Japan is easily one of the prettiest countries in the world. The number of earthquakes and other natural calamities have pushed landscapes into picturesque valleys and mountains, created lakes and ponds as a direct result of post volcanic activity, beaches and other seascapes, of course outside of the somewhat dull and gray large cities. The islands of Hokkaido and Okinawa are quite diverse with regards to its animal and plant species, as well as its amazing landscapes. Okinawa, being a separate kingdom until the late 1800s, offers architecture and culture quite different from "Japan", having been more influenced by the Chinese, as does Hokkaido with the influence of Japan's first people, the Ainu. Surely one of the prettiest cities in all of the world is Hakodate, which is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Japan Sea.
Prices historically for travel within Japan meant, for most expatriates, trips to Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and North Asia, due to proximity and prices for airfare and accommodations being cheaper. Prices nowadays for domestic travel have inspired many to see what Japan has to offer.
First on the list for most people to experience what isJaponaise is Kyoto, for the number of attractions and to get an idea of what the former capital means to the Japanese people both from historic and cultural standpoints, but also because it is quite a lovely place, its only negative points being exposure to harsh weather conditions in mid-summer and -winter.
Amusement Parks
Tokyo Area
Disneyland - Located in Urayasu which is in Chiba Prefecture on manmade land.
Disneysea - Located next to Disneyland, on manmade land.
Kobe/Osaka Area
Universal Studios Japan - Located
near New Kansai Airport in Osaka.
Aquariums
Okinawa
Okinawa Aquarium - One of the largest aquariums in the world offering an incredible
number of diplays and a huge center showpiece of rays, sharks, various fish, and even whale sharks.
Kobe/Osaka Area
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan - One of the largest
aquariums in the world.
Art Galleries/Museums
Cultural Attractions
Kyoto Area
Kyoto - Many attractions as aformentioned.
Nara - Todaiji Temple houses one of Japan's
Daibutsu, one of the Big Buddha statutes, and some smelly deer!
Nagoya Area
Atsuta Jingu (Shrine)
Ise Jingu (Shrine) - One of Japan's holiest shrine.
Museum Meijimura - An open-air museum
preserving and exhibiting Japanese architecture from the Meiji era.
Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Nagoya Castle - Unofficial website provides various details.
Nittaiji Temple -Unofficial website provides various details.
Tokugawa Art Museum
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