Tokyo is a massive, wealthy, and fascinating metropolis, including a mainland located northwest of Tokyo Bay and two beautiful and subtropical archipelagos, the Izu and Ogasawara Islands. It encompasses rugged natural scenery, high-tech visions of the future, and glimpses of traditional life. The various districts of this phenomenal city vary wildly in character, from the electronic blare of Akihabara to the magnificent Imperial gardens and shrines of Chiyoda; from the lively youth mecca of Shibuya to the splendid pottery shops and temple markets of Asakusa. If you don't like what you see, hop on the train and head to the next station, and you will find something entirely different. The city truly has a little bit of everything for everyone.
Stretching across four prefectures on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a vast, awe-inspiring paradise that covers Yamanashi, Shizuoka, and Kanagawa, and the western Tokyo Metropolis of Japan. It is home to the iconic Mount Fuji, a gigantic active volcano that looms over the Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures and is recognised across the globe as the quintessential symbol of Japan. Nature lovers are spoilt for choice in this richly diverse landscape of natural hot springs, sweeping coastlines, towering mountains, crystalline lakes, and over 1000 volcanic islands. Among the plethora of highlights that this endless idyll has to offer, don't miss an opportunity to visit the Fuji Five Lakes set at the base of Mount Fuji, the mountainous town of Hakone, and Izu Islands, a picturesque scuba diving hub.
Hiroshima has a deep historical significance – it was the first city ever to suffer an atomic blast, which wreaked devastation across the urban hub on 6 August 1945. The only remaining building in the area was the Genbaku Dome, which is now known as the 'City of Peace' and has become a worldwide symbol of hope for everlasting peace. Hiroshima-jo is a replica of the original castle where Japanese elders came together for centuries to discuss strategies and politics. Today Hiroshima is a thriving tourist destination with an interesting food scene and a very vibrant nightlife. Cultural experiences include the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art and the Mazda Museum.
Japan’s ‘cultural capital’, Kyoto, is located on Honshu Island within the Kansai region. Filled with awe-inspiring shrines, temples, and Zen gardens, as well as a host of extraordinary modern attractions and numerous things to do, the city offers a plethora of experiences. First stops include the other-worldly Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shinto shrine; Kiyomizu-Dera, offering a ‘love providing’ ceremony and jaw-dropping views, and Buddhist Tōfuku-Ji, famous for its glorious garden. It is also entirely possible to visit Kyoto for the sake of food alone; hubs like Nishiki Market provide a dizzying array of culinary adventures. Culture enthusiasts can attend a traditional tea ceremony; soak up the striking displays at the Kyoto International Manga Museum; or head to Gion, the vibrant downtown district, to visit artisan studios or watch a Kabuki show. Exquisite hikes and natural hot springs await just outside the city.
The modern city of Toyama is the capital of Japan’s Toyama prefecture as well as a popular gateway to the renowned Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in the Northern Japan Alps. The city covers an area that stretches from the shore of the beautiful Toyama Bay, known for its bioluminescent firefly squid, all the way up to the peaks of some impressive 3000-metre-high mountains. In 2014 this exquisite mountain-ringed bay was endorsed by Unesco and named one of the ‘Most Beautiful Bays in the World’. Aside from its spectacular natural scenery, the city is known for its flourishing local crafts scene and for a number of interesting local attractions. Chief among these is the Toyama Castle Park, a spread of greenery with a reconstructed version of the original 1532 castle. Other not-to-be-missed sights include a handful of engaging museums and the 'Hills of 500 Buddhas', featuring hundreds of Buddha statues, dressed in multi-coloured ribbons.
