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Tokyo, Japan
Start in Akihabara for anime and Pokémon Center mega stores, then explore Shibuya and Shinjuku for incredible ramen, izakayas and street food. Don't miss Harajuku's Takeshita Street for pop culture fashion and Asakusa for traditional temple vibes.
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Nikko, Japan
A perfect day trip from Tokyo, Nikko features the ornate Toshogu Shrine surrounded by cedar forests and mountains. The town has a mystical, almost fantasy anime aesthetic that feels straight out of a Studio Ghibli film.
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Hakone, Japan
Soak in an onsen with a legendary view of Mount Fuji — a bucket-list Japanese cultural experience. The open-air sculpture museum and Hakone Shrine on the lake are incredibly photogenic and serene.
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Kyoto, Japan
Japan's cultural heart — walk the Fushimi Inari torii gates at dawn, explore Gion for geisha culture and kaiseki dining. Nishiki Market is a must for foodies, offering hundreds of local tastings along a single street.
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Osaka, Japan
Osaka is Japan's undisputed food capital — gorge on takoyaki, okonomiyaki and kushikatsu in Dotonbori. Universal Studios Japan is home to the incredible Super Nintendo World, a must-visit for any gaming and anime fan.
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Nara, Japan
Feed freely roaming sacred deer at Nara Park, right next to the stunning Todai-ji temple housing a giant bronze Buddha. It's an easy day trip from Osaka and one of the most uniquely charming experiences in all of Japan.
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Hiroshima, Japan
The Peace Memorial Museum and Park offer a deeply moving and important cultural experience. Don't leave without trying Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, which is layered differently from the Osaka version and fiercely debated as superior.