Japan

Start in Tokyo, end with memories that don't fit in your carry-on. 
Land in Tokyo and jump straight into it: neon lights, late-night snacks, quiet temples tucked behind vending machines, and trains that run like clockwork. Look up and you might spot Mt Fuji on a clear day. Look around and you'll wonder how the busiest city in the world still manages to feel this polite. 

Things to do in Japan range from fast-paced to perfectly still. Ride the bullet train to Kyoto for shrines, gardens and teahouses that know how to slow things down. Stop in Osaka for street food and big city charm. In winter, head to the mountains for powdery slopes and hot springs that make you forget you ever owned shoes. In spring, the cherry blossoms show up like clockwork and suddenly the whole country turns pink and joyful. 

Mt Fuji isn't just something to admire from a distance. You can hike it, photograph it, or simply sip coffee by a lake and watch the clouds drift past. Add in a night at a traditional ryokan, a soak in an outdoor onsen, or an unexpectedly emotional visit to a tiny roadside shrine and it all starts to feel pretty special. 

Japan blends precision with surprise. It's easy to navigate, hard to explain, and full of the kind of moments you'll want to bottle and bring home - along with a suitcase full of snacks, of course.