Amazing Japan, ancient and ultra-technocratic at the same time, attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, despite the tiring and expensive air travel. This is not surprising: where else can you climb snow-capped peaks, swim in the warm sea, walk along busy ancient streets, and then climb skyscrapers that are dizzying in height during one trip? The sights of Japan are also diverse, so everyone will find something of their own in the Land of the Rising Sun and take away only the best memories.
According to topschoolsintheusa, Tokyo is the capital of the Land of the Rising Sun, a huge urban conglomerate. The city is characterized by energy, a large number of transport, there are many tall buildings. The center of the city is the Kokyo Imperial Palace (former Edo Castle, 1456, rebuilt several times), surrounded by Higashi-gyōen and Kitanomaru parks.
A favorite place for tourists is the area around the Yamanout line – the tram ring that encircles the central part of Tokyo. There are many tourist shops and souvenir shops. Among the shopping attractions, the most famous point is Ginza – it is a lot of small private galleries, expensive departments, exhibitions of fashionable novelties. Tokyo Disneyland, located 10 km from the center of Tokyo, with an area of about 48 hectares, is very popular among tourists. The park consists of 7 thematic areas. In the park, you can have fun on various attractions, enjoy food and shopping, but it is forbidden to bring food and drinks with you. While in Tokyo, it is impossible not to visit the Yeno-Koen National Park in the north of the country. Here are museums and galleries, considered a storehouse of the world’s best collections of Japanese art. In Tokyo, at every step you can stumble upon Hayakkaten (shops of a thousand little things) – these are Japanese department stores where you can find almost everything from food to consumer goods, clothes, books and electronics. Be sure to check out the basement floor where food is sold. You can try them. You can easily start with wine or sake and end up with dessert.
150 km northeast of Tokyo is the Nikko National Park, known for its unique volcanic mountains and picturesque valleys. The pride of Nikko is a 37-kilometer alley with 15,000 cedars. In the vicinity of Nikko there are more than 50 ancient mausoleums, many temples, and there are many thermal springs in the park.
Fujiyama is a mountain in the form of a symmetrical volcanic cone, 3776 m high. Clouds almost always hang over the mountain, and only in clear weather it is visible from Tokyo. Fujiyama is especially beautiful in winter or early spring when the top of the mountain is covered with snow. The most exciting for tourists is the process of climbing to the top of the mountain. The recommended season for this activity is from July to August. Fujiyama is surrounded by five lakes – this area is also adapted for tourists: there are water sports, amusement parks, ice caves and recreation areas with beautiful views.
Hakone is a famous forested volcanic region located inside a large double volcano, between Sagami and Fujiyama bays. The main attraction of Hakone is the 1227 sq. km “Fuji-Hakone-Izu”. The scenery of Mt. Fuji, hot spring resorts, the forests of Hakone, and the beaches of the Izu Peninsula have made this park the most popular recreation and spa treatment area in Japan. Hakone is a city of museums. Among them are the Natural History Museum, where you can get acquainted with the history of the Hakone mountains and the hot springs of this area, the Forest Museum, the Mosaic and Glass Museums, and the Toy Museum. Hakone has many art galleries with rich exhibitions.
Former imperial capital of Kyoto– the main cultural center of Japan. Historical monuments of traditional Japanese architecture have been preserved here: stone-paved courtyards, the Imperial Palace built in the last century, and the bizarre contours of temple roofs. In the east of Kyoto, in the Higashiyama area, there are numerous temples, local streets are distinguished by silence and tranquility – a good place for secluded walks. The Takao area in the northwest is known for its scenic autumn views. One of the local attractions is the Himeji-zo Tower, known as the “White Egret” because of its snow-white color. Kyoto is famous for the many festivities and festivals that take place here during the summer. Among them, Aoi Matsuri is very colorful, reminiscent of the ancient prayers that believers offered to the gods in the 6th century, asking for an end to natural disasters; Giyon Matsuri – the most famous Japanese festival, including a grandiose parade; Damon-ji Gozan Okuribi – a holiday when huge bonfires are lit and a ritual of farewell to the souls of the dead takes place; Kuram-no-Himatsuri is a spectacular event, the peculiarity of which is the parade of mobile temples.
Kamakura is a famous historical city, one of the most ancient cities in Japan. 174 temples were built here, and the very first of them (Sugimoto-dera Temple of Japan) was erected in 734. Kamakura is also home to Japan’s second-largest 13-meter bronze statue of the Daibutsu or Amida Buddha (1252) and the “wonderful” spring at Zenarai Benten Cave.
Nara is the first imperial capital of the country (710-784), a real open-air museum, which houses the most significant ancient monasteries with their countless priceless artistic treasures. Located 70 km. from Nara, Horyuji Temple is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Yokohama is a city that impresses with its ultra-modern architecture and vibrant pace of life, for which it received the semi-official nickname “the city that never sleeps.” Located 32 km. southwest of Tokyo. The main attractions of Yokohama are the Sankeien Landscape Park and Open Air Museum, which contains samples of traditional wooden structures, temples and residential buildings from all over the country.
Hiroshima is a legendary city that survived a terrible nuclear disaster. Now everything has been restored here, and the city looks quite modern. Everywhere you can find monuments dedicated to the atomic theme: the Peace Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome and the bridge that was being built during the explosion.
Daisetsuan National Park, in the central part of Hokkaido, is a unique place that has preserved mountain ranges, volcanoes, lakes and forests untouched by man. There are many tourist centers offering various excursions, as well as skiing equipment.
In the south of Kyushu is Kirishima National Park, famous for its beautiful mountain scenery, hot springs, Sengira-taki waterfalls and spring primroses. Fascinating excursions are often held here, during which you can see volcanoes and rich blue-green lakes of volcanic origin.
In the area of the city of Beppu, one of the largest areas for the release of underground thermal waters on the planet is located. Now, on the basis of more than 3.5 thousand local hot springs, many excellent balneological resorts have been opened, here you can visit the unique “boiling lakes” Chinoike Jigoku and Umi Jigoku, as well as the Tatsumaki Jigoku geyser or the local zoo, watch the behavior of “snow monkeys”.
