Asakusa would be an ideal place to start your exploration of Japan’s history and culture. Why not take a rickshaw ride (a traditional Japanese wheel vehicle pulled by a man), to soak up the atmosphere of Old Tokyo. Rickshaw pullers are ready to show you around Asakusa including the iconic Kaminarimon Gate, the Sensouji Temple, and the world’s second tallest tower: Tokyo Skytree. With its 634 meters in height, you can get an incredible bird’s-eye view of Tokyo. On a fine day, Mt. Fuji can be seen in the distance.

Located just one hour south of Tokyo, coastal city Kamakura is a popular destination for both Japanese and foreigners, for its remarkable concentration of temples and shrines in a small area. When you’ve worked up an appetite, visit a quaint old house-style restaurant for a meal cooked over an irori, Japanese sunken hearth.

The northern part of Kyoto prefecture boasts its nature-blessed land and beautiful coastal scenery. Ine is a nostalgic village famous for its picturesque scenery of traditional wooden boathouses lined up along the bay. There are several sightseeing boats operated so that you could feast your eyes on the landscape of Ine from the sea. Afterward, move to Miyazu city, a district famous for one of Japan’s three most beautiful sights ‘Amanohashidate.’ It got its name due to its elongated shape, meaning “bridge to heavens” in Japanese.

Needless to say, Kyoto offers tons of tourist attractions: Fushimi Inari Shrine is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates; the zen garden found at Tenryuji Temple is a pleasure to gaze at. The 25-minute ride with the nostalgic “Sagano Romantic Train” gives you a chance to see more of the outskirts of Kyoto City. While onboard, you can see the pristine nature along the Hozugawa River.

If you are seeking a travel style that goes one step further, we recommend wearing a traditional Japanese attire kimono while strolling around the old Hanamikoji Streets of Gion, where one can immerse in the atmosphere of traditional Kyoto.

Since Osaka is the geographical and economic center of the Kansai region, it is considered to be a vibrant city favorably compared with Tokyo. The culture of Osaka can be summed up in one word “kuidaore” which can literally translate to “eat till you drop.” Dozens of tantalizing street food are packed in the Dotonbori area. Apart from its finest cuisines, Osaka Castle is worth visiting especially in April, when cherry-blossom hits full bloom.