Going to Tokyo has never been so simple.

Yokohama is Japan’s second-largest city by population and just a stone’s throw away from Tokyo. It was the first port to open up to foreign trade after Japan ended its period of isolation and as such, it grew up with strong Western and Chinese influences.

Sapporo is the largest city in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost prefecture, but most people might recognise it as the home of Japan’s oldest beer brand. It’s one of Japan’s youngest cities, with 1868 recognised as its official birth year and a population of just 7 people in 1857.

Vibrant and a little rough around the edges (but with a heart of gold), Osaka is what some people consider to be the more down-to-earth alternative to Tokyo. While Osaka is the second-largest metropolitan area in Japan and the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region, it is also described by many as friendlier and more easy-going than its eastern rival.

Naha is the capital city of Okinawa Prefecture and the most populated city on Okinawa Island, the largest of the prefecture's 160 islands. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, Okinawa was its own kingdom and experienced flourishing trade with other nearby countries, leading to a unique culture that you won't find anywhere else in Japan. You can experience remnants of this time through the many castle ruins that are scattered around Okinawa Island and are easily accessed from Naha.

Okayama is located right between the popular cities of Osaka and Hiroshima and offers similarly breathtaking coastal scenes. One of Japan's most beautiful castles is right in the city center in close proximity to the Korakuen gardens. The famous art island Naoshima and historical town of Kurashiki are just outside of Okayama City and the Shikoku region is just one bridge away!

Oita City is the capital of Oita prefecture, located on Kyushu, the third-largest of Japan's five main islands. Oita prefecture, much like the rest of Kyushu, is famous for its sweeping nature and its close proximity to both mountain and sea. It's also famous for onsen and is known as the onsen prefecture.

Conveniently situated right between Tokyo and Osaka, Nagoya is a large city in Aichi prefecture that boasts one of Japan's most beautiful castles and a rich samurai history. Despite being the country's fourth most populated city, the cost of living is relatively low. Nagoya offers big city perks such as one of Japan's largest ports, big corporations and famous educational institutions, while also providing access to historical sites like Shirakawago and Kiso valley.

When it comes to Japanese history and culture, you’re not going to find a place more significant than Kyoto. This city holds incredible cultural value as the former seat of the imperial court and has many temples, shrines, traditional gardens and palaces. Since it was spared from extensive damage during World War II, it is now one of Japan’s most well-preserved cities.

Live near the foot of the sacred Mt Fuji and get in touch with Japan’s nature by studying in Kofu. This city of less than 200,000 people is the capital of the Yamanashi Prefecture and attracts visitors for its nature, local fruit, wine and onsen. Go camping and hiking in the nearby Fuji Five Lakes district in summer and warm up in a local onsen with views of Mt Fuji during winter.

Kobe is located between the sea and the mountains and sits right across the bay from Osaka. Like Yokohama, it’s a major port city and was one of the first to open up to foreign trade following the end of Japan’s period of isolation.

Located on the coast and closer to mainland Asia than Tokyo, Fukuoka has been an important and influential city for a long time. It was chosen as a landing point during the Mongol invasions of the 13th Century and its port is now a major transport hub for nearby islands and Busan in South Korea.