Japan is filled with amazing culture, food, and places to visit. With its exotic beauty and marvelous attractions, choosing a starting point can be difficult. Depending upon your vacation time, knowing what to see and how to make the most out of your time in Japan is important. So start wide and wander and marvel at all the unique and eccentric sights Japan has to offer.

Tokyo is the number one hotspot in Japan and unlike any other big city in the world. Be ready for a shock, as it will show you what the term “foreign” really means! In Tokyo, you’ll see the famous Tokyo Tower; examine the intriguing mix of old monuments and shrines together with new age shops and modern buildings. Prepare to be awed by the majesty of the Imperial Palace and find the perfect picture in the Kokyo Gaien, an impressive garden just outside the palace. Nikko and Kamakura are two shrine complexes that connect you to the past with the country’s Shoguns and Buddha worship. Don’t forget to people watch! Tokyo is also famous for the bustling businessmen and women and the youth in outlandish harajuku dress.

Once you’ve finished in Tokyo, move on to Kyoto, Japan’s original capital where emperors of past centuries once ruled. As Japan’s second most popular tourist destination, it contains over 15 historical sites. Kyoto was undamaged during World War II, which makes it the best place to see preserved examples of Japan’s feudal times. Temples abound in Kyoto, such as the Golden Pavillion, where you can go to be awed or just take a bit of time for meditation. Filled with places to shop as well as nightlife to experience, Kyoto has it all.

Of course, you cannot visit Japan without taking in the majestic Mount Fuji. Escape the cities for a while and relish the wide open air in the south where Mt. Fuji rests. The mountain is actually a volcano and is said to be imbued with a living spirit. Climbers will enjoy the challenge, as the mountain is open to them from July through August. But if climbing isn’t your style, you can still indulge in the outdoors by trekking through the Hakone National Park, taking a moment to soak in a natural hot spring along the way.

Japan is a wondrous mix of traditions, cultures, fashion, food, and excitement. There is something for everyone here, whether that means watching baseball and sumo wrestling in the same day or partying in a karaoke bar and then taking the rest of the night off. Be ready to taste all that Japan has to offer!