Once the modest fishing village of Edo, modern Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis of extraordinary neighborhoods that is the sum of its seemingly endless parts: The tiny bars of Shinjuku’s Golden Gai. The culinary delights of Nihombashi. Akihabara’s electronic gadgets and manga culture. The pottery shops of Asakusa. Nihombashi’s shopping meccas. Choose from museums covering every aspect of Japanese history and culture – don’t miss the treasures of the Tokyo National Museum. Visit the glorious Imperial Palace and Senso-ji temple in the ancient district of Asakusa. Dive into an unrivaled urban food scene that rewards the intrepid. And, of course, snap a selfie in Shibuya Crossing.

An important fishing port known for its salmon, trout, and mackerel, Miyako’s position on the estuary of the Hei River facing Miyako Bay and the Pacific meant it took a ferocious hit during the 2011 tsunami. The Taro Kanko Hotel, which had its lower two floors washed away but remained standing, is today preserved as a symbol of Miyako’s resilience and strength. Sample the region’s rich culinary delicacies that include creamy sea urchin and a unique cookie called ika senbei made with squid extract. A jagged promontory of white rocks along Jodogahama Beach is a picturesque must-see.

A major fishing port on the eastern side of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, Kushiro boasts vast marshlands that are home to an iconic – and endangered – national icon. Tall, slim and long-legged, the elegant tancho (Red-crowned Crane) is a fabled symbol of long life that was considered extinct until 1920, when a few dozen were discovered in the Kushiro Marsh. A national park since 1987, the marsh teems with a variety of plant and animal life and today provides sanctuary for over 1,700 cranes. Admire local artwork at Hokkaido Kushiro Art Museum before tasting freshly caught local cuisine at Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf.

Sakata, a historic port city in Yamagata Prefecture, is replete with Japan’s rich cultural heritage. Explore the distinguished Honma Museum of Art and the grand Edo Period villa overlooking the garden or visit the atmospheric Sankyo Warehouses celebrating rice as a lucrative commodity. Nature enthusiasts can hike Mount Chokai or relax in the nearby Yunohama Onsen hot springs. Don’t miss the chance to taste the region’s famous Dadachamame edamame and premium Yamagata beef.