Yakushima

A World Natural Heritage island in southern Kagoshima Prefecture. Home to Jomon Sugi, a cedar said to be 7,200 years old, and primeval nature. Said to have inspired the forest in Miyazaki's 'Princess Mononoke,' the moss-covered primeval forest is called the 'Galapagos of the East.' Unique rainfall 4-10 times the national average nurtures the ancient forest.

An island off Sata, Kagoshima Prefecture. Characterized by Yakusugi cedar trees exceeding 1,000 years old and diverse ecosystems. Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, it attracts hikers seeking Jomon Sugi, estimated at 7,200 years old. Approximately 100,000 visitors annually. Recognized worldwide as exemplifying conservation alongside tourism.

Japan's tallest free-standing mountain, revered since ancient times as a subject of faith and art. Registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2013, it symbolizes Japan and attracts roughly 300,000 climbers annually.

A collection of temples and shrines including Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Ryoan-ji, encompassing the UNESCO World Heritage 'Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.' They embody the aesthetic and historical essence of Japan's thousand-year imperial capital.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site that bears witness to the devastation of the 1945 atomic bombing. The Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park serve as enduring symbols advocating for nuclear disarmament and lasting world peace, drawing visitors from around the globe each year.

Known affectionately as the 'White Heron Castle,' Himeji Castle was one of Japan's first UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites. Combining an elegant white-plastered exterior with sophisticated defensive architecture, it is regarded as the finest surviving example of Japanese castle construction. After major restoration in 2015, it attracts around two million visitors annually.