mountain resort town in Nagano.

The sites and scenes of Kyoto, Japan's former capital, are still one of the most recommended and admired in Japan.

Nara was once the capital of Japan, in fact, it was the first permanent capital established.

Osaka serves as the primary international travel hub into southern Japan, and is one of the nation’s most culturally dynamic cities.

Kumano is located in the Kii Peninsula and spans into the Wakayama and Mie Prefectures. The Hongu, Nachi and Hayatama Taisha are the three famed shrines of the area.

Ise Shima is a peninsula in Mie Prefecture, home to Ise Grand Shrine, the heart of Japan’s Shinto religion, and a history of pearl cultivation.

Koyasan is the center for an important Buddhist sect known as Shingon Buddhism. It is located on the forest covered mountain top of Mount Koya.

Himeji is a city centered around Himeji “White Heron” Castle, one of Japan’s most magnificent feudal castles, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kinosaki is a resort town in Hyogo Prefecture, and is a popular vacation spot for its refreshing hot spring baths.

Kurashiki is a city in Okayama Prefecture, noted for its preserved canal area in the Bikan Historical Quarter, a relic from the feudal Edo period when the city was an important rice distribution center.

Matsue is the capital city of Shimane Prefecture and is home to one of the twelve original castles in Japan.

Izumo is a coastal city in Shimane Prefecture in the Chigoku region, known across Japan as the home of one of the Shinto religion’s most important shrines – Izumo Grand Shrine.

Hagi is a former city in Yamaguchi Prefecture noted for its heritage castle town kept from Japan’s Edo period, in addition to a local style of ceramics.

Hiroshima is most known for being the site of the atomic bomb, but it is known for Miyajima Island, one of the top scenic views in Japan.

Shikoku is one of the smallest islands in Japan and consists of only four prefectures. It is known for the beautiful nature related sites.

Tokushima is valued for some of the prettiest natural wonders in Shikoku - the Naruto Whirlpools and Oboke River Gorge, but the city really comes alive every August for the annual Awa Odori Festival.

Naoshima Island is located in the Seto Inland Sea and is part of Kagawa Prefecture. The island is mostly known for the modern art museums, sculptures, and architecture that were funded by the Benesse Corporation.

Takamatsu’s central location in Kagawa Prefecture makes the city an easy gateway to Shikoku’s regional delights, possessing a number of exclusive charms including beautiful Ritsurin Garden.

Kotohira is a town in Kagawa Prefecture and an area of spiritual significance to the Shikoku Region, with lofty Kotohira-gu Shrine notable for its challenging ascent and accompanying bird’s-eye view.

Gunkanjima Island is located about 9 miles away from the port of Nagasaki. For a long time the small island served as a coal mine where over 5000 residents lived until 1974.

Nagasaki is home to a tranquil Peace Park built in memory of the terrible nuclear attack during World War 2, yet preserves a secret heart of Hidden Christian Sites.

Takachiho is located in Miyazaki Prefecture and is known for the Takachiho Gorge, which has sheer cliffs that resemble dragon scales.

Beppu Hells refers to the eight hot springs that are meant more for viewing than for bathing.

Kitsuki is a small castle town known for a pair of well- preserved samurai districts bordering the town’s commercial center, as well as reconstructed Kitsuki Castle – the smallest of Japan’s feudal fortresses.

Kumamoto is a city on the island of Kyushu, and the capital city of Kumamoto prefecture.

Kagoshima is a major port city on Kyushu island, and the central city of Kagoshima prefecture.

Yakushima is a small island off the coast of Kyushu that draws hikers to explore its lush cedar forests.