…. that’ll most positively make you wish to come again time and again.
You could have already got a tough concept of the wondrous issues, thrilling points of interest, and interesting tradition that makes Japan a bucket-list nation to journey to because of common tradition references corresponding to The Fast and the Furious’ third installment ‘Tokyo Drift’ and Arthur Golden’s novel turned epic, interval drama movie ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ however really experiencing it firsthand is one thing else completely.
From the towering snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji to the bustling and sometimes frenzied crowds at Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing, get swept up within the electrical energy of this progressive nation and uncover the numerous extraordinary options it’s well-known for.
While we might’ve made this checklist extraordinarily lengthy, we’ve picked out the 11 issues we expect have to be skilled on any journey to the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’.
Commanding the Shizuoka skyline, Mount Fuji is essentially the most recognizable pure formation in all of Japan and the seventh-highest peak of an island on Earth. Beautifully coated in snow for 5 months out of the 12 months, this gorgeous volcano will not be solely one in all UNESCO’s World Heritage-listed websites however can be one in all Japan’s Three Holy Mountains – a sacred assortment of peaks which might be believed to have a special, explicit energy.
Whether you wish to totally immerse your self in Mount Fuji’s magnificence by enlisting a information and making the trek up the mountain itself or take a look at its spectacular kind from varied viewing spots across the nation (each Kyoto and Osaka supply unparalleled views), you merely can’t go to Japan and never be entranced by one of many world’s most well-known – and iconic – peaks.
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2. Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)
Heralded as one of the crucial sacred timber in Japan and acknowledged as an essential a part of Japanese tradition, the cherry blossom is usually seen in spring as a part of springtime pageant celebrations. While its origin as a logo of the multi-faceted nation is comparatively unclear, there are stories of cherry blossoms way back to the eighth century – planted to encourage peace, fertility, and prosperity.
Coming to life in the course of the months of March and April (and even earlier in some components of the nation) these stunning flowering timber are really a sight to behold. Boasting greater than 200 completely different types of cherry blossoms, together with the Somei Yoshino and Yamazakura, Japan’s checklist of finest locations to behold these magical timber is lengthy, with areas corresponding to Mount Yoshino within the Nara prefecture and gardens like Kyoto’s Botanical Garden on the high.
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3. Japanese delicacies
One of the numerous issues to contemplate earlier than travelling to a special nation is the meals you’re going to eat whenever you get there and relating to Japan, you’re really spoilt for alternative. From freshly rolled sushi full of salty tuna and earthy avocado to steaming bowls of noodle-y ramen, your urge for food’s in good fingers no matter which Japanese area you’re spending time in.
While you may be acquainted with a few of these conventional Japanese dishes (or their barely much less genuine variations), there’s nothing fairly like the true deal and only one mouthful of mochi or a single chew of crunchy vegetable tempura can be sufficient to fulfill your tastebuds – that’s, earlier than they begin begging you to eat extra.
TRY JAPANESE FOOD ON OUR JAPAN: LAND OF THE RISING SUN TOUR
4. Manga & Anime
You’d be onerous pressed to seek out somebody who doesn’t know of Manga & Anime and their spot in Japanese common tradition, such is their worldwide attraction, nonetheless, nothing compares to having front-row tickets to the true factor. These comics and cartoons not solely present numerous hours of leisure for avid readers from everywhere in the world, however additionally they maintain a particular place within the hearts of Japanese locals.
If you’re unaware of the distinction between the 2, Manga is understood to be graphic novels that cowl a number of genres whereas Anime refers to hand-drawn animations that take the type of varied mediums from drama television reveals to child-like cartoons. Luckily for you, Japan has loads of locations so that you can get your otaku* on.
Whether you wish to wander the streets of Tokyo’s Akihabara district and go searching digital shops, maid cafes, and gaming venues, or go to the shops discovered on Nakano Broadway for Manga & Anime merchandise from years in the past, Japan is an leisure lover’s dream.
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5. Geishas
Perhaps one of the crucial immediately recognisable and universally beloved symbols of Japanese tradition is the Geisha – a lady educated within the conventional arts. Not solely are Geishas gorgeous to take a look at with their completely made-up faces, strikingly patterned kimonos, and elaborate and ornamental hairstyles, however additionally they have a deep information of the best way to entertain an viewers by mastering the artwork of music and dance.
Originally influenced by Japanese theatre, Geishas intention to inform a narrative by their actions with some practising for years in an effort to amaze visitors. While they’re changing into more durable and more durable to identify, there’s nonetheless an opportunity you’ll catch a glimpse of a Geisha in Kyoto as the town’s identified to have the very best inhabitants of working Geisha, nonetheless, they’ll nonetheless be present in different cities corresponding to Tokyo and Kanazawa as nicely. Our recommendation? Plan forward.
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6. Shibuya Crossing
Just whenever you assume you’ve seen all of it, you come upon Shibuya Crossing – an intersection so busy it’s reported an estimated 2,500 folks cross it each time the sunshine modifications. To put that quantity into perspective, you could possibly fill a complete theatre with that many individuals. Now think about all of them making an attempt to cross the street on the identical time, and also you’ve obtained Shibuya Crossing.
Known because the busiest intersection on the planet but in addition one in all Tokyo’s most well-known sights, Shibuya Crossing is surrounded by skyscrapers and neon indicators in any respect hours of the day and stays top-of-the-line methods to immerse your self within the Japanese lifestyle. After all, nothing says ‘I’m a real native’ like getting pushed and shoved whereas making an attempt to enter the traditional metropolis of Shibuya.
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7. Vending machines
If you’re wandering by the streets of Japan, you’re sure to note one thing you’re not used to seeing in fairly the identical abundance – brightly colored merchandising machines each 100 metres. Yes, Japan has one merchandising machine for each 25 folks (and no we’re not exaggerating).
Boasting roughly 6 million merchandising machines filled with the whole lot below the solar, from recent lobsters able to be cooked as dinner to umbrellas for when the climate unexpectedly turns, buying need-to-have gadgets has by no means been extra handy. Besides, we reckon shopping for fortunes or fortunate charms out of a merchandising machine not solely makes for an ideal journey story but in addition fairly good souvenirs.
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8. Onsens
After exploring the gorgeous countryside and energetic cities of Japan day in and time out, there’s nothing higher than getting the prospect to calm down your drained physique in geothermally heated water. Surprisingly, Japan has round 440 volcanoes scattered all through the nation which means you gained’t must look far to find a pure, mineral-filled Onsen.
Said to be useful to your thoughts, physique, and soul, these Onsens are embedded in Japanese society and have been for hundreds of years, permitting soakers an opportunity to not solely refresh their our bodies but in addition kind a deeper, non secular reference to different fellow Onsen-goers.
Whether you wish to check out the Kurokawa Onsen within the mountains of Kumamoto, lay again in a much less conventional Onsen in Osaka’s Spa World, or discover peace and tranquillity within the heat waters of Noboribetsu, this Japanese bathing expertise is one you’ll bear in mind ceaselessly.
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9. Bullet trains – Shinkansen
It’s merely unimaginable to go to Japan and never take a journey on a Shinkansen practice (bullet practice) because the community connects travellers to and from the nation’s busiest cities. Reaching speeds of nicely over 300km/h (making them 2-3 instances quicker than automobiles), these trains are the best, least expensive, and quickest method of travelling across the nation with 9 traces in whole.
While they’ll get packed (and we imply packed) throughout peak commuting hours, Shinkansen trains are each punctual and secure with no accidents being reported within the community’s nearly 60-year historical past. In quick, a journey on one in all these trains is a should in an effort to really feel like a real native.
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10. Tea ceremonies
While the matcha craze could have solely taken the world by storm within the final couple of years, performing conventional tea ceremonies and delighting within the earthy style of the now well-known powdered inexperienced tea has been a staple in on a regular basis life in Japan for hundreds of years.
Performed in tea rooms or tea homes by a number or tea grasp, these ceremonies are much less in regards to the act of consuming tea and extra in regards to the preparations beforehand corresponding to the main focus that goes into making it and the particular hand actions used, in addition to the kind of tools used and their placement.
11. Temples & shrines
Just whenever you thought Japan couldn’t get any extra extraordinary, you stumble throughout one other temple that includes intricate structure you’re sure to be amazed by. With tens of hundreds of locations of worship scattered all through the nation, there’s little doubt of their significance inside Japanese custom and tradition.
While Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples are each, in reality, temples, their variations embrace the faith they belong to and their look with shrines usually accompanied by a pink gate (tori) and temples that includes a gate as nicely, however one which’s extra difficult.
Even if faith isn’t your factor, these sacred shrines and temples are nicely price a go to, and we expect you’ll agree whenever you take within the sight of the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto – one in all Japan’s most well-known. Other well-known shrines and temples in Japan embrace Kiyomizudera Temple additionally in Kyoto and Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island.
*refers to an individual with a consuming curiosity in anime and manga.