Must-See Japan (2020 Edition): The complete insider's guide to seeing the best of Japan in one trip

Insider tip: - Videogame fans should head to Super Potato, a huge store crammed with retro games and goodies. Hidden away on the top floor is an arcade featuring countless retro classics.

Walk there in 40 minutes from Arashiyama Station, via the equally lovely Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street, a scenic route lined by Meiji-era style machiya (town houses).

Koen Dori, a pleasantly wide and popular shopping street which leads all the way to Yoyogi Park, one of Tokyo’s largest and most spacious green areas. The park is good fun to wander around (particularly at weekends) when 50s style rockers congregate for dance-offs, and it is a great spot for people watching.

It can be a little awkward to visit, but the easiest way from Tokyo is to take the shinkansen to Shiroishizao (109 minutes, 10,350 yen) and get a taxi (20 minutes, 4000 yen, can take a bit longer in winter on icy roads) to the fox village. The friendly tourist information office at the station can help with calling a taxi.

Located in a large and interesting looking building, the Edo-Tokyo Museum is a fascinating showcase of what Tokyo would have looked like during the Edo period, with many lifelike models and figurines on display. Between 10am and 3pm English-speaking volunteers are on hand to explain some of the details, and there are a number of temporary Tokyo-rel

Akihabara (秋葉原) ** Known by otaku (diehard fans) throughout the world, Akihabara is the anime, videogame and cosplay capital of Japan.

Nikko National Park, an area full of scenic mountains, lakes, hot springs, wild monkeys and which is crisscrossed by numerous hiking trails. The town itself has

Just five minutes walk from Hase station is Hasedera (Hase Temple), one of the many popular temples in Kamakura. This one is famous for its eleven-headed, 9.1 metre high wooden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The grounds also contain pretty gardens and a small museum, and there a good views over Kamakura city. Entry is 300

The Hamarikyu Gardens are a somewhat hidden gem close to Ginza, peaceful and pretty parkland in the heart of the city with seawater ponds and a wonderful teahouse serving macha (green tea).