Uncover a unique blend of traditional culture and cutting-edge modernity in Japan.
Explore peaceful temples like the glittering Golden Pavilion in former imperial
capital Kyoto, or go for kitsch fashions in Tokyo. The varied climate
means you can see snow-capped mountains and wilderness on the northern island of
Hokkaido, and subtropical beaches lapped by turquoise waters in the southern
outpost of Okinawa.
Background
Centuries of isolation have led Japan to develop a distinct culture, which you can
still see in age-old rituals like the tea ceremony. Or you might be more fascinated
by futuristic capital Tokyo on Japan's main island of Honshu.
Head south-west from here to iconic volcano Mount Fuji. The Japanese consider
climbing the mountain a rite of passage, and you might want to join the crowds of
school children making the ascent. Further south-west, you can sample tasty
Hakata ramen noodle soup in cosmopolitan coastal city Fukuoka. For
skiing, head to Nagano, north-west of Tokyo.
Urban
The sprawling metropolis of Tokyo has a sprinkling of historic buildings, such
as the moated Imperial Palace, but the capital is mainly about towering
skyscrapers and neon lights. To see the nation at its liveliest, visit nearby
Yokohama, whose Chinatown is bustling with locals. Kyoto,
with its delicate temples and geisha district of Gion, is the place to see
old Japan. Hiroshima abounds with World War II history, including a moving
museum dedicated to the A bomb. For some of the best food in the country and a
down-to-earth vibe, head to port city Osaka.
Rural
Join pilgrims flocking to Japan's sacred mountains. Near Osaka, you
can stay in a monastery amid pine trees and wooden temples at the mountainside
Buddhist site of Koyasan. Much of Japan is volcanic, leading to bubbling
natural hot springs like those in the dramatic coastal Izu Peninsula. From
Hiroshima, take a ferry to the sacred island of Miyajima - you can
see the enormous red Otorii gate towering out of the water as you approach.
Get away from it all in the rolling hills, green meadows and lakes of northern
Tohoku's Towada-Hachimantai National Park.
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