Hokkaido covers ~20% of Japan's total land area yet remains the least developed of the four main islands. You get a true sense of the wilderness and unspoiled nature here with primeval forests, crystal clear lakes, steaming hot springs, spectacular wildlife and never-ending fields of vibrant flowers. It’s not all about nature though Hokkaido is home to wonderful cities like Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa and famous for its amazing fresh seafood, world-class ski facilities, and the unique Asahiyama Zoo.

Relatively unexplored, Aomori's verdant landscapes, famous festivals and World Heritage sites can all still be called “hidden gems.” Hiking through unspoiled wilderness, riding in trains heated by stoves, discovering primeval forests, apples, rice field art, and sampling delectable seafood and sake are just a few of its attractions. A visit to Lamp-no-yado, an oasis of tranquility rarely found in today's digital age of connectivity, to relearn the value of doing-nothing is a reward.

Nikko's beautiful setting and sacred mountains have been the backdrop of Shinto and Buddhist worship since at least the 8th century. The World Heritage site Shrines and Temples of Nikko consists of 103 structures spread over three complexes, all within easy walking distance of each other, making for an unforgettable day absorbing some of Japan's most gilded religious architecture. The surrounding national park with three sacred peaks known as Nikko Sanzan is a destination for hikers of all levels.

A business and cultural megacenter that's home to tens of millions of people, Tokyo is also the crossroads where the Japanese interact with citizens from all over the world. The media loves to focus on Harajuku's vibrant fashion, robot restaurants, maid cafes and the passionate uberfans known as otaku. But as busy as Tokyo is at giving birth to new ideas, cultures, and inventions, it's just as meticulous about preserving tradition, carefully maintaining historical gardens, shrines, and temples.

The birthplace of Japan's greatest samurai warriors has so much to offer. No matter when you are in central Nagoya, you will come across a major spectacle, event or festival. Whether it is the combatting sumo wrestlers of the Nagoya Basho, the competitive dancers of Domatsuri, the elaborately dressed anime aficionados of the World Cosplay Summit, or the half-naked men braving the February chill of Konomiya's Naked Festival, you will find something that you cannot find anywhere else in Japan.

Only a short shinkansen ride from Tokyo, Osaka has a very different personality to Japan's capital city. Hop off the bullet train into an area of exciting nightlife, delicious food and straight-talking, friendly locals. Along with plenty of shopping and modern attractions, Osaka also has a historical side. The highlight of which is Osaka Castle, the great place to discover more about Japanese history and to wander the beautiful grounds, especially during cherry blossom season in April.

Kyoto, the former imperial capital, world-famous for its refined culture and dining, attracts millions of local and international visitors seeking traditional Japanese culture. Temples and shrines such as Kiyomizudera Temple and Kinkakuji draw crowds of tourists, as do the bamboo groves of nearby Arashiyama. Stay in a quaint ryokan, take a dip in a rejuvenating onsen, and enjoy the changing weather that brings cherry blossoms and brilliant foliage.

Fukuoka is one of Japan's ten most populated cities. Because of its closeness to the Asian mainland, closer to Seoul than to Tokyo, Fukuoka has been an important harbor city for many centuries and was chosen by the Mongol invasion forces as their landing point in the 13th century. Fukuoka's most famous attraction is Dazaifu Tenmangu, a shrine dedicated to the legendary scholar and politician Michizane Sugawara and home to over 6,000 plum trees that blossom spectacularly each spring.

Japan's southernmost prefecture, Okinawa is a chain of islands with its own history as an independent kingdom and a distinctly subtropical climate, as well as the birthplace of karate. Explore the ruins and restored castles of the Ryukyu kings, and visit magnificent beaches and coastlines with an amazing array of coral and undersea life. Come for whale watching and dragon boat races, rare flora and fauna, and an island mindset that makes you forget the clock and just follow the sun.