If the world opening up has made you hungry for a brand new journey, 2023 could be the 12 months you lastly tour Japan. From cutting-edge cities to pure magnificence, forwards-thinking meals and nightlife to unmissable historic wonders, Japan has every thing you may need in your dream journey. We’ve collected 5 of our favorite locations in Japan that we all know are positive to be successful with travellers this 12 months – and you’ll go to all of them on our Japan Journey Excursions.
Hakone
For those who’re all in regards to the wonders of the pure world, then Hakone is the vacation spot for you. A part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu Nationwide Park, it’s lower than 100km from Tokyo (so it’s straightforward to incorporate in your tour!) and residential to maybe essentially the most iconic landmark in Japan – Mount Fuji.
In Hakone, you possibly can head to Lake Ashi. Mendacity on the base of Mount Fuji, on a sunny day it’s an excellent spot to absorb the views of Fuji – and to make it higher, you possibly can even do it from the deck of a ship. Nonetheless, should you want your views from a top, you possibly can take the Hakone Ropeway, a spectacular cable automotive journey that takes you thru the panorama and drops you at Owakudani. It’s an lively volcano zone the place you possibly can attempt the native delicacy of ‘black eggs’, which get their distinct color from the sulphuric waters they’re boiled in.
For those who’re visiting Hakone, be sure you deliver your strolling boots so you possibly can discover the Outdated Tokaido freeway on foot. The previous stays of the Tokaido – the historic street which linked Tokyo and Kyoto within the feudal Edo interval – are preserved in Hakone, which was once a key checkpoint, and you’ll stroll them till you attain Moto-Hakone.
Tokyo
A fantastic juxtaposition of previous and future, Tokyo combines a few of the most fun nightlife and vacationer experiences with a wealthy historical past. From popular culture to palaces, Tokyo has every thing the proper vacation spot ought to.
For a glimpse into Japan’s storied previous, Sensoji Temple is a must-visit in your tour. Positioned in Asakusa, the Buddhist temple dates again to 645 and makes for an interesting journey. Then, should you’ve been bitten by the historical past bug, take a tour round Tokyo Imperial Palace. Constructed upon the location of Edo Fort – as soon as the world’s largest – it’s now the location of some actually resplendent grounds. For the enduring, enduring picture of Japan, a go to to the Palace throughout cherry blossom season sees the grounds flip a vibrant pink.
But when you end up prepared to maneuver from the previous and straight into the longer term, a tour round Akihabara is a must-do. As Japan’s ‘Electrical City’, it’s a dream vacation spot for travellers who love tech, retro video games, and otaku tradition. You possibly can take a tour across the Tokyo Anime Middle, and even go to considered one of Akihabara’s well-known maid cafés.
For an in-depth record of The Dragon Journey’s favorite issues to do in Tokyo, you possibly can go to our weblog put up right here.
Kyoto
No tour of Japan is full and not using a go to to Kyoto. As the previous capital of Japan for over 1000 years, so it’s no shock {that a} go to to town provides you the chance to discover a few of the most breathtaking historic websites in Japan.
When you arrive by bullet practice, you would possibly need to sluggish the tempo down – so how a couple of laissez-faire cruise up the Hozugawa River? If the peace fits you, a visit to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest could be in your bucket record too – right here, you possibly can stroll amongst the towering bamboo, and go to some unimaginable cultural websites just like the Tenryu-ji Zen temple and its superb gardens. It’s also possible to take within the Togetsukyo (Moon Crossing Bridge), the place you’ll get an excellent view of the Arashiyama mountain itself.
Then, head again into Kyoto metropolis, the place you possibly can take a calligraphy class or wander the Thinker’s Path. On this Path, you possibly can stroll from the Silver Pavilion (a UNESCO World Heritage Website) previous a lot of unimaginable temples, together with cafés and craft outlets.
Lastly, in case your dream vacation spot in Japan is all in regards to the sights, no tour is full and not using a go to to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, well-known for its 1000’s of vermillion torii gates which lead travellers into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari.
Osaka
For the explorer who loves enjoyable, meals, and a very good night time out, Osaka is the place to be. A brief practice from Tokyo however providing a completely totally different expertise, Osaka has rightly gained a repute as a gastronomic centre inside Japan.
Very similar to the remainder of Japan, Osaka isn’t quick on historical past. Why not go to the attractive Osaka Fort? It performed a key half within the unification of Japan within the 16th century, and at the moment you possibly can tour the within – and the nine-level dungeon beneath.
However whereas it’s jam-packed with historic websites, you’ll undoubtedly need to tour Osaka should you prefer to eat. Go to Shinsaibashi, a service provider’s paradise for the reason that 1600s, the place you possibly can bask in all of the meals and retail remedy you may need. Yakitori, ramen, sushi – you identify it! If you wish to eat it, Shinsaibashi may have it. Then, for the proper picture second, you possibly can find yourself on the Dotonbori bridge, the place all of the neon lights of the thrilling district dance throughout the canal.
When night time falls, Dotonbori is the place to be. The alleys are full of eating places, bars, and arcades, making it an ideal vacation spot for the traveller searching for a very good time.
Kamakura
After which, should you really feel like slowing the tempo down, you possibly can unwind by the seaside with a go to to Kamakura. As soon as the political centre of Medieval Japan, at the moment it’s often called a resort city south of Tokyo that’s well-known for its Zen temples, Shinto shrines, and distinct literary heritage. You possibly can unwind on the seaside or, should you’re feeling adventurous, hire a surfboard and take to the waves.
Nonetheless, should you really feel like exploring just a little, Kamakura is house to The Nice Buddha, an 11-metre tall statue of Amida Buddha from the 13th century, made solely of bronze. You will discover it on the stunning Kotoku-in Temple, which is an gratifying hike away.
A visit to Enoshima, a small island simply off the coast of Kamakura, provides you the chance to discover much more stunning historic shrines and temples. After which, should you’re worn out from the climbing and browsing, spend the sundown unwinding in a beachside bar – the proper finish to an ideal journey.
The Dragon Journey’s excursions to Japan characteristic unmissable visits to all these locations and extra. For additional particulars, you possibly can view our full vary of Japanese Adventures right here. Or, should you’d like to listen to from us, hit ‘Enquire Now’ within the prime right-hand nook. Pleased travelling!
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