|
|
The bustling island nation of Japan, known as the “Land of the Rising Sun,” has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful and energetic countries on Earth. A notoriously closed culture for thousands of years, it began to open its doors in the late 19th century and has transformed into a hub of technological innovation. As its reputation for blending a reverence for the past with modern amenities that are state-of-the-art has grown, visitors have naturally decided on tours to Japan to experience it for themselves.
Tours to Tokyo
Tokyo is the seat of Japanese government and home to the Imperial Palace, a massive complex that is both a public park and a residence.
|
Visitors are treated to some of the finest traditional gardens in the country, as well as a museum and national archive. Of course, with a metropolitan area of more than 35 million people, there are an abundance of options for tourists to see. Within the confines of Ueno Park alone, you’ll find four national museums (three just for art), a small amusement park and a 120-year-old zoo. In addition, the thriving arts scene provides plays and music in public and private auditoriums all over the city. Plus, you’ll be able to find plenty of delicious meals – Japan is known as a center of culinary excellence in the Far East for local fare and, ironically, French cuisine.
|
|
|
Sixty miles to the southwest of Tokyo, you’ll find Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in the country at an altitude of more than 12,000 feet. Considered one of the “Three Holy Mountains” with Mount Tate and Mount Haku, it attracts photographers and hikers by the thousands. Tourists have the chance to participate in all sorts of outdoor activities besides just climbing the mountain, many spend time fishing and swimming at one of the nearby lakes or, if they are more adventurous, paragliding.
Tours to Yokohama
Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan and a major center for shipping. As a major commerce center, as well as the home for carmaker Nissan, it blends in other cultures seamlessly with the largest Chinatown in Japan and the famous Yamate district, a collection of Victorian-style homes built at the end of the 19th century. In recent years, its harbor has been developed as a tourist destination known as Minato Mirai 21. Here you will find great shopping and restaurants alongside Landmark Tower, the tallest building in Japan, and Cosmo Clock 21, a huge Ferris wheel that happens to also be the world’s largest clock.
|
Tours to Kyoto
Further to the southwest, the city of Kyoto is known as a history lover’s dream – one of every five Japanese national treasures are found here. The former seat of the Japanese Imperial Empire, it is home to approximately 2,000 temples and shrines. The most famous of these, Ryoan-ji, is a Buddhist temple with a famous stone garden (karensansui) said to be more than 500 years old. All told, 17 of the area’s temples have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of course, there are also several museums displaying art and many of the traditional gardens, but many visitors take time to enjoy “Monkey Mountain,” too. The Iwatayama Monkey Park is an enclosed space for tourists to feed a group of 170 macaques, who will gladly make your acquaintance if you offer them an apple or some peanuts.
Though these major cities have much to offer, you might choose to focus your tour to Japan on one particular aspect of the culture. If you have an interest in Japanese architecture, you might like a trip through the countryside to visit several holy places, like the Ise Grand Shrine. Maybe you would prefer to stop in several of the gorgeous Japanese gardens or scale the “Three Holy Mountains.” Whatever your desire, it’s likely the “Land of the Rising Sun” will come up to meet it.
|
