The Allure of Japan: A Land of Timeless Beauty and Modern Wonders

There is a country to the far end of the ‘far east’. Ancient emperors believed the sun rises close to here. Zen is one word which can describe this wonderful country. Yes, we are talking about Japan, the land of the rising sun.

Japan is deeply rooted in history. Stories about its numerous Emperors, Shoguns, Feudal Lords, Ninjas and Zen masters lend a mystical air to this country. Add to it the modern day advancement of Japan, the mystery increases. There is something unique about every aspect of Japan. So unique that the moment one steps into the country, one encounters never-had-before experiences. This makes Japan a must-visit place on every traveler’s bucket list.

Japan is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. It consists of more than 6,800 islands. The four large and main islands from north to south are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. The largest island Honshu is referred to as the Japanese mainland. These islands are mountainous and volcanic. Japan lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire and most parts of the country are prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. Despite these facts, Japan surprisingly is one of the safest and most beautiful countries in the world. And the credit goes to its humble, warm and hard working citizens, ‘Japanese’ as the world knows them. Their efforts and perseverance have put Japan to the forefront in industrialization, human and civic development, even after historically being exposed to extreme adversities and destruction. The Japanese way of life is so unique that travelers even on a short visit to Japan would have many ‘It only happens in Japan’ moments to experience.

For tourists, Tokyo, the capital city of Japan and the largest metropolis in the world is a must visit. One can find history and modernity interwoven into a harmonious coexistence in the streets of Tokyo. The city offers endless avenues for entertainment, shopping, culture and dining all with many wow moments. From high technology to teenage cult, nightlife to serenity, Tokyo has it all. Among its many places of interest, Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Roppongi, Akihabara and Tokyo bay are the most well known. There are numerous touristy places around Tokyo which can be visited in a day.

Medieval city of Kamakura, mountain town of Nikko, the majestic Mt.Fuji and the five surrounding lakes and Hakone hot springs are some of them. Mt.Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan and its symmetrical snow capped cone is a well known and respected symbol of Japan. Climbing Mt.Fuji is considered as a once in a lifetime experience and is now an acclaimed international tourism activity and part of many Japan guided tours. To the west of Mt.Fuji lies the mountain range popularly known as the Japanese Alps.

This mountain range spreads through the prefectures of Nagano, Niigata, Toyama, Gifu, Yamanashi and Shizuoka. Many of the hidden gems of Japan’s touristy places are in these prefectures. Places like Takayama, Matsumoto, Kanazawa find place in many luxury Japan tour itineraries. Moving south, the city of Nagoya offers a glimpse into the technological prowess of Japan, especially its famed Toyota factory, museums, robotics, ceramics and aviation industry. It is not uncommon to find Nagoya in many Japan private tour packages.

Nagoya as most other major cities in Japan can be accessed conveniently by Shinkansen, the famed Japanese bullet train. A 180 minute bullet train ride from Tokyo to the south will take you to Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan. Kyoto unfurls its mysteries through it 17 UNESCO world heritage sites, which include Buddhist shrines such as Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji and Shinto shrines such as Kamigamo shrine and the splendid Nijo Castle. Kyoto is always top on the list of tourist attractions with its famed Geisha culture, Ochaya’s (tea houses) and cherry blossom sites.

The cherry blossom (Sakura) is the unofficial national flower of Japan and is a seasonal spectacle in Japan which happens during late March to early May. It is the perfect time to visit Japan with many Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) sites ready to accept visitors. It is a peak leisure travel time for domestic travelers as well as international tourists. It is wise to book Japan tour packages well in advance to reserve your Sakura experience. The historical city of Nara is also famous for its various Hanami spots, deers and UNESCO world heritage sites.

Todai-ji temple, Kofuku-ji, Nara park and Kasugayama primeval forest are a few of them. Nara and Kyoto are located close to Osaka. Osaka is the second largest metropolitan city of Japan. Famous for its entertainment areas of Namba and Dotonbori, it is the home land for Okonomiyaki, a Japanese grilled pancake. Cuisine in Japan is a journey in itself. As observed in an ancient text, Japanese were people who ate raw vegetables, fish and rice. This raw food culture continues.

The simplicity of ingredients and mind numbing variety of food options tend to be an open invitation for any serious foodie or globe trotter. Sushii, Sashimi, Tempura (batter fried delicacies) , Udon (noodle), Ramen and numerous Yaki (grill) dishes are found almost all over Japan in various regional variations. Japanese Sake (rice wine) is another popular drink which is a must try for tourists. The port city of Kobe is famous for its traditional Sake breweries and is a tourist friendly place. The prefecture of Hiroshima has its own variety of a popular dish named Okonomiyaki.

Hiroshima city, famous for the atomic bombings which ended World War II, is now a city risen from its ashes. It is a hard standing monument for human cruelty, human perseverance and human ability at the same time. A trip to Japan is never complete without a visit to Hiroshima, the Genbaku-dome, Peace Park and Peace Museum. The nearby island of Miyajima with its spectacular Itsukushima shrine, the floating Torii gate, Mt.Misen and five hundred little buddhas makes the trip worthwhile.

One of the best seasons to visit Japan is autumn, which is generally spread between late September and early December. There are thousands of spots to view the magnificent autumn colors and foliage in Japan. Nikko, Fuji five lakes, Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera and Mt.Koya are few of the best places to visit in autumn. With more unique aspects of Japan like its video games, Anime, Manga, Sumo wrestlers, Karate dojos and robot bars, there is no end to experiences in Japan.

Nipponasia offers the best Japan tour packages for travellers who want to experience a country with a real difference. Japan offers a lot for first time travellers and a lot more for experienced travellers.