Hokkaido is one of Japan`s best-kept secrets. The northernmost of Japan`s four major islands, it is very sparsely-populated and geographically diverse. Its capital and largest city, Sapporo, is well-known for the annual Sapporo Snow Festival, which over two million people visit each February. The most agricultural part of Japan, Hokkaido is considered `Japan`s breadbasket` because it leads the nation in production of foods such as wheat, milk, corn, and beef. It is a popular winter tourist destination, famed for skiing, and also a great place to visit in the summer when the weather is much cooler than in central and southern Japan.
Honshu is the largest of the four main Japanese islands, where over 100 million people live. Historic castles and temples, traditional districts with geishas, skyscrapers and neon lights, relaxing hot springs, and nature scenes are all experiences you can enjoy while on Honshu.
Shikoku is the smallest of the four main Japanese islands, separated from Honshu by the Inland Sea. It is perhaps best-known to tourists for its 88-temple Buddhist pilgrimage route, which runs for 895 miles adjacent to Shikoku`s coastline.
Kyushu is the westernmost of Japan`s four major islands, and is well-known for its outdoor vacation experiences and gorgeous landscapes. One of Japan`s geothermal hot spots, Kyushu is dotted by a number of hot springs and even more volcanoes.
The islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago, like Okinawa, Miyakojima, and the Yaeyama Islands, are known for their rich history and culture; beautiful beaches and cliffsides; outdoor activities like kayaking and ziplining; and an all-around laid-back atmosphere.
There are so many experiences you can enjoy that are unique to Japan, such as attending a kabuki theatre performance, being a spectator at a sumo wrestling match, watching geishas administer the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, and the list goes on!
Japan is particularly well-known for its castles. Today there are over 100 open to the public. From Hokkaido to Okinawa, the castles of Japan educate visitors on what life was like during the late feudal and Tokugawa shogunate eras.
There are tens of thousands of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines across Japan, and they can be found even in the remotest towns and villages. One of the most accessible ways to learn about Japanese culture and customs is to visit a temple or shrine.
Japanese cuisine is one of the world`s most popular cuisines, and definitely one of the most delicious. You will find certain regions are cities are known for the best of the best of certain Japanese delicacies and staples.
The most authentically Japanese accommodations that are offered are called ryokan, a traditional Japanese-style inn. Many ryokan also have onsen, a blissful and uniquely Japanese spin on the thermal spring.
Over 500 ski resorts dot Japan, from Hokkaido all the way down to Kyushu. You will find the widest selection of ski resorts in the Japanese Alps, where the Winter Olympics took place, and in the Tohoku region, home to many of the country`s largest resorts.
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