Whether it is your first trip to Japan or one of many, there is always something new and fascinating to discover. Most visitors start their journey in Japan’s glittering capital city, Tokyo. From there bullet trains can speed you to nearly anywhere in the country in a matter of hours. Reaching speeds upwards of 180 m.p.h and offering a comfortable and picturesque view of the Japanese countryside, train travel is by far the best way to get around Japan.
Tokyo offers a fabulous blend of Eastern and Western cultures in a fast-paced metropolis unlike any other in the world. Visitors can choose to immerse themselves in the Japanese culture of just view it from the outside. Either way, Tokyo offers options for every type of traveler. You can spend an entire day shopping at designer clothing stores in the Shibuya district or seek out traditional Japanese crafts and souvenirs on Nakamise Dori, a pedestrian street leading to the Sensoji Temple. In the evening attend a traditional Kabuki play at one of Tokyo’s many theaters or check out Tokyo’s largest nightlife scene in Shinjuku’s Kabuki-cho District.
Visitors also have a choice of East or West when it comes to accommodations. If you’re used to five-star western style hotels with all the amenities, you won’t be disappointed. On the other hand if you’re looking for a unique experience and a relaxing atmosphere, you may want to stay in a ryokan, a Japanese-style inn. Here you will have the full service of a maid, including meals, and sleep on a tatami mat. Upper-class ryokans are becoming harder and harder to find in large cities like Tokyo, but they are still prevalent in many other cities like Kyoto.
The capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, Kyoto is best known for its temples and shrines. While it would be impossible to visit all 1800 of them, you must visit a few to get a grasp of Kyoto’s ancient influence. The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, probably the best known temple in Japan, is entirely covered with gold leaf and surrounded by a beautiful pond and park. In spring Kiyomizu Temple is a must-see not only for its deep gorges and panoramic view, but for the spectacular cherry-blossom season. Only a short 45 minute train ride from Kyoto is Nara, another former capitol of Japan known as an important historical center of Japan’s history and culture. Children and adults alike will be enthralled at Nara’s Deer Park, a 1,300 acre complex home to over 1,000 deer who roam freely through the park. Also inside the park is Todaiji Temple, home of the Great Buddha statue. The bronze statue is 53 feet tall, weighs 500 tons and is housed inside the largest wooden structure in the world.
A city with a more modern historical impact in southwest Japan is Hiroshima. Only 60 years after the complete obliteration of the city, a vibrant and prosperous Hiroshima now stands as a testament to the resilience of the Japanese people. Very little evidence of the destruction is still visible except for the A-Bomb Dome, the only ruins left standing as a reminder of the massive power of the atomic bomb. Across the river is the Peace Memorial Museum, built both for education and for remembrance of the 200,000 plus people who were killed as a result of the bomb. It is a powerful and moving experience that should not be missed.
Wherever you go in Japan, you’re sure to be greeted with open arms. Each visit will increase your understanding of a rich culture very different from our own. So whatever you do in Japan, keep an open mind and enjoy every minute.
