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For those who have been to Japan, what do you recommend that people should see? The problem for me is that the list is too long, but I'll try to post some highlights.

Mount Fuji. What's the big deal about a mountain? Well, it's a huge volcano almost 3,800 metres high (almost 12,400 ft) and is visible from places like Chiba at least 60 km away. You can see it from Tokyo Tower and the Sky Tree on a clear day (I have had the most luck in winter). It features prominently in Japanese literature, history and art. It is seen as a symbol of Japan.

You can get excellent views of Fuji from Hakone (but at the moment the spot where this photo was taken from may be closed - please check!).


From Enoshima there's a great view with the bay in the foreground.

Fujisan from the Enoshima Bridge by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Mount Fuji from Owakudani by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

You can see the mountain from Mount Takao in western Tokyo prefecture.

Mount Fuji from Mount Takao by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

If you're really lucky, you might get to see as I did the sun rise from behind Fuji at dawn on New Year's day.

The light of Fuji by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

There's also great photos to be had around the "Fuji five lakes" with early morning reflections, but sadly I've never had the chance to do this. The photo is not by me but a Japanese photographer who is on Flickr and has an amazing collection of photos of Fujisan.

If you're going skiing in Nagano, make sure you see the snow monkeys. It's a one mile (1.6 km) hike, but worth it.

If you take the new bullet train to Kanazawa, don't miss Kenrokuen. It's one of the most famous gardens in Japan.

This is a tea house in Kenrokuen - but be warned, you have to sit on the floor on tatami mats.

Roughly between Nagoya and Kanazawa is Shirakawa-go, a world heritage listed village. It's fascinating to see how people lived in this challenging environment.


Shirakawa-go House by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Higashi chaya (eastern tea-house) district in Kanazawa.


Edo style shops in Kanazawa by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Tokyo tower with Fujisan on the horizon, from the Tokyo Prince Hotel.


Tokyo Tower by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

The Daibutsu (great Buddha) in Kamakura.


Kamakura Daibutsu by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

The E5 Hayabusa which now travels to Hakodate in Hokkaido through the tunnel under the straight between Honshu and Hokkaido. The E5 is the fastest bullet train in Japan at 320 kmh.

Sapporo at night.

Sapporo Streets 01 by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

At Lake Saikyo Iyashi no Sato you can dress up as a samurai and take your own photos. Unfortunately, getting here is not easy unless you have hired a car. The next best method is by bus.

The "pocket battleship" Mikasa, the flagship of the Japanese fleet which defeated the Russian fleet.

Don't be fooled by the sign on the entrance of the Yodobashi store in Akiba (Akihabara). It's just one store, not all of Akiba!

Daibutsuden in Nara. This is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world.