Until 1868, Kyoto was the capital of Japan since the end of the 8th century, it is one of the most popular destinations amongst overseas tourists to Japan. With a variety of historically valuable structures such as temples, shrines and Japanese gardens the city draws over 50 million visitors annually from all over the world.
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.
Seki City is located in Gifu Prefecture, in the center of Japan’s main island, Honshu. Seki is known for its master sword makers. Skilled craftsmen have been creating Japanese swords, knives, and tools of the highest quality here for over 800 years. At Hamonoya Sanshu / Seki Cutlery Museum you can learn about the process of forging blades and buy locally produced knives. To explore Seki’s beautiful natural surroundings, take a walk in the mountains outside Seki up to Nichiryubuji Temple. Or visit the Kabusugi Giant Cedar Forest with old trees that look like the enchanted world of Japanese anime.
Hiroshima is one of the largest cities in Western Japan located on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. Every year, millions visit its two World Heritage sites, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and Itsukushima Shrine. In 1945, Hiroshima was the target of the first atomic bomb and the Peace Memorial Park commemorates this. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island is famous for its Torii gate that looks like it floats on the water.