City: Tokyo
While Tokyo is definitely a modern, thriving city that sells a unique pop culture and fashion sense to the world, remnants of the historic city still remain.
The oldest shrine in Tokyo is the Sensoji Shrine, which offers a quiet spot while being located in an active city. At the temples, you can even buy charms that are meant to bring you good luck, improve your love life or increase your wealth.
Depending on when you go, you might even be able to see a traditional music ceremony performed by the shrine workers. If you want to have a historical experience while in Tokyo, you can attend a Kabuki show. For those with a strong interest in tech gear or geeky hobbies, Akihabara is the place to go and Studio Ghibli is an animation house that has released several movies that have achieved worldwide popularity
City: Kyoto
Kyoto is a the cultural and historical heart of the country but also home to an abundance of cool bars, atmospheric cafes and world-class restaurants, It's the best place in all Japan to experience traditional temples, shrines, gardens, geisha and festivals.
In short, Kyoto is the most rewarding destination in all of Japan and it should be at the top of any Japan travel itinerary.
City: Kanazawa
With beautiful temples, ancient shrines and a range of fantastic museums, this charming city lying on the Sea of Japan is not to be missed. Wonderfully preserved, its ancient neighbourhoods are lovely to wander around, with the old geisha and samurai districts being particularly delightful. In fact, Kanazawa rivals Kyoto in the number of historical and cultural attractions that it has on show.
The highlight is undoubtedly Kenroku-en, an impressive castle with idyllic gardens surrounding it.
City: Nara
This ancient city is home to three World Heritage sites, comprising Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, Buddhist Monuments in the Horyuji Area, and Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.
Nara is considered to be the birthplace of Japanese civilization, this ancient former capital has a wealth of historic sites, which include the impressive Great Buddha statue, located in the lovely Todai-ji temple.
City: Hiroshima
Hiroshima is another World Cultural Heritage site, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and its surrounding memorial park are monuments to peace. Hiroshima has remarkably been reconstructed and is now a bustling modern city, full of life.
While many visitors come to pay their respects at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum and visit the chilling A-Bomb Dome ruins, the city has many other sights for visitors to enjoy. It also serves as a gateway to some beautiful nearby islands including famous Miyajima (shrine island).
City: Himeji
Himeji City is known first and foremost for its castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is widely considered to be one of Japan's most beautiful and well-preserved castles.
The castle is called the Heron Castle because of its distinctive white plasterwork with the Kokoen Gardens located next to the caste which consists of nine separate, walled gardens designed in various styles of the Edo period.
City: Sendai
Sendai is a city rich in culture and nature, where you can enjoy sightseeing and gourmet food all year round. It is home to Sendai Castle, which was built by warlord Date Masamune, and Zuihoden Temple, his mausoleum.
Home to one of the country´s most famous festivals, every year Sendai´s leafy streets are thronged with people who have come to enjoy Tanabata Matsuri.
The city offers a lively nightlife scene and additionally, here you can find Matsushima, one of Japan's three most scenic spots, from here, you can also head to the nearby hot springs and many other attractions and things to do.
City: Nagoya/Achi Region
Aichi Region was the birthplace of Samurai Heroes. There are various places to see, meet and even become a samurai in Aichi Prefecture.
The Nagoya Omotenashi Bushotai samurai team can be seen daily at Nagoya Castle, visit the Toganji Temple, The Osu Kannon Temple, The Nittaiji Temple (Buddhist temple),
The Nagoya Sumo Tournament is known to take place in July and many other regional attraction and the Aoi Bushotai at Okazaki Castle. (You can try on samurai armor at Kiyosu, and register to become an International Samurai too)
City: Beppu
Beppu is one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts, producing more hot spring water than any other resort in the country.
Beppu offers an unmatched range of baths to be enjoyed, including ordinary hot water baths, mud baths, sand baths and steam baths
City: Matsue
This samurai city, Matsue is a true castle town crossed with many canals and boasts one of the twelve remaining original castles in Japan. Famous for its beautiful sunsets over Lake Shinji.