Besides exploring Tokyo and Kyoto, consider visiting Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture in Japan. Think perpetual summer vibes, island time where locals are bubbly and always up for a chat, interesting fusion food like taco rice, lovely beaches - the list goes on. I had a lovely time admiring the jinbei-zame (whale shark) at Churami Aquarium and shopping up a storm at Kokusai Dori (International Street). Okinawa had a lot of exposure to the Chinese, and still houses American military bases. So, culture enthusiasts will relish how it is “same same, but different” from the rest of Japan.