Tokyo is Japan’s capital and the world’s most populous metropolis. Especially in the center area, streets are busy and you will see people everywhere. However, you may be surprised to hear that Tokyo is often considered to be the safest capital city in the world. One of the biggest attractions of Tokyo might be that you can find almost anything here, from modern Japanese culture such as Anime to traditionals such as Noh or Kabuki. Also, thanks to the efficient traffic transportation system, you can easily go around and visit many places even outside of Tokyo. If you wish to experience many things while you are in Japan, Tokyo could be the best place to make it come true.

Osaka is the third largest metropolitan area that represents the Kansai region. Even though it is only a short shinkansen ride from Tokyo Station, Osaka has a different atmosphere in many ways. Sometimes, Osaka is called “the city of comedy” as there are plenty of manzai, entertaining and comical people. Manzai is one of the famous traditional Japanese cultures that has been loved by Japanese as well as tourists for many years. Lots of popular Japanese foods originate from Osaka including Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki and Kushikatsu. If your wish is to be in a big city with a strong connection to Japanese culture, Osaka will be a perfect place.

Although Yokohama is in Kanagawa prefecture, it is the second most populous city in the country with a population of over 3 million. “Yokohama” means “horizontal beach” as it is along the coastline of Japan’s Pacific Ocean. Yokohama is only about 32 km from southwest Tokyo and is known for a blend of Japanese tradition with that of China and the West so you will get the connection to other cultures as well as Japanese. If you are visiting Japan, you may find Yokohama like a home as it is a gaijin-friendly city with a beautiful ocean view.

Fukuoka, the gateway to Kyushu island which is famous for its hot springs. Fukuoka is Japan’s 5th largest city and is nestled on the northern coast of Kyushu. Fukuoka has many opportunities for cultural adventure and the best known is for its unique food such as tonkotsu ramen, motsunabe, mizutaki, yakitori and also fresh seafood. One of the biggest events, Dontaku festival, is held annually in Fukuoka which has more than 840 years of history. Great access to Fukuoka is also a big attraction. It takes only 1.5 hours from Tokyo, and almost the same time from Taiwan. Moreover, it takes only 10 minutes from the airport to the main city. You can easily go around by bus. People find it a comfortable place to live in and one of the reasons is that living expenses such as accommodations are comparatively lower than Tokyo. Fukuoka will be perfect if you are a fan of Japanese foods and looking for a middle sized city with great access to many places.

Hokkaido is the second largest, and most northernmost of Japan’s four main islands even though it is located on similar latitudes to major American and European cities. However it is necessary to cross the strait to get to Tokyo. Many people come to Hokkaido captivated by unique aspects of Hokkaido including nature, foods and tranquility. Since it is an isolated island, you can enjoy delicious and fresh seafood while being surrounded by nature. Hokkaido’s Shiretoko peninsula, known as a “waterfall kingdom” was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Once you are taken in by its irreplaceable beauty, you won’t find any other places like Hokkaido.