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 all the things you might need in your dream journey. We’ve collected 5 of our favorite locations in Japan that we all know are certain to be a success with travellers this yr – and you may go to all of them on our Japan Adventure Tours.
Hakone
If you’re all concerning the wonders of the pure world, then Hakone is the vacation spot for you. Part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, it’s lower than 100km from Tokyo (so it’s straightforward to incorporate in your tour!) and residential to maybe probably the most iconic landmark in Japan – Mount Fuji.
In Hakone, you possibly can head to Lake Ashi. Lying on the base of Mount Fuji, on a sunny day it’s an excellent spot to absorb the views of Fuji – and to make it higher, you possibly can even do it from the deck of a ship. However, for those who favor your views from a peak, you possibly can take the Hakone Ropeway, a spectacular cable automotive journey that takes you thru the panorama and drops you at Owakudani. It’s an lively 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.
If you’re visiting Hakone, be sure to deliver your strolling boots so you possibly can discover the Old 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 The outdated stays of the Tokaido – the historic street which related Tokyo and Kyoto within the feudal Edo interval – are preserved in Hakone, which was a key checkpoint,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
A wonderful 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 all the things the proper vacation spot ought to.
For a glimpse into Japan’s storied previous, Sensoji Temple is a must-visit in your tour. Located in Asakusa, the Buddhist temple dates again to 645 and makes for a captivating journey. Then, for those who’ve been bitten by the historical past bug, take a tour round Tokyo Imperial Palace. Built upon the positioning of Edo Castle – as soon as the world’s largest – it’s now the positioning of some actually 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 if 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 ‘Electric Town’, it’s a dream vacation spot for travellers who love tech, retro video games, and otaku tradition. You can take a tour across the Tokyo Anime Center, and even go to one in all Akihabara’s well-known maid cafés.
For an in-depth listing of The Dragon Trip’s favorite issues to do in Tokyo, you possibly can go to our weblog publish right here.
Kyoto
No tour of Japan is full with out 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.
Once you arrive by bullet prepare, you may wish to sluggish the tempo down – so how a few laissez-faire cruise up the Hozugawa River? If the peace fits you, a visit to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest could be in your bucket listing 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 superb gardens. You also can 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 Philosopher’s Path. On this Path, you possibly can stroll from the Silver Pavilion (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) previous quite a lot of unbelievable temples, together with cafés and craft retailers.
Finally, in case your dream vacation spot in Japan is all concerning the sights, no tour is full with out 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 prepare from Tokyo however providing a completely completely different expertise, Osaka has rightly gained a popularity as a gastronomic centre inside Japan.
Much like the remainder of Japan, Osaka isn’t brief on historical past. Why not go to the gorgeous Osaka Castle? It performed a key half within the unification of Japan within the 16th century, and at the moment you possibly can tour the within – and the nine-level dungeon beneath.
But whereas it’s jam-packed with historic websites, you’ll undoubtedly wish to tour Osaka for those who prefer to eat. Visit 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 might need. Yakitori, ramen, sushi – you identify it! If you wish to eat it, Shinsaibashi may 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 stuffed with eating places, bars, and arcades, making it an ideal vacation spot for the traveller searching for a great time.
Kamakura
And then, for those who really feel like slowing the tempo down, you possibly can unwind by the seaside with a go to to Kamakura. Once the political centre of Medieval Japan, at the moment 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 can unwind on the seashore or, for those who’re feeling adventurous, lease a surfboard and take to the waves.
However, for those who really feel like exploring a bit, Kamakura is house to The Great Buddha, an 11-metre tall statue of Amida Buddha from the 13th century, made totally of bronze. You can discover it on the stunning Kotoku-in Temple, which is an pleasing hike away.
A visit to Enoshima, a small island simply off the coast of Kamakura, offers you the chance to discover much more stunning historic shrines and temples. And then, for those who’re worn out from the mountain climbing and browsing, spend the sundown unwinding in a beachside bar – the proper finish to an ideal journey.
The Dragon Trip’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, for those who’d like to listen to from us, hit ‘Enquire Now’ within the prime right-hand nook. Happy travelling!
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