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The land of the rising sun has always held a certain mystique for many. With the ultra-modern, neon-glowing streets intermingled with aging temples and a culture that still leans heavily on ancient Confucian values, it’s a vibrant, blended society that has something to offer every type of traveler. As long as you have ample supplies of cash to burn, that is.
Tokyo’s an impossibly lively city that’s the savvy home of Sushi and endless vending machines, computer-based restaurants, teenagers dressed as sensationally realistic Manga cartoon characters and of course the workin… read moreg people in their black or grey business suits rushing off to a meeting, lunch or home. In amongst all the modernity, though, you’ll find the hidden grandeur of the Imperial Palace, the subtle atmospherics of the red lantern clad temples and even the intimidating luxury of the ancient Sento public baths, where families still wash together.
Kyoto takes the tradition a step further, as home to the kind of superlative imagery that made Memoirs of a Geisha such an iconic film. You can meditate in stone-perfect raked pebble gardens, stroll around just a few of the 1,700 peaceful Buddhist temples, or stare spellbound at glittering palaces that seem to be floating on top of tranquil lakes.
Hiroshima is famous for all the wrong reasons, and you’ll still find plenty of remnants of the day it was blasted to the ground (including a single burnt frame of a building that still stands at the centre), but has rebuilt into a dynamic, sparkling modern city. Yakushima, with its densely forested mountains and snow-tipped peaks is famous for its coastal hot springs and moist climate, while the yearly wave of cherry blossoms flowing across the country brings with it astounding natural beauty and something to base your trip around.
Remember to slurp vocally in appreciation of your noodles, and leave your shoes at the door, and if you’re around in December, the early morning climb – Sake in hand – to see the New Year in over the Pacific is unforgettable. Don your kimono and wooden platform shoes, grab your Samurai sword and head out into a beguiling, inimitable culture.
Japan’s capital is a hurtling, modernized city in which fads come and go in days and everything seems to be electronic. Its extraordinary subway system is a test of your traveler’s nous, …
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If Tokyo is the heart of Japan’s fast-paced, electronic, super-powered rat race, than Kyoto is where it comes down to earth with a culture-heavy, inspiring bump. The former capital (and nea…
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Another intense corner of urban Japan, Osaka lacks the hidden gems of Kyoto or the manic pace of Tokyo, but is nevertheless well worth exploring. The capital of Japan’s most cultural-heavy …
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Capital of the Hiroshima Prefecture located in the Chugoku Region in Honshu, the largest island of Japan, Hiroshima has a history stretching back to the 16th century when it was first founded…
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Despite being a sizeable city (Japan’s fourth largest), Nagoya seems to account for a minimal tourist draw. Perhaps it’s the financial focus, or the abundance of car manufacturing plants …
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Located in the far western section of the Kanagaaw Prefecture on the eastern side of Hakone Pass sits Hakone. To this day it is counted as one of the first tourist destinations in Japan, and …
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Lying south of Tokyo but part of the large eastern conurbation in the Kanto region lies Japan's second largest city Yokohama. With over 3.6 million people, Yokohama has an identity of its own…
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Shrouded from the modern travelers by its more famous cousin, Kyoto, Nara stands as one of the more beautiful and historical cities in Japan, yet despite its various temples and World Heritag…
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Naha is the main city of Okinawa. On first site it looks a bit 'boro-boro' or rundown, but there are many amazing aspects of this city ready to be uncovered. Bright gaudy colours line the mai…
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Takayama, a city in the Gifu Prefecture, is located as some would say "the Alps" of Japan. With 100.000 people living there it sounds like a big city, but as there are hardly any high rise th…
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Containing some of Japan's most epic scenery in the form of mountains, waterfalls, and winding trails that carve their way through the hills of the Nikko National Park, the small city of Nikk…
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Narita is the city that a big number of foreign travelers go through since it is where the Japan's biggest international airport is located. Although this airport is sometimes called "New Tok…
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Hakodate is port city on the southern tip of Hokkaido. The city is famous for its night view from the top of the local mountain and for the colonial influence that came when the port opened i…
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Beppu is relativly small city (120.000 inhabitans) in east part of Japan island Kyūshū.
The point of interest is local high volcanic activity. When you aproach to city it looks like hell…
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Chiba is the name used to describe the prefecture neighboring Tokyo to the east as well as the capital city of that region. Most of the region lies on a large peninsula called the Boso Penins…
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Kamakura is a quaint, historic town just an hour south of Tokyo by train. Dotted with beautiful temples and endowed with a casual black sand beach, Kamakura is everything Tokyo isn't. Visi…
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Itsukushima, also known as the Shrine Island, and most popularly known as Miyajima, sits within the Setonaikai National Park in the Seto Inland Sea, just off the coast of Hiroshima. Perhaps m…
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Okinawa, historically the Ryukyu Kingdom archipelago, is totally different from mainland Japan; In fact, Okinawa has its own language and a culture closer to ancient China and the Philippines…
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Nagano, the capital city of the Nagano Prefecture, has a population of around 400.000 people and was in 1998 home to the Olympic Winter Games.
It's a relatively quiet city, being a gateway…
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When you hear the name "Shibuya", those in the know immediately think of the fashion mecca of youth in Tokyo. This area in the vicinity of Shibuya's main train station is an incredible array …
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Kusatsu is a small Onsen town located in the north of Gunma.
Set just next to the Joshin-Etsu-Kogen national park, it is surrounded by forest and mountains.
The onsen town is built around…
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Shinjuku. One of the wonders of the world. Maybe not, but if you have never been to a big city you may think so when you come to this section of Tokyo! Shinjuku is one of the 23 wards or sect…
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Asakusa (浅草) is a town in the Taito Ward of Tokyo. It was the only down town area long before World War II, before Shinjuku and Shibuya became such important centers of business and comme…
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Located in Chiba Prefecture just by the border with Tokyo, Urayasu is a small city (the total area is 17.29 km²) and is most famous for the location of Tokyo Disney Resort.
Founded on Ap…
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The summit of Mount Fuji is 12,300 feet (3,700 meters) above sea level. It takes about 10 hours to climb up and 4 hours to climb down in bad weather. Mt. Fuji is actually 3 volcanoes merged t…
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A beautiful old town set in the mountains in the north of Gunma. Surrounded by greenery, it is the ideal city escape.
Minakami is an onsen town, and hot springs are dotted all over the place…
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Niseko (ニセコ町 Niseko-chō?) is a town located in Abuta District, Shiribeshi, Hokkaidō, Japan. To the Japanese people, Niseko principally refers to a mountain range and a municipal are…
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ROPPONGI is a district in Minato Ward, Tokyo, that is most famous for its nightlife..though there is a lot more on offer than some who skip this area (or just stop in for one night), won't se…
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The area around Harajuku station is the area famous for the unique youth street fashion and culture the permeates all of society and sends signals out to the world. Girls the world over make …
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Mt Fuji is located only a couple of hours South West of Japan's capital and can be seen on a good day while travelling on the Shinanken (bullet train). It's definately a 'must-see' while visi…
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Yokosuka is located about 1 1/2 hours by train south of Tokyo and is the main artery for the Japanese and U.S Navy ships stationed in the area. With the large number of U.S Navy and Marine pe…
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Koyasan (高野山;san means Mountain) is a mountain in Wakayama prefecture to the south of Osaka. First settled in 819 by the monk Kūkai, Koyasan is primarily known as the headquarters of t…
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If it lives in the ocean, you can probably find it at the Tsukiji Fish Market! Known for it's famous Tuna Auction (now closed to visitors) this is a HUGE WAREHOUSE of fresh seafood right off…
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