Cities
Nagano
Nagano is where the 1988 Winter Olympics were held. Situated in the central northwestern part of Japan, a little less than two hours by Shinkansen (bullet train), Nagano is well known for the excellent snow skiing in the surrounding mountains and national parks.
Hiroshima
Some people (Americans in particular) are hesitant to visit Hiroshima, though they shouldn’t. But then again, with fewer western tourists, it means smaller crowds than in places like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
Osaka
Long known as the Kitchen of Japan, Osaka is situated on Osaka Bay and is the second largest city in Japan.
Nagoya
For those of us looking to go off the beaten path in Japan and find the hidden gems of Japan, Nagoya presents a great opportunity without the throngs of tourists.
Kyoto
Kyoto is considered by many world travelers as a “must see” kind of place, and for good reason.
Kanazawa
Kanazawa has long been one of our favorite mid-sized cities and it keeps growing on us. It’s large enough that we don’t rent a car while in town, but rather rely on buses and taxis, or best of all, our own feet. Kanazawa is a town you can easily walk from major site to major site.
Kobe
Kobe is one of our favorite large cities. It’s big enough to offer a world class art scene such as what you’ll find at the Hyogo Prefectural Art Museum, but compact enough to get around easily. Compared to the sprawling jungle of Tokyo, Kobe is a refreshing walk in the park so to speak.
Takayama
Want to experience Kyoto without the crush of international tourists? Then Takayama is your place. Often called Little Kyoto for its resemblance in many ways, the name fits.
Sasayama
For an authentic smaller town experience, we suggest including Sasayama in your plans. It’s easy to get there by train from Osaka, though not on the shinkansen. Once there, you’ll find a friendly town on a valley plain surrounded by mountains.
Tokyo
Where to begin? Everyone knows of Tokyo, but few realize all the hidden gems lying within this metropolis. Don’t be put off by its size. For a city so large, it’s surprisingly easy to navigate due to its world beating transportation system.