Tokyo (Honshu)

Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world home to over 33 million residents covering 844 square miles and is located centrally on the south coast of Honshu Island. Just 3 miles south of Central Tokyo lies Haneda international airport while 35 mile to east lies Narita international airport. Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors. The city's history can be appreciated in districts such as Asakusa, and in many excellent museums, historic temples and gardens. The epicentre of Tokyo features the Imperial Palace and gardens - the residence of Japan's Imperial Family and the Emperor. Ginza is the popular shopping and entertainment district, featuring numerous department stores, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, night clubs and cafes- where you can find the infamous $10 cups of coffee. Tokyo Tower at 333 metres is the world's tallest self-supporting steel tower and one of the most recognisable landmarks in Tokyo - it is rather like a red version of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The Odaiba area can be best compared to Canary Wharf in London - but bigger. This is a another popular shopping and entertainment district on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay. It is home to some of Tokyo's boldest architectural creations, such as the Fuji TV Building, Telecom Centre and Tokyo Big Sight. Here you will also find the hot spring theme park where you can enjoy various types of indoor and outdoor baths which are fed by hot spring water pumped from a depth of 1400 metres.

Takayama

Kanazawa (Honshu)

Situated in the middle of the north-eastern coast of Honshu Island – north of Nagoya. It's well-known for its stunning temples, traditional gardens, and samurai districts. During the Edo Period (1603-1868), Kanazawa served as the seat of the Maeda Clan, the second most powerful feudal clan after the Tokugawa in terms of rice production and fief size. Accordingly, Kanazawa grew to become a town of great cultural achievements, rivaling Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo). During World War Two, Kanazawa was Japan's second largest city (after Kyoto) to escape destruction by air raids. Consequently, parts of the old castle town, such as the Nagamachi samurai district and chaya entertainment districts, have survived in pretty good condition. Today, Kanazawa remains an important city in its region and serves as the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture. The city boasts many historical attractions such as restored residences and districts, as well as modern museums. But Kanazawa's unchallenged main attraction is Kenrokuen, one of Japan's "three best landscape gardens" and by many considered the most beautiful of them all.

Kyoto (Honshu)

Kyoto is the ancient capital of Japan until 1868. Visit Nijo Castle constructed in 1603, enjoy quiet contemplation at the imposing Todaiji Temple - Japan's largest wooden Buddhist temple and look out for tame deer in beautiful Nara Park. Nothing is as symbolic of Kyoto as Kinkaku-ji's golden reflection shimmering across the rippled surface of the pond before it. The current gold leaf-coated reconstructed temple was unveiled in 1955, five years after the 14th-century original was torched by one of the temple's monks. It is set on the water amid a garden complex in Muromachi period garden design - the most classical of Japanese gardens.

Hiroshima (Honshu)

When the first atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, the city became known worldwide. The destructive power of the bomb obliterated nearly everything within a two kilometre radius. Destroyed monuments of Hiroshima's historical heritage, like Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden, were reconstructed. Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park is one of the most prominent features of the city. At over 120,000 square meters. its trees, lawns and paths are in stark contrast to the modern surrounding downtown area. Before the bomb, this area was the political and commercial heart of the city. For this reason, it was chosen as the pilot's target. It was decided that the area would not be redeveloped but instead devoted to peace memorial facilities. Visit the A-Bomb Dome (known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial) when the bomb exploded - it was one of the few buildings to remain standing. It has been preserved in in its bombed state making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site providing a tangible link to Hiroshima's unique past.

Osaka

Osaka is the third-most populous city in Japan with just under 3 million people on the main island of Honshu. It is situated 320 miles of Tokyo and 24 miles across the bay from its neighbour Kobe. This major economic hub is recognized as one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in Japan. The city is home to the Osaka Exchange as well as the headquarters of multinational electronics corporations such as Panasonic and Sharp. Famous landmarks in the city include Osaka Castle, Sumiyoshi Taisha Grand Shrine, and Shitennō-ji, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan.

It is also the gateway to Kyoto 27 miles away.  Kyoto was the ancient capital of Japan until 1868.  Visit Nijo Castle constructed in 1603, enjoy quiet contemplation at the imposing Todaiji Temple - Japan's largest wooden Buddhist temple  and look out for tame deer in beautiful Nara Park. Nothing is as symbolic of Kyoto as Kinkaku-ji's golden reflection shimmering across the rippled surface of the pond before it. The current gold leaf-coated reconstructed temple was unveiled in 1955, five years after the 14th-century original was torched by one of the temple's monks. It is set on the water amid a garden complex in  Muromachi period garden design - the most classical of Japanese gardens.