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.
Set in Yamanouchi in Japan, Shibu Onsen is a historic hot spring town. It has retained a traditional atmosphere and charm. Tucked away in a small valley, Shibu Onsen rests on the banks of the Yokoyugawa River. This ancient hot spring town was once frequented by priests, samurai and poets. Visitors can stay overnight at one of the 400-year-old Japanese-style inns known as a ryokan that fringe Shibu's narrow streets. Don't miss the opportunity to take a stroll around town in yukata robes and geta sandals - traditional onsen clothing. Other highlights include the Yudanaka Onsen and the Jigokudani Monkey Park.
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.
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.
Set in the peaceful wooded area of Wakayama Prefecture among magnificent ancient forests and towering sacred mountains, the secluded temple town of Koya San is one of Japan’s most enchanting destinations. First founded as a tranquil retreat in 816 by Kobo Daishi, one of Japan's most revered religious figures, the town is now inhabited by roughly 3000 people, features a university dedicated to religious studies as well as over a hundred sacred temples. Many of these temples provide accommodation offering visitors a taste of life as a traditional Buddhist monk. One of the main attractions is undoubtedly Okunoin, Koya San’s vast cemetery where you will find 200,000 stone stupas located under a thick canopy of cedar, pine and cypress trees; the remarkable Hall of Lanterns where 10 000 oil lamps burn continuously, and of course the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi. Koya San is a must-see destination for travellers interested in Buddhism, history, traditional culture and spectacular natural scenery.
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.
