Explore Japan
by Region

Japan's northernmost island — epic powder-snow skiing at Niseko, purple lavender fields at Furano, and freshly landed lobster and sea urchin at Hakodate. The untouched wilderness of Shiretoko is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The most undervisited region of Honshu — six prefectures of mountains, coastline, and deep tradition. Sendai, Matsushima (one of Japan's three views), and Aomori's Nebuta fire festivals reward those who venture beyond Kanto.

Tokyo and surrounding prefectures anchor Japan's most visited region. Beyond the capital: Nikko's gilded shrines, Kamakura's Great Buddha, Yokohama's Chinatown, and the hot springs of Hakone with Fuji views.

Japan's alpine heartland — the Japanese Alps, Nakasendo post towns, and Kanazawa whose samurai and geisha districts rival Kyoto without the crowds. The thatched-roof village of Shirakawa-go is UNESCO-listed.

Japan's cultural heartland — Kyoto's 1,600 temples and shrines, Osaka's legendary food scene, Nara's freely roaming deer, Kobe's European-influenced waterfront, and the sacred mountain monastery of Koyasan.

The westernmost region of Honshu, between the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea. Hiroshima's Peace Memorial, the floating torii of Miyajima, and the otherworldly sand dunes of Tottori are among Japan's most striking experiences.

Japan's smallest main island, home to the 88-temple pilgrimage of Kōbō Daishi, the ancient Dogo Onsen hot spring, the Naruto whirlpools, and the spectacular Iya Valley gorges — all largely crowd-free.

Japan's southernmost main island with the warmest climate. Fukuoka's Hakata street stalls, Beppu's 8 onsen "hells", the caldera of active Mt. Aso, and the historically unique port city of Nagasaki make Kyushu endlessly varied.

A subtropical archipelago of 160 islands stretching toward Taiwan — turquoise water, coral reefs, and a distinct Ryukyu culture entirely separate from mainland Japan. Japan's best beaches; snorkelling and diving year-round.