While I appreciate Loacker's explanation, I disagree with Loacker's conclusion: Even by the examples of landscape variation that Loacker provided, countries like France and Croatia would, IMO, seem to "qualify" for landscape diversity in light of Loacker's examples. I'm NOT saying that the OP should add those countries into the mix of locations under consideration -- I'm just offering my perspective on the ideas presented on this thread.

@ Loacker: <b><u>I did not oppose you for the sake of opposing</b></u> (and note that it is incredibly, uh, ... oppositional ... of you to interpret my remarks that way). I stated that I didn't understand your reasons for statements that you offered that made no sense to me -- apparently for good reason. And BTW, asking people to avoid being snarky with you -- as you did on your recent post on Switzerland -- seems to me a bit odd if you are going to be snarky with others. JMO.

I have visited both - Germany several times and Japan once. I can speak both languages well enough to get around without difficulty. In looking at my pictures, I have very few of the Japanese landscape but have a great deal of Germany/Austria.

Japan offers a much different experience and perhaps I would say choose it if not for your landscape interest.

Are you planning on taking an organized tour? That's the only way I can see the budget being anywhere close. I can travel all costs included for a day in Germany for much less than just a hotel room in Japan.

Hi Kja,

I specifically meant Austria and Germany. But I agree with you that Croatia and France offer a lot of landscape diversity, though maybe not as much as Spain or Italy. Also, I'm not being snarky, just defending my point of view. In any case, Fodor's would be a very boring place without our innocent bickering, no? Hugs.