Best Designated City

Hiroshima is a city on Honshu, Japan, largely rebuilt after suffering extensive destruction and loss of life from an atomic bomb detonation during World War II in August 1945.

Yokohama, Japan, established as one of the country's treaty ports in 1859, fostered significant international trade and cultural exchange throughout its history.

Fukuoka, located on Kyushu island, is Japan's fifth-largest city and known for its historical Hakata district, vibrant food scene including ramen, and proximity to beautiful coastal landscapes.

Kobe, Japan, is a port city located on Osaka Bay known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere shaped by international trade and its production of high-quality beef.

Sapporo, located on the island of Hokkaido, is Japan's fifth-largest city and renowned for hosting the annual Sapporo Snow Festival featuring impressive ice and snow sculptures.

Sendai, located in northeastern Honshu, Japan, is the largest city in the Tohoku region and known for its extensive urban green spaces and resilience following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Kumamoto City, located on Kyushu island, is known for its historical significance and features Kumamoto Castle, once one of Japan's largest feudal fortifications, which sustained significant damage in...

Nagoya, Japan, is a major industrial hub and port city located in central Honshu, known for its unique regional cuisine like miso katsu and its historic castle.

Okayama City, located on the island of Honshu, is known for its mild climate, abundant citrus fruit production, and Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens.

Niigata, located on the coast of the Sea of Japan, is Japan's largest producer of rice and known for its abundant snowfall, often receiving over fifteen feet annually.

Shizuoka City, located on Honshu island, is Japan’s largest producer of green tea and boasts views of Mount Fuji across Suruga Bay.

Hamamatsu, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, is renowned as the birthplace of musician Seiko Takamine and a significant center for musical instrument manufacturing, particularly guitars and piano...

Sakai, Japan is historically renowned for its traditional blade smithing industry, particularly producing high-quality kitchen knives and swords since the medieval period.

Chiba is a large port city located east of Tokyo on Honshu island, known for its extensive industrial areas, Disneyland Japan theme park, and agricultural landscapes.

Kawasaki, Japan, is a vibrant port city located south of Tokyo in Kanagawa Prefecture, known for its heavy industry, extensive railway network, and the iconic Kawasaki Marijino shopping complex.

Kitakyushu, located on Kyushu island, industrialized rapidly during the Meiji era with coal mining and steel production, leaving a significant mark on Japan's industrial history.

Saitama is a Japanese city located north of Tokyo in Saitama Prefecture, known for its rapid post-war industrial growth and as the origin point of the popular manga series *One-Punch Man*.

Sagamihara, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, is a sprawling city known for its extensive agricultural land, particularly sweet potato cultivation, and borders the Tanzawa Mountains.