Tokyo - is one of the most fascinating cities in Asia and is not to be missed. Kudos to the Japanese for preserving her antiquities while building dazzlingly avant-garde structures right alongside. Wandering the neighborhoods of Tokyo yields an endless discovery of things modern, traditional and delicious – even hole in the wall restaurants proudly serve food of freshness and high quality. Fun things to do are to visit the Tsukiji fish markets – the world’s largest and busiest - in the early morning, watch the time warped 50s dancers in Harajuku on weekends and browse the upmarket stores in Ginza. Day trips from Tokyo to such destinations as Mt Fuji, Nikko, Kamakura and Hakone are easily doable by regular or bullet train.
Hakone - in Japan’s Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park about an hour’s train ride west of Tokyo, is a mountain lake town famous for its hot springs resorts (onsen) and fleeting views of the iconic volcano Mount Fuji. It also encompasses Hakone Shrine, a Shinto shrine with a red “torii” gate overlooking scenic Lake Ashi, which can be toured by boat, as well as the boiling sulfur springs of the Owakudani Valley. Short hikes along the old Edo Road are also recommended, and art lovers will find much to enjoy in the town’s galleries and open air museums. Hakone is a family-friendly destination, and also popular with honeymooners who can book a room at a traditional Japanese Inn (ryokan) with a private soaking tub on the balcony, and opt for delicious multi-course kaiseki meals to be served in their room.
Kyoto - is, to many people, old Japan. A UNESCO World Heritage site, its ancient temples and shrines, kimono clad women, narrow streets and small shops create an atmosphere of times gone by. Accessible by air or bullet train, a couple of nights in Kyoto – staying at a Japanese Inn if possible - is recommended.
Osaka - This confident, stylish city is a shopping hub, with fabulous restaurants and nightlife. It’s also an ideal base for exploring the whole region; Kyoto’s World Heritage Sites, Nara’s temple and Koya-san’s eerie graves are within 90 minutes by train. Top city attractions include the aquarium, Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan and the futuristic Floating Garden Observatory.
Hiroshima - Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is the largest attraction in this historical city, which engenders many emotions in visitors – mostly admiration for how the citizens have rebuilt and moved on, while never forgetting the past. The Peace Park contains a museum, the remnants of buildings destroyed by the 1945 atomic bomb and monuments to those who lost their lives.
Nara - Thirteen hundred years ago, Nara was the imperial capital of Japan. “Old Japan” is still easy to spot here, from Great Buddha Hall to traditional inns and the serene Isuien garden. Travelers enjoy walking tours of Nara, particularly in the historic Naramachi merchant area.
Nagano - Those who want to ski in Japan will want to consider the site of the 1998 winter Olympic games. Whether you ski or not, visitors to Nagano will also be rewarded with sight seeing opportunities such as Zenkoji Temple, and the legendary home of the Togakure Ninja School!
Kanazawa - During the Edo Period, Kanazawa served as the seat of the Maeda Clan, the second most powerful feudal clan after the Tokugawa in terms of rice production and fief size. Accordingly, Kanazawa grew to become a town of great cultural achievements, rivaling Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo). During World War Two, Kanazawa was Japan’s second largest city (after Kyoto) to escape destruction by air raids. Consequently, parts of the old castle town, such as the Nagamachi samurai district and chaya entertainment districts, have survived in good condition. Today, Kanazawa remains an important city in its region and serves as the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture. The city boasts many historical attractions such as restored residences and districts, as well as modern museums. But Kanazawa’s unchallenged main attraction is Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s “three best landscape gardens” and considered the most beautiful of them all.
Takayama - Due to its previously inaccessible location nestled high in the mountainous Hida alpine region, this beautifully preserved old town was cut off from the rest of Japan, allowing it to develop its own unique culture. Takayama is an intimate, leisurely place and even the very center of the town has a quiet, rustic charm. The region is an agricultural one, and every day the freshest of vegetables and fruit are brought by local farmers to Takayama’s lively morning market. The surrounding forests provide fine timber for building traditional houses and for the simple utensils and lacquer ware that have been made in Takayama for hundreds of years. The skillful carpenters of Hida (as this region is called) are said to have built the Imperial Palace in Kyoto and many temples in that city, as well as in Nara. The district called San-machi Suji, the traditional home of Takayama merchants and sake brewers, has been preserved in almost exactly the same state as 200 or 300 years ago. Here are inns, shops and taverns which trace their history back many generations. The Takayama Festival, which takes place in spring and autumn, is considered to be one of the three most impressive festivals in Japan.
