With its main street, lined by massive kurazukuri (warehouse style) buildings, the former castle town of Kawagoe has retained a certain atmosphere reminiscent of past centuries. Consequently, the city has been nicknamed “Little Edo” (Edo is Tokyo’s former name).
Narita is a city in Chiba Prefecture, roughly 60 kilometers east of central Tokyo. The city is most famous as the site of Tokyo’s international airport, which is commonly known as Narita Airport.
The Izu Peninsula (Izu Hanto) is a resort area about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, popular for its hot springs, beautiful coastlines, beaches, mild climate, scenic mountainous interior and views of Mount Fuji from its western coast.
Hagi is a former castle town, off the major transport ways, along the tranquil Sea of Japan coast in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Hagi is best known for its nicely preserved former castle town and local pottery, which ranks among Japan’s finest.
Yamaguchi is a pleasant and friendly city in Western Honshu, founded by Ouchi Hiroyo in the 14th century. Today it is the capital of Yamaguchi Prefecture, a region formerly known as Nagato (Choshu) and Suo province.
Hakuba, located in the Northern Alps of Nagano Prefecture, is one of Japan’s most popular ski areas, offering good snow and several large ski resorts to choose from.
The Kiso Valley is located in Nagano Prefecture, and runs alongside the mountains of the Central Alps. An ancient 70 km trade route called the Kisoji was developed along the valley and served as a very important means of commerce in the area.
Matsumoto is the second largest city in Nagano Prefecture. It is most famous for Matsumotojo, one of Japan’s most beautiful original castles. The city is also a good base for trips into the Japanese Alps, e.g. to Kamikochi.
Kamikochi is a popular resort in the Japanese Alps of Nagano Prefecture, offering some of Japan’s most spectacular mountain scenery. It is open from mid/late April until November 15, and shuts down during winter. In 2009, Kamikochi will be open from April 23 to November 15.