[masaegu]

I recommend Kyoto and Nara for all the old temples and shirines. I also like Kobe a lot for its cosmopolitan atmosphere. Around Tokyo, probably Hakone for its abundant hot springs and the magnificient views of Mt. Fuji. I don't know how long you will stay in Japan, but I really recommend staying at a ryokan (Japanese inn) for a day or two so you can experience a tatami room. There are lots of ryokan wherever there are hot springs. Nikko might be one place you may want to go to, too. Both Hokkaido and Okinawa are wonderful but they might be a little bit too far from Tokyo.