Kamakura is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan due to the numerous shrines, temples and historical monuments as well as the beautiful beaches which are simply enchanting. However, behind the small and pleasant façade of Kamakura lies the richest Japanese history.

This significant historical town is where the first shogunate was established in 1192 until 1333. The defeat to the Taira clan in a domestic battle had the 3^rd son of Minamoto Yoshitomo, the leader of Minamoto clan, fled to Izu peninsula (adjacent to Kamakura). When he grew older, he started to garner forces against the Taira and set up his an ideal fortress in Kamakura which was bordered by sea and hills. The strategic situation around his base helped him vanquished the enemy in 1185 and was appointed shogun in 1192. It then became the de facto capital of Japan until the decline of Kamakura shogunate that it lost its position to other cities. Kamakura Period lasted over a century.

Geographically, Kamakura is a coastal town located in Kanagawa prefecture, to the south of Tokyo, Japan. The Institute for Research on World-Systems states that Kamakura was the largest city in Japan, eclipsing Kyoto by 1200 AD, and was the 4^th largest city in the world in 1250 AD. Today, the population is approximately 180,000.

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“Don’t say ‘magnificent’ until you’ve seen Nikko” is the catchiest sentence in most of today’s tourist literature. It is the translation of a popular Japanese saying proclaims Nikko wo minakereba “kekko” to iu na which eulogizes the everlasting magnificence of the city.

Nikko literally means sunlight, an endearing complement to the name of Japan (Nihon) which literally means sun’s origin. This city with a population of nearly 100,000 has been the heart of Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship for many centuries while picturesque, mountainous scenery, lakes, hot springs (onsen), waterfalls, hiking trails and wild monkeys are the highlights of Nikko National Park that you do not want to miss.

Geographically, Nikko is located to the north of Tokyo, in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture. Though it is much closer to Tokyo, the 200-2000 m elevation of Nikko makes the weather rather close to that of Hokkaido. It usually gets cooler when one ascends the mountain. The temperature is only about 22°C in warmest months while it could reach down to -8°C in the coldest months. The average temperature is around 7°C.

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Hiroshima is a historical city which painfully conjures up an array of horrific pictures of debris, blood, plight and disorder. Japanese would permanently remember the dreadful moment when atomic bomb was dropped by United States of America on August 6, 1945.

However, being the world’s first atomic-bomb target was yesterday, its citizens have long ago recovered from nuclear devastation. Time flies and Hiroshima has totally changed its depressing facade into a prosperous and globally minded population.  It is now a modern, cosmopolitan city wherein tourists find scrumptious food at every corner and the exhilarating nightlife.

Geographically, Hiroshima is the largest city located along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea in the western of Chugoku region of western Honshu, the largest island in Japan. This capital of Hiroshima Prefecture has a modern face of an industrial city punctuated with criss-crossing rivers, broad highway, and a populous city center.

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Nara was once a magnificent capital described by an ancient poet as “a fragrant flower in full bloom”. According to history, it was the first permanent of Japan established in the year 710 until the movement to Nagaoka took place in 784 when the government was seriously threatened by the growing influence and political aspiration of the city’s powerful Buddhist monasteries. However, due to the glorious Nara period, this city remains full of historic treasures which include some of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples.

Geographically, Nara is now the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region. It is located in the Kinai plain, less than one hour from Kyoto and Osaka. An ancient Japanese book entitled Nihon Shoki states that the name “Nara” was derived from the Japanese word narashita meaning “made flat”.

As Nara is well-known as the treasure-house of Japanese arts and the birthplace of the culture of Japan, it has been rated as one of the most rewarding tourist spots in the country. What you find here are the renowned ancient temples and shrines which reflect the timeless history of this archipelago.

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Osaka is famous for its hearty cuisine as supported by the saying “Dress (in kimonos) ’til you drop in Kyoto, eat ’til you drop in Osaka” (京の着倒れ、大阪の食い倒れ). However, that is just the tip of the iceberg for this third largest and second most important city in Japan has many interesting facades that make it a spot to be experienced in its entirety.

Osaka is located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay. Once the commercial capital of Japan, it has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region for many centuries with a population of 2.5 million.

Osaka literally means “large hill” or “large slope”. What you find in this large hill are the best restaurants in town, sensible citizens, urban life typically Japanese and a lot of other captivating attractions and scenes that guarantee your memorable trip in the archipelago.

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