Kokusai-dori

Shuri Castle was the royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The striking vermilion castle reflects a unique fusion of Japanese, Chinese, and Southeast Asian architectural influences representing Okinawa's distinct culture.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium features one of the world's largest aquarium tanks, where whale sharks and manta rays glide alongside thousands of tropical fish. The aquarium is part of Ocean Expo Park, which also offers gorgeous views of the East China Sea.

Dazaifu Tenmangu is a grand Shinto shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning and scholarship. Millions of students visit each year to pray for academic success, and the surrounding approach is famous for plum blossoms.

Nakasu's outdoor food stalls come alive at night along the riverbanks, offering Fukuoka's famous ramen, oden, and yakitori. Sitting elbow-to-elbow with locals at these tiny open-air stalls is a quintessential Fukuoka experience.

Glover Garden is an open-air museum on a hillside housing Western-style mansions built by foreign merchants in the Meiji era. The garden offers panoramic views of Nagasaki harbor and tells the story of the city's unique international history.

Hashima Island, nicknamed Battleship Island, is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed abandoned coal mining island. Once the most densely populated place on Earth, its decaying concrete ruins are a haunting testament to Japan's industrial history.