A Brief Tourist's Guide to Japan

Besides being one of the world's most advanced industrialized nations, Japan has a rich and intriguing history dating back thousands of years. Tokyo is a city that is always looking forward, pushing the limits of what is feasible on a highly populated island by building ever taller and sleeker skyscrapers. It is Japan's most popular destination for modern art and drinking, and entertainment. However, the city itself attracts visitors more than any single sight. The city stretches as far as the eye can see. It is constantly evolving, and with so many different areas, no two visits are ever the same.

Naoshima is one of Japan's great success stories. It is a tiny island on the verge of becoming a ghost town that has been transformed into a world-class contemporary art center. Several of Japan's most renowned architects have contributed structures, including museums, all of which are intended to complement the island's existing populations. It has also prompted several Japanese to relocate to Naoshima to operate cafés and inns to live a simpler life outside the main cities.

Mt Fuji (or Fuji-san) is regarded as one of Japan's most treasured landmarks. Hundreds of thousands of people climb the sacred volcano every year, carrying on a centuries-old practice of its pilgrimage.

Yakushima is a small island off the coast of southern Kyushu that many describe as captivating. The Yakusugi, an old cedar peculiar to the island, whose gigantic roots form alien-like tentacles, may be found here, along with part of Japan's last primeval woodland. In addition, hiking routes run beneath them, covering rugged terrain typically covered with moss. The environment here is thought to have been a source of inspiration for Studio Ghibli's renowned animated feature Princess Mononoke.

Compared to the rest of Japan, Okinawa and the Southwest Islands provide a unique experience. Between Kysh and Taiwan, this semi-tropical archipelago forms an arch. They founded their nation – the Ryky Empire – until Japan seized them in the 19th century. The most excellent beaches in Japan, such as those in Ishigaki, are found here, with sugar-white sand bordering palms and turquoise waters.

Osaka, Japan's third-largest city, is known for its street food: don't miss the takoyaki, the city's hallmark dish. But, along the canalside strip Dtombori, it also offers one of the most striking nightscapes: A stunning display of LED lights and flashing video screens.

Kamikochi is a highland river valley surrounded by the soaring peaks of the Northern Japan Alps, and it is one of Japan's natural landscapes. Easy day treks through calm willow, larch, and elm forests are offered along the pristine Azusa-gawa. The cradle of Japanese alpinism, Kamikōchi is also the gateway for more arduous hikes up some of the country's biggest mountains. Private cars are prohibited in Kamikchi, reducing the impact on the pedestrians.

Despite wars and natural disasters, much of Japan's rich culture has been preserved, and a trip to Japan can be an incredible adventure, offering a terrific investment of time with an unending list of top attractions.