Tokyo-Kawasaki-Yokohama

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is a sprawling metropolitan prefecture and one of the largest cities in the world by population.

Situated on the eastern coast of Honshu, Japan's largest island, Tokyo has an estimated population of 13.8 million inhabitants, making it one of the most densely populated cities globally. Additionally, when Yokohama, Japan's second-largest metropolis, and Kawasaki, a major urban area, are included, the combined population reaches approximately 5.2 million people.

Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe

The combined metropolitan area of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe is home to nearly 20 million people spread across 13,033km², making it the second-largest urban area in Japan. These three cities are the most populous in the Kansai region and are often referred to collectively as Keihanshin.

With a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $341 billion, this region is considered one of the wealthiest in the world and also one of the most expensive in terms of cost of living, surpassing countries like Ireland, Denmark, and Hong Kong.

Osaka is known as the cultural capital of Japan and is renowned for its cuisine. 

Nagoya

Nagoya, situated in the heart of Honshu island along the Pacific coast, lies between Kyoto and Tokyo. With a population of over 2.3 million in the central city and approximately 10 million in the urban area, Nagoya is the largest city in the Chubu region and boasts a bustling port. Not only does it have the third-largest metropolitan area in Japan, but it also covers a vast expanse of 326.4km². For those seeking an authentic Japanese experience away from the usual tourist spots, Nagoya is the ideal destination.

Fukuoka-Kitakyushu

Fukuoka and Kitakyushu, two major cities on the northern tip of Kyushu Island, form the Fukuoka-Kitakyushu metropolis with a combined population of around 1.5 million inhabitants. Fukuoka is known for its vibrant cultural heritage and is often lauded by the media as one of the most dynamic cities in the world.

Sapporo

Sapporo, situated on the northernmost island of Hokkaido, is renowned for its beer, skiing, and annual Sapporo Snow Festival. It is recognized as the fifth-largest urban area in Japan and the third largest in terms of area. The Sapporo region is home to an estimated 1.95 million inhabitants. Winters in Sapporo can be cold, with an average temperature of about -4°C in January and February. Summers are not too warm either, with average temperatures around 20°C.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is infamous for being the city that, along with Nagasaki, experienced the atomic bombings by the American army on August 6, 1945, resulting in the deaths of between 100,000 to 230,000 people, according to reports. Hiroshima serves as a reminder of the trauma Japan endured during the final days of the war and as a symbol of the United States' overwhelming victory; it is a dark chapter in Japan's history. 

Sendai

According to the rankings, Sendai is the 8th most populous city in Japan when considering the metro population. Unfortunately, Sendai is known for being struck by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake on March 11, 2011, which led to a devastating tsunami. This earthquake was the strongest ever experienced in Japan and one of the deadliest in history, making it a challenging natural disaster to recover from.

Shizuoka

The city of Shizuoka, situated between Nagoya and Tokyo, has a metropolitan population of around 988,000 residents, as per recent data. It is close to Mount Fuji, and the translation of Shizuoka from Japanese to English is "quiet hill." It is important to note, however, that Shizuoka is located in an area with high seismic activity, making the risk of a tsunami quite significant in this region.