Fukuoka & Beppu, Kyushu

A classical tour start is the seaport Fukuoka/Hakata. This has two advantages. Firstly, you can discover Japan without running into too many gaijins (you really have to search for them if you need them!). And secondly, it is said the Japanese in Kyushu are very polite.
Nevertheless, if you made an effort to learn more about Japanese customs before you go to Japan, you will get an unadulterated impression of th culturally perfect country which can be barely compared with Western cultures.

You can find here almost everything in one spot: Shopping Malls, temples, and huge department stores where you can purchase everything; from the latest DSLR to volumes of illustrations about graphics design.

However, you should bear in mind one thing. Japan is a land of plenty for souvenir hunters. If you find something that you like you should buy it because it is very likely that you won't see it again anywhere else.

You can let yourself drift in Fukuoka to gather impressions, i.e. at the Fukuoka Tower, the seafront, in Canal City, or in one of many Buddhistic temples!

Beppu is completely different. There are the so-called hells (jigokus in Japanese) awaiting you. These are hot springs surrounded by beautiful gardens. Or do you prefer a sand bath on the beach?