Japan’s northernmost island is beautiful Hokkaido. With 10% of the island made up of national parks, this sparsely populated land is a nature-lover’s dream. In the spring and summer months enjoy hikes, waterfalls and wildlife viewing surrounded by lush flower meadows and rugged volcanic landscape. In the winter, head to Hokkaido for some of the best snow in the world and ski or snowboard the day away. Perhaps visit for the annual Sapporo Snow Festival and enjoy hundreds of creative snow sculptures painstakingly carved by locals and tourists alike. Afterwards, reward yourself with a visit to an onsen (hot spring bath) and enjoy a pint of the local Sapporo beer. Kanpai!

Not far from the serene wilderness, you can get your fill of cosmopolitan Japan here too. The bright light city of Hakodate, on the southern tip of the island, retains European architecture from its past as a major trading port. Spend your days visiting the historic districts or the dormant volcanos just outside of town. Vibrant Sapporo city is the largest on the island and there is no shortage of sights to see here; from climbing the TV Tower to relaxing in Odori Park. However, no visit is complete without a stop at the Sapporo Beer Museum. If beer isn’t your thing the city is also famous for it’s ice cream and chocolate – it would be rude not to try!

Top tip: Catch the train to the pleasant port city of Otaru just 30 minutes outside Sapporo to try the freshest sushi in the country! A must on any Hokkaido itinerary.

Known as the main island, Honshu has it all; Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, Mount Fuji and the Japanese Alps. Start your visit surrounded by the neon lights of Tokyo, one of the most densely populated cities in the world. From bustling Shinjuku and Shibuya to the Sensoji Temple complex of Asakusa; as the cliché goes, it truly is a city of contrasts. Spend your days checking out the weird and wonderful fashion of Harajuku, gaming in Akihabara, shopping in Ginza, strolling round the parks and museums of Ueno, or writing your wishes on an ema (wooden placque) at Meiji Jongu Shrine and hoping they come true! Spend your evenings in an izakaya (dining bar) or doing your best Bill Murray impression in one of the city’s many karaoke joints.

Don’t forget to climb the iconic SkyTree or Tokyo Tower for the best views of this expansive city. On a clear day you might even spot a snow capped Mount Fuji in the distance.

Top tip: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku offers fantastic views of the city without the cost of the SkyTree. Simply take the elevator up to the top floor observation deck and enjoy!

Just a Shinkansen (bullet train) ride away is the old imperial capital of Kyoto. With 17 UNESCO world heritage sites and over 2000 temples and shrines, no visit to Honshu, or even Japan, would be complete without a stop here. It is well worth visiting Kyoto's iconic attractions; from the beautiful Kinkakuji (The Golden Pavilion), the exquisite gardens of Ginkakuji (The Silver Pavilion) and mighty Kiyomizu-dera Temple which has spectacular views over the plateau on which Kyoto sits. However, it is also worth escaping the crowds. Take an early morning trip outside the city to the bamboo forest of Arashiyama and pose for that coveted instagram shot, sure to be the envy of everyone back home. Or why not re-create the opening scene from the film “Memoirs of a Geisha” and run through the seemingly endless maze of red torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Back in the city, head to the low-rise cobbled streets of Gion and if you’re lucky you might just spot one of the city's geisha running between tea houses. 

Top tip: Kyoto is ever popular with hotels here getting booked up very early, and this growing demand means prices to stay in the city are some of the highest in Japan. For a more economical option, why not consider staying in the cosmopolitan maritime city of Kobe. Jump on the train and in less than an hour you'll be in the centre of Kyoto, ready to start your sightseeing. Kobe itself is easily navigated and with its well preserved historic area, great shopping and an observation deck with remarkable views, there's plenty to keep you occupied for a day or so. Whatever you do, don't miss out on Kobe's world famous Wagyu beef, best enjoyed in the one of the city's many teppanyaki restaurants where the chef grills the prized meat to perfection on a sizzling iron plate as you mouth wateringly look on!

Bordering the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea lies one of Japan's best kept secrets; the island of Shikoku. Less visited than neighbouring Honshu it offers the chance to get off the beaten track and try something different.

For adrenaline junkies there is white water rafting on the Yoshino River- often regarded as the best in the country. There is also world class canyoning at Nametoko Canyon if you're feeling brave enough. If these high octane activities aren’t for you, perhaps take a leisurely boat ride down the Shimato River or just a stroll along the beach. You could explore dense forest in the centre of Shikoku and the relatively uninhabited Pacific coastline, visited only by the occasional whale.

Aside from the island's natural attractions, Shikoku has heaps of history and culture to discover. The spiritual city of Matsuyama is known for its ancient pilgrimage routes and thermal springs, including one of the country’s oldest hot springs, Dogo Onsen. A relaxing dip here is highly recommended - you'll be in good company as it is reported that people, including generations of royals, have been bathing in the waters here for over 3,000 years! The bath house here also inspired the one featured in the 2001 animated feature ‘Spirited Away’, Japan's highest grossing film ever!. Another undoubted city highlight is the original but beautifully restored Matsuyama Castle, towering splendidly above the city centre. Most castles in Japan have been rebuilt in exact replica, the original most likely to have been destroyed by war or natural disaster. Visiting an original one is a special experience and Matsuyama Castle won't disappoint!

Heading north to Takamatsu, the famous historical gardens of Ritsurin Koen, are a wonderful place to escape and unwind and shouldn't be missed. Keep your eyes peeled for a tree planted by then Prince of Wales in 1922, who later became King Edward VIII and stop for a break in the Kikugetsu-tei teahouse, where you can enjoy a cup of perfectly prepared matcha tea. A backdrop to the city, Mount Yashima offers panoramic views over the Seto Inland Sea. Being the site of a famous 12th Century battleground, it is considered good luck to throw small clay discs from one of the many viewpoints – symbolising victorious warriors throwing off their headpieces after defeating their enemies in battle!

For many travellers however, Shikoku's main draw is as the setting off point for the Shimanami Kaido, an 80km cycle route between Honshu Island and Shikoku Island which is frequently voted as one of the top cycle routes in the world. Crossing several suspension bridges, the course is superbly designed to offer cyclists a safe and scenic path through the beautiful islands of the Seto Inland Sea.

There is nothing quite like exploring Naoshima Island with its iconic sculptures dotted about and a plethora of art galleries and museums at every turn; it’s a unique stop on any itinerary.

No visit is complete without spending a night or two at Benesse House; a striking hotel forming part of the modern art museum. It is totally unlike anywhere else in the country and it marks itself as a truly eccentric (even by Japanese standards) and fascinating island to visit. Few tourists make it down to this part of Japan, so if you do it is definitely worth the journey.

Top tip: Naoshima is the perfect place to discover every day life in small town Japan. Exploration is simple - hire a bicycle or electric bike from around teh ferry terminal and be sure to check out narrow alleyways and shrines around every corner. Not a fan of cycling? Not to worry, the local bus visits all of the main attractions too.

Natural beauty, cosmoplitan cities and an active volcano at every turn, the underrated island of Kyushu should definitely be making its way to the top of your list. 

Futuristic Fukuoka city has a food scene to rival Osaka. Try their famous Hakata ramen egg noodles which is the best in Japan (or so myself and the people of Kyushu can attest to). Spend the day shopping at the country’s largest purpose built shopping and entertainment complex, Canal City, and spend the evening in one of the many outdoor food stalls. Head south to Nagasaki prefecture; with its miles of coastline and hundreds of little islands it is the perfect place to relax and explore. Visit Nagasaki city, best known as the second city the atomic bomb decimated during WW2. Like Hiroshima, it has rebuilt itself and sports the beautiful commemorative Peace Park in which you can learn more about that fateful day. As a port city - and one of the earliest in the country allowed to trade with the outside world when the rest of Japan was closed off- it retains an international diversity not seen in the rest of the country. Visit the Dutch houses, taste some of the best Chinese food you will ever have and take the cute 1950s style trams around the city. For the more adventurous, climb Mount Inasa for breathtaking city views to one side (voted one of the top 3 in Japan) and coastal views as far as the eye can see to the other.

After Nagasaki, head over to Kumamoto. It has, arguably, the best looking castle in the entire country. Visit in spring to see it in full glory surrounded by pretty pink blossoms, or visit in autumn when the fall colours rival those of New England.

Soak in the sulphurous hot springs of Beppu, Japan's hot spring capital. Perhaps even take a sand bath under the imposing volcano of Sakurajima in the city of Kagoshima, often likened to Naples in Italyfor its mild climate, volcano and hot-tempered inhabitants!.

Local tip: Make the most of cherry-blossom season by participating in Hanami (flower watching). Grab a blue plastic sheet, your favourite Japanese snackfood or a bento box and sit under the Sakura trees in a local park, gazing in awe as night settles in and the flowers are lit up by the local street lights.

When most people think of Japan, they don’t necessarily think sub-tropical climate, white sandy beaches and world class snorkelling. Yet the islands that make up the Okinawan archipelago offer all that and more. Located in the East China Sea and not officially part of Japan until the late 1800s, Okinawa retains a distinctive culture and history not found anywhere else in Japan.

Beach lovers should head for Ishigaki Island. With its turquoise waters and white sand it is the perfect getaway. Spend a day or two soaking up the sun here before heading out to remote Iriomote Island with its dense jungle and rivers full of mangroves it is one of the few truly wild places left in Japan. Diving excursions and local boat trips as well as kayaking are the best ways to explore these more remote islands. So with its temperate climate year round, beautiful scenery and more than its fair share of culture and wilderness, the Okinawa archipelago is the perfect beach break at the end of a busy Japan holiday or even a destination in its own right.

Local tip: Even on remote islands in Japan you can be sure to find a vending machine with any number of delicious drinks to try. So don’t forget your change.