Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan's bustling capital, mixes the ultramodern and the traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples.
Kyoto
Kyoto is famous for its classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines, and traditional wooden houses.
Osaka
Osaka is known for its modern architecture, nightlife, and hearty street food. The 16th-century shogunate Osaka Castle, which has undergone several restorations, is its main historical landmark.
Hiroshima
Hiroshima, a modern city on Japan's Honshu Island, is known for its peace memorial.
Nara
Nara, Japan's first permanent capital, is known for its 8th-century temples and vast park.
Sapporo
Sapporo, the largest city on Hokkaido, is famous for its beer, skiing, and annual Sapporo Snow Festival featuring enormous ice sculptures.
Nikko
Nikko is famous for Toshogu, Japan's most lavishly decorated shrine and the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Kanazawa
Kanazawa, capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, sits on the Sea of Japan. It's known for well-preserved Edo-era districts, art museums, and regional handicrafts.