広島 (ひろしま) - Hiroshima

Approximately 90 minutes from 神戸 (こうべ - Kobe) and 大阪 (おおさか - Osaka) on the 新幹線 (しんかんせん - Shinkansen) lies 広島, one of the largest cities in Western 本州 (ほんしゅう - Honshu). Unfortunately 広島 is best known as the site of the world's first 原爆 (げんばく - genbaku - atomic bomb) attack but it definitely deserves more credit than that; like 長崎 (ながさき - Nagasaki), the real triumph is how quickly it has risen from the ashes as a gorgeous, bustling city in its own right. The scars are still there if you look closely, but don't let that be your only reason for visiting.

長崎 (ながさき) - Nagasaki

長崎 is unsurprisingly the capital of 長崎県 (ながさきけん - nagasakiken - Nagasaki Prefecture) and one of the largest cities in 九州 (きゅうしゅう - Kyushu), southwest of the main Japanese island of 本州 (ほんしゅう - Honshu). Throughout several hundred years of Japan's history, it served as a prominent port and trading post - one of the country's only windows to the world during its isolation. Unfortunately that's not the main claim to fame; as we all know, in 1945 長崎 became infamous as the second and last city to be struck by a nuclear warhead. Today, the bombing is just one dark chapter in the long and colourful history of 長崎 - let's open the book and start from the beginning.

Places to visit in Hyogo 5: 淡路島 (あわじしま - Awajishima - Awaji Island)

Today we cross the bridge from 明石 (あかし - Akashi) to the small island on the other side of the strait. 淡路島, usually just known as 淡路 (あわじ - Awaji), is the southernmost part of 兵庫 (ひょうご - Hyogo), forming part of the long road over the bridges and down to 四国 (しこく - Shikoku). Many people only see it whipping past during their travels, but if you get off the highway and take the time to explore a little, I'm sure you'll find something to like. Let's hop off at the next exit and have a look around - there's more to it than just the expressway. In fact, if you believe the stories, it may well be the first part of Japan that was created.

日本の四つの季節その3：秋 (にほんのよつのきせつそのさん：あき） - The Four Seasons of Japan 3: Autumn

秋 (あき - aki - Autumn) is widely considered the best season of the year in Japan, sharing a very comfortable temperature range with 春 (はる - haru - Spring). While 春 is associated with the excitement of new beginnings, in some ways 秋 is much more subdued; it's a time to relax, reflect and enjoy the weather as it cools the scorching highs of 夏 (なつ - natsu - Summer). Having said that, 紅葉狩り (もみじがり - momijigari - Autumn leaf viewing, literally "maple hunting") is as big a deal as 花見 (はなみ - hanami - cherry blossom viewing) and when you start seeing whole hillsides turning blazing red, I'm sure you'll understand why.

Places to visit in Hyogo 4: 明石 (あかし - Akashi)

明石 is a waterfront city in 兵庫 (ひょうご - Hyogo) that sits between 神戸 (こうべ - Kobe) and 姫路 (ひめじ - Himeji). Like both of these cities, it's been considered a romantic place for a very long time and features extensively in old poems and literature. However, it's only a fraction of the size and population of 神戸 and its castle isn't nearly as impressive as the one in 姫路, so there's absolutely no reason to go there. If you believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you... and it's a big one.

東京 (とうきょう) - Tokyo

Big brother to 大阪 (おおさか - Osaka) and perhaps one of the most recognisable elements of Japan, 東京 sits unapologetically on its throne as Japan's capital and largest city. The metropolitan part of 東京 is a self-named prefecture in itself, but the greater 東京 area straddles three other prefectures and is home to more than 35 million people; on average, about 2500 of them are packed in per square kilometre.

If you're anything like me, the first two things that will come into your mind when you arrive in 東京 will be "people" and "buildings". Let me show you why.

お盆 (おぼん) - Obon

お盆 (or just 盆 - ぼん - Bon) is a Buddhist festival that happens during the middle of Summer across the whole of Japan. Similar to Mexico's Day of the Dead, it's a time where people's ancestors are said to return to the world of the living. It's also one of the busiest times of year to travel, with thousands of travellers returning to their families for the occasion; if you wanted to experience being pushed on to a crowded train firsthand, お盆 would be a very good time for it.

So what is お盆 and what does it involve, exactly? Let's find out.

大阪 (おおさか) - Osaka

大阪 is the biggest city in the 関西 (かんさい - Kansai) area and only eclipsed by 東京 (とうきょう - Tokyo) and 横浜 (よこはま - Yokohama) nationwide. In some ways 大阪 feels worlds away from 神戸 (こうべ - Kobe) despite being so close; it's like the Sydney to its Melbourne. Where 神戸 has a smaller, closer atmosphere to it, 大阪 is very much a big city in every way.

I'll let you decide whether that's a good or a bad thing. 

京都その２ (きょうとそのに - Kyouto sono ni) - Kyoto, part two

In my opinion, the best part of 京都 is the sheer number of things to see and do there. As I mentioned last week, there are thousands of temples and shrines, ranging from huge tourist favourites to tiny places tucked out of sight; it's easy to find something new every time you visit. Today we'll take a look at some of the slightly smaller places - still popular, but not swarming with as many people as last time. I hope you still have your walking shoes on.

京都その１ (きょうとそのいち - Kyouto sono ichi) - Kyoto, part one

It's hard to think of Japan without 京都 springing to mind; it's one of the old capitals of Japan, hosts tens of millions of tourists each year and boasts around two thousand temples and shrines. It's also very straightforward to get to by 電車 (でんしゃ - densha - train) or 新幹線 (しんかんせん - shinkansen), which is just as well because you'll probably need two days to even scratch the surface. Fortunately I'll be doing most of the hard work for you this time - two posts for a two day trip. Don't forget your camera!

祇園祭 (ぎおんまつり - Gion Matsuri) - Gion Festival

祇園祭 takes place every year in 京都 (きょうと - Kyoto) and is considered one of the "big three" festivals of Japan. It happens throughout July, culminating in a parade of floats on the 17th. Several of the roads of the 祇園 (Gion) district are reserved for pedestrians and huge shrines stacked with people, intricate tapestries and carved gold leaf rumble through the streets. So huge, in fact, that overhead power lines have had to be relocated in the past to stop the shrines getting caught on them. Did I mention many of them have trees on top as well? I may be overstressing the point, but it's certainly been a while since I've heard "boring" and "festival" in the same sentence.

電車 (でんしゃ - densha) - Trains

One of the things that probably springs to mind when you think of Japan are 電車; probably the image of the 新幹線 (しんかんせん - shinkansen - bullet train) gliding past 富士山 (ふじさん - Fujisan - Mount Fuji), or men with white gloves shoving the last few passengers on to a packed train. You could say that 電車 are the backbone of Japan and when you get here, you'll see why - they get billions of people a year to where they need to be. Let's have a look at the Japanese rail system and see what makes it one of the best in the world.

ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン - Universal Studios Japan

ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン (usually shortened to "USJ") is the Japanese import of Universal Studios in the US, located in Hollywood and Florida. Although it doesn't have a massive amount to do with Japan in the traditional sense, it's become a bit of an institution over here so I think it's worth having a look at. It's very easy to get to from 神戸 (こうべ - Kobe) or 大阪 (おおさか - Osaka), you're very likely to go there if you come on a holiday or school trip and it's lots and lots of fun. It's also one of the only chances you'll get to hear Arnold Schwartzeneggar speaking Japanese. If that's not a good Friday topic I don't know what is!

ゴールデンウィーク (Golden Week)

ゴールデンウィーク (often shortened to the letters "GW" in Japan) is arguably the biggest holiday season in Japan, along with お盆 (おぼん - Obon) in mid-August and シルバーウィーク (Silver Week) in mid-late September. GW is basically a string of public holidays spanning from late April to early May that usually mean at least five days off work. It's the perfect excuse for Japan to pack her bags and go just about everywhere else you can imagine for a well-earned break. The only problem with travelling during GW is that everyone else has the same idea!

Places to visit in Hyogo 2: 姫路 (ひめじ - Himeji)

A trip to 兵庫県 (ひょうごけん - hyogo ken - Hyogo Prefecture) wouldn't be complete without visiting 姫路, about 45 minutes by train from 神戸 (こうべ - Kobe). 姫路 is a relaxed, pleasant city with a population of about half a million - big enough to keep you amused without being as rush-rush as a big city. It's best known for the gorgeous 姫路城 (ひめじじょう - himejijou - Himeji Castle) which one of the top 3 castles in Japan, a majestic white beast nicknamed the "White Heron Castle". Don't let the gentle name fool you though, this lady was built to kill.

奈良 (なら - Nara)

In keeping with the theme of 春 (はる - haru - spring) and 桜 (さくら - sakura - cherry blossoms), today's pictures and words take us to 奈良, one of the ancient capitals of Japan. 奈良 is about 45 minutes out of 大阪 (おおさか - Osaka) by train and after spending a day there, I would have to say it's worth one trip at the very least. Within a very short time you'll have made dozens of hairy new friends and taken a lot of very interesting photos.

Places to visit in Hyogo 1: 城崎温泉 (きのさきおんせん - Kinosaki Hot Springs)

Hyogo Prefecture is home to some of the best 温泉 (おんせん - onsen - hot springs) in Japan. One of the better known areas is 城崎, in the northeast of the prefecture in 豊岡 (とよおか - Toyooka) city. It's a small town of natural hot springs and 旅館 (りょかん - ryokan - traditional Japanese inns) that is very popular with locals and tourists alike. Having gone up there last weekend, I can certainly understand why!