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| Nagano |
For ski and snow sports enthusiasts, the prime spot to go to is Hokkaido. Since this is a top destination though, it is also usually the most crowded and the most expensive winter spots. A great alternative to it is Nagano. The place has excellent slopes and the quality of the powder is just as good as that in Hokkaido. You get to enjoy as much skiing as you want without having to worry about crowded spaces and costly accommodations.
Incidentally, Nagano is also the destination of choice for people who visit Japan for working holidays. This is because resorts here provide free accommodations, meals and ski passes to foreigners on working holidays.
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| Kyoto |
If you are a culture and history buff, there is no better place to head to than Kyoto. It has some of the best preserved historical feudal spots in the country because it escaped the widespread destruction that happened during the Second World War. It is home to 17 UNESCO world heritage sites such as the Kozan-ji, Kinkaku-ji, Ninna-ji and Tenryu-ji temples. You probably need to set aside a couple of days to complete a tour of these 17 sites.
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| Okinawa |
Of all the places to visit in Japan, Okinawa is perhaps the best destination for summer. It has a subtropical climate which makes it a great place to go to even in January and December when northern regions are blanketed in snow. Aside from the excellent climate, Okinawa also has the best beaches for sunbathing and very clear waters for scuba diving. They say a holiday in Okinawa is almost like a vacation in Hawaii.
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| Tokyo |
As the capital city, Tokyo is a logical place to start sightseeing. It is perhaps aptly described as the center where various modern and historical elements come together in a delightful mix. Modern diversions here include Disneyland and the Ueno Park Zoo but you can also immerse yourself in authentic culture and history in the Asakusa Kannon Temple and the Imperial Palace.
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| Osaka |
If you don't like the idea of diving into the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, you might want to go to Osaka instead. This is actually the third largest city in the country but the atmosphere here is less hurried than in the capital city. The place also has a strong historical and cultural flavor that you can sample in places like the Sumiyoshi Shrine and the Osaka Castle.
There are a lot of outstanding places to visit in Japan. These top five however should be more than enough to give you a well-rounded experience of what the country has to offer. There's s no way you'd get bored at all. No matter your interest or vacation preference, there's something for you.
Five Great Places To Visit In Japan