Where to Go in Japan

The Japanese archipelago stretches over 3000km (1900 miles) from the temperate, northernmost island of Hokkaido to the subtropical islands of Okinawa in the south. Both Tokyo and Kyoto are located on Honshu, the largest and economically and culturally most important of the four major islands. Shikoku and Kyushu lie to the southwest. Much of the archipelago is mountainous and only a small percentage of land is available for agriculture and development. Thus large areas remain forested while towns and cities tend to be densely populated. The coastline is indented with numerous bays, inlets and small islands.
Note: A volunteer ‘Goodwill Guide’ service is available in Kyoto, Nara and other popular destinations such as Himeji and Hiroshima. Call the Tourist Information Center in the areas visited for more information (Kyoto 075 371 5641; Osaka 072 456 6025; Tokyo 033 201 3331; see General Info section).

Tokyo
Japan’s capital and center of business and finance, Tokyo offers a surprising blend of futuristic cityscapes, historic sights and cultural entertainments. A vast conglomeration of districts, each boasts its own characteristic attractions. The Ginza is one of Asia’s shopping paradises. Prices are high but the selection and presentation are superb. Nearby is the Kabukiza Theater and the Imperial Palace (closed to the public) with its impressive moat and East Garden (Higashi Gyoen). Tokyo Tower affords excellent views of the bay and the space age architecture on Rainbow Town (O-daiba), a reclaimed island. Early risers will enjoy touring the massive waterfront Tsukiji Fish Market. Akasaka and Roppongi, playgrounds for the nearby banking and governmental districts, offer vibrant nightlife of every kind, from geisha tea houses to discos. For youth culture, fashion and trendy dining, Harajuku and Shibuya are the places to see and be seen, while the forested oasis of the Meiji Shrine offers respite from the crowds. West Shinjuku is Tokyo’s high-rise metropolis with its ‘Gothem City’ skyscrapers and plazas. To the east, Shinjuku’s bustling shopping and neon-lit nightlife districts contrast strongly with the calm beauty of the neighboring Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. For a taste of ‘Old Tokyo’, the downtown Shitamachi area is the place to head for, particularly in the summer when three enormous festivals attract vast crowds of revelers and spectators. The Asakusa-Kannon Temple is the area’s main tourist draw, a vibrant Buddhist complex approached via a colorful shopping lane. Across the river, Ryogoku is the location of the excellent Edo-Tokyo Museum and the renowned National Sumo Stadium. Ueno is famous for its large park containing several important art museums and cultural venues. Cheap eats and bargains galore are to be found at the raucous Ameyoko Market.

Excursions
Narita, location of Narita Tokyo Airport, is an attractive old town with a large and impressive pilgrimage temple, Narita-san. Nearby Tokyo Disneyland is a major year-round attraction for Japanese and foreigners alike. Two hours north of Tokyo in Nikko, the extraordinary Toshogu Shrine complex is situated with the mausoleum of the founder of Japan’s Tokugawa Shogunate. The surrounding Nikko National Park offers mountain hot spring resorts and opportunities for hiking, fishing and boating. Pottery fans will enjoy the rural kiln town of Mashiko. The coastal town of Kamakura, one hour south of Tokyo, was the seat of Japan’s medieval feudal government and abounds in historic sights. Highlights include the giant bronze Great Buddha, colorful Hachimangu Shrine and picturesque Enoshima Island. The international port city of Yokohama, 30 minutes from Tokyo, has a vibrant Chinatown, harbor district and historic Sankei-en Garden. Japan’s highest mountain, Mount Fuji, may be climbed during the high summer. Located one hour 30 minutes from Tokyo is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, a recreational paradise offering hot spring resorts, golf courses and facilities for fishing, camping, hiking, swimming and boating. At Hakone, cable cars carry visitors over volcanic landscapes of boiling mud, sightseeing boats ply scenic Lake Ashi and there is an Open Air Sculpture Museum, a Porsche Museum and several sights of historical interest.

Northern Honshu & Hokkaido
Northern Honshu, known as Tohoku, offers wonderful natural scenery spread over three national parks plus numerous lesser-known cultural and historical treasures. Sendai is a lively, modern city, home of the famous August Tanabata Star Festival and gateway to the Tohoku region. Nearby Matsushima boasts a famously scenic bay. The pleasant city of Aizu-Wakamatsu is known for its lacquerware, historic Tsurugaoka Castle and fascinating Buke-yashiki samurai residence. The volcanic landscapes of the adjacent Bandai-Asahi National Park are a favorite with hikers, as is the dramatic Dewa Sanzan area and Mount Zao, which transforms into one of Japan’s top ski resorts in winter. Historic Hiraizumi is of interest for the fabulously ornate Chusonji Temple and Hirosaki is an attractive castle town. To the very north of Honshu, the stunning volcanic crater of Lake Towada is surrounded by the alpine landscapes of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, also known for its hot springs and ski resorts. Hokkaido was for a long time Japan’s ‘Wild West’ and still retains a distinct pioneer feel. The island is home to the last of Japan’s indigenous Ainu people, and the remnants of their distinct culture are a major attraction. Large parts of Hokkaido are protected as National Parks: areas of fantastic volcanic scenery, ‘bottomless’ crater lakes, hot springs and numerous mountain and ski resorts. Furano, in particular, is renowned for its summer flower fields and winter skiing. During the winter visitors flock to see two of Hokkaido’s outstanding natural phenomena: ‘dancing’ cranes and hot-spring-bathing monkeys. Sapporo, Hokkaido’s vibrant capital, is famous for its great nightlife and the extraordinary Snow Festival in February. To the south, the port city of Hakodate was one of the first of Japan’s ports to open to foreign trade. Known for its historic Goryokaku Fort and gorgeous night views, the city displays a notable Russian influence.

The Japanese Alps & Central Japan
The Japanese Alps run through the center of Honshu Island, an area known as ‘the Roof of Japan’. A popular natural playground for hikers, climbers and sightseers in all seasons, much of the area is protected as a National Park. Nagano, the prefectural capital, hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and is renowned for its great Zenkoji Pilgrimage Temple. The surrounding area abounds in skiing and hot spring resorts. Matsumoto is the main gateway to the Alps and retains its original medieval castle. The nearby Kamikochi Highlands are a favorite destination for hikers, particularly in the autumn when the colors of the leaves are spectacular.
Takayama is famous for its colorful festivals and boasts a largely preserved 17th-century townscape. The historic city of Kanazawa is known for the beautiful Kenrokuen Garden and for a range of traditional industries such as silk-dying and ceramics. To the north, the Noto Peninsula’s dramatic coastline and tiny fishing villages attract adventurers, while to the south are the great Zen temple complex of Eiheiji and the picturesque Shirakawa-go folk villages. One hour by boat from the coastal city of Niigata lies Sado Island: rural, unspoilt, and home to the world-famous Kodo Drummers.
Nagoya is Japan’s fourth-largest city, noted for its porcelain industry, textile and lacquer crafts. Nagoya Castle is an impressive sight, as is Atsuta Jingu, one of Japan’s most important shrines. Meiji Mura is an extensive outdoor museum of characteristic buildings from the Meiji period. Japan’s pre-eminent Shinto shrine is the revered Ise Grand Shrine, located one hour 30 minutes from Nagoya. The Ise Shima National Park protects the scenic coastal area dotted with numerous small pearl fishing villages. The port of Toba is famous for its ‘Married Rocks’, two islets linked by a massive Shinto rope. Mikimoto Pearl Island features demonstrations of techniques used in the pearl industry.

Kyoto, Nara & Osaka
Located in the Kansai area of central Honshu, these three famous cities are all major tourist destinations, each having contributed distinctive elements towards Japanese history and culture. Capital of Japan for over 1000 years, Kyoto remains Japan’s star attraction. Founded in AD 794, the city’s vast number of temples, shrines, museums and historical sites acts as a textbook to Japanese history, while her arts, crafts and cuisine rank among the country’s finest. ‘Must see’ sights include the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji), the minimalist Zen rock garden of Ryoanji, impressive Kiyomizu Temple and the Imperial gardens and villas of Katsura and Shugakuin (permit required). The splendid medieval Nijo Castle, the vermilion-lacquered Heian Shrine and the Buddhist art treasures of Sanjusangendo Temple are also well worth visiting. The city’s many historical neighborhoods, such as the rural temples of Arashiyama, the textile workshops of Nishijin and the Gion geisha district, are best explored on foot. Kyoto hosts three major traditional summer events: the colorful Aoi, Gion and Jidai Festivals.
Nara, one hour south of Kyoto, is a major Buddhist center and acted as Japan’s capital during the eighth century AD. Visitors flock to see the famous ‘great Buddha’ of Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden structure, ancient Kasuga Shrine and the Buddhist sculptures of Kofukuji Temple. The beautiful expanses of Nara Park are home to hundreds of sacred deer. Nearby, the venerable Horyuji Temple dates back to the seventh century AD.
One of Japan’s largest cities, prosperous and commercial Osaka is renowned for its abundance of excellent restaurants, historic Osaka Castle and the performing arts of Kabuki and Bunraku. The city also boasts an impressive aquarium and superb Museum of Oriental Ceramics. The city’s busy Namba and Umeda districts are renowned for their nightlife and the Dotonburi area is particularly vibrant after dark. Universal Studios Japan, a 140-acre theme park in Osaka, is enormously popular.

Excursions
The historic town of Uji, between Kyoto and Nara, is famous for the graceful Byodoin Temple which is featured on Japan’s ¥10 coin. Pilgrims and tourists are welcomed by the many temples and monasteries on scenic Mount Koya, two hours from Osaka, where overnight temple lodgings and Buddhist vegetarian cuisine are offered at reasonable prices. The port city of Kobe has an international flavor and is famous for its old foreign-style houses and buildings dating from the Meiji era.

Western Honshu
The main attractions of Western Honshu are to be found along the coasts, namely the Inland Sea Coast (Sanyo) and the Japan Sea Coast (Sanin). The gleaming white walls of Himeji Castle dominate the city of Himeji. Known as the ‘White Heron Castle’, it is the best-preserved and most beautiful castle in Japan. The pleasant city of Okayama is known for its black castle and the Korakuen Stroll Garden, considered one of the three most beautiful in the country. Nearby is the pottery town of Bizen and wonderfully preserved Kurashiki with its historic merchants’ quarter, now housing numerous museums and craft galleries. Further west, Hiroshima was the target of the world’s first atomic bomb during World War II but has risen from the ashes to become a thriving modern city. The bombing is commemorated by the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Nearby is the beautiful island of Miyajima, its famous red Shinto torii gateway seemingly floating on the sea at high tide. Itsukushima Shrine, the cable car up the central mountain for panoramic views and the tame deer are all major attractions. Iwakuni is known for its five-arched bridge while Hagi, on the western Japan Sea Coast, is famous for its pottery and will appeal to history buffs. The sand dunes of Tottori, ancient Izumo Taisha Shrine and the famous coastal panorama of Amanohashidate are the most famous attractions along this northern coastline.

Shikoku
The smallest of Japan’s four main islands, Shikoku is linked to Honshu by two major bridges and numerous ferries which crisscross the beautiful island-studded waters of the Inland Sea. Protected as the Inland Sea National Park, many of the 600 islands are popular summer beach destinations. Facing these placid waters, the attractive city of Takamatsu, on the northern coast of Shikoku, is the main gateway to the island. The historic Ritsurin Park is considered among the most beautiful in Japan and the mountaintop Kotohira Shrine, about one hour away, is extremely impressive. To the east is Tokushima, a city famous for its coastal Naruto Whirlpools and massive summer Awa Odori dance festival. Matsuyama, on the western coast of Shikoku, boasts one of Japan’s best-preserved medieval castles. The nearby Dogo Spa is famous as being among the oldest in Japan. Located on Shikoku’s rugged Pacific southern coast, Kochi is also noted for its castle. The mountainous interior of the island remains wild and largely unspoilt. Shikoku is famous for its pilgrimage circuit of 88 temples dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy.

Kyushu
The southernmost of Japan’s four main islands, Kyushu is best known for its mild climate, volcanic landscape, excellent hot springs and ceramics. The gateway to Kyushu, Fukuoka (Hakata) is known for its traditional textile and doll-making industries, its delicious food and for the nearby Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, a very active place of worship where students go to pray to the god of learning. On Kyushu’s west coast, Nagasaki was one of Japan’s earliest designated foreign ports and is famous for Arita and Imari ceramics and for the Peace Park that commemorates the devastation caused by the second nuclear bomb of World War II. Other major sights include Chinatown, the Chinese Temple and Glover House, said to be the setting that inspired Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly. Nearby Mount Unzen, an active volcano, is also a well-known hot spring resort. Kumamoto is an old castle town and gateway to the scenic wonders of the Mount Aso National Park. To the south of the island, the seaport of Kagoshima is overshadowed by the dramatic smoking cone of Sakurajima volcanic island. Nearby Ibusuki Spa, on the southern tip of Kyushu, boasts some of the most famous hot springs in Japan and is renowned for its hot-sand saunas. Summer whale- and dolphin-watching tours depart from the town of Kasasa. Beyond Kagoshima lies the beautiful, mountainous island of Yakushima, a National Park renowned for its primeval cedar forests and hiking trails. Miyazaki, situated on Kyushu’s southeastern coast, is a prosperous modern city famous for its palm trees, golf courses and ancient burial mounds. The Beppu hot spring resort, near the city of Oita, is great fun despite its slightly sleazy atmosphere. Dozens of hotel and bathing complexes compete for customers by offering everything from amusement parks and sports facilities to museums, gardens and shopping arcades.

Okinawa
The 161 islands that make up Okinawa lie to the far south of Japan, like stepping stones between Kyushu and Taiwan. The subtropical climate, clear turquoise seas and many fine beaches mean that the islands have long been a holiday favorite among the Japanese. Recently, however, several of the islands have also started to become well known as eco-destinations. Numerous coral reefs offer excellent diving opportunities, with many resorts catering to enthusiasts. Okinawa Island, the main island of the group, has a number of famous resorts such as Manza Beach and Onna Beach, offering white sands and watersports. The fantastic formations of the Gyokusendo Caves are also a popular attraction. Naha, the relaxed Okinawan capital, is famous for its pottery and textiles and impressive Shuri Castle, former seat of the Ryukyu kings. The large US bases nearby help to fuel its lively nightlife. The island retains many reminders of the fierce fighting that took place there during World War II, and the southern coastline is dotted with war memorials. Ishigaki Island has great diving, snorkeling and folkcrafts and is a good base from which to explore the remoter islands. Iriomote Island is known for its mangrove swamps, jungle interior and rare wildlife such as the Iriomote Wildcat, while tiny Taketomi retains its rural charm. Occurring throughout the islands, Okinawa’s ancient Ryukyu festivals are some of Japan’s most colorful and feature distinctive performing arts.


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