Highlights of Japan
Nick White
We've all seen hints of Japan's rich culture in movies & TV, so read on and learn more about where you could visit (and what you might experience) on a trip to the Land of The Rising Sun.
Toyko
Tokyo is a mix of futuristic technology and traditional Japanese culture coming together to create a city like no other. Where else could you find a robot café operated by disabled people, walk through the water and flowers of a ‘digital garden’, and then visit a Buddhist temple created in 645 AD? A must-visit in Tokyo is Shibuya, an area of Tokyo with a hectic street crossing where millions of people cross every day, and the shopping district with its energetic buzz soaked in a neon glow.
Kanawaza
Kanawaza is well-known for its historic sites, where you can visit a perfectly preserved Geisha entertainment district with traditional music floating through the streets. Just an hour away is Gokayama, with its remote and picturesque villages registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kobe
Kobe is perhaps best known for its Wagyu beef (one of the most expensive in the world), which is strictly raised around this city. Visit a Teppanyaki steakhouse and have the chef prepare the meal before you, a showcase of the dedication to precision that Japanese chefs are known for. A trip to Kitano-cho, a district at the foot of the Rokko mountain range, lets you see historic, Western-style mansions built for merchants and diplomats in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Akita
Akita is a popular choice for history buffs and outdoor adventurers alike; the town of Kakunodate offers a glimpse into Japan's feudal past with its well-preserved samurai district, hike the stratovolcano of Mount Hachimantai, alive with wildlife and color, or soak in Goshogake Onsen's volcanic mud and outdoor hot springs. Akita Komagatake Autumn colour season in Akita
Sakaiminato
With supposedly the most delicious crab in Japan, Sakaiminato is an active fishing port with a busy (and fragrant!) fish market. As the hometown of Manga artist Shigeru Mizuki (manga comics are very popular in Japan), the city has plenty of art installations and other references to his works.
Nagasaki
Synonymous with the Allied nuclear bomb attack during the Second World War, Nagasaki’s tranquil peace park is a moving memorial, but there’s plenty of other attractions with a less sombre note; as Japan’s gateway to the West Nagasaki has the oldest Chinatown in Japan, plus unspoilt beaches and island getaways.
Our top pick for sailing to Japan? Go with a destination specialist such as Azamara - this immersive cruise, paired with a Tokyo hotel stay covers all the destinations found in this blog and more!
