Japan

Visit Senso-ji, the oldest temple in Japan. Tokyo Imperial Palace, the official residence of the Emperor of Japan. Shibuya offers small bars and vintage shops and cross the road once. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden slows down Tokyo, best to visit during spring and autumn. teamLab Planets has digital art installations. Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower offer the best view of Tokyo and beyond. Ueno Park offers museums, temples, a zoo and a park. Akihabara for electronics, anime and gaming goods. Visit Ginza for the posh side of Tokyo. Meiji Shrine in Harajuku is a Shinto temple. Warner Bros. Studio, in Odaira, has actual sets and props from films like Harry Potter.

Visit Kyoto Imperial Palace, where royalty lived. Nijo Castle, a working castle and less touristy comparatively. Fushimi Inari Taisha, hike a mountain to reach the temple. Kinkaku-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple with Golden Pavilion surrounded by water. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, towering bamboo that blocks out the sky. Nishiki Market is filled with food stalls, restaurants, shops with tea and spices. Gion is the geisha district. Ryoan-ji is a zen temple with a famous rock garden. Philosopher's Path is a canal walking path lined with cherry blossom trees and small temples.

Osaka Castle is a massive fortress. Dotonbori carries Osaka's energy. Neon signs, chaotic and restaurants stacked on top of each other. Shinsaibashi is a shopping street packed with high end brands with local shops, restaurants and cafes. Universal Studios is a theme park with Japan specific experiences. Osaka Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world with massive whale sharks, manta rays and many more. It is crowded but worth it. Umeda Sky Building has two towers connected at the top with an open-air observation deck to view the whole city. Kuromon Ichiba Market is great for fresh seafood and produce. Enjoy sushi, takoyaki and other snacks.

Offers the best scenic views of Japan. Slow down and spend time in ryokans, hot springs and visit Mount Fuji on a clear day. Must visit places include Lake Ashi, a volcanic lake surrounded by mountains. The view of the lake with Mount Fuji is iconic. Hakone Ropeway is a cable car that climbs up to Owakudani. Hakone Shrine is a shrine on the lake's edge. The torii gate in the water is iconic and an inspiration to many scenes in anime movies. Owakudani is a volcanic valley with steam vents.

Nara is a short trip from Kyoto or Osaka. Visit the famous Nara Park where deer roam freely. Todai-ji is a massive temple housing a colossal bronze Buddha. Heijo Palace has the ruins of an ancient palace, recently reconstructed. Isuien Garden is a traditional Japanese garden built around a pond. Yoshikien Garden is the more famous garden. It has multiple sections for different moods.

Hiroshima is a city with a difficult history. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is a sprawling park built around memory of atomic bombing with museums, monuments, a cenotaph and the preserved ruins. Atomic Bomb Dome is the skeletal remains of a building that survived the blast. Hiroshima Castle is a reconstructed castle overlooking the city. Shukkeien Garden is a traditional garden with ponds, bridges and tea houses. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima island is famous for its floating torii gate.

Takayama old town is wooden buildings in narrow streets, with sake breweries, small shops and restaurants in old houses. Takayama Jinya is a government building from the Edo period. Miyagawa morning market is a daily market in the centre of the town. Hida Folk Village is a collection of old farmhouses moved and preserved in one place. Shirakawa-go is a village valley surrounded by mountains, famous for gassho style farmhouses with steep roofs. Ogimachi village is the largest section of Shirakawa-go, housing museums, cafes and guesthouses.

Odori Park is a long wide park through the city of Sapporo. Sapporo Clock Tower is an old wooden building housing a small historic museum. Moerenuma Park is a modern park with sculptures and water features. Otaru Canal is a restored historical canal with shops and restaurants with a romantic sunset reflection. Blue Pond is a small pond surrounded by forest. It is famous for its almost unreal blue colour. Shirogane Falls is a waterfall in the mountains south of Sapporo. Furano Flower Fields are rolling hills covered in flowers with lavender, sunflower and cosmos depending on season. Noboribetsu Jigokudani is a volcanic valley with hot springs and hiking trails. Matsumae Castle is the northernmost castle in Japan.

Kumamoto Castle is one of Japan's largest castles restored after earthquake damage. Mount Aso is an active volcano surrounded by grasslands. Takachiho Gorge is a river gorge with steep cliffs and small waterfalls. Beppu Hells is a collection of geothermal hot springs with water coloured in bright blue, red and green depending on the mineral content. Yufuin Floral Village is a themed village with flower gardens, shops and restaurants. Nagasaki Peace Park is a park and a memorial built on the site of atomic bombing. Huis Ten Bosch is a Dutch themed amusement park and resort.

Shuri Castle is a royal palace of the Ryuku Kingdom. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is an impressive aquarium with tropical fish, whale sharks, manta rays and more. Cape Manzamo is a scenic rock formation overlooking the ocean. Kouri Island is a small island connected to Okinawa through a bridge. Blue Cave is a sea cave with an ethereal blue colour due to light reflection. Nakagusuku Castle are ruins on a hilltop with views across the island. Nakijin Castle is famous for cherry blossom in spring and cosmos flowers during autumn. Kokusai Dori is the main shopping street in Okinawa.