japan

In terms of area, Japan is just slightly smaller than the states of California. But in the terms of remarkble places and experiences, Japan is as dense as Europe, where you can travel one or two hours in basically in any direction and come to a wonderful city or town or and unbelievably good food. The density of incredible places and experiences is what makes Japan feel much larger than it otherwise might. Most travelers to Japan only fully realize this after a first visit, which often prompts a desire to return again as soon as possible to explore further.

Best places	Explanation
TOKYO	* Tokyo, Japan’s busy capital, mixes the ultramodern and the traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples. * The opulent Meiji Shinto Shrine is known for its towering gate and surrounding woods. * The Imperial Palace sits amid large public gardens. The city's many museums offer exhibits ranging from classical art (in the Tokyo National Museum) to a reconstructed kabuki theater (in the Edo-Tokyo Museum).
HOKKAIDO	* Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, is known for its volcanoes, natural hot springs (onsen) and ski areas. * Rugged Daisetsuzan National Park is home to steaming, volcanic Mount Asahi. Shikotsu-Tōya National Park contains caldera lakes, geothermal springs and a Mount Fuji look-alike, Mount Yōtei. Popular ski resorts include Rusutsu, Furano and Niseko.
OSAKA	* Osaka is a large port city and commercial center on the Japanese island of Honshu. * It's 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. * It's surrounded by a moat and park with plum, peach and cherry-blossom trees. Sumiyoshi-taisha is among Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines.
YAKUSHIMA	* Yakushima is an island in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, known for its wildlife and cedar forests. * In the northwest is Nagata Inaka-hama, a beach with seasonal loggerhead turtle nesting grounds. * The central Mt. Miyanoura is marked by the Arakawa trail and the ancient Jōmon Sugi tree. * In the east, Yakusugi Museum has exhibits about the region’s cedar forests. The western shore is home to towering Ōko-no-taki waterfall.