One of Tokyo's most beautiful, Japanese style landscape gardens, Rikugien is quite a spacious garden with a central pond, islands, forested areas, man-made hills, and several teahouses. It takes about an hour to cover the garden's whole network of walking paths at a leisurely speed. Afterwards, enjoy tea at one of the teahouses.

The Meiji Shrine is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken. Emperor Meiji was the first emperor of modern Japan, born in 1852, and ascended to the throne in 1868 during the Meiji Restoration—a pivotal period when power shifted from the feudal Tokugawa government to the emperor. Exploring the history of this era can also help you understand the differences between Shinto and Buddhism, two deeply interwoven traditions in Japan.

Harajuku’s Takeshita Street buzzes with trendy shops and crepe stands popular with Tokyo’s youth. Nearby Omotesando, often called Tokyo’s Champs-Élysées, caters to adults with luxury boutiques and stylish restaurants.

Spend some time in the famous shopping streets of Roppongi Hills. In the midst of a depressed real estate market, some 15 years after the Japanese economy's bubble burst, Japan's leading developer Minoru Mori opened and succeeded with the Roppongi Hills Complex. While it is sprawling and somewhat unpredictable in its design, Roppongi Hills encourages wandering and exploration through a huge retail pot of gold that has helped bring the middle class back into central Tokyo.

Visit the Edo-Tokyo Museum and learn about Tokyo’s history, culture and daily life through exhibits that trace the city’s development from the Edo period to the present day.

Explore Sensoji Temple, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple, a historic Buddhist temple in Tokyo’s Asakusa district. According to legend, two brothers discovered a statue of Kannon, the Buddhist deity of compassion, in the Sumida River in 628. Despite returning the statue to the river, it repeatedly reappeared, inspiring the construction of a temple in its honour. Completed in 645, Sensoji is Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple and remains an important centre of worship and cultural heritage.

Visit Tokyo’s Akihabara district, the epicentre of electronic goods and otaku culture. Explore countless shops filled with anime, manga, and video games, making it a paradise for fans and tech lovers alike.

Take the stage and perform for local audiences in a venue that captures the spirit of the city.

Located less than 100 kilometres from Tokyo, Hakone is part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is renowned for its natural beauty, hot springs, outdoor activities and spectacular views of nearby Mount Fuji. Surrounded by mountains and scenic landscapes, this popular destination offers visitors a peaceful escape from the energy of Tokyo.

Hiroshima, a modern city on Japan’s Honshu Island, was largely destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II. Today, it has been rebuilt and is a thriving city.

Take a ferry to the sacred island of Miyajima, passing the iconic red Torii gate and Itsukushima Shrine. Meet the island's famous free-roaming deer, then explore Omotesando Street's craft shops, bakeries, and street food, with the chance to sample local specialities like conger eel.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, located in the centre of Hiroshima City, was built near the hypocentre of the atomic bombing during World War II on August 6, 1945. The park houses several memorials and monuments, including the Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims.

It is the popular name for Rengeo-in, a temple in eastern Kyoto which is famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The temple was founded in 1164 and rebuilt a century later after the original structure had been destroyed in a fire.

Explore the Kiyomizu Temple, known as the Pure Water Temple, which is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. Founded in 780, it stands in the wooded hills of eastern Kyoto and offers visitors fantastic views over the city from its famous wooden terrace.

Take the stage and perform for local audiences in a venue that captures the spirit of the city.

Admire the striking Golden Pavilion, beautifully reflected in its surrounding pond. Explore the temple grounds and gardens while learning about this celebrated example of Japanese architecture and its place in Kyoto’s cultural heritage.

Nijo Temple was created to showcase the wealth and power of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Inside, it features painted screens that are regarded as Japanese masterpieces, designed to leave a lasting impression.

Explore the Ryoanji Temple containing the most famous rock garden in Japan.

Take the stage and perform for local audiences in a venue that captures the spirit of the city.