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ShoppingT sh -g Nikk Shinto ShrineOku-no-inK ya-sanBuddhist TempleSens -jiAsakusa Sumida RiverBuddhist TempleT dai-jiNaraBuddhist TempleMeiji-jing Harajuku AoyamaShinto ShrineMt FujiFuji Five LakesMountainHimeji-j HimejiCastleTokyo National MuseumUeno YanesenMuseumNaik Ise-ShimaShinto ShrineHakone Open-Air MuseumCh koku-no-Mori G raMuseum see attractions Highlights KyotoKyoto Japan’s imperial capital for thousand years home than temples Among them monumental like Kinkaku-ji an exquisite pavilion sheathed entirely gold leaf meditative Ry an-ji its stark Zen rock garden And only start there’s culture tea which you can appreciate at one city’s many elegant teahouses art geisha those iconic performers traditional music dance also rich food including kaiseki Japanese haute cuisine Explore Onsen Some locals will tell that distinctively aspect their didn’t ultimately originate mainland bath Highly volcanic has thousands onsen hot springs scattered across archipelago feed baths The have turned simple act bathing into folk religion country dotted shrines this relaxing faiths Not convinced Wait until give try feel stress melt away Cuisine One joys travelling experiencing true breadth country’s Sushi raw fish vinegar-seasoned rice may be synonymous but head mountains example you’ll discover hearty draws from land It’s hard not eat well such care thought put ingredients presentation What’s superlative meal any budget even often especially humble bowl noodles sublime Staying Ryokan simply means ‘inn’ age hotels word come mean inn particular aesthetic attitude towards service feels traditionally tatami woven reed mat floors guests sleep futons quilted mattresses rather beds They’re usually low-slung buildings winding corridors highly polished wood In better ones staff wear kimonos attuned guests’ needs These serve meals local seasonal memorable experience TokyoTokyo city forever reaching future pushing boundaries what’s possible densely populated earthquake-prone adding ever taller sleeker structures top spot contemporary architecture pop shopping drinking entertainment tie Kyoto dining But sight it’s itself enchants visitors sprawling organic stretching far eye Always changing diverse collection neighbourhoods no two same Cherry-Blossom Viewing Hanami Come spring countless cherry trees around burst colour spectrum runs palest pink riotous magenta That’s cue gather parks along river banks cherry-blossom-viewing parties called hanami tradition dates back centuries less beloved today blossoms last week or symbolic life’s ephemeral nature reminder seize present Do so join festivities Kumano Kod For remote criss-crossed mountain ascetics seeking spiritual enlightenment what then must felt ends earth Somewhat self-punishing pilgrims continue follow paths Deep southern Kansai interior Kii Peninsula network trails known links three important Shint part historic sites worship offers both gentle day hikes weeklong treks opportunity soak way Daibutsu Great Buddha NaraNara’s m-tall gilt-bronze statue was first cast th century dawn empire among largest effigies temple houses T dai-ji world’s wooden fact describe without using superlatives remarkable just outstanding examples Buddhist found Nara There several other here Museum NaoshimaNaoshima great success rural island verge becoming ghost town now world-class centre Many lauded architects contributed museums boutique hotel bathhouse designed enhance island’s beauty complement existing settlements resulting blend avant-garde captivating It inspired some pursue slower outside big cities relocating Naoshima open cafes inns Mt FujiEven distance Fuji take your breath Close up perfectly symmetrical cone highest peak nothing short awesome Dawn summit Pure magic Fuji-san revered Hundreds people climb every year continuing centuries-old pilgrimages sacred volcano Those who’d search picture-perfect views less-daunting peaks nearby steps famous painters poets SkiingCome winter copious dumps dry powdery snow turn meringue recent decades Niseko emerged Asia’s ski resort global destination backed thriving cosmopolitan apr s-ski scene If tracks evening hot-spring desire there hundreds smaller resorts fewer reminiscent days when excellent still well-kept secret thrill-seekers backcountry opportunities too KanazawaKanazawa old feudal-era Sea heyday rivalled arts This vibrant artisan evident number shops galleries gardens Kenroku-en museum heavily seafood pulled ocean yet Kanazawa long flown under radar though that’s starting change Go before everyone else catches Tsumago MagomeTsumago Magome post towns Nakasend foot highway used lords messengers alike connected Edo Tokyo during feudal period path remains paved large stones hike km between through sleepy alpine hamlets cedar forests past waterwheels paddies themselves treat narrow lanes dark noodle restaurants craft Hokkaid northernmost largely untamed landscape massive startlingly pock-marked crystal-blue caldera lakes opalescent sulphur-rich Its flora fauna lot closely related Sakhalin Russia north rest south Hikers cyclists casual road trippers drawn skies wide spaces dramatic topography With shinkansen bullet train access cheap flights easier add itinerary HiroshimaHiroshima forward-thinking attractive leafy boulevards visit Peace Memorial extent human tragedy wreaked atomic bomb becomes vividly clear A heartbreaking history lesson park much modernist Tange Kenz reflection spirit determination ensure good memories leave YakushimaYakushima small off Ky described magical enchanting other-worldly words fail clich s step Home primeval forest find yakusugi native whose giant roots form alien tentacles Hiking underneath cover craggy terrain fuzzy moss believed been inspiration animated film Princess Mononoke Kamik chiOne stunning vistas chi highland valley enveloped soaring Northern Alps Easy pristine Azusa-gawa tranquil willow larch elm birthplace alpinism gateway challenging tallest Yariga-take m Private cars banned lessens impact crowds K ya-sanRiding funicular monastic complex ya-san appropriately ascending another over hundred highlight Oku-no-in weave towering cryptomeria time-worn stone stupas covered lichen Other offer different chance spend night dine vegetarian wake early optional morning meditation resident monks Okinawa Southwest IslandsOkinawa Islands totally semi-tropical forms arch Taiwan Until annexed they formed own kingdom ky Empire cultural differences apparent everything down best beaches Ishigaki Kerama sugar-white sand fringed palms turquoise waters Bask sun snorkel scuba dive SumoThe purifying salt sails air giants leap crash each flurry slapping heaving ensues Who shove out ring move ranks From rituals thrill quick bouts sumo fascinating spectacle Tournaments times Nagoya Osaka Fukuoka tournament season catch early-morning practice session stables wrestlers live doesn’t nab comes urban third-largest tops street don’t miss signature dish tako-yaki grilled octopus dumplings nightscapes dazzling display LED lights signage flashing video screens canalside strip D tombori oldest merchant pace zest unofficial slogan kuidaore drop CastlesJapan’s castles evocative peopled fearsome samurai whisper-footed ninja all-powerful shoguns graceful curving roofs castle keeps stacked storeys high emblematic made might sit atop foundations enormous Few originals survive do must-sees recently restored ‘White Egret Castle’ Himeji-j foil Matsumoto-j black ‘Crow ShikokuOf four major islands Shikoku smallest least visited we slight deep spectacular scenic glory riveting gorges crossed old-fashioned vine bridges rapids lazy rivers farmhouses -temple pilgrimage amazing perched accessible ropeway Festivals Catching matsuri festival stepping time men women colourful cotton kimono sometimes coats fundoshi loincloths worn rollicking parades portable floats go streets others involve dancing bonfires drumming celebrations renew age-old community bonds August sees lion’s share 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