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| SPOTLIGHT | | Wild
and naughty beaches and jungle, Wildlife,natural heritage and sun-kissed islands.
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So, you're going to Japan... but where will you visit
while you're there? I will give you some great ideas to make your trip memorable
and fun. See a map of Japan for the locations.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido
is the northmost island in Japan. The spectacular landscape and beautiful natural
suroundings attract many travelers. The weather is mild in summer and is very
cold in winter. It's a good destination for skiing. Also, you can visit hot springs
in Hokkaido.
* Sapporo-city
* Sapporo Snow Festival
* Japanese
Crane: Kushiro-city
* Shikotsu-Toya National Park
* Mt.Usu
* Daisetsuzan
National Park
* Akan National Park
* Shiretoko National Park
Tohoku
Region
* Aomori is famous for the Nebuta festival.
* Sendai-city
in Miyagi is one of the most popular travel destinations for the region. It's
a beautiful city. You can visit Aoba castle.
Kanto Region
* Tokyo The largest city in Japan. It's a good destination for travelers who want
to enjoy the city life. There are lots of restaurants, shopping districts, theaters,
amusement parks, temples and shrines. There are many English signs in Tokyo, so
it's easy for English-speaking travelers to get around. For a sample Tokyo itinerary,
visit A Day in Tokyo.
* Kamakura, Nikko, Yokohama, and Hakone are good day
trip destinations from Tokyo.
Chubu Region
* You
can view and climb Mt. Fuji from Yamanashi, Shizuoka, and Kanagawa prefectures.
* The Japan Alps in Nagano are beautiful.
* Kanazawa-city retains the atmosphere
of old Japan like Kyoto does. Visit Kenroku Park, which is one of the three major
Japanese gardens.
* Nagoya is the biggest city in this region. Nagoya castle
is well-known.
Kinki Region
* Kyoto is the old
capital city of Japan and is the most popular destination for travelers in western
Japan. There are so many temples and shrines to visit. You should be able to immerse
yourself in Japanese traditional culture in Kyoto. For a sample Kyoto itinerary,
see A Day in Kyoto.
* Osaka is the primary city of Japanese business in western
Japan. Osaka is another good destination for travelers who want to enjoy the city
life of Japan. There are many theaters and shopping districts.
Chugoku
Region
* Hiroshima is located in this region.
* Miyajima
Island, where the famous, huge red torii gate is built on the ocean.
Shikoku
Island
* Shikoku isn't as popular for foreign travelers, but
it's famous as a pilgrimage to 88 sacred Buddhist temples.
* Kotohira-gu shrine
in Takamatsu is a good place to visit. Takamatsu is also famous for Sanuki-udon
noodles.
Kyushu Island
* The weather is mild in
Kyushu, but keep in mind that the precipitation tends to be high.he most popular
destination is Nagasaki. It's an exotic town and there is the Hauis Ten Bosch
Theme park.
* You can visit volcanoes, such as Mt. Sakura in Kagoshima and
Mt. Aso in Kumamoto.
* Beppu Hot springs is one of my favorite.
* In Miyazaki,
you can visit a resort complex called Seagaia (Ocean Dome.)
* Okinawa has
its distinct culture and the beaches and islands attract many vacationers. |
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Top Beaches |  |
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 Zamami-jima |
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A fine place to get away from it
all, Zamami-jima has spectacular beaches, both on the island itself or a short
boat ride away. You can dive year-round, but the best time to visit is in autumn,
when most tourists have gone and while the water is still warm enough for swimming
and snorkelling. |
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| Furuzamami
Beach |
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Furuzamami beach is the best
on the island, with excellent coral and troops of multicoloured fish. In season,
you can rent snorkels at the small shop and there's also a restaurant and showers.
However, the beaches get even better on the tiny, offshore islands, such as Gahi-jima
and Agenashiku-jima, just south of Zamami. In summer (June to mid-Sept) small
boats take day-trippers out to these islands for a small fee, but out of season
you'll have to charter your own boat. |
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| Tokashiki-jima |
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Tokashiki-jima, the largest island and the closest
to Naha, attracts the greatest number of tourists, but all the islands are surprisingly
quiet outside the summer peak (July & Aug). This might not last much longer. |
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| Painagama |
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Painagama, immediately south of the harbour, but there
are much better ones around the island. Top of the list is Maehama , around 10km
south of Hirara, a long and remarkably pristine strip of soft white sand that
is hailed as Japan's best beach. |
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| Boraga
Beach |
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The next beach of note is Boraga,
reached by a steep twisting road from Route 390. It's a good spot for snorkelling
and kayaking and equipment for both is available from the attractive beachside
complex that includes a refreshment hut and a freshwater swimming pool. |
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| Okinawa
Island |
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Okinawa comprises more than
one hundred islands, stretching over 700km of ocean from Kyushu southwest to Yonaguni-jima,
almost within sight of Taiwan. Collectively known as the Ryukyu Shoto, this chain
of subtropical islands, with their lush vegetation, paradise beaches and superb
coral reefs, has become a popular destination for Japanese holiday-makers and
foreign residents alike. |
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| Yaeyama
Islands |
| Yonaguni-jima marks Japan's
most westerly point, from where it's only another 125km to Taiwan. As with the
Miyako Islands, the main reason for coming here is the spectacular diving and
snorkelling opportunities, although trekkers and kayakers will also be inspired
by the forest trails, rivers and indented coastline of Iriomote. |
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| Zamami-jima |
Zamami-jima has spectacular beaches,
both on the island itself or a short boat ride away. You can dive year-round,
but the best time to visit is in autumn, when most tourists have gone and while
the water is still warm enough for swimming and snorkelling.
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| Kamakura |
| Kamakura lies at the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Large
beaches are located just about 10 minutes from Kamakura Station by foot. The beaches
are very popular during the hot summer months when they are crowded not only with
locals but also with visitors from the close Tokyo/Yokohama area. |
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| Kerama
Islands |
Kerama Islands are the closest
group to Naha. A knot of three large, inhabited islands and numerous pinpricks
of sand and coral, the Keramas offer some of the most beautiful and unspoilt beaches
in Okinawa and superb diving among the offshore reefs.
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