The buzzing metropolis of Hong Kong lies in the northern part of Hong Kong Island and is the centre of the country’s economy, entertainment, and tourism. Known for its distinctive chic architectural landmarks (like the I.M. Pei’s Bank of China Tower), the city centre represents the cutting edge of modern design in the country. A major shopping destination, it offers slick malls; vibrant streets lined by stores; and the renowned, un-gentrified, historic Temple Night Street Market. Watch the skyscrapers and forest-clad hills go by on one of the legendary (and affordable) boat cruises, or take the tram up to the top of ‘The Peak’, the highest point on the island, for panoramas of the glittering city, the Victorian Harbour, and the green hills of the New Territories. Other highlights - among the many - include the city’s acclaimed bespoke tailors.
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.
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Kanazawa is the centre of culture and commerce in the Hokuriku region and is a favourite getaway for the Japanese. The whole town has been well preserved through the ages and it feels like a modern-day museum with all its castles, geishas and gardens. Visit Higashi Chaya, where you will find kimono-clad geishas serving green tea in the courtyards of teahouses during the daytime, or Kenrokuen garden, which gives weary travellers a space to rest or meditate under cherry blossoms and red azaleas. Most of Kanazawa has remained unchanged for centuries, and here you can see where and how Samurai warriors lived from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
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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.
Osaka is a large port city and a busy commercial centre on the Japanese island of Honshu, known for its modern architecture, vibrant nightlife and delicious street food. This bustling city features a number of appealing attractions, most notably its restored 16th-century Shogunate Osaka Castle, surrounded by a moat and plum, peach and cherry blossom trees. The city also boasts an impressive array of museums including the National Museum of Ethnology, the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farm Houses and the Japan Folk Crafts Museum. Other must-see attractions include the Universal Studios Japan and the Expo Commemoration Park, which features the iconic Tower of the Sun.
As previously described
As previously described
