Cities in Japan

Kanazawa

Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture escaped the destruction of World War II, preserving historical geisha and samurai districts.

Nagano

Nagano developed historically as a temple town around Zenko-ji, one of Japan's most important and oldest Buddhist temples.

Wakayama

Located south of Osaka, Wakayama was once the seat of one of the most important branches of the Tokugawa family.

Fukushima

The capital of its namesake prefecture is surrounded by deep forests and hot springs like Iizaka Onsen.

Naha

As the political and commercial center of Okinawa, Naha reflects the rich heritage of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Fukui

Fukui on the west coast is historically significant for the Sengoku-period excavation site of the Asakura clan.

Nagasaki

Nagasaki has a unique history as the only port open to the West during Japan's isolation.

Nara

Before Kyoto, Nara was Japan's first permanent capital in the 8th century.

Gifu

Gifu is centrally located and dominated by Mount Kinka, atop which sits Gifu Castle, from where Oda Nobunaga once planned his campaigns.

Miyazaki

Miyazaki is located on the sunny southeast coast of Kyushu and is famous for its subtropical climate and palm-lined streets.

Akita

Akita on the west coast of Tohoku is nestled in a landscape of rice fields and forested mountains.

Utsunomiya

Utsunomiya is located in Tochigi Prefecture and is known throughout Japan as the city of gyoza.

Kochi

Isolated by deep mountains in southern Shikoku, Kochi has developed an independent, lively culture.

Oita

Oita is a coastal city on Kyushu and the gateway to the famous hot springs of Beppu and Yufuin.

Yamagata

Surrounded by majestic mountains, Yamagata is a base for nature lovers and onsen visitors.

Toyama

Toyama is located on the bay of the same name and is the starting point for the spectacular Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.

Morioka

Morioka is situated in a wide valley dominated by the volcanic Mount Iwate.

Takamatsu

Takamatsu is the main gateway to the island of Shikoku on the Seto Inland Sea.

Aomori

Aomori is located at the northernmost tip of Honshu and is the cultural center of the Tohoku region.

Himeji

Himeji in Hyogo Prefecture is best known for its brilliant white Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kitakyushu

Kitakyushu is the northernmost city on the island of Kyushu and historically an important center of the steel industry.

Mito

Mito is the historical power base of the Mito branch of the Tokugawa family.

Kumamoto

Kumamoto is a historic castle town on Kyushu, whose black castle is among the most impressive in Japan.

Niigata

Niigata is the largest port city on the Sea of Japan coast in the Chubu region.

Kagoshima

Due to its warm climate and location on a wide bay, Kagoshima is often called the 'Naples of the East'.

Okayama

Okayama is often called the 'Land of Sunshine' due to its mild climate.

Matsuyama

Matsuyama is the largest city on the island of Shikoku and famous for Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot springs.

Kawasaki

Located between Tokyo and Yokohama, Kawasaki is one of Japan's most densely populated industrial cities.

Saitama

Saitama is the capital of its namesake prefecture and a major transportation hub north of Tokyo.

Chiba

Located on the east side of Tokyo Bay, Chiba is famous for the Makuhari Messe exhibition center.

Wakkanai

Wakkanai is Japan's northernmost city, serving as the gateway to Hokkaido's remote islands and featuring a unique blend of Japanese and Russian influ…

Noboribetsu

Noboribetsu is Hokkaido's most famous onsen resort, known for the spectacular Hell Valley (Jigokudani) and a wide variety of healing thermal springs.

Shiretoko

Shiretoko is a UNESCO World Heritage site in northeastern Hokkaido, known as one of Japan's last true wildernesses with brown bears and drift ice.

Rishiri Island

Rishiri Island is dominated by the majestic Rishiri-Fuji volcano, offering spectacular hiking trails and world-class seafood in the Sea of Japan.

Amami Oshima

Amami Oshima is a subtropical island in Kagoshima known for its pristine coral reefs, mangrove forests, and rare Oshima Tsumugi silk.

Miyazu

Home to one of Japan's three most scenic views, Amanohashidate, Miyazu offers breathtaking coastal panoramas and a rich maritime heritage.

Miyajima

Miyajima, the 'Island of Gods,' is famous for the Itsukushima Shrine's floating torii gate and its friendly, free-roaming deer.

Himi

A charming port city in Toyama Prefecture, famous for its fresh seafood and breathtaking views of the Tateyama Alps across the bay.

Takehara

Known as the 'Little Kyoto of Aki', Takehara features a beautifully preserved historical district and a scenic location on the Seto Inland Sea.

Kujukuri

A famous coastal town in Chiba, home to one of Japan's longest sandy beaches and a paradise for surfers and seafood lovers.

Kawakita

A charming town in Ishikawa Prefecture, known for its proximity to the Tedori River and picturesque coastal landscapes along the Sea of Japan.

Nozawa Onsen

A charming historic village famous for its natural hot springs and as one of Japan's oldest ski resorts with a rich cultural tradition.

Taketomi

An idyllic island in Okinawa, known for its perfectly preserved Ryukyu village, water buffalo carts, and beaches with star-shaped sand.

Toyo

Toyo is a surfing mecca on the coast of Shikoku Island, famous for its world-class waves and the unique Dual-Mode Vehicle (DMV).

Karatsu

Karatsu is a historic coastal city in Saga, famous for its majestic castle, vast pine forest, and renowned Karatsu pottery.

Matsusaka

Famous for its world-class beef and rich merchant history, Matsusaka also offers relaxing coastal spots along Ise Bay.

Tsu

Tsu, the capital of Mie Prefecture, is a charming coastal city along Ise Bay, known for its historical heritage and serene sandy beaches.

Abu

Abu is a charming coastal town in Yamaguchi Prefecture, known for its pristine nature and magnificent views of the Sea of Japan.

Sakaiminato

A major fishing port in Tottori, famous for the Mizuki Shigeru Road and its Yokai bronze statues, plus world-class seafood.

Shimoda

A historic port city at the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula, famous for its role in opening Japan and its beautiful white-sand beaches.