| Kanto Region
* Tokyo
The largest city in Japan. It's a good destination
for travelers who want to enjoy the city life. There are
lots of restaurants, shopping districts, theaters, amusement
parks, temples and shrines. There are many English signs
in Tokyo, so it's easy for English-speaking travelers to
get around. For a sample Tokyo itinerary, visit A Day in
Tokyo.
* Kamakura, Nikko, Yokohama, and Hakone are good day trip
destinations from Tokyo.
Chubu Region
* You can view and climb Mt. Fuji
from Yamanashi, Shizuoka, and Kanagawa prefectures.
* The Japan Alps in Nagano are beautiful.
* Kanazawa-city
retains the atmosphere of old Japan like Kyoto
does. Visit Kenroku Park, which is one of the three major
Japanese gardens.
* Nagoya is the biggest city in this region. Nagoya castle
is well-known.
Kinki Region
* Kyoto
is the old capital city of Japan and is the most popular
destination for travelers in western Japan. There are so
many temples and shrines to visit. You should be able to
immerse yourself in Japanese traditional culture in Kyoto.
For a sample Kyoto itinerary, see A Day in Kyoto.
* Osaka is the primary city of Japanese business in western
Japan. Osaka is another good destination for travelers who
want to enjoy the city life of Japan. There are many theaters
and shopping districts.
Chugoku Region
* Hiroshima is located in this region.
* Miyajima Island, where the famous, huge red torii gate
is built on the ocean.
Shikoku Island
* Shikoku isn't as popular for foreign
travelers, but it's famous as a pilgrimage to 88 sacred
Buddhist temples.
* Kotohira-gu shrine in Takamatsu is a good place to visit.
Takamatsu is also famous for Sanuki-udon noodles.
Kyushu Island
* The weather is mild in Kyushu,
but keep in mind that the precipitation tends to be high.he
most popular destination is Nagasaki. It's an exotic town
and there is the Hauis Ten Bosch Theme park.
* You can visit volcanoes, such as Mt. Sakura in Kagoshima
and Mt. Aso in Kumamoto.
* Beppu Hot springs is one of my favorite.
* In Miyazaki, you can visit a resort complex called Seagaia
(Ocean Dome.)
* Okinawa has its distinct culture and the beaches and islands
attract many vacationers.
Top Beaches
Zamami-jima
A fine place to get away from it all, Zamami-jima has spectacular
beaches, both on the island itself or a short boat ride
away. You can dive year-round, but the best time to visit
is in autumn, when most tourists have gone and while the
water is still warm enough for swimming and snorkelling.
Furuzamami Beach
Furuzamami beach is the best on the island, with excellent
coral and troops of multicoloured fish. In season, you can
rent snorkels at the small shop and there's also a restaurant
and showers. However, the beaches get even better on the
tiny, offshore islands, such as Gahi-jima and Agenashiku-jima,
just south of Zamami. In summer (June to mid-Sept) small
boats take day-trippers out to these islands for a small
fee, but out of season you'll have to charter your own boat.
Tokashiki-jima
Tokashiki-jima, the largest island and the closest to Naha,
attracts the greatest number of tourists, but all the islands
are surprisingly quiet outside the summer peak (July &
Aug). This might not last much longer.
Painagama
Painagama, immediately south of the harbour, but there are
much better ones around the island. Top of the list is Maehama
, around 10km south of Hirara, a long and remarkably pristine
strip of soft white sand that is hailed as Japan's best
beach.
Boraga Beach
The next beach of note is Boraga, reached by a steep twisting
road from Route 390. It's a good spot for snorkelling and
kayaking and equipment for both is available from the attractive
beachside complex that includes a refreshment hut and a
freshwater swimming pool.
Okinawa Island
Okinawa comprises more than one hundred islands, stretching
over 700km of ocean from Kyushu southwest to Yonaguni-jima,
almost within sight of Taiwan. Collectively known as the
Ryukyu Shoto, this chain of subtropical islands, with their
lush vegetation, paradise beaches and superb coral reefs,
has become a popular destination for Japanese holiday-makers
and foreign residents alike.
Yaeyama Islands
Yonaguni-jima marks Japan's most westerly point, from where
it's only another 125km to Taiwan. As with the Miyako Islands,
the main reason for coming here is the spectacular diving
and snorkelling opportunities, although trekkers and kayakers
will also be inspired by the forest trails, rivers and indented
coastline of Iriomote.
Zamami-jima
Zamami-jima has spectacular beaches, both on the island
itself or a short boat ride away. You can dive year-round,
but the best time to visit is in autumn, when most tourists
have gone and while the water is still warm enough for swimming
and snorkelling.
Kamakura
Kamakura lies at the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Large beaches
are located just about 10 minutes from Kamakura Station
by foot. The beaches are very popular during the hot summer
months when they are crowded not only with locals but also
with visitors from the close Tokyo/Yokohama area.
Kerama Islands
Kerama Islands are the closest group to Naha. A knot of
three large, inhabited islands and numerous pinpricks of
sand and coral, the Keramas offer some of the most beautiful
and unspoilt beaches in Okinawa
and superb diving among the offshore reefs.
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