Kyoto, Japan's "thousand year capital," has become one of the world's top sightseeing cities, drawing massive crowds with its refined aesthetic allure. Kyoto is home to iconic temples and shrines, including the world heritage sites Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkaku-ji. Please experience the diverse cultural phenomena that developed alongside Kyoto's rich history.

Hands-on cultural workshops are popular in Kyoto for both beginners and veteran travelers, including tea ceremony, flower arrangement, calligraphy and the chance to try on a kimono. Kyoto also has world-class restaurants where you can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine and gourmet delights from all over the world.

Kyoto prefecture spans a great distance from north to south. For this reason, it also has many wonderful seaside locations, including Amanohashidate, one of Japan's top three scenic views, and the Ine no Funaya (houses located directly on the waterfront).

Nara is Japan's oldest ancient capital. Today, it still has some of Japan's most unforgettable scenery that has existed since time immemorial. Connect with nature and feel the depth of history here by walking ancient paths and visiting the Heijo Palace site, castle ruins, old tombs and Asuka Village, which still closely resembles the Asuka period (1,400 years ago).

Todai-ji and Kasuga-taisha are world heritage sites. Other incredible locations include Nara Park, where the deer are designated protected species, and Mount Yoshino, which has a total of 30,000 cherry blossom trees—nearly 200 different varieties.

Hyogo prefecture has many iconic tourist spots. They’re largely centered in Kobe, including the bay area filled with resorts, the Kitano area dotted with foreign residences, and the shopping and gourmet-centric Sannomiya and Motomachi. We particularly recommend Kobe beef, desserts and the Nada saké brewery tour here for culinary aficionados.

Travel a bit further to enjoy Himeji Castle, a world heritage site, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge—the world's longest suspension bridge—or an Uzu Shio boat cruise, as well as the famous Arima and Kinosaki hot springs.

Wakayama is blessed by both the sea and mountains. Wakayama city was once a famous castle town—make sure not to miss Wakayama Castle, denoted one of Japan's Top 100 Castles. Areas related to the Manyoshu (ancient Japanese poems) and the Kishu-Tokugawa family are also located close by.

Wakayama is also home to Mount Koya, a world heritage site. In the Nanki region, find the picturesque locations of Sandanbeki, Senjo-jiki and Kumano Kodo (a world heritage site), as well as Adventure World, a theme park including a zoo, aquarium and playground that's perfect for families. Aragi-jima in the Kichu region also has beautiful scenery, including one of Japan's Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields.

Wakayama has a natural bounty of delicious food. Enjoy tuna and seafood, as well as strawberries, peaches, plums, mandarin oranges and other fruits. Salted plums, fruit juice, saké and tea are also very famous here.

Kanazawa once prospered as a castle town named Kaga Hyakumangoku. The city is home to Kenroku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, Kanazawa Castle Park and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, where modern art blends with history. The shops and cafés in Higashi-chayamachi and the lively Omicho Market are bustling with locals and tourists, especially on weekends.

On Noto Peninsula to the north, visit Japan's only sandy beach where cars are allowed, the Chirihama Nagisa Driveway. Wajima Morning Market, one of Japan's three biggest morning markets, and the impressive Mitsukejima island are also great sights here. Ishikawa prefecture has many other enchanting locations, including the sacred Mount Haku and Kaga hot spring town.

Located on the Japan Sea, Ishikawa is blessed with some of the freshest seafood in Japan. We recommend sushi and kaisen-don (fresh seafood over rice).

Aichi prefecture was a major stage for samurai throughout history. The prefecture is home to Nagoya Castle, the National Treasure Inuyama Castle and other sites related to shogun and military commanders. Nagoya is also famous as a center of manufacturing. Enjoy sightseeing related to technology and manufacturing at the Toyota Automobile Museum, the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, a science museum and a planetarium focused on Japan's aerospace industry.

Nagoya has a number of culinary specialties that everyone should try. These include hitsumabushi (an eel delicacy), kishimen (flat udon noodles), misokatsu (pork cutlet with miso sauce) and amazing chicken wings, as well as many cafés offering unique services and menus.

Nagoya's underground shopping streets are also must-see. The countless shops, cafés and restaurants underneath Nagoya Station and Sakae Station are perfect for shopping on rainy days.

There are two world heritage sites in Hiroshima. Itsukushima Shrine, the mysterious, alluring shrine located on the waterfront, and the Atomic Bomb Dome, an international symbol of peace.

Onomichi and Tomonoura are also very popular for their beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea. You may also visit the Kure Maritime Museum, which once thrived as Japan's number one home of arms and ammunitions factories.

In recent years, the Shimanami Kaido expressway that connects Hiroshima and Ehime is very popular with cyclists for its resplendent views of the seven bridges spanning Honshu and Shikoku.

Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea is very famous—especially oysters. Another great culinary experience here is a taste-test comparison of Hiroshima-style vs Osaka-style okonomiyaki.