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Off-the-beaten-path Japan itinerary: Kanazawa, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Iya Valley, Beppu, Yakushima. Best as a second trip or 14+ days, with Hokuriku passes.
Japan for first-timers: pick two or three bases, plan three sights per day, leave room for meals. Prioritise Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and a ryokan night. Skip digital art, Mount Fuji, and too many temples.
A three-phase month in Japan: ten days on the Golden Route, twelve in one region and eight flexible days, with rail pass and transport cost checks.
A 14-day route covering Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima and Miyajima, with Shinkansen travel, transport passes and booking advice for first-time visitors.
Matsuyama combines Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot springs, with an original castle keep, a tram network and access to the Shimanami Kaido cycling route.
A guide to Sendai, covering Aoba Castle and Date Masamune, gyutan beef tongue, Matsushima Bay and the Tanabata festival.
Sapporo, Japan's youngest major city, is known for beer, miso ramen and seafood, with access to Niseko and Otaru. Its Snow Festival is held in February.
Iki Island, between Kyushu and Korea, offers beaches, ancient ruins and shochu distilleries. Reach it by jetfoil, ferry or flight.
Sado Island offers gold mine tours, Kodo's Earth Celebration, Noh theatre, tub boats and practical travel details.
A guide to Yakushima's ancient cedars, the Jomon Sugi hike, Shiratani Unsuikyo, wildlife, beaches and practical travel details.
A guide to Ishigaki in Okinawa's Yaeyama Islands, with manta rays, Kabira Bay, day trips to Iriomote and Taketomi, beaches and snorkelling.
A guide to Miyako Island in Okinawa: flights, transport, beaches such as Yonaha Maehama and Sunayama, snorkelling, diving and water sports.
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