Osaka is an exciting city for visitors and the town becomes more vibrant after sunset. Large neon billboards along the Dotonbori River in the Minami (southern) area is the most iconic landscape of the town. There are dizzying arrays of restaurants, food stalls, and shops in Dotonbori, Hozenji Yokocho and Shinsekai. The traditional atmosphere in the busy quarters of the town have not changed for decades.
Kobe is a major port city in western Japan that opened to foreign trade and became home to one of the first foreign communities in the 19th century. The city is on a narrow strip of land between mountains and sea, and has a variety of tourist attractions ranging from a vibrant commercial districts that includes a Chinatown, a ropeway, and a cable car that take you to either a garden or an observatory where you can enjoy a commanding view of the entire landscape of the town with the port in the backdrop.
Kamakura is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Tokyo. It is located about 60 km southwest of Tokyo and accessible by one-hour train ride. It used to be the seat of the Kamakura Government lead by Minamoto Yoritomo and his successors around the 13th century. Kamakura has an old town atmosphere similar to Kyoto with dozens of traditional temples and shrines. The Great Buddha at Kotoku-in is over 11-meters tall and is one of the most renowned landmarks in the town.
Nara was Japan's first permanent capital in the 8th century before moving to Kyoto. Eight sites including Japan's oldest and largest temples in Nara was designated as "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara" by UNESCO. The city is located less than one hour from Kyoto and Osaka and attracts visitors with its full chest of historic treasures.