Guide
You will find below descriptions of places in France, Japan, South Korea, and the United States of America. Related pages will help you better understand the area through comments and photos, and organize trips through generic information and travel tips.
I also recommend you to watch the 16-minutes talk by Frans Lanting titled A lyrical view of life on Earth, which features beautiful photos from around the world.
France
Paris, capital of France, is beautiful, but some other places are really surprising, such as the zoo de Doué (zoo of Doué) and the Parc oriental de Maulévrier (Oriental park of Maulévrier).
Japan
Japan is very rich in modern areas, charming landscapes, and hidden places. The capital 東京 (Tokyo), both traditional and modern, is of course worth visiting. Other modern cities include 大阪 (Osaka) and 横浜 (Yokohama).
Beautiful landscapes can be seen at 富士五湖 (Fuji five lakes), 富士山 (Mount Fuji), 群馬 (Gunma), 那須 (Nasu), 日光 (Nikko), 奥多摩 (Okutama), or on the west coast of 伊豆半島 (Izu peninsula). Hidden places belong more to the ancient capital 鎌倉 (Kamakura), to 白川郷 (Shirakawa-go), or in 伊勢志摩 (Ise-shima).
North, 札幌 (Sapporo) provides an enjoyable atmosphere, and once a year travellers can discover its winter festival, which features numerous snow and ice sculptures. Finally, from a historical and human perspective, one should go to 長崎 (Nagasaki).
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東京 (Tokyo)
東京 (Tokyo) is the capital of Japan. It possesses a mix of traditional and modern life that often surprises. Spots of interest include 六本木 (Roppongi), 銀座 (Ginza), 浅草 (Asakusa), 原宿 (Harajuku). 上野動物園 (Ueno zoo) is also worth a visit.
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富士五湖, pronounced Fuji go-ko (Fuji five lakes)
富士五湖, pronounced Fuji go-ko (Fuji five lakes), is famous for its lakes, for 青木ヶ原樹海 (Sea of Trees), and for its views of 富士山 (Mount Fuji). If you go there, you may also see monkeys in the mountains near 西湖 (lake Saiko).
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富士山, pronounced Fuji-san (Mount Fuji)
富士山, pronounced Fuji-san (Mount Fuji), is the most famous place in Japan. It is culturally very important, seen on numerous art works, and evoked in numerous stories. Hikes there are quite popular, and easy enough for older people to enjoy it. People often try to see the sunrise from the top in summer.
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群馬 (Gunma)
白根山 (Mount Shirane) and 草津温泉 (Kusatsu-onsen) are both in 群馬県 (province of Gunma). The most memorable place there may be the incredibly emerald-green crater lake 湯釜 (Yugama) at 白根山 (Mount Shirane). In the town center of the nearby 草津温泉 (Kusatsu-onsen), the same water can be seen in what is called a 湯畑 (Yu-batake).
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伊勢志摩 (Ise-shima)
伊勢志摩 (Ise-shima) region is close to 名古屋 (Nagoya) and is particularly famous for its vast shrine 伊勢神宮 (Ise-jingu). Nearby, 二見 (Futami) is worth a visit; one famous spot there is 夫婦岩 (Wedded rocks).
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伊豆半島, pronounced Izu-hanto (Izu peninsula)
伊豆半島, pronounced Izu-hanto (Izu peninsula), is a peninsula quite close from 東京 (Tokyo). It is famous for its numerous resorts on the east coast and for its hot springs.
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鎌倉 (Kamakura)
鎌倉 (Kamakura) is a former capital of Japan. It is famous for its many temples and for its 大仏 (big statue of Buddha). One can also enjoy hikes in the forest, with views of 横浜 (Yokohama) and of the sea.
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長崎 (Nagasaki)
長崎 (Nagasaki) is most famous for the explosion of one of the two atomic bombs in 1945. However there is an important historical dimension related to contacts with foreigners, and to the introduction of Christianity in Japan.
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那須 (Nasu)
那須 (Nasu) is an area of 栃木県 (Tochigi prefecture). It is notably famous for its breathtaking landscapes.
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日光 (Nikko)
日光 (Nikko) is a famous touristic spot because of its temples, which veils the existence of other great nearby places such as 鬼怒川 (Kinugawa). 鬼怒川温泉 (Kinugawa-onsen) is notably great to enjoy 露天風呂 (open-air hot spring) in autumn, with a clear view on the mountains and on gold and crimson leaves of trees.
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奥多摩 (Okutama)
奥多摩 (Okutama) is a mountainous area close to 東京 (Tokyo). It is very enjoyable for hikes, particularly in autumn. In this area, there are also temples and caves to enjoy.
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大阪 (Osaka)
大阪 (Osaka) is an a big city in the western part of Japan, very close from 京都 (Kyoto) and 神戸 (Kobe). It contains an international airport, and is quite famous in the fields of robotics and wearable computing.
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札幌 (Sapporo)
札幌 (Sapporo) is the main city of 北海道 (Hokkaido) island, and is famous for its annual 雪祭 (snow festival).
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白川郷 (Shirakawa-go)
白川郷 (Shirakawa-go) is a UNESCO world heritage site situated in 岐阜県 (Gifu prefecture). It is famous for the way house are constructed: 合掌造り (gasho-zukuri).
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横浜 (Yokohama)
横浜 (Yokohama) is a big city near 東京 (Tokyo). It has many nice spots such as 桜木町 (Sakuragicho) and 中華街 (pronounced Chukagai, meaning Chinatown).
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South Korea
제주도 (Jeju island) is one of the famous places in South Korea, very romantic and warm.
United States of America
The surroundings of Mount Saint Helens are quite impressive due to the volcanic eruption that took place there in 1980.
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Mount Saint Helens
Mount Saint Helens is a few hours from Seattle, by car. The area is famous for a devastating volcanic eruption that occurred there in 1980. Its marks are quite visible: whole areas have completely lost their vegetation, other contain trees that died due to toxic fumes, and animals are scarce.
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