Oct 15 2010
Tourist Favourites In Japan
Japan is an extremely diverse country and is made up of over 6,850 islands, from the dazzling bright lights of Tokyo to the snow-capped peaks of Fujiten. It can be found facing out towards the Pacific Ocean while neatly curling around Russia, North and South Korea and China, separated by the Sea of Okhotsk to its North and the East China Sea in the South.
This ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ is now more widely known for its superior technology and creative inventions, but Japan exudes a strength that comes from its powerful heritage. Explore Japan in the day to discover the shrines and temples of past empires, such as the Sesoji Temple in Asakusa, Low Town. This Buddhist temple is one of the largest and apparently houses the statue of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, where you’ll see locals and tourists alike, embroiled in the tradition of throwing coins and bowing their heads in prayer. Another authentic Buddhist temple is the 17th century independent Kiyomizu-dera, to the east of Kyoto. As well as unparalleled views over the city, this UNESCO World Heritage site’s ancient prayer rituals are said to help those seeking love. The Himeji Castle (also known as White Egret Castle) and its walled garden were originally built in 1333; it is located in the west of Kansai and is hugely popular with tourists worldwide.
For examples of Japanese architecture at its finest, visit the Imperial Palace in the centre of Tokyo. Originally built in 1888 and restored after World War II, you can walk the grounds of Japan’s Imperial Family residence and experience the views from the Outer Palace Garden over the Nijubashi Bridge. For shopping and entertainment, Ginza is Tokyo’s most renowned shopping district, while Gion in Kyoto houses the old Minamiza or the Kobu Kaburenjo kabuki theatres which stage dramatic re- creations of stories through the ages, involving myths and Geishas.
Natural attractions include the Cherry Blossom festivals that take place throughout the country between January and April or the 3 mile Gyokusendo Cave which is actually a part of the Okinawa World theme park. There is also Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, which is home to 25 acres of Japanese gardens and for the more adventurous, head to the recognised landmark of Mount Fuji for the day and make the 4 mile climb to its summit.
At night the benefits of modern day Japan really spring to life as all the major cities light up the sky, with vibrant Tokyo topping the bill with its fast-paced lifestyle and contemporary art scene. From the renowned jazz clubs in central Nagoya and Yokohama to the live street music in Osaka in the South, each city has something different to offer. From the vast nightlife scene of Sapporo in the North with clubs like King Xmhu in its huge nightlife district of Susukino to the stylish bars, restaurants and live music venues in Nagasaki, there is something for everyone.
If you’re thinking of getting away from it all, you can find great travel deals with British Airways Offers.
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