There is something mystic about Japan. When you think about Japan, and it's what is romanticized about the country and its people are:
And so much more. The way in which the older generation are held in high esteem with deep respect by those younger than them. It's the etiquette in everyday life, now lost in many other parts of the world. Read on for our thoughts on the most popular holiday destinations to Japan. Tokyo, like Seoul in South Korea is bristling with modern architecture. The city glows in bright, flashy neon signs ― very bling with the latest technology.
But you've got to look closer, in more detail, to find that all-important tradition sought after.
So, where are the top places for you to travel in Japan? Here are our 5 favorite holiday destinations we discovered on our travels, below. Traveling to Japan, when planning a holiday, it's necessary to understand a few things. Japan has a history of thousands of years. You can still touch and feel that among the country's modern society. Cuisine plays a large part in Japanese culture, as do winter sports (the same in South Korea).
Tokyo is the perfect base to start a holiday from, in Japan. The capital gives you a taste of Japanese street food and culture. Also, from Tokyo it's so easy to spread out and see far more of this wonderful country.
The ancient, cultural capital of Japan. A top tourist magnet also, for those of you wanting the traditional side of Japanese history. There is so much to see and do in this city, to explore it would need a full 7 days in our opinion. Don't skimp on your time in the city. Make it a real pleasure to remember and stay at least 5 days, but more if you can.
What soon stuns you are the number of people walking around in traditional dress. The amount of time and effort these people take to dress themselves, it's incredible. Try not to stare too much, it's not polite. But do take photographs, that's a more sensible thing to do. The Kimono dress draws a lot of respect from foreign tourists to the Japanese way of life. Taking a city guide of Kyoto is a must. You must, to be able to discover the plethora of temples, shrines and pagodas.
The tour offers you sights and discoveries of the old and new.
The best part of Kyoto City? The pleasure to stroll through for the oldest of the temples. Jump into a taxi and have the driver drop you off in Higashiyama District. Many of the ancient shrines are flush in color, very exuberant on the eyes ― very fetching. You won't be able to contain your excitement, going by the huge number of photos you'll take. The best, and most popular of the shrines include:
No holiday stay in Kyoto would be complete without visiting the Buddha temples. Once you've seen the UNESCO World Heritage temples, then there are the zen gardens. Kyoto is the birthplace of Japan's renowned Geisha. It's great to see the city's history maintained and preserved for the future. Because the city is so ancient, what a shame it would be to lose it.
Visiting Hanami-koji Street, you can enjoy tea and lunch. The street has many of those thousand-year-old wooden townhouses. Visit and enjoy yourself in one of the townhouses converted into a restaurant.
It's exactly where you'd want to be for the full authentic flavor of Japan.
The city is one of the most populated in the world, it's buzzing and lit up like a Christmas tree. Dazzling, and bewildered is how you feel, looking up at the neon flashing down at you. That's an experience in and of itself you cannot help yourself wanting more. Being in Seoul, South Korea for your very first time is exactly the same. It's amazing: modern and vibrant (fast paced and noisy) and yet the old history is still there under the veneer.
One place to experience Tokyo's ancient history would be the Tokyo National Museum. Throughout Japan's centuries, each era is on show for generations to come. You can see the many styles of Kimono dress through the ages, samurai swords of Japan's dynasties. Tickets priced US$7 per person, children a little less. We'd say it's cheaper to buy a tour package for your museum visit.
And be sure to include Ueno Park in your visit to the museum ― entry is free and only a short walk from the museum.
One of the most popular times to visit Tokyo is in springtime. That's when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and Ueno Park is the best place to be. The park is one of the most popular in Tokyo, during this time. The flowers and blossom are a sign of extreme beauty in Japanese culture. Belief is, loved ones will have an improved after life. From the middle of March is the best time to be walking under the trees.
The lanterns hanging from branches only add to the incredible experience felt.
For most people visiting Tokyo, the highlight of their visit is this street crossing. Pedestrians can cross on four sides (converging streets) passing through the center. When crossing, it's a mad dash before the traffic moves once more. It's definitely a dramatic experience. Because so many are crossing from all directions, you're easily confused. So easy to lose any sense of direction. The best time is early evening, when most people are heading home.
The busier the better. Other popular tours of the city involve, of course:
Tokyo Disneyland is also recommended of course, especially with family. Japanese cuisine, the best found throughout the city is on the street level. Street food vendors and bars are a good start for snacking, to plush restaurants. One of the tastiest dishes on the street in fact, is Yakitori, which is charcoal grilled chicken. It's the perfect snack to eat strolling the city streets.
Okinawa Island is in our guide because it takes you out of the city metropolis, far from the crowds. The Island and its shoreline are gorgeous, with tropical turquoise blue-green waters. Perfect beaches of soft white sand, far fewer foreign tourists too.
No ferry service from the mainland, only flights in and out. Naha Airport accepts only domestic flights. There are many routes to the airport from all major Japanese cities though. One of Japan's busiest airports so getting to the Island won't be a problem.
We'd say Okinawa is remote, some distance from the Japanese mainland. You don't actually need to be flying in from Tokyo or another Japanese city. Other flights are from neighboring countries, particularly China, South Korea and Thailand. Singapore even, to the Island. Okinawa is accessible to most holidaymakers to Asia, not only when in Japan. Put Okinawa Island on your travel bucket list.
The top attraction in our opinion is Gyokusendo Cave, part of a larger theme park. The cave stretches to 800m in length, complete with sizable stalagmites and stalactites. You must take a wander around inside to see all it, is our advice. It's an ideal experience for young children who've never been in a cave before. There is plenty of light and safe walkways, alluring blue hued pools as expected from this cave.
Not the largest cave you could come across but quite pleasant, nonetheless. A nice addition to the park. On the way out you can shop for souvenirs before making your way back to Okinawa World.
Got previous diving experience? It's only sensible to book a tour for a diving excursion to the ruins off Yonaguni Island. The Island is famous for many ruins with some of them thousands of years old. The unique rock formations look very familiar to steps, and smooth surfaces such as walls. And all natural. One for experienced, or advanced divers though because the waters have strong undercurrents.
As much as you could whale sightseeing off the coast of Sri Lanka, you can too when holidaying on Okinawa Island. For any hope of seeing these beautiful, magnificent creatures, visit early in the year. Book a tour to the small group of Kerama Islands, before the spectacular show is over, by the end of March. The boat owners are careful not to take you too close.
Do you actually want to swim with whales, snorkel and dive with them? Then take a holiday to the Philippines at some point, to Cebu Island. Or you can:
Dive and swim with manta rays off the pristine waters of Ishigaki Island. In fact, you can go swimming with hammerhead sharks off the coast of many of Okinawa's Islands. A lot of your holiday activity will be in the water, anyway. You make snorkeling and diving a big part of your stay on Okinawa.
Osaka is a vibrant and fascinating city. That's our impression on the first visit, and we'd feel great about returning. Japan's third largest city, Osaka promises you much. There is this urban energy that sets the city apart from Tokyo and Kyoto. As a destination, the city is well known for its cuisine. Dishes such as:
The best neighborhood to begin your culinary feast is in Dotonbori. A mass of restaurants among the glittering neon greets visitors. The area has this amazing, lively spark to it, all hours of the day and night. We loved it so much and will you too.
The Dotonbori neighborhood of Osaka has unbelievable entertainment value. One of the highlights we gushed over was the canal, what an amazing experience to our day. The promenade was to a large extend crowded, so we took to the water with a boat cruise.
This is a must thing to do in Osaka by the way, and tickets are only ¥1200 (US$8) each. The best 20 minutes in Dotonbori, bar the meal we enjoyed in the Ichiran Ramen restaurant. The restaurant was an option, for the convenience of being near to the ticket office.
City attractions other than the boat cruise include:
The 16th century castle surrounded by lush gardens and moats filled with koi fish. With over 3000 cherry trees in the castle grounds, it must be heavenly to be under the blossoms in March and April. Unfortunately, we didn't travel in spring, more to our regrets.
But we know how it feels, having been to South Korea's Seoul in May when there were still some trees in blossom. It's a nice place to be, wherever the trees flower.
The iconic landmark exhibits inside a rich history. Many of the displays are of armor and weapons used by samurai warriors who once defended the castle. A defensive fortress to begin with, build in the mid-1500's visitors can ascend to the top floor.
You will reach the observation deck to enjoy panoramic views of Osaka's metropolis.
The castle has its majestic presence and beautiful surroundings you can't help but admire. The castle is central to the energy felt in the city and unquestionably, the main attraction. We felt embarrassed (almost) for paying so little, ¥600 each, to glimpse inside this beautiful castle.
It's our recommendation you should visit and spend a whole morning there, or afternoon. Reserve at least 3 hours to enjoy everything including a boat ride on the moat.
An hour's train journey from Kyoto brings you to the heart of Nara City, and west of Osaka City. If you have travel plans to travel south from Tokyo, then head to Nara. It's an ideal base to further explore both Osaka City and Kyoto City on equal day trips. The city of Nara has no less than 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Comparable to Kyoto City, it's like for like on the authentic Japanese culture.
Spend time in Nara Park, which must be the city's most popular destination for relaxation.
That's our recommendation. You must visit to see the parks deer roaming around and they're friendly too. Sitting on a park bench, some brazen deer's do approach you. They're very tame and far from timid, coming up close to you. The park is quite large in acreage actually. Guided tours of the park, which is a good idea for families.
Being shown around prevents you getting lost, you're taken to the best spots and can feed the deer. If you have boisterous kids with you, keep a sharp eye on them.
Not far from the city center ― close to Nara Park, is one of seven renowned temples the city has. The 8th century built Kofuku-ji Temple is the most famous of the great temples of Nara. Any tour guide you've booked to visit the park, the temple is inclusive of the itinerary. Which is why it's best to opt for a tour for the guide's local knowledge.
There is an old, traditional part to the city, like Kyoto City. Nara-machi Street has wooden and stone built townhouses, many over 100 years old. Most are now repurposed cafes, shops and boutique, chic hotels. Go late afternoon for a nosy around and shopping, and by early evening you can enjoy a meal before calling it a day. Want to stay a night in Nara City? Book into one of those boutique hotels, for an enhanced authentic experience. The accommodation is simple, but the service top quality.
Souvenirs you can buy for friends and family back home. Be sure to return home with the famous wooden dolls, and ceramicware. A lot of the goods on display are handmade local to the city. Priceless gems once back home, it's better to buy gifts when you've the chance.
It's baffling most people (in amazement) where to begin when it comes to Japanese temples. What troubles you are the fact there are so many of the darned things. The temples are all over the country, some tucked away and unheard of, even. Where do you begin? The best place isn't Tokyo as you'd imagine, but in Nara City. It was after all, the true one capital of Japan long before Kyoto ever was.
There is no way you'll ever see all the top temples on one holiday alone, and it's pointless trying to do so. When in Tokyo, our recommendation is to opt for Senso-ji Temple. Arriving in Nara City, your first call must be the Todai-ji Temple. There's the Great Buddha inside, standing 16m in height. Over 100kg of gold in intricate decoration behind the gray colored, bronze buddha. Although the temple had to be rebuilt in the early 1930's the restoration was true to the original.
Kinkaku-ji Temple is our first choice when visiting Kyoto City. The beauty of the gold leafed architecture is centuries old. The UNESCO World Heritage site, the garden retains much of the original authenticity. It's the perfect place to go for a stroll to admire what is ancient Japan. The garden's grounds are so peaceful and quiet, it's a world away from the city's hustle and bustle. Perfect spots are easy to find to practice your yoga, does that appeal to you?
Inside the temple itself, you continue to see evidence of gold woven into the fabric of the building. The detail is remarkable, intricate it leaves you in awe of the temple's creators.
Every temple has its own unique character. The architecture look, depicted in traditional Japanese style of course. Wach temple has its own history, based around the Japanese form of Buddhism. Once you've visited one temple there's the urge to visit more. You can't help yourself, because each one is so different. Only after visiting a dozen temples, do you feel you've "seen them all", and tire of them.
The best option for movement inside Japan is the rail system. It's modern, established and very flexible. Convenience is what is your immediate thought, the cabins are clean and furnished. There is a food service too. Ticket prices aren't expensive but if you are on a budget, then use the bus services. The buses are cheaper, but travel times are longer.
Moving from one end of Japan to the other, longer distances then domestic flights are the best option. Hiring a taxi is great for very short distances, between the airport and your hotel. But no other reason.
Often you may have heard that Japan is an expensive place to visit, for a few days or even a holiday. Yes, it may be expensive. Compared to other popular countries in Asia such as Thailand, Vietnam, or Malaysia. We found South Korea to be more expensive compared to Japan. Of course, a budget for 10 days to Phuket Island won't suffice for Japan, for the same duration. But it's unfair to expect that, the two destinations are so different to each other.
We are positive our travel guide has given you some ideas what kind of holiday to Japan is possible. Our favorite place is Okinawa Island. Because a) of its subtle remoteness and b) the tropical waters are so inviting. When you think of Japan you seldom think of the tropics. Yet you are never far away from the marine life and corals. The beaches are also excellent and close to luxury hotel apartments.
Plan a visit to Okinawa Island for July or August, when temperatures are warmest. Remember to book months in advance for savings.
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