Japan is a small nation and might appear homogenous to visitors. However, there is a wide variety of cultural experiences to be enjoyed across the country.
Many tourists make it to Tokyo and Kyoto and offers enough sightseeing to fill an entire vacation. But if you have the time and means, there are many other fantastic Japanese cities worth visiting.
A JR Rail Pass will make it more affordable and convenient to explore Japan. Rail Passes provide all-you-can-eat access to Japan's convenient and reliable trains, including high-speed bullet trains (Shinkansen), allowing you to squeeze more cities into your trip.
I've published more information on JR Rail Passes in my list of "11 Tips for Visiting Japan".
Here are my recommendations for the Top Eleven cities to visit in Japan.