Not to miss

Kirishima National Park

Kirishima, in southern Kyūshū, is known for its superb mountain scenery, hot springs, the impressive Senriga-taki waterfall and spring wildflowers. The day walk from Ebino-kōgen village to the summits of a string of volcanoes is one of the finest volcanic hikes in Japan.

Shorter walks include a stroll around a series of volcanic lakes - Rokkannon Mi-ike has the most intense deep blue-green colour. The southern view from the summit of Karakuni-dake is superb: on a clear day you can see Kagoshima, the nearest large city, and the smoking cone of Sakurajima Volcano.

Kyoto

Kyoto, with its hundreds of temples and gardens, was the imperial capital between 794 and 1868, and remains the cultural centre of Japan. Its raked pebble gardens, sensuously contoured temple roofs and mysterious Shintō shrines fulfill the Japanese fantasy of every Western cliché hunter.

With an astonishing 1600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shintō shrines, a trio of palaces, and dozens of gardens and museums, Kyoto is Japan's cultural treasure house. Seventeen of Kyoto's ancient structures and gardens have been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Daisetsuzan National Park

Japan's largest national park (2309 sq km/1432 sq mi) is in central Hokkaido, the northernmost and second largest of Japan's islands. The park, which consists of several mountain groups, volcanoes, lakes and forests, is spectacular hiking and skiing territory.

Japan's largest national park (2309 sq km/1432 sq mi) is in central Hokkaido, the northernmost and second largest of Japan's islands. The park, which consists of several mountain groups, volcanoes, lakes and forests, is spectacular hiking and skiing territory.

Tokyo

The sheer level of energy is the most striking aspect of Japan's capital city. Tokyo is a place where the urgent rhythms of consumer culture collide with the quieter moments that linger from older traditions. It's hectic madness leavened by the most Zen-like of calms.

While it's true the exciting vibe has a somewhat depressing flip side - shoebox housing estates and office blocks traversed by overhead expressways crowded with traffic - Tokyo remains a glittering example of the 'miracle' of post-WWII Japan.

Nagasaki

Nagasaki is a busy and colourful city, but its unfortunate fate as the second atomic bomb target obscures its fascinating early history of contact with the Portuguese and Dutch. The chilling A-Bomb Museum and Hypocentre Park are evocative reminders of the horror of nuclear destruction.

As a solemn aniversary, a bell in the turtle-shaped Fukusai-ji, a Zen temple, tolls at 11:02 daily, the time of the explosion. One of the world's biggest Foucault pendulums (a device which demonstrates the rotation of the earth) hangs inside the temple.

Mt Fuji

Japan's highest mountain (3776m/12,385ft) is a perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone which last blew its top in 1707, covering the streets of Tokyo 100km (62mi) away with volcanic ash. It's sometimes visible from Tokyo but is more often mystically shrouded by cloud or, in winter, capped off by snow.

While you can climb Mt Fuji at any time of year, a midwinter ascent is strictly for veteran mountaineers. The climbing season is in July and August, Japansese pack in during these busy months. It's a serious climb, just high enough for altitude sickness and the weather can be viciously changeable.

Noto-Hanto Peninsula

For an enjoyable combination of rugged seascapes, traditional rural life and a light diet of cultural sights, this peninsula is highly recommended. The wild, unsheltered western side of the peninsula is of most interest, as it is less developed than the indented eastern coastline.

For an enjoyable combination of rugged seascapes, traditional rural life and a light diet of cultural sights, this peninsula is highly recommended. The wild, unsheltered western side of the peninsula is probably of most interest, as it is less developed than the indented eastern coastline.

Japanese Red Cross Language Service Volunteers

Broad information for disabled travellers.

Australian Embassy

Japan Youth Hostel Association

For budget travellers, youth hostels are the best option, and it is quite feasible to plan an entire itinerary using them. The best source of information on youth hostels is the Japan Youth Hostel Handbook, which is available from the Japan Youth Hostel Association. Many youth hostels in Japan sell this handbook.

Foreign Residents Advisory Center

If you're staying long-term, adjusting to life in Japan can be tough; but there are places to turn to for help. The Foreign Residents Advisory Center is a useful service operated by the Tokyo metropolitan government.

US Embassy

Mt Fuji

Japan's highest mountain stands 3776m (12,388ft) high. When it's capped with snow, it's a picture-postcard perfect volcanic cone. Fuji-san last blew in 1707, covering the streets of Tokyo with volcanic ash. On an exceptionally clear day, you can see Mt Fuji from Tokyo, 100km (62mi) away, but on many days it's wreathed with clouds.

Your best chance of seeing the notoriously shy mountain is in the late autumn, winter and early spring when the air is fairly clear. Even during these times, the mountain may only be visible in the morning before it retreats behind a curtain of haze or clouds.

You can get a classic view of Mt Fuji from the shinkansen (bullet train) as it passes the city of Fuji (sit on the northern side of the train). But the best and closest views are from the Fuji Go-ko region where, on a clear day, the hulking presence of the mountain seems to fill the sky.

Officially, the climbing season on Mt Fuji is from 1 July to 31 August. Actually, you can climb Mt Fuji at any time of year, and it may be preferable to do so just outside the official season to avoid the crowds, but keep in mind that transport services may be less frequent and some of the huts may be closed. Of course, any time there's snow on the mountain you'll need the proper equipment and experience to climb Mt Fuji, and a midwinter ascent is strictly for expert mountaineers.

You want to reach the top at dawn - both to see goraiko (sunrise) and because early morning is the time when the mountain is least likely to be shrouded in cloud. Sometimes it takes an hour or two to burn the morning mist off, however. You do not want to arrive on the top too long before dawn, as it's likely to be very cold and windy, and if you've worked up a sweat during the climb, you'll be very uncomfortable.

Tokyo National Museum

The Tokyo National Museum is the one museum in Tokyo that is worth going out of your way to visit. Not only is it Japan's largest museum, housing some 87,000 items, it also has the world's largest collection of Japanese art. Only a portion of the museum's huge collection is displayed at any one time.

The museum has four galleries, the most important of which is the Main Hall (Hon-kan). It houses a very impressive collection of Japanese art, from sculpture and swords to lacquerware and calligraphy. The Gallery of Eastern Antiquities has a collection of art and archaeological finds from all of Asia east of Egypt. The Hyōkei-kan has a collection of Japanese archaeological finds.

There is a room devoted to artefacts once used by the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaidū. And perhaps best of all, there is the Gallery of Hōryūji Treasures, which houses some of Japan's most important Buddhist artworks, all from Hōryū-ji in Nara.

Matsuyama-jō

Picturesquely sited atop a hill that virtually erupts in the middle of the town, Matsuyama-jō is one of Japan's finest original surviving castles. It only squeaks in with the 'original' label, as it was restored just before the end of the Edo period. In the early years of the Meiji Restoration, rebuilding feudal symbols was definitely not high priority.

The castle was built in 1602-03 with five storeys; it burnt down and was rebuilt in 1642 with only three storeys. In 1784 it was struck by lightning and burnt down once again and, in those peaceful and torpid Edo years, it took until 1820 for a decision to be made to rebuild it and until 1854 for the reconstruction to be completed! It was completely restored between 1968-86.

You don't have to climb the steep hill up to the castle; a cable car and/or chairlift will whisk you up there. Consider walking down the back slopes of the castle hill to see Ninomaru Shiseki Tei-en.

Kyoto Imperial Palace Park

The Kyoto Gosho is surrounded by the spacious Imperial Palace Park, which is planted with a huge variety of flowering trees and open fields. It's perfect for picnics, strolls and just about any sport you can think of. The park is most beautiful in the plum- and cherry-blossom seasons (March and April respectively).

Take some time to visit the pond at the park's southern end, which contains gorgeous carp.

Daisetsuzan National Park

Sometimes spelled 'Taisetsuzan', this is Japan's largest national park, consisting of several mountain groups, volcanoes, hot springs, lakes and forests. It also includes Asahi-dake, at 2290m (7557ft) Hokkaidō's highest peak. The park is spectacular hiking and skiing territory, but bear in mind that a few days are needed to get away from tourist areas.

If you have limited time, Asahidake Onsen is a good spot for a quick look at the park. Tokachidake Onsen is more remote and may be good for those wanting to escape the crowds (a key consideration in summer and early autumn). There are a couple of hikes on the more well-trodden trails here, but there are also many more routes leading to more remote regions if you have several days, or even a week, to spare.

Hiking and other information with some English-language text is available at tourist information offices in the larger towns and destinations.

Kamakura Daibutsu

The Kamakura Daibutsu (Great Buddha) was completed in 1252 and is Kamakura's most famous sight. Once housed in a huge hall, the statue now sits in the open, its home having been washed away by a tsunami (tidal wave) in 1495. Cast in bronze, the statue is 11.4m (37.4ft) tall.

Its construction is said to have been inspired by Yoritomo's visit to Nara (where there is another, even bigger, daibutsu) after the Minamoto clan's victory over the rival Taira clan. Even though Kamakura's Daibutsu doesn't quite match Nara's in stature, it is commonly agreed that it is artistically superior. The Buddha itself is the Amida Buddha (amitābha in Sanskrit), worshipped by the followers of the Jōdo (Pure Land) school as a figure of salvation.

To get to the Daibutsu, take a bus from the No 2, 7 or 10 bus stop in front of Kamakura station and get off at the Daibutsu-mae stop. Alternatively, take the Enoden Enoshima line to Hase station and walk north for 10 minutes.

Iriomote-jima

Dense jungle blankets much of Iriomote-jima, an island that could well qualify as Japan's last frontier. Trekking through the interior, you may find leeches, which in Japan is probably good enough to merit the 'wilderness' tag. The island's major attractions are beaches, rivers and waterfalls, and the rarely seen Iriomote yamaneko (wildcat).

Much easier to find are the curious sakishimasuo trees, with their twisting, ribbon-like root buttresses. You'll find them all over the island, but particularly along the coast north of Ōhara.

Iriomote-jima has several small towns and a perimeter road that runs about halfway around the coast. No roads run into the interior, which is virtually untouched.

The island's number-one attraction is a trip up the Urauchi-gawa, a winding brown river a lot like a tiny stretch of the Amazon. From where the boats stop, it's a half-hour walk to the spectacular waterfalls, Mariyudō-no-taki, and long, rapids-like Kampirē-no-taki. There are some good swimming holes around the falls.

There are some great walks in Iriomote-jima's jungle-clad interior. To get to the falls you wade across the shallow lagoon from the causeway, plod through the mangroves behind the lagoon and then follow the river up to the base of the falls. At high tide, you can rent a kayak and paddle across. A path branches off from the river and climbs to the top of the falls, from where there are superb views down to the coast.

Kinkasan

Kinkasan (Golden Mountain) is one of the three holiest places in Tōhoku. Women were banned until the late 19th century. An overnight stay is ideal for those seeking tranquillity from frenetic Japanese life. The island features a pyramid-shaped mountain (445m/1460ft), an impressive shrine, a handful of houses around the boat dock and mostly untended trails.

There is no tourist information, no Internet and no convenience store on the island - so come prepared. Most visitors seem to be day-trippers, which means the island is delightfully deserted in the early morning and late afternoon.