If the world opening up has made you hungry for a brand new journey, 2023 could 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 every thing you may need in your dream journey. We’ve collected 5 of our favorite locations in Japan that we all know are certain to be successful with travellers this yr – and you may go to all of them on our Japan Journey Excursions.
Hakone
When you’re all concerning 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 straightforward 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 an excellent 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, in case you want your views from a peak, you possibly can take the Hakone Ropeway, a spectacular cable automobile journey that takes you thru the panorama and drops you at Owakudani. It’s an energetic 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.
When you’re visiting Hakone, be sure you convey your strolling boots so you possibly can discover the Previous Tokaido freeway on foot. The outdated stays of the Tokaido – the historic street which related Tokyo and Kyoto within the feudal Edo interval – are preserved in Hakone, which was a key checkpoint, and you may stroll them till you attain Moto-Hakone.
Tokyo
An exquisite juxtaposition of previous and future, Tokyo combines a number of the most fun nightlife and vacationer experiences with a wealthy historical past. From popular culture to palaces, Tokyo has every thing 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 an enchanting journey. Then, in case you’ve been bitten by the historical past bug, take a tour round Tokyo Imperial Palace. Constructed upon the location of Edo Fort – as soon as the world’s largest – it’s now the location of some really 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’ll be able to take a tour across the Tokyo Anime Middle, and even go to one among Akihabara’s well-known maid cafés.
For an in-depth record of The Dragon Journey’s favorite issues to do in Tokyo, you possibly can go to our weblog submit 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 offers you the chance to discover a number of the most breathtaking historic websites in Japan.
When you arrive by bullet practice, 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 could be in your bucket record too – right here, you possibly can stroll amongst the towering bamboo, and go to some unbelievable cultural websites just like the Tenryu-ji Zen temple and its wonderful gardens. It’s also possible to take within the Togetsukyo (Moon Crossing Bridge), the place you’ll get an excellent 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 Website) previous a lot of unbelievable temples, together with cafés and craft retailers.
Lastly, in case your dream vacation spot in Japan is all concerning 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 a great night time out, Osaka is the place to be. A brief practice from Tokyo however providing a wholly totally different expertise, Osaka has rightly gained a popularity 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 gorgeous Osaka Fort? It performed a key half within the unification of Japan within the 16th century, and right now you possibly can tour the within – and the nine-level dungeon beneath.
However whereas it’s jam-packed with historic websites, you’ll positively wish to tour Osaka in case you prefer to eat. Go to Shinsaibashi, a service provider’s paradise for the reason that 1600s, the place you possibly can bask in all of the meals and retail remedy you may need. Yakitori, ramen, sushi – you title it! If you wish to eat it, Shinsaibashi can 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 night time 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 in the hunt for a great time.
Kamakura
After which, in case 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, right now it’s referred to as a resort city south of Tokyo that’s well-known for its Zen temples, Shinto shrines, and distinct literary heritage. You’ll be able to unwind on the seaside or, in case you’re feeling adventurous, lease a surfboard and take to the waves.
Nevertheless, in case you really feel like exploring a little bit, Kamakura is house to The Nice Buddha, an 11-metre tall statue of Amida Buddha from the 13th century, made fully of bronze. Yow will discover it on the lovely Kotoku-in Temple, which is an fulfilling hike away.
A visit to Enoshima, a small island simply off the coast of Kamakura, offers you the chance to discover much more lovely historic shrines and temples. After which, in case you’re worn out from the mountaineering 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, in case you’d like to listen to from us, hit ‘Enquire Now’ within the high right-hand nook. Completely satisfied travelling!
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