Tokyo
About 9% of Japan`s population, 12.18 million people, live in the capital. It is area is 2200ｋ�u. It includes Izu islands and Bonin islands. It is country`s economcal, political, transport and cultural center. Places of interest: Sinjuku with its skyscraper, Shibuya full of yong people, Odaiba with amusement insfrastracture, scenic Asakusa. In suburbs there are Takaozan Mt. and Okutama gorge with there wonderful nature. (Photo- Asakusa)

Tokyo Disneyland
On the 15th of April 2003 it celebrated 20th aniversary. Disney Sea, opened in 2001 year, is also prosperous. In 2002 year number of the visitors achieved 24.8 million and broke the previous record. Oriental Land, the company managing Tokyo Disneyland, started construction of a sea tema park (400 000�u)near Disneyland, and it was opened in 2001. For those who wants to ride the attractions, it is strongly recommended to use fast pass.

Sumitagawa 18 bridges
It takes 30 mins by river bus from Azumabashi bridge in Asakusa to Takeshiba bridge in Hamamatu. Going under the last one bringe on the way to Tokyo bay, you complete the pilgrimage of Sumitagawa 18 bridges, observing the flow of time since Edo period. After that you can enjoy Hamarikyuuteien park and Odaiba seaside park.

Imperial Palace
It is opened for visitors twice a year, on Jan 2nd ? New Year greetings, and on DEC 23 ? Emperor`s birthday. But some parts of it, such as Gaien, Eastern Gyouen (free entrance, Tue-Thu, 9:00-15:00), Kitanomaru park(famous for sakura blossoms), are usually opened for public. (photo: Imperial Palace)

National Diet Building
Japan Diet is the highest organ of state power. Construction of the building started at 1920 and was completed in 1936. There are bronze statues of Ito Hirobumi, Itagaki Taisuke and Okuma Shigenobu in the Central square, this building makes people to remember the turbulent period of Japan`s politics. It opened for public, entrance is free, opened usually on week-days 9:00-16:00 and on week-ends.

Tokyo Tower
Constructed in 1958. Height is 333 m. It has special observation ground, situated at height 250 m, it provides 360 degree visibility and allows see such distant objects as Mt Fuji and Boso peninsula. At the time of construction huge amount of metal used for it led to debates. Light up of Tokyo tower is switched off at 00:00, and it becames completely dark.

Ginza
Like Zhongshan street in China, in Japan all fashionable shopping districts are called …Ginza. In 1612 the territory of nowadays Ginza began to be used by Tokugawa shogunat as a place for casting of silver coins(ginka). Later, in 1870, it became the official name for the place. In 1873 Ginza suffered from a terrible fire. After that it was rebuilt according to London model- buildings were constructed using fire-resisting bricks. It was the birth of modern Ginza. (photo-Ginza)

Tokyo Metropolitan Goverment Building
If you go out the west gate of Shinjuku station and walk towards the centre of the city, you will see a district of skyscrapers, the first of them is Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. At the eastern gate, before Alta, Kabuki-cho is situated, it is a district that never sleeps. Like Kabuki-cho, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building shows its face 24 hours a day. Its height is 243 m, 48 floors, area is: 42,940�u、inner area is： 381,000�u, construction started in April 1988 and was completed in May 1991. observation ground is situated at height 202 m (45th floor), all the territory of Tokyo could be seen from there. Opened time: North observation ground: 9:30-22:00, South observation ground: 9:30-17:30, closed on Tuesdays, if Tuesday is a national holiday- opened on Tuesday and closed on the following day.

Akihabara
Akihabara is a district famous for electronic goods. It is often called a world`s computer capital. Akihabara offers huge variety of goods, sometimes it is difficult to make a choice. What concerns the price, sometimes the same goods are cheaper at Ikebukuro or Osaka chain stores (using point card) and in suburban discount stores.

Tokyo`s metro
There are 2 systems of metro in Tokyo: one is Teito Rapid Transit Authority, the other is Tokyo metro. The 2 systems consist of 13 lines(+sublines). The trains make more than 5000 trips every day and cover distance more than 85000 km. Tokyo metro was opened in 1927, the first line was Ginza line, the first trains operated between Asakusa and Ueno stations. (Photo: metro passing by Ochanomizu. JCK office is situated nearby)

Sapporo
Sapporo occupies area of 1121.12km2. It is political, economic and cultural centre of Hokkaido. It is situated in the southern part of the island, on Ishikari plain. After governing reform of 1922 year, some of nearby villages were integrated in the city, so its area expanded. There are lots of Chinese tourist visiting Sapporo nowadays. The popular spots are: Former Hokkaido Government Office, Clock tower, Moiwayama Mountains, Jozankei Hot Spring, Historical Museum of Hokkaido, besides there is also Otaru town, which attracts many guests for 1-day tours. The other popular course is arriving to New Chitose airport, go to Sapporo for a short excursion, moving to Hakodate (Goryokaku Park, Trappistine Monastery), stay there for one night, and then return to Tokyo.

Hakone
Hakone is a very famous sight-seeing area. It has such areas as Yumoto, Gora, Sengokuhara, Ashino Lake, Hakonetoge.
1.Hakone, Motohakone course. Motohakone is an ancient town, wchich was founded before the entrance to the Hakone Shrine. Mt Fuji view from the Asino lake is a well-known traditional landscape of that area. Besides, there are a lot of other leisure facilities at Asino lake, such as luxury cruising, boating, fishing etc. Motohakone was founded in 1619 at the period of Tokugawa shogunat in order to prevent rebelions of daimyo and had very strict system of governing.
2.Sengokuhara, Kojiri, Owakudani course. Situated to the north of Hakone, Sengokuhara is covered with deep natural forests of beech and other trees. In autumn the leaves come red, and you can observe a marvelous landscape, the most beautiful views can be seen at Daigatake. Kojiri is a recreation area. At Owakudani you can see volcanic activity, the valley is covered with smoke coming underground and sulfur smell.
3.Gora, Ninotaira, Kiga, Miyagino course. Gora has lots of hot springs, in 1919 year a railway was constructed in this area, and it became very popular for summer holidays. Ninotaira is a relatively new hot spring resort. Kiga is an acient resourt, situated in marvelous area with deep gorges and lots of red leaves in autumn. Ashino is a long shaped lake, which appeared 400000 years ago as a result of volcano eruption, in a crater. At the south cost of it you can observe one of the best views of Mt Fuji. A lot activities- cruising, boating, fishing can be made there, it became one of the main attractions in the area. Its elevation is 725 m, max. depth is 44 m. Owakudani valley. About 3000 years ago, the latest eruption of Hakone volcano took place. Hot steam from underground breack through the soil and made holes, through wchich sulfuric steam comes out till nowadays. From the acient times the place was called Hell valley, but during visit of the Emperor in 1873 it was renamed. Mt Fuji observation is available from here.

Mt Fuji
Mt Fuji is situated in Yamanashi and Sizuoka prefectures, with height of 3776m is it the highest in Japan. Diameter at the foot is 35-40 km. It has form of a cone and is known all over the world for its beauty. The last volcano eruption took place in 1707. There 6 routes to climb the mountain: Yosida, Funatsu and Syojin in Yamanasi; and Fujimiya, Subashi and Gotemba in Sizuoka prefecture. At elevation 2300-2600 m they are connevted by a circle road. While climbing, you can go through some Japanese style gardens. And the landscapes could be seen from the top of Mt Fuji are great.

Nikko
A very famous spot. It has a form of a snake, stretching from east to west for 30 km. Elevation is about 500 m at the entrance to the city, then it increases 1000 m and reaches 1500 m at the exit, so its relief is very complicated. The main attractions, such as Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, Futarasan Shrine combine artificial creativness with natural beauty of the enviroment. These monuments are included in World`s heritage by UNESCO. Every year more than 6 million visitors come to Nikko, the local population is only 1.4 million people.

Nara
Nara is an acient capital and a prosperous center of Buddhism since the 6th century. In 1993 Buddhist Monuments in the H?ry?-ji Area and Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara in 1998 were included in World`s heritage list of UNESCO. The symbol of the city is Nara park, occupying the area of 660 hectares, it is considered to be the biggest inner-city park. There more than 1000 deers in Nara, in areas of Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Shrine, Kofukuji Temple. Tosyodaiji Temple, constructed in 759 year in honour of Buddhist monk Ganjin from China is also very famous. The statue of Ganjin is open to public every year on 5-7 of June. (photo-Nara park)

Kyoto
Since it was found in 794, more than 1200 years Kyoto has been one of the main political and cultural centres of Japan. Lots of Japan`s national treasures and World`s heritage sites are concentrated there. Since 1994, starting with Daigoji Temple, Kinkakuji, Ginkakuji, 17 artificial and natural objects of Kyoto were listed as World`s heritage spots. There are 3 main annual festivals held in Kyoto: Aoi Matsuri (May 15th ), Gion Festival (July 17th) and Jidai Matsuri (Oct. 22nd). The main sightseeing spots of Kyoto are landscapes, temples and shrines, Museum of kimono, Center of traditional arts and crafts, Tango district. The most famous temles and shrines are located in the east Heian Shrine, Kiyomizudera Temple, Sanjusanden-do Temple; located in the north Sanzenyin (a fovourite place for sakura blossoms and red leaves viewing). There are also Golden Pavilion, ruins of castle, Japanese style gardens, Nijo castle, Toei Movie Land, Arashiyama hills (a place for enjoying red leaves) and many others. (photo-Golden Pavilion).

Osaka
Occupying 1890 k�u, Osaka is the second smallest prefecture in Japan, but there are almost 9 million people living here, who make Osaka the second large population prefecture after Tokyo. Osaka has history of 1400 years, it was called “water capital”. From the 7th century, the travellers from China and Korea entered Japan through Osaka harbour, during Edo period Osaka was called “kitchen of the world”, it was economical and logistics center of the country with rich culture and the central city of western Japan. The monuments, remaining through acient time till nowadays are Osaka castle, Shitennoji Temple, Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. The world`s biggest oceanarium is situated in Osaka, equipped with the most advanced facilities. In 2001 year Universal Studio Japan was opened. Visitors can also enjoy EXPO park (EXPO was held in 1970 years, you can visit the pavilions, Japanese style gardens, enjoy natural landscapes), traditional culture of Kabuki theater, reach gourment traditions, luxury shopping areas such as Dotonburi and Shinsaibashi. Osaka is a city where the most advanced technologies coexist with historical heritage. Museums in Osaka: Coin Casting Museum, Osaka City Museum, Osaka Science Museum, Osaka Human Rights Museums, National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka Museum of Natural History etc. One of the 3 biggest festivals in Japan- Tenjin Matsuri - is held in Osaka on July 24-25. (photo- Osaka Castle)

Fukuoka
onnecting Kyushu and Honshu, Fukuoka is an important political and economical center. It is situated on a fertility plain in deltas of Tikugo and other big rivers, of surrounded by the sea and hills from 3 sides. Comparatively to the distance of 1000 km between Fukuoka and Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai are closer (540 and 870 km). Due to such geographical position, from the acient time Fukuoka has been the gate for Japan`s comunication with continent`s countries. There are a lot of ancient tombs in Fukuoka, these ones are the earliest at Kyushu`s area, it is an important part of cultural heritage. Lots of hot springs (onsen) are situated to the south of Fukuoka, it is a base for recreational activity. There is Univerce tema park situated in Kitakyushu city, it has incredible coaster (with gradient 60 degree and speed 115 km/h) and a huge ferris wheel with height more than 100m(Space eye), this park attracts lots of visitors. (photo- Dazaifu Tenmagu shrine)

Okinawa
Okinawa is the south-west tip of Japan. It is the only prefecture, which whole area is situated in zone of tropical climate. It stretches 1000 km from east to west and 400 km from north to south and consists of 160 islands. Annual average temperature is 23.4℃, average temperature in winter is 16.8℃. Okinawa has atmosphera of tropical resort with lots of beaches and spots of interest, such as Gyokusendo Cave, Cape Manza, Shuri Castle, Southeast Botanical Gardens, Okinawa National Park, Ryukyu Village. Besides, there is a famous Yamada hot spring at the western cost of the island.