Taketomi Island

Japan's southernmost prefecture, with a distinct culture rooted in the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom. With its emerald seas, the World Heritage Shuri Castle ruins, unique cuisine and music, Okinawa draws visitors from home and abroad as a resort island offering charms different from mainland Japan.

A small island preserving the original Okinawan landscape of red-tiled houses, white sand roads, and bougainvillea. Famed for village tours by water buffalo cart, its easy 10-minute ferry access from Ishigaki Island adds to its popularity.

A gateway to the Yaeyama Islands and a tourism base in Okinawa. Popular for the stunning Kabira Bay scenery and manta ray diving at Manta Scramble, it also offers excellent cuisine including Ishigaki beef and Yaeyama soba.

The central island of the Miyako archipelago in Okinawa Prefecture, famous for its crystal-clear waters ideal for diving and snorkeling. Featured attractions include white sand beaches, coral reefs, and tropical landscapes. Attracting approximately 1.6 million visitors annually, it serves as a major hub for Okinawa tourism and exemplifies the fusion of unique Ryukyuan culture with resort amenities.

A cultural city in Hokuriku that flourished as the castle town of the Kaga domain, where tradition and modernity coexist at Kenroku-en Garden, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, and Higashi Chaya District. The 2015 Hokuriku Shinkansen dramatically improved access from Tokyo, triggering a tourism surge.

One of Japan's premier mountain scenic spots at approximately 1,500m elevation in the Northern Alps. Views from Taisho Pond and Kappa Bridge reflecting the Hotaka Range are sometimes called 'Japan's Switzerland.' Private car restrictions preserve the natural environment, making it a popular base for mountaineering and trekking.

A UNESCO World Natural Heritage archipelago roughly 1,000km south of Tokyo. Called the 'Galapagos of the East,' the islands are a treasure trove of endemic species. Accessible only by a 24-hour ferry, this remote paradise is popular for whale watching and diving.