The Land of Rising Sun.is endlessly fascinating, with its bamboo forests, serene temples, neon arcades, futuristic skyscrapers, and exquisite cuisine - not to mention ultra-polite people. A fascinating mix of highly traditional and cutting-edge modern, it's on many travelers' bucket lists. But with so much too see, where should you head to make the most out of your visit?
Kyoto
If you were had just one day in Japan for a destination of your choice, make it Kyoto. Famed for being in many ways the country's cultural hub, this city showcases all the aspects of the country, modern or traditional, here. You will be able to spot bright-colored kimono-clad geishas, wooden tea-houses, gold, scarlet and silver temple, Zen gardens, bustling markets with intriguing ingredients, beautiful tea ceremonies, and so much more.
Tokyo
Japan's capital is pretty much the opposite of Kyoto. Ultramodern; crowded; pulsing; and with an amazing dining, shopping, and nightlife scene, this city will overwhelm you with sensory overload. From themed cafes to cosplays and go-karting, there is always something ‘happening’ going on in Tokyo. While unlike Kyoto it's a bit short on the traditional beauty and history (with several notable exceptions such as TK), it's a must to catch a heady dose of the vibe of modern Japan.
Takayama
A small town which is out-of-this-world gorgeous, Takayama is nestled up in the "Japanese Alps" of central Honshu, a just-over-four-hour drive from Tokyo. Its picturesque old quarter dating back to feudal times will charm you with its traditional wooden houses, colorful shrines, brightly colored bridges, and immaculately manicured trees. While here, do try the local speclialty mitarashi-dango (rice balls grilled in soy sauce) and visit Hida Folk Village. And if you can get here for the twice-annual festival considered one of Japan's most fetching, even better (but be sure to book well in advance!).
Hakone
About a 90-minute drive northeast of Tokyo, mountainous Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park covers 474 square miles (1,227-sq.-kilometers) with seven towns - including Hakone itself (pop. a bit over 11,000) - at the doorstep of iconic Mount Fuji (though be aware that the mountain is often hidden by clouds). Get spectacular views of Fuji throughout the entire area - especially from Lake Ashi (above), and you can do a loop of the view on trains, buses, cable cars, and even a pirate boat (buy a Hakone Free Pass to save money and time). There are also plenty of local sites and activities - both cultural and natural - to enjoy, and if you want to stay here for a night, book a tatami in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn.
Kanazawa
A beautiful city (pop. 203,000), not much visited by foreigners, like Takayama it's also partly in the "Japanese Alps" and about an hour-40-minute drive away. Amid the trappings of a typical modern Japanese city lie various historic districts including those of samurai and geisha, as well as a stunning castle (above), well-kept gardens (Kenroku-en is one of Japan's top three), fascinating museums, distinctive Kaga cuisine, and a splendid traditional arts-and-crafts scene (Kanazawa is recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art).
Nara
As Japan’s first permanent capital before Kyoto, in the 8th century, Nara (pop. around 367,000) and its surrounding prefecture are home to the country's single largest concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In what's considered the birthplace of modern Japanese culture, its highlights include the atmospheric old quarter Imaicho; Nara Park with its temples and tame deer; and numerous historical temples and shrines. One of them you should definitely pay a visit to is Todai-ji (above), dating back to the mid-8th centurcity's founding era and which among other things houses a 15-meter-tall (49-foot) gold and bronze statue of the Buddha.Another, Horyu-ji, is home to the world's oldest surviving wooden structure.
And finally, for travel between more than a couple of cities, don't forget to get yourself a Japan Rail Pass to save money!
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