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Main Sights in Japan
Among the hustle an bustle of Japan's busy cities, you'll find marvellous temples and shrines, while outside of the main urban centres, there is much beautiful countryside waiting to be explored.
Tokyo
Japan's capital is one of the most crowded and populated places on earth with and estimated population of 30 million. There are many sights and attractions in Tokyo to visit. The main sights include the Imperial Palace located in central Tokyo. Much of the official residence of the emperor and his family is closed to the public, however, there are two beautiful parks, Kokyo Gaien and Kokyo Higashi Gyoen located to the on the outskirts of the palace which are open to visitors throughout the year. Elsewhere in Tokyo, the Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings both offer fantastic views of the city, while the districts of Gina, Akihabra and Shibuya offer the best opportunities for shopping, from the latest technology and gadgets to fashion outlets from the world's top designers.
Osaka
Tokyo maybe the political and financial capital of Japan but Osaka is most certainly Japan's capital of commerce. Osakans are by nature entrepreneurial and love their food. You'll find hundreds of shops all over Osaka but the most popular destinations are Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi, where you can find everything from luxury brands to bargain stores, while Tenjinbashi-suji and Umeda are also worth a visit especially for electronics. Culturally, there is much to choose from. Osaka Castle, the Osaka Museum of History, the National Museum of Art, and the Osaka Science Museum are just few of the best examples.
Fuji
Located between the cities of Tokyo and Osaka, mount Fuji is dormant volcano, which last erupt 300 years ago. The easiest, and laziest, way to see this spectacular mountain is travelling by train. About three-quarters of an hour into the journey from Tokyo to Osaka the mountain can be viewed from the comfort of one of Japan's super fast bullet trains. However, due to clouds, mist and other visibility problems, clear views of the mountain are not guaranteed. To enjoy the mountain at a more leisurely and scenic pace head for the Fuji Five Lake region or Hakone. The volcano is not a difficult mountain to climb, but the climbing season is relatively short. The official climbing season is from 1st July to 31st August only. Inexperienced climbers are advised to climb during these months when the mountain is usually free of snow.
Kyoto
The imperial capital of Japan until the mid nineteenth century, Kyoto is now considered the cultural capital of Japan. Spared from the bombing raid that other Japanese cities had to endure during the Second World War, Kyoto is one of the few cities to still have many of its pre-war buildings still in tact, including many shrines and temples. Kyoto is home to many monuments and gardens, most of which can be found in the foothills of the mountains which surround the city to north, east and west. In fact, many of Kyoto's gems, are to be sought away from the main streets and districts. Only by taking a walk through the side streets, back alleys and outer districts of the city can you get a real feel for the cultural richness of Kyoto. Kyoto is also considered the centre of the geisha tradition, the Gion District being one of the city's best known geisha quarters.
Kamakura
A few miles south of Tokyo, you'll find the seaside town of Kamakura. A town full of temples and gardens nestled in hills, Kamakura, is a popular holiday destination during summer weekends and cherry-blossom season. Among the myriad of temples, Kamakura is home to two of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Japan. The town is also favoured by artists and writers, and hosts a fantastic array of craft and antique shops. Most of the city can be explored by foot; hiking trails link most of the city's gardens and temples and the beach is just a ten-minute walk from the main train station.
Hokkaido
Japan's northernmost island, is also Japan's most spectacular. Jagged peaks, deep gorges, lakes and volcanoes, and set on the Pacific 'ring of fire', Hokkaido, is Japan at its most stunning. Winter on Hakkaido is harsh with heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. Skiers and snowboarders flock to the resorts of Niseko and Rusutsu in winter, while hikers, cyclists and campers, make the most of the unspoilt landscape between June and September. Sapporo the island's capital is the largest city on the island and fifth largest in Japan. The city is famous for Japan's best known beer, 'Sapporo', and its annual snow festival held in February.
Sapporo
Sapporo is the capital of the northernmost island of Hokkaido and the fifth largest city in Japan. The highlight of the Sapporo calender is the Yuki Matsuri,(Sapporo Snow Festival). This seven day event, held in February, began in 1950 when a group of school children built snow sculptures in the city's Odori park. Since then it has developed into a huge commercial festival attracting over 1 million visitors. Sapporo is also home to one of Japan's most famous and oldest beers. Brewed since 1877, Sapporo beer is now sold internationally. The Sapporo Beer Museum, located in Sapporo Garden Park, tells the history and process of making beer in Japan, and also houses the Sapporo Beer Garden.
Hiroshima
This historic city needs no introduction. Although virtually completely destroyed at the end of the second World War, Hiroshima has been rebuilt into a vibrant and modern city. The city centre is packed with places to eat and drink as well as places to shop and be entertained. However, there are still reminders of Hiroshima's past throughout the city. The Peace Memorial Park in the centre of the city was built in the 1960's to commemorate the lives lost and hosts several monuments and memorials. Nearby is one of the few buildings left standing in the aftermath of the bomb. Today known as the A-Bomb Dome, it remains a monument to the destructive force of atomic power. Elsewhere in the city, many of Hiroshima's cultural and and historical heritages sites have been reconstructed, including Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden.
Okinawa
South of the main three islands of Japan, Okinawa prefecture is a group of islands extending down through the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean. The islands have a sub-tropical climate and are surrounded by stunning coral reefs. The largest island of the archipelago, after which the prefecture is named, is the busiest and most populated, was the scene of a fierce battle between Japanese and American forces at the end of WWII, and remained under US administration until 1972. Today, much of the island is still occupied by US military bases. Naha, the main city and tourist centre of the island, is a mix of traditional and modern cultural features. Numerous art galleries, tea-houses, restaurants and sacred gardens, blend in with war memorials, luxury hotels, karaoke bars and discos. The more remote islands to the south west of the main island have beautiful idyllic beaches and tropical forests.
