The land of the Rising Sun has long been known for a dedication to quality and top-tier customer service. Traveler have been piling into Japan for as long as I can remember, but the post-pandemic crowds have surged and are aided by social media influencers telling all the secrets of places around Japan.

Here are my recommendations when visiting Japan.

Tokyo: Most people land in Japan at Narita or Haneda airports. Tokyo has a little bit of everything and is crowded and busy like most big cities. There are iconic places not to miss like the streetlights in Shinjuku or a sunset in Odaiba. Tokyo has changed so much, but continues to be a global leader in food, hospitality, and food trends.

Osaka: Osaka sometimes feels like Tokyo. It’s crowded and filled with foreigners who are exploring the city and the nightlife is actually more lively than Tokyo, in my opinion. Osaka has so many incredible amusements to take advantage of, you could actually spend an entire week there or longer and not run out of things to do and Osaka keeps growing.

Kyoto: The historic city has so many sights you absolutely should not miss on a first trip to Japan or if you have the time to make it down there. Hitting just a few of them has been personally life changing for me. People might encourage you to skip Kyoto and the crowds, but I am here to tell you not to listen to them.

Nara: This deer town is quiet and quaint and close enough to Osaka and Kyoto to include it during your trip. Nara is a taste of small-town life in Japan, but still has plenty to see with temples and mountains to explore. It is not fast-paced so do not expect to find things to do at night or in the early mornings, but the good thing is the train station can zip you quickly to bigger cities close by. Personally I was shocked by how much Nara has to offer.

Yamanashi: Not everyone heads to see Mt. Fuji, but Yamanashi is a quiet town close to the mountains with plenty of parks and nearby climbs that will let you appreciate the beauty of Japan. It’s only a little over an hour from Tokyo via train and worth a visit.