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.
Walk back in time through ancient Japan on the fabled Nakasendo Trail, an old postal service route between Kyoto and Tokyo. While it is now frequented by keen hikers rather than the samurais who once walked its paths, it is easy to imagine the trail in its heyday. Stopping off at traditional Japanese inns, or ryokans, to rest weary legs en route adds to the authenticity of the experience. We recommend a three-day self-guided journey along this scenic highway, from the picturesque town of Magome to the more bustling town of Narai, characterised by the endless quaint houses that line this stretch of road. We think this is arguably the prettiest section of the trail, passing through many of the route’s most charming postal towns and taking in numerous beautiful 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.
In Hakone, Mount Fuji dominates the landscape, and one of the best ways to see its majesty (both from afar and up close) is on foot. Take a scenic hike to the base of the mountain for spectacular views of Lake Kawaguchi and the famous snow-capped peak amid miles of uninterrupted wilderness. Spend a few days hiking around the trails of Lake Ahinoko and Lake Ashi, or, between the months of July and August, climb Mount Fuji itself. Its snowy splendour is matched only by the Shinto shrine upon its summit, and the enormous crater which measures 600 metres in diameter. Watch the sunrise and send a postcard from the top (home to Japan’s highest post office) for the ultimate Mount Fuji memento.
Located an hour south of Osaka by train, the Kumano Kodo trail is one of only two UNESCO-listed pilgrimage routes in the world, along with the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Much lesser-known than its Spanish counterpart, Kumano Kodo provides utterly mesmerising views of rural Japan, and very few visitors. The paths are dotted with small shrines, from ancient trees to large rocks, which have been worshipped since time immemorial. Whether you come here to soak up the area’s deep spirituality or simply to explore the stunning scenery, the trails of Kumano Kodo provide some of the best walking in Japan. There are seven different routes in total, as well as a bus service which connects the main points, so it’s possible to tailor the hiking to suit you.
Located less than an hour by train from Tokyo, Mount Takao is one of Japan’s most accessible hiking areas. This is the perfect option for those wanting to squeeze some spectacular scenery into a city break in Tokyo, as it can easily be done as a day trip. Offering a network of seven beautiful walking trails, there are various ways to explore this sacred mountain. The hike from the base to the summit takes about 90 minutes, but there’s also the option to take a cable car to the halfway point, before completing the ascent on foot. The pièce de résistance is the breathtaking vista of Tokyo from the very top; the mind-boggling size of this sprawling city is a true sight to behold, and on a clear day, views even stretch as far as Mount Fuji.
Mount Misen on Miyajima Island is a brilliant walking spot. There are three different trails up the mountain, our favourite being the Daisho-in Course, thanks to its spectacular views and manageable gradient. The journey from the base to the summit takes a little under two hours, but there is also the option to take the cable car, which drops visitors out 100 metres from the peak. From here, a relatively leisurely one-kilometre walk brings you to the top of the mountain, and on a clear day, views can stretch as far as Hiroshima city. A number of intricate temple structures sit close to the summit, all of which belong to the Daisho-in temple at the foot of the mountain.
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