Tokyo

Oh what a city Tokyo is! For starters, let's just say that IF you were to look for some of the things that Tokyo couldn't offer you, believe us when we say that the list would be rather short. Whatever it is that floats your boat, chances are, this city has got it going on. Liveliness? Check mark. Diversity? Check mark. Awesome shopping? You got it. Entertainment? Heck yes! Well, you get the idea. The list could literally go on for days. So obviously, as far as stuff to do is concerned, there's no shortage of it. That being said, one of the top activities to do while living there is, hands down, people-watching. You can witness it all on a single street corner and on any given day of the week. Watch passerby women looking very fashionable in doll outfits arm-in-arm with men rocking their stylish long-on-one-side and buzzed-on-the-other haircuts, musicians pouring their hearts into their instruments to entertain the masses, magicians doing what they do best in the blink of an eye, and of course, suited-up business folk busily walking about. It's such a pleasure to witness it all. And as far as grub goes, you can find some of the best food in the country in this city. No matter your preferences, there's a culinary experience waiting for you around every block. Don't forget to check out the busy digital hubs in the main centres and, to get away, visit the countless shrines and Zen gardens located within the city walls or take a short train ride to Fuji Mountain for an epic hike. 

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Fukuoka

It won't take long for you to fall in love with this place. Some would say that Fukuoka is a big city but, with a population of about 1.5 million, it just so happens to be one of the smaller cities we've chosen to describe for you on this list. Note that it's size is precisely what allows it to have a lot of perks. Here's some of them... First off, it's cheaper living than what you'll get in the bigger cities, which is always a bonus. Also, when it comes to crime, foreigners seem to believe that there simply isn't any. That's right, zilch. Not bad for a city of over a million people hey! Also, and perhaps for that same reason, people there are renown for being kind-hearted and helpful. They will welcome you with open arms. So far, so good right? Another major advantage of living in Fukuoka is that Mother Nature has truly blessed this particular location. It's got a temperate climate, it's beautiful beaches are found all around the area, it's clean and pristine and it's surrounded by lush vegetation. Oh, and the food scene is what it's known for, so get ready to eat some good stuff. 

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Osaka

There's no doubt that Osaka has much to offer, but two of its biggest selling points are convenience and entertainment. Let's explore these in further detail. Osaka's transportation system is terrific. It that can get you to all corners of the city in a jiffy and, apparently, the public transports never run late. Bonus. Also, it's pretty much located right smack in the middle of Japan, so that makes it a great location to explore the rest of the country during holiday season. So basically, what it comes down to is that Osaka is well organized and conveniently mapped out so that it's easy to get around in the city as well as in the country. And as for the second perk, entertainment, this city seems to get most of the big shows and concerts that tour into Tokyo, so if you love the showbiz but don't want to live in the biggest city in the country, than Osaka is the place for you. Other highlights include good food, awesome underground shopping, and the fact that it's a hop and a skip away from the amazing and historical city of Kyoto is definitely a big plus. 

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Okinawa

If you've ever seen the movie Kill Bill, then you already have some idea of what a restaurant vibe in Okinawa is like. Pretty cool huh? What you might not know is that this city is world famous for its flower festivals. Some of the vastest displays can be found across the city and are celebrated throughout the year. Check it out on Google Image and get ready to be amazed. Another major thing that Okinawa is renown for is its beaches. Simply put, they're out of this world. And what's better still is that they're dead quiet so, instead of being pestered by a sea of people when you visit them, you could really be at one with nature by the ocean side. The famous white sand and turquoise water is so impressive that the place has even been coined as being Japan's Hawaii. If you're a nature lover and enjoy living in smaller communities (population wise, Okinawa is comparable to Fukuoka), than you've found your spot.  

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Sapporo

Sound familiar? Yep, you guessed it. Sapporo is a city AND a famous Japanese beer. We're off to a good start hey! Sapporo is a bit more populated than the previously mentioned cities of Okinawa and Fukuoka, so it's a nice “in-between” type of place. In other words, it's not super busy but it's also not too small. It's in-between. If you like your winter sports, than this place is the one to go to because of it's snow. Apparently, it's got the best powder in the country, so if you're heading there, be sure to take your snowboard or skies along with you or, at the very least, your winter gear so you can make snow angels on the neighbor's banks. But don't let this fool you into thinking that it's cold all year-round in Sapporo. Its summers are more than just nice with its 30+ degrees Celsius weather. Plus, it's a dry heat so you don't get the yucky sticky feel that you might otherwise get in other Japanese cities during the summer. Also, the city people are extremely friendly and accommodating in Sapporo, but keep in mind that knowing to speak some Japanese is, of course, always an asset when it comes to establishing great friendships.