Osaka is a large port city and a busy commercial centre on the Japanese island of Honshu, known for its modern architecture, vibrant nightlife and delicious street food. This bustling city features a number of appealing attractions, most notably its restored 16th-century Shogunate Osaka Castle, surrounded by a moat and plum, peach and cherry blossom trees. The city also boasts an impressive array of museums including the National Museum of Ethnology, the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farm Houses and the Japan Folk Crafts Museum. Other must-see attractions include the Universal Studios Japan and the Expo Commemoration Park, which features the iconic Tower of the Sun.
Hiroshima has a deep historical significance – it was the first city ever to suffer an atomic blast, which wreaked devastation across the urban hub on 6 August 1945. The only remaining building in the area was the Genbaku Dome, which is now known as the 'City of Peace' and has become a worldwide symbol of hope for everlasting peace. Hiroshima-jo is a replica of the original castle where Japanese elders came together for centuries to discuss strategies and politics. Today Hiroshima is a thriving tourist destination with an interesting food scene and a very vibrant nightlife. Cultural experiences include the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art and the Mazda Museum.
Tokyo is a massive, wealthy, and fascinating metropolis, including a mainland located northwest of Tokyo Bay and two beautiful and subtropical archipelagos, the Izu and Ogasawara Islands. It encompasses rugged natural scenery, high-tech visions of the future, and glimpses of traditional life. The various districts of this phenomenal city vary wildly in character, from the electronic blare of Akihabara to the magnificent Imperial gardens and shrines of Chiyoda; from the lively youth mecca of Shibuya to the splendid pottery shops and temple markets of Asakusa. If you don't like what you see, hop on the train and head to the next station, and you will find something entirely different. The city truly has a little bit of everything for everyone.
