![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4CMQZVL6E5DMZHHUU54EKD6HZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=dae65b380b313f7b3b151fa00bd773a2793069effbc03424289aa455d12845e9&width=400&height=225)
Morioka, a city on Honshu island, is known for its spring cherry blossoms and autumn colours
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4UOZNTGAXFBNHJ7TJIWFRKXX3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=c8fe04e9f4e634d070cca0f1349394cb39c0192f6c47af91366c6f67e7a0dcd6&width=400&height=225)
Japan tops trending destination lists for 2024, including the capital, Tokyo, pictured. All photos: Getty images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/64IWV6XZPRBC7DMPDKURKUXL3I.jpg?smart=true&auth=fd46f040323608b3bd0c762c8bc37109bc4964eb6411de8d9ead051ef9e351d4&width=400&height=225)
Osaka, one of the country's biggest cities, is proving popular with UAE travellers
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5RDBCEM6SJG4HI26NYDW7FLSKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=987b778f86ed503bcccafc0c101be0a80a825ea0fd7d7e3422bea89bd338a735&width=400&height=225)
Kamakura, a seaside city just south of Tokyo, is a popular spot and the political centre of medieval Japan
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U3SCFQOW4ZD7TEV6BGDIZN4XKU.jpg?smart=true&auth=cb913519ca025646c4af46d486c6ddbdaaacde365822a4476236de340bd6b8db&width=400&height=225)
Niseko, on the island of Hokkaido, is a favourite for skiing during winter
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IBZUBJOXYFFKDOX6IS7J4CFUZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=fbdd2de9cc7c8b08a39f1067c80d040fad4fe5bdfe4cf4388c45667aaa7d532c&width=400&height=225)
Fukuoka is on Kyushu Island and known for its temples, beaches and shopping malls
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/STSARZVGBVCRJOCQXAFB4DW2DI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4bca6b1b5e65c783cc315e2e26c1987614729281a63caa31ec14aeb190c04c59&width=400&height=225)
Okinawa, a prefecture of more than 150 islands between Taiwan and Japan's mainland, has a distinctive vibe all of its own
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/22FETD2YOBETXGOAPA44U447CQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=7fcebed039457feaeb524219e0958e118185a28b2b1d7d26ea2b34e2be16a2cc&width=400&height=225)
Yokohama is a vibrant port city with an interesting history
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2PWRYRSOFVHAXCYRPTK5E6N2JE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4345866514dbd9059cd04e488690879d3d49e0c0c5c422b65c5c80d6510e8b4f&width=400&height=225)
The historic castle town of Odawara is worth a visit
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2XQZUYI6ERFQTBZAD2OW5KBLMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=3110f0d9c7c1f5a28f220395113895a8260cdb0991f3977af0b9b4070ac6ca9a&width=400&height=225)
Kobe is a port city on Osaka Bay known for its signature marbled beef and mountainous backdrop
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4CMQZVL6E5DMZHHUU54EKD6HZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=dae65b380b313f7b3b151fa00bd773a2793069effbc03424289aa455d12845e9&width=400&height=225)
Morioka, a city on Honshu island, is known for its spring cherry blossoms and autumn colours
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4UOZNTGAXFBNHJ7TJIWFRKXX3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=c8fe04e9f4e634d070cca0f1349394cb39c0192f6c47af91366c6f67e7a0dcd6&width=400&height=225)
Japan tops trending destination lists for 2024, including the capital, Tokyo, pictured. All photos: Getty images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/64IWV6XZPRBC7DMPDKURKUXL3I.jpg?smart=true&auth=fd46f040323608b3bd0c762c8bc37109bc4964eb6411de8d9ead051ef9e351d4&width=400&height=225)
Osaka, one of the country's biggest cities, is proving popular with UAE travellers
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5RDBCEM6SJG4HI26NYDW7FLSKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=987b778f86ed503bcccafc0c101be0a80a825ea0fd7d7e3422bea89bd338a735&width=400&height=225)
Kamakura, a seaside city just south of Tokyo, is a popular spot and the political centre of medieval Japan
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U3SCFQOW4ZD7TEV6BGDIZN4XKU.jpg?smart=true&auth=cb913519ca025646c4af46d486c6ddbdaaacde365822a4476236de340bd6b8db&width=400&height=225)
Niseko, on the island of Hokkaido, is a favourite for skiing during winter
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IBZUBJOXYFFKDOX6IS7J4CFUZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=fbdd2de9cc7c8b08a39f1067c80d040fad4fe5bdfe4cf4388c45667aaa7d532c&width=400&height=225)
Fukuoka is on Kyushu Island and known for its temples, beaches and shopping malls
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/STSARZVGBVCRJOCQXAFB4DW2DI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4bca6b1b5e65c783cc315e2e26c1987614729281a63caa31ec14aeb190c04c59&width=400&height=225)
Okinawa, a prefecture of more than 150 islands between Taiwan and Japan's mainland, has a distinctive vibe all of its own
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/22FETD2YOBETXGOAPA44U447CQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=7fcebed039457feaeb524219e0958e118185a28b2b1d7d26ea2b34e2be16a2cc&width=400&height=225)
Yokohama is a vibrant port city with an interesting history
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2PWRYRSOFVHAXCYRPTK5E6N2JE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4345866514dbd9059cd04e488690879d3d49e0c0c5c422b65c5c80d6510e8b4f&width=400&height=225)
The historic castle town of Odawara is worth a visit
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2XQZUYI6ERFQTBZAD2OW5KBLMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=3110f0d9c7c1f5a28f220395113895a8260cdb0991f3977af0b9b4070ac6ca9a&width=400&height=225)
Kobe is a port city on Osaka Bay known for its signature marbled beef and mountainous backdrop
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4CMQZVL6E5DMZHHUU54EKD6HZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=dae65b380b313f7b3b151fa00bd773a2793069effbc03424289aa455d12845e9&width=400&height=225)
Morioka, a city on Honshu island, is known for its spring cherry blossoms and autumn colours
Why everyone wants to travel to Japan in 2024
Osaka, Tokyo, Niseko and Kobe are just some of the cities travellers have on their bucket lists
Katy Gillett
13 December, 2023
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