Hokkaido, the expansive island located at Japan's northernmost tip, transforms into a winter wonderland from November to April each year as the cold air drifts down from Siberia bringing the snow with it. The quality of snow is famous the world over, and each year ski-enthusiasts flock there to enjoy the powder ski slopes. The boundless snow-bleached plains of Hokkaido are breathtaking and visitors will be sure to take home many memories to last a lifetime. Every February, Hokkaido’s capital hosts the Sapporo Snow Festival where splendid snow and ice sculptures line the main street turning the city into a winter wonderland. Accounting for one fifth of the country’s land yet home to only 5% of the population, Hokkaido boasts vast unspoiled natural wilderness and an abundance of fresh seafood. It is the perfect location to enjoy the finest seafood Japan has to offer.

Located some 600kms north of Tokyo as the crow flies, the Aomori area is home to the world's largest virgin forest of beech trees in the World Heritage Shirakami Mountains, the picturesque mountain stream and national park of Oirase, and the scenic beauty of Lake Towada-ko. The area offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy the distinctive seasons showcased by the area’s rugged mountain ranges, deep valleys, and cascading rivers. Aomori is Japan’s top apple-producing region and people come from all over the world to get a taste of the apples grown there. The area has also retained an array of traditional folk art, festivals, and customs passed down through the generations and seldom seen in the urban areas of Japan these days. In particular, the Nebuta Festival is a must-see event that often appears on bucket lists of many of the locals. The festival’s gallantly decorated giant floats are paraded around the city amidst a sea of exuberant dancers.

Located in the middle of Japan’s main island and just a stone’s throw from Tokyo, the Tochigi area is well known as the home of the World Heritage Site Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and offers visitors a chance to see the types of Japanese architecture that they have likely seen in the movies and TV dramas. This area abounds in traditional Japanese arts and craftsmanship, and the area’s cultural significance can be felt by just seeing this place with your own eyes. Scattered throughout the region’s mountain ranges you will find many temples and shrines, Lake Chuzenji at an altitude of 1300m, the Kegon Falls with its splendid cascading stream of water, as well as many hot springs including Kinugawa Onsen and Kawaji Onsen, where visitors can soothe their tired, well-traveled bodies after a day exploring the Heritage-listed and historic sites. Also, if you want to stretch your legs a little further afield, just north of Nikko is the Aizu area. There, you won't be able to miss the exquisite white-walled Tsuruga Castle which played an important role in Japanese history. You can enjoy a walk through the castle grounds, cruise the ski slopes in winter, or relax in a cozy hot onsen while watching the snow fall around you.

With easy access from Tokyo, the Izu Peninsula boasts many well-established onsens, and has become a healing ground for the many visitors that flock there. Once you arrive, slip on one of the yukata robes, and wander through the streets lined with souvenirs and sweet stores. This prime location is hugely popular among locals and tourists alike as it offers spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, and the Pacific Ocean can be seen from many of the onsen ryokan in the area. You can also enjoy the delicious fresh seafood on offer. Thanks to the warm seaside climate, the local area is famous for being the corner of Japan where blossoms first bloom. There you can get a sneak peak at aromatic plum blossoms, boundless yellow fields of rapeseed blossoms, and cherry tree blossoms that line the streets.

Located almost smack-bang in the middle of Japan's main island of Honshu, the Nagano area is almost at the center of the main routes between Japan’s major metros of Tokyo and Osaka, making it a must-see port of call on every travel itinerary. Former host to the Winter Olympic Games, Nagano naturally boasts some of Japan's best quality snow and variety of slopes as well as superb natural hot springs making it the ideal destination to check off two must-do experiences on your list: a day out on the slopes and staying at a traditional onsen ryokan (Japanese inn with hot springs). At the onsen ryokan, you can get a little taste of living like a local and take home some unforgettable memories by trying some typically Japanese experiences on offer such as Kaiseki cuisine, outdoor onsens, Japanese sake, sashimi, nabe hot pots, sunken fireplaces, kamado crockpot cooking, and pounding sticky rice. Incidentally, this is also the home of those famous Snow Monkeys you may have heard of that come down from the mountains to bathe in the onsens.

Okinawa is a chain of hundreds of tropical islands at the southernmost point of Japan. The Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture are the remotest part of Japan from the main islands. The islands are famous for being home to one of the world's largest coral reefs, second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The stunning contrast of coral-formed white sandy beaches and the cobalt-blue ocean is often listed as one of the world's must-see landscapes. This divers’ mecca, which attracts marine-sports enthusiast from all over the world, is known as the place to see manta rays. Not only is this nature-lover's paradise a treasure trove of marine activities such as snorkeling and fishing, but it also offers rare and wonderful opportunities to experience the great outdoors such as canoeing through mangroves. Take a stroll around the island's streets lined with blooming hibiscus and bougainvillea while enjoying the distant sounds of the traditional Okinawan instrument, the Sanshin, or the local folk melodies. After enjoying the beaches, take time out to discover the unique native culture, mingle with the friendly locals, and savor every precious encounter.