Places Where You can Discover the True Essence of Japan

With plentiful ancient temples, medieval fortresses and stunning landscapes to discover, Japan’s highlights span across the major cities and exotic countryside. Travellers can get to see the life under the terrible wartime, wander around the educational sites with family and shop around the bustling shopping districts surrounding the commercials hubs in the country.

Kyoto’s Tourism Highlights

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Koinzan Saiho-ji – This place is also known as the Koke-dera Temple or Moss Temple, because of the 120 different varieties of moss found inside the gardens. This temple was originally the 6th century home of Prince Shotoku but the Buddhist monk Muso Soseki turned the site into temple in 1339 and a two-tier garden was designed around the pond. As the city has only the restricted admission, one requires requesting the temple to provide reservation for admission.

Nijo-jo Castle – The castle was completed building in 1603. A vast moat and imposing walls surround the castle and the nightingale floors, the creaky boards instantly alerting the guards to the presence of any intruder, enhance its security. There is a vast collection of screen paintings and period artwork on display. The self-guided audio tours are rented by the visitors.

Japan’s Natural Wonders

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Mount Fuji – With the height of 12, 388 feet, Mount Fuji is the Japan’s tallest mountain. This is also the primary highlight of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu Park, situated around 2.5 hours from Tokyo. According to estimates, around 200,000 mountaineers climb Mount Fuji every year. At the park, one can also see the coastline along the Izu peninsula and indulge in swimming and SCUBA diving at the coastal stretches.

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Jigokudani-Yaenkown Park – Located inside the Yokuyu River valley in Nagano and well-known for snow monkeys, the Jigokudani-Yaenkown Park is one of the popular tourist spots in the Nagano prefecture. The average temperature in the winter lingers around 5 degrees whereas snow covers the ground for almost four months every year. One can take photographs of monkeys inside the park but cannot feed them. The park officials issue the warning urging visitors to avoid physical contacts with the monkeys, otherwise they may turn aggressive.

Tokyo’s Tourism Highlights

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Ginza – This was one of the earliest cities to modernise during the period of Meiji Restoration and houses plenty of upscale boutiques and retailers. Most department stores in Ginza host their own art galleries and serve varieties of cuisines in the form of refreshments and pre-packaged meals at depachika. On every weekend, the Chuo-dori that is the main thoroughfare in Ginza for pedestrian traffic is organised.

Sensoji Temple – The oldest worship site of Tokyo, the Kannondo Hall inside the temple was built by the Buddhist priest Shokai Shonin in 645 AD. On an estimate, the annual visitors’ count at the temple is around 30 million. In the month of July, the temple hosts Hozuki-Ichi festival.

There are several other locations thronged with the tourists throughout the year. One can get to know about these tourism hot spots on Japan travel guide book. Do not forget to go through the guide books before heading to this East Asian economy giant country.

Tourist Spots in Japan that can’t be missed

Japan is an exquisite country to visit. If you are planning a trip anytime soon, you must include Japan in the list of places you should visit. The country is an amalgamation of the modern and the antique. It is the epitome of tradition, culture, art, customs and history. Japan has two sides. From one angle is an ancient city soaked in many historic tales and from another angle, it is the technological capital of the world.

If you do visit the country, make sure you plan out the places you must visit and shouldn’t miss.

The Tohoku Region

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This region that includes a place called Aomori. The Nebuta festival held here attracts tourists from all over the world. Another very popular city in this region is Sendai City. Here, attractions like the Sendai Castle and the Sendai Tanabata festival, that takes place annually, draws many tourists top this region.

The Kanto Region

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The most important city in this region is the capital of Japan, Tokyo. You will find in this region many tourist attractions like amusement parks, temples, theatres and shrines. This region is also known for its shopping district. Therefore, if you are a shopaholic, then you must visit this region. Tokyo will be the easiest city to visit for tourists who do not know any other language but English. Other places tourists visit in this region are Hakone, Kamakura, Yokohama and Nikko.

The Chubu Region

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If you want to visit Mount Fuji, the highest peak in Japan, you have to visit this region. Other places in this region that tourists frequent are Kenrokuen Park to witness Japanese gardens, Nagoya for its famous castle, Nagano for the ‘Japanese Alps, and many more.

These are some of the top places to visit in Japan. If you do go to the country for a vacation, stop by in a few particular regions to soak in the essence of Japan.

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Nara: Once a Capital City, Now an Unfrequented Tourist Spot

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Most people planning their holiday trip to Japan tend to include the big and famous cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka on their itinerary. They assume these places to cover their fascination of experiencing old and modern culture and lifestyle in Japan. However, majority of the visitors overlook the charm and beauty of old cities like forgotten capital of Japan, Nara.

Tokyo is indeed a fascination of youths who visit Japan to experience the modern-age technologies and view a number of skyscrapers. There are several little shops sprawling in and out the narrow lanes. Tech savvies can find all sorts of hi-tech toys, manga and anime characters at the Akihabara. On the other hand, Kyoto is very much considered the remnant of old days. With several magnificent temples, cosy restaurants and kimono shops, Kyoto also attracts a large number of visitors.

Historical Importance of Nara

In contrast, Nara is an old city and was the capital of Japan between 710 and 784. This city was the first permanent capital of Japan and famous as the centre of Buddhist activities with several monasteries and Chinese-influenced architecture. Nara has lent its name from Nara period. With lots of historical and cultural attractions, Nara is one of the must visit places in Japan.

Narrow and Stretched Out Streets Selling Sweets and Traditional Artefacts

Outside the Nara train station, there are many old-style sweet shops tempting you with varieties of sweets made of rice flour and filled with sweet red bean and tea leaves. Although younger generation has started to eat out more Western-style sweets like cakes and pastries, traditional sweets are still the hot favourite of people in Nara prefecture.

The narrow streets in Nara offer varieties of objects to traditional art-loving visitors. One can find hand-crafted objects, kimonos, attractive hair pins, traditional Momiji dolls, colourful umbrellas fabricated with special kind of paper and several other artefacts at the shops in Nara. These are ideal gifts and souvenirs to bring home or present to the friends in Japan.

Deer Park in Nara

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Away from the narrow and stretched out streets, Nara is full of greeneries and deer. There is a deer park in Nara where you can get to see different breed of deer roaming all across the park. Vendors outside the park sell deer-biscuits and shika senbei to feed the deer. According to the legend, the god Takemikazuchi entered the Nara on a white deer that started being recognised as “heavenly” animal since that day.

Todai-ji Temple

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Visitors can take a walk through the park to reach to the world’s largest wooden building, Todai-ji Temple, which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan. This temple houses the world’s largest Buddha statue.

Restaurants in Nara

The streets lit up during the evening time. The classic-style restaurants and eateries open for the business after the sunset. These restaurants serve healthy and delicious traditional Japanese dishes. You can take a walk through the quaint wooden houses after the meal.

So, if you are planning an itinerary to the Japan, do not forget to experience the old world charm of Nara.

Cherry Blossom Season in Japan is a True Wonder! by Pretzel William

Witness the True Beauty of Rural Japan

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If you want to experience something unique on your trip to Japan, then try and take some time off and escape to a few rural areas in the country. The rural parts of Japan are extremely beautiful and there is a lot you can see in these places that you can never even think of experiencing in the urban parts. If you are looking for a place to go, then consider Miyama.

Miyama is a far-flung rural place in the mountains, about 30kms in the northern direction of central Kyoto. Miyama is well known for its farm houses with thatched roofs (kayabuki). Around 200 such farmhouses dot the countryside of Miyama. In Miyama, people work and live in such farmhouses. Visitors get an authentic yet rural essence of Japan from these farmhouses. The look is incredibly traditional and that’s what people love.

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This area is made up of hamlets and small villages that are scattered along a winding valley. Kayabuki no Sato or the northern village is the main attraction of Miyama. This village has 40 farmhouses with thatched roofs but as most of them are residential, visitors can’t enter them. The Kayabuki no Sato Folk Museum, is a building that is open to the public. Daily household items and traditional tools from the past are exhibited in this museum.

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You can stay a night at a few of the farmhouses that are open to public and allow lodging. Three such farmhouses exist in Kayabuki no Sato. The farmhouses have tatami floors and you can sleep on futon beds. You can also go hiking and sweetfish fishing along the river Yura. Shizen Bunkamura Kajikaso, an accommodation and nature centre is at some distance.

This is one of the best ways you can experience the rural Japan. So, if you are planning your trip to rural Japan, keep Miyama in mind.

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Visit Unusual Places in Japan to Capture the True Essence

Japan is full of exquisite tourist spots and wonderful sights. The country is extremely picturesque and loaded with culture. Thousands of tourists throng the country every year mostly during spring and summer and sometimes in winter. Travellers who like to visit countries that are historically rich will definitely not miss out on Japan. Japan maybe the technological capital of the world but its old world charm has and continues to captivate tourists all around the world.

There are many places you can visit in Japan. For example, The Great Buddha of Kamakura, Mt. Fuji, Himeji Castle, etc. are visited by hundreds of tourists every year but there are many other places in Japan, that are not very famous but definitely worth a visit.

If you are planning to go to Japan on your next vacation, it is important to gather information about Japan to make your trip easier. If you search for unusual places to visit in the Land of the Rising Sun, you will find plenty. Here are a few places you can go to.

Temples and Shrines in Kyoto

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Kyoto is a lovely city as you will find the flavour of every season in this place. Every single season in this city is celebrated with festivals, different sorts of food that suit each season and rituals. If you want to go on a spiritual trip in this city, there are two temples you must visit. The Kinkakuji temple which is also known as the ‘Golden Pavilion’ and the Ryoanji temple that is famous for its zen rock gardens.

Gion District in Kyoto

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The Gion district is very famous for its shrines, temples and geisha. Also, if you want to witness the famous Japanese tea ceremony, this is the place.

To capture the true essence of Japan, it necessary to go to the less famous places of the country as these places are less affected by Western culture.

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Tourist Destinations in and Around Tokyo

Many people live with a preconceived notion that Japan is ridiculously expensive. In fact, the whole world knows Japan as one of the most expensive places for foreign travellers. In spite of this, Japan sees record number of tourists every year.

It’s true that Japan is expensive but if you spend the money wisely, you can enjoy the whole trip without falling short of money. Use Japan Rail Network for transportation and try not to splurge on buying expensive items. In fact, you could get lots of ‘affordable yet fashionable’ items at street shops and local market.

So, plan out your vacation and make the list of places to visit in Japan. Here are a fee must-visit places in Japan, take a look:

Tokyo’s Tropical Islands

Izu islands, a group of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean, belong to Tokyo and counted among the must visit places. There are some of the striking volcanic islands, Hachijo and Miyake being the two most prominent islands. You can catch a ferry from Takeshiba sanbashi terminal in Tokyo, or a plane from Haneda airport to get to these islands.

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As these islands are volcanic, most beaches are rocky and Hachijo is the home to many hot spring (onsen) spots. You can also enjoy some adventurous activities at Hachijo and Miyake islands.

Onsen Ryokan in Kinugawa, Tochigi

If you are looking to spend your weekend in relaxing way, go to an onsen ryokan in Kinugawa in Tochigi prefecture. This place is home of many ryokans offering hot spring bath facilities. You can really enjoy your stay and get various spa therapies.

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KITTE

If you are in Tokyo at present, do not forget to visit this landmark. The Old Tokyo Post Office has been recently renovated and came up with new functionality and concept. There are many shopping places, restaurants and bars and lounges inside this seven stories building. Moreover, you will be amazed by the design of building.

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Similarly, there are many other places to visit in Japan. Each place has to say something different to you.

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Why you Must Go Through Blog About Japan Before Visiting the Country?

If you are going on a trip to Japan, learning about the customs of the Japanese society guarantees you of an entertaining trip. While you are in Japan, just do not only look at the surroundings and click photos but also take out some time to know about the customs of the place.

Japan is a place where you can learn a lot about history and culture. There are still many historical monuments, religious temples and shrines to collect enough information about the history of Japan.

So, if you are visiting Japan, you can get help from blog about Japan and know a lot about customs, places to visit and other aspects of Japan.

Crowded and Noisy City of Tokyo

For most tourists, Tokyo charts high on their wish-list of places to visit in Japan. You can call Tokyo anything but a quiet city. As soon as you steps outside fro Shinjuku international airport, roaring sounds and various noises will welcome you to the land of rising sun. Whether its day or night time, streets alongside high rise buildings are chock-a-block with people.

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You will see sales persons with megaphones covering their ears trying to sell their products by screaming about the latest products out in the market, a common sight to see in front of almost every electronic shop in Tokyo. While roaming on the streets, you will come across huge collection of video games scattered around the shops.

However, as soon as you step into the trains, complete and utter silence will welcome you. Most of the people around you in trains or tubes will have their eyes closed or will be seen busy playing games on their mobile phones. Tokyo’s trains are so peaceful that people can sometime fall asleep while commuting and may even miss their stop.

Top Class Services at Japanese Hotels

If you are staying in a hotel in Japan, you will be amazed to see the top class services being offered to you. Employees at the hotels are taught to behave kindly and politely with their customers. You will be given everything in the hotels until you are not asking for any unrealistic service.

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With the kind of services provided to you in the hotels, you will feel like in authoritative position. Similar kinds of services are offered to you at restaurants, hotels and almost everywhere in the Japanese society.

You can know a lot about other interesting aspects of Japan on blogs from Japan.

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