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.
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.
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.
Matsumoto is a city on the island of Honshu, set within the Nagano Prefecture. The city is surrounded by the snow-capped Japan Alps and developed around the captivating Matsumoto Castle, that still stands today. The palace garden is known as one of the best spots in Japan to view blossoming cherry trees - decorated with over 300 of them. Other must-sees include the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, which houses one of the world’s biggest private art collections (over 100 000 pieces), and the Daio Wasabi Farm. Wander the trails between fields and sample interesting wasabi products such as wasabi chocolate, wasabi ice cream, wasabi flavoured crackers, and more.
