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Tokyo, Japan
Start in Tokyo with visits to Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Asakusa. Don't miss the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka — book tickets well in advance as they sell out fast. Try ramen in Shinjuku and explore Yanaka for old-town vibes.
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Hakone, Japan
A perfect day-trip distance from Tokyo, Hakone offers stunning views of Mount Fuji on clear days. Ride the Romancecar train and enjoy an open-air onsen ryokan stay. The Hakone Open Air Museum is a highlight not to miss.
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Ōwakudani, Japan
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Hakone-jinja-iriguchi, Japan
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Hata-juku Ichirizuka, Japan
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Homma Yoseki Museum, Japan
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Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is Japan's cultural heart — explore Fushimi Inari's thousands of torii gates, Arashiyama bamboo grove, and the geisha district of Gion. Stay in a traditional machiya townhouse if possible. Try kaiseki cuisine and matcha sweets in Nishiki Market.
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Ghibli Park, Japan
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Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Japan
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Kinkaku-ji, Japan
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Otagi Nenbutsu Temple, Japan
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Ginkakuji, Japan
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Nishiki Market, Japan
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SAMURAI AND NINJA MUSEUM JAPAN, Japan
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Yasaka Shrine, Japan
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Fushimi Inari-taisha, Japan
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Gion, Japan
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Osaka, Japan
Osaka is Japan's food capital — gorge on takoyaki and okonomiyaki in Dotonbori and explore the vibrant Shinsekai district. Visit Osaka Castle by day and experience the electric nightlife of Namba by night. The city has a famously welcoming and lively local culture.
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Universal Studios Japan, Japan
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Osaka Castle Park, Japan
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Dōtonbori, Japan
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Kobe, Japan
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Ikuta Shrine, Japan
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Nara, Japan
An easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka, Nara is famous for its free-roaming sacred deer in Nara Park. Visit the giant bronze Buddha at Todai-ji Temple, one of the world's largest wooden structures. Pick up some deer-shaped crackers to feed the friendly locals.
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Hiroshima, Japan
Visit the deeply moving Peace Memorial Museum and the iconic A-Bomb Dome to reflect on history. Take a short ferry to Miyajima Island to see the famous floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. Try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, which is layered rather than mixed.
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Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Japan
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Hondōri, Japan
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Hiroshima Castle, Japan
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Itsukushima, Japan
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Fukuoka, Japan
Fukuoka is a vibrant city known for its incredible food scene, especially Hakata ramen — slurp a bowl at one of the famous yatai street food stalls along the river. Explore the atmospheric Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine just outside the city. It's also a convenient gateway to fly to Okinawa.
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Sakurai Futamigaura, Japan
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Yanagibashi Fish Market, Japan
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Yatai Food Stalls, Japan
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Kushida Shrine, Japan
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Naha, Japan
Okinawa's capital Naha is the gateway to a unique Ryukyuan culture distinct from mainland Japan. Stroll the colourful Kokusai-dori shopping street and visit the beautifully restored Shuri Castle. Enjoy fresh Okinawan cuisine like goya champuru and the local Orion beer on the beach.
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Kokusai Dori, Japan
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Tsuboya 1-chome, Japan
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Shuri Castle, Japan
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Zuisenmon, Japan
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Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Japan
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Tokashiki Island, Japan
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Zamami Island, Japan
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Kudaka Island Simple Post Office, Japan
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Tokyo, Japan
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Mitaka Forest Ghibli Museum, Japan