If the world opening up has made you hungry for a brand new journey, 2023 may be the yr you lastly tour Japan. From cutting-edge cities to pure magnificence, forwards-thinking meals and nightlife to unmissable historic wonders, Japan has all the things you can 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 yr – and you’ll go to all of them on our Japan Journey Excursions.
Hakone
In case you’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 simple 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 a superb spot to soak up the views of Fuji – and to make it higher, you possibly can even do it from the deck of a ship. Nevertheless, when you want your views from a peak, 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.
In case you’re visiting Hakone, be sure you convey your strolling boots so you possibly can discover the Previous 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
An attractive 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 all the things 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 a captivating journey. Then, when you’ve been bitten by the historical past bug, take a tour round Tokyo Imperial Palace. Constructed upon the location of Edo Fortress – 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 Heart, and even go to certainly one of Akihabara’s well-known maid cafés.
For an in-depth listing 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 the town provides you the chance to discover a few of the most breathtaking historic websites in Japan.
When you arrive by bullet prepare, you would possibly wish to gradual 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 may be in your bucket listing 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. You can too take within the Togetsukyo (Moon Crossing Bridge), the place you’ll get a superb 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 Web site) previous quite a lot of unimaginable temples, together with cafés and craft retailers.
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 hundreds 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 an excellent evening out, Osaka is the place to be. A brief prepare from Tokyo however providing a completely totally different expertise, Osaka has rightly gained a status 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 Fortress? It performed a key half within the unification of Japan within the 16th century, and as we speak you possibly can tour the within – and the nine-level dungeon beneath.
However whereas it’s jam-packed with historic websites, you’ll undoubtedly wish to tour Osaka when you prefer to eat. Go to Shinsaibashi, a service provider’s paradise for the reason that 1600s, the place you possibly can take pleasure in all of the meals and retail remedy you can need. Yakitori, ramen, sushi – you title it! If you wish to eat it, Shinsaibashi may have it. Then, for the proper photograph 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 evening 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 looking for an excellent time.
Kamakura
After which, when 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, as we speak 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 seashore or, when you’re feeling adventurous, lease a surfboard and take to the waves.
Nevertheless, when you really feel like exploring just a little, Kamakura is residence to The Nice Buddha, an 11-metre tall statue of Amida Buddha from the 13th century, made solely of bronze. Yow will discover it on the lovely 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 lovely historic shrines and temples. After which, when 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 function unmissable visits to all these locations and extra. For additional particulars, you possibly can view our full vary of Japanese Adventures right here. Or, when you’d like to listen to from us, hit ‘Enquire Now’ within the prime right-hand nook. Glad travelling!
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