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Japan: Locations

Tokyo and nearby

On the face of it Tokyo seems to conform to all its stereotypes; overwhelmingly big (55 miles wide by 15 miles long), frighteningly modern, constantly evolving, and frantically paced. Here consumption is king; everything is a commodity from clothing and gadgets to cultural pursuits and leisure activities. Visit the Imperial Palace, an oasis of calm in the city centre; bid in the 5am tuna auction at Tsukiji, the world's biggest fish market; try fortune telling at the Senso-ji Buddhist temple; indulge in the Japanese pastimes of drinking, karaoke, and pachinko in the Roppongi red light district; dine at over 100,000 restaurants; explore the Bladder Runner-like modern architecture of Shinjuku; or play with techno-gadgets in futuristic Odaiba where manmade beaches are stacked with Australian sand and you can test drive the latest Toyota's on a purpose made track.

In short: Tokyo amazes. Just outside of the city, take day trips to the Toshugo Shrine in Nikko; the numerous shrines, temples and Great Buddha of Kamakura; Mount Fuji and the Hakone cultural and hiking park; and the exuberant waterfront glitz of Yokohama is just 30 minute away by train.

Honshu (mainland Japan)

Honshu is 'mainland' Japan where the majority of people live and work. In Central Honshu: go skiing in the Japanese Alps, buy wood crafts in traditional Takayama, explore castles in Matsumoto and Inyuama, or navigate the remote agricultural Shokawa Valley. Kansai and West Honshu are full of history and culture like the imperial cities of Kyoto and Nara, crammed full of palaces, temples, and shrines. See great feudal castles in and around Kobe, or Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine of Ise-jingu. For recent history, visit the now-vibrant city of Hiroshima, scene of the world's first nuclear attack. More crazed Japanese culture and funky nightlife can be experienced in Osaka city. Northern Honshu, once known as 'the end of the road', is little developed but entirely un-spoilt. Think outdoor adventures and think remote: enjoy hikes on rocky coastlines and mountains full of warming hot springs, explore the tranquil island of Kinkasan, or take the pilgrimage hike to the three sacred Dewa Sanzan Mountains.

Hokkaido

Hokkaido is the great north of Japan, rich with snow-capped mountains, wildlife, and the great outdoors. Discover the crystal clear lakes of Akan National Park, explore the pristine wilderness of Shiretoko-hanto, meet the indigenous Ainu tribe, ski or visit the February Snow Festival in Sapporo, or hike through volcanic remains in Toya-ko.

Kyushu

The large southerly island of Kyushu was the point of entry for foreign traders and conquerors and the site of the earliest Japanese settlements. After passing through the cosmopolitan city Fukoka/Hakata, hike through the volcanic caldera of Aso-san, take a dip in Beppu, Japan's hot spring center, or have a hot sand bath in Ibusuki, before enjoying the magnificent gardens and castles of nearby port city, Kagoshima. Finally, sober up in Nagasaki and learn about the horrors of nuclear warfare.

Shikoku

Shikoku is mainly rural and off the typical tourist map making it ideal for a peaceful and spiritual experience. Step onto the ancient pilgrimage trail of the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku, take a hike up the sacred mountains of Tsuraugi-san and Ishizuchi-san, or climb the 800 granite steps to the shrine of Kopira-san in Kotohira. As a respite, hike the deep gorges of the Iya Valley or try sea kayaking the Inland Sea.

Southwest Islands

In the East China Sea, en route to Taiwan, lie the Southwest Islands, known collectively as Okinawa. Due to their warm climate, the islands are still favored as a holiday resort by the Japanese, proving great for diving, snorkeling, cycle trails, and beach-bathing. Notorious for its tragic World War II naval battlefields and tunnels, it's also home to Iriomote-Jima, Japan's only tropical jungle.