The Land of the Rising Sun has emerged as one of the top travel destinations in the world, and it’s easy to see why. Whether you’re exploring the shrines and temples of Kyoto, climbing Mt Fuji, or visiting the giant Godzilla head in Shinjuku, Japan is sure to have something for every type of traveller. In this blog I’d like to give an overview of the kinds of experiences Japan offers and paint a picture of what your trip could look like!

Tokyo

For a first-time visit, the trip will almost always start and end in the capital, Tokyo. Nearly every type of activity you can imagine is available in this bustling metropolis, from shopping for clothes in stylish Harajuku, to go-kart racing in the streets dressed as videogame characters. One of the highlights of my own trip was exploring Akihabara, a neon-lit electric town, and kind of heaven for arcade lovers, gamers and anime fans.

The Golden Route

A common route for first-time travellers is known as the Golden route, taking in Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka. Hakone is a small town only 1-2 hours away from Tokyo by train, where many go to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and catch a magnificent sight of Mount Fuji!

Kyoto was the capital of Japan up until the year 1869, and is renowned for its temples and traditional culture, as well as stunning scenery. Walking around the Gion district, visitors can spot Geisha: women dressed in traditional Japanese kimonos and distinctive makeup.

Osaka is a city similar to Tokyo, but smaller in size. It is home to Osaka Castle, a stunning building and a famous Japanese landmark. Osaka is often called the “kitchen of Japan” and is known for its street food culture. Travellers can take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Osaka and be back in Tokyo in just 2-3 hours, ready for their return flight.

Tip

Speaking of transport, its worthwhile for any visitor to get a Suica Card when they arrive at the airport in Japan. This card can be topped up with money at ticket stations and be used to easily pay the fares for trains, subways and buses around Japan. A “Welcome Suica” is available for tourists and is valid for 28 days. However, it should be noted that Suica cards cannot be used for Shinkansen tickets.

Food

I couldn’t write about Japan without mentioning the food. If you consider yourself a foodie, Japan will not disappoint. Sushi is the iconic Japanese dish (have it delivered to you on a conveyor belt at special conveyor belt sushi restaurants!) as well as the various kinds of noodle dishes, such as Ramen, Soba and Udon. Other staples include Okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake; Yakitori, grilled chicken on a skewer; Tempura, deep-fried sea food; and of course, the famous Wagyu Beef.

When to visit?

Many will want to visit when the cherry blossoms are blooming, and that’s certainly a great time to experience Japan. The time to see the blossoms is the spring season, from March to May. Just be aware, as this is a busy time of year, prices can be higher due to demand. Japan has a very hot and humid Summer, therefore visiting in the Autumn season between September and November is usually recommended as a good balance of pleasant weather and affordability compared to the spring season.

I’ll be sharing more about different areas and experiences in Japan in my next blogs.

If you’d like to find out more and book your very own journey to Japan, get in touch. We look forward to helping with your plans!

Joe