Known as the ‘land of the rising sun’, Japan balances tradition with high-tech modern technologies. Japan is truly a country of contrasts – from the natural spectacle of Mount Fuji and idyllic islands and beaches in the south, to the cosmopolitan energy of Tokyo and Osaka and the ancient temples, shrines and wooden houses of Kyoto. Japan is unlike anywhere else in Asia and is a truly enthralling holiday destination.
We are specialists in travel to Japan – our experts have both travelled and lived there. We recommend travel year-round as there are positives to each season: Winter is ideal for skiing; Spring brings the beauty of cherry blossom – a must-see at least once in your life; Summer offers ideal weather conditions for climbing Mount Fuji and beach holidays; and Autumn sees the landscape turn to a myriad of colours and cooler temperatures make sight-seeing very pleasant. Whenever you decide to travel, as Japan experts, we can recommend the best places to stay and visit.
Found across Japan, ryokans are traditional Japanese guesthouses which offer the perfect glimpse into Japanese history and culture. Most predominantly located near onsen towns, they are the perfect place to rest travel weary legs along the Nakasendo Way or as an addition to your itinerary on a tour of Japan’s highlights.
In the early part of the year, for a few fleeting weeks, Japan is cloaked in a dusky pink as its cherry trees flourish with blossom or sakura. Marking the beginning of spring, the blossom is of huge cultural significance in Japan and nationwide celebrations sweep across the country in its honour. Thought to be reminiscent of the beauty and brevity of life, this precious and revered flower is a reminder of Japan’s dramatically contrasting seasons and exquisite natural beauty. So, whether you choose to map the path of the blossom by bullet train or simply witness the incredible colours from the comfort of your ryokan, the cherry blossom is a must-see on any springtime Japan itinerary.
Gliding into the forefront of train travel in 1964, the bullet train, or Shinkansen, has continued to wow the world with its blistering speed and soundless stealth ever since. Now linking the very north to the south, the Bullet Train has become the reliable backbone of Japan, joining the rural to the cosmopolitan in the blink of an eye. Snaking its way across Honshu, the largest island in the Japanese archipelago, the bullet train rattles up and down the country at a staggering speed of up to 320km an hour. As synonymous with the Land of the Rising Sun as Mount Fuji, sumo or sushi, the bullet train is arguably the only way to travel in Japan.
Japanese cuisine has taken the world by storm. And whilst sushi bars revolve their way around eateries in cities across the globe, the original home of this deliciously fresh and seasonal delicacy is a culinary force to be reckoned with. With its humble beginnings in street food, sushi has earned its stripes in haute cuisine and now claims many a Michelin star in decadent eateries across Japan and further afield. You only have to watch a sushi master chef in action in Japan to see why. Japanese food is an art form, it is an intrinsic part of the country’s cultural identity and motivation enough to visit.
Japan is a place of contradictions – visitors often describe it as both comfortably familiar and endlessly surprising at the same time. It’s an intricate blend of East and West, and past and present. The delights on offer range from Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, tea ceremonies, sumo tournaments, and beautifully clad Geisha, to sleek, modern shopping malls, high-tech gadgetry and delectable cuisine – not to mention the raft of intricate customs, etiquette and traditions. We spoke to Pete, our Imagine Asia specialist, who recently returned from this intriguing country.
In Hakone, Mount Fuji dominates the landscape and on foot is one of the best ways to see its majesty both from afar and up close. Take a scenic hike to the base of Mount Fuji for spectacular views of Lake Kawaguchi and the famous snow-capped peak amidst miles of uninterrupted wilderness. Spend days hiking around the trails of Lake Ahinoko or Lake Ashi or between the months of July and August, climb Mount Fuji itself. Its snow-capped splendour is matched only by the Shinto shrine upon its summit and the crater which marks its highest point. Watch the sunrise and send a postcard from the top for the ultimate Mount Fuji memento.
Less than an hour from Tokyo sits the sacred mountain of Mount Takao. Offering a network of beautiful walking trails, there are various ways to summit and descend the mountain, each affording spectacular views. The pièce de résistance is the breath-taking vista of Tokyo from the very top, the mind boggling size of this sprawling city is a true sight to behold. Climbing up Mount Takao is the perfect option for those wanting to squeeze in some spectacular hiking into a city break in Tokyo.
Walk back in time through ancient Japan on the famed Nakasendo Way, a 332-mile route through the heart of the country which was once a highway between the trading centres of Kyoto and Tokyo. Whilst now it is less frequented by feudal lords, samurais and pilgrims, and more by keen hikers, it is easy to imagine the path in its heyday. Stopping off at traditional Japanese inns, or ryokans, to rest weary legs en-route adds to the authenticity of the experience.
Take a three-day expedition on the Nakasendo Highway on arguably the prettiest section of the trail, passing through many of the route’s charming post towns and Shinto shrines which have existed since the Edo period. Stroll past waterfalls, bamboo forests and cherry blossom trees, all home to a myriad of birds and wildlife.
Miyajima Island is perhaps best known for the partially submerged Grand Torii Gate which appears to float offshore. However, trekking on the island is not to be overlooked. Mount Misen is a brilliant walking spot, and on a clear day, views can stretch as far as Hiroshima city.
One of only two UNESCO-listed pilgrimage routes in the world, the ancient hiking trails of Kumano Kodo have snaked through the Kii Mountain range for over 1,000 years, in Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture, around an hour south of Osaka by train. While Japanese pilgrims have walked these trails for hundreds of years, this region has remained largely undiscovered by international visitors, meaning there is a lovely sense of tranquillity to be found here.
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