Land of the Rising Sun !! Thats what Japan is famously called – and for good reason!! It’s the easternmost inhabited landmass that sees the sunrise first before most of Asia sees it.
The name Japan resonates with a lot of iconic names – famous electronics brands Sony and Panasonic, two leading car brands Honda and Toyota, Casio watches,Nintendo Gaming console among others. Another very Japanese thing that we have seen is their punctuality and most of all the humbleness of the Japanese people , especially the culture of bowing down to greet someone. Japan also played an important role in our freedom movement – helping the great Subashchandra Bose combat the British. Other typical Japanese things that Indians are very familiar with are Bonsai, Momos (like our Modaks) and of course Sushi!! The elaborate Japanese tea ceremony is also very popular among tourists.
From a tourism point of view , Japan has a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern innovations. Iconic elements include the stunning cherry blossoms, traditional tea ceremonies, samurai culture, and advanced technology such as bullet trains and robotics. Japan’s anime and manga have also achieved worldwide popularity among young and old alike.
Japan is actually an archipelago (group of islands) of almost 7000 islands!! These islands are situated in the easternmost part of the Asian Continent, in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asian mainland.
There are five main islands : Honshu – the largest one which has all the major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Hokkaido second largest Island located in the northernmost area, and other small islands of Kyushu, Shikoku and Okinawa.
Let’s look at the major cities in Japan
Tokyo
The capital of Japan, it is situated on Honshu Island, the largest and most populated main island, and the center of Japan’s economy and politics. As Japan’s capital and one of the world’s most populous metropolis, Tokyo offers tradition and innovation, and unlimited opportunities to eat, shop and explore. The closest airport airports are Haneda officially known as Tokyo International Airport, and Narita Airport, Japan’s largest international airport. Tokyo is known for its fashion and shopping, from the trendy shopping districts of Harajuku and Shibuya, to the luxury flagships of Ginza. Shinjuku is the thriving business district; a mix of gleaming skyscrapers and atmospheric back streets with tiny bars. Asakusa is the heart of Tokyo’s downtown, with ancient temples and traditional stores. Tokyo is a foodie paradise with more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world, along with hundreds of cheap and delicious ramen shops.
There are a lot of sights in and around Tokyo that are a must do !! Don’t forget to take in the views from the observation deck of the Tokyo Sky Tree. Visit the Imperial Palace – the residence and offices of the Emperor of Japan- for exquisite architecture and beautifully manicured gardens. If the gardens are not open due to any reason, see the double Nijubashi bridge that which leads to the stately entrance of the inner palace. And if you are traveling in March/April months, you will be amazed at the beautiful Cherry Blossom (called Sakura) season in Japan – these flowers are visible almost everywhere you travel. But the best place to see them are some of the parks in Tokyo.
Another Iconic place about 100 kms from Tokyo is the Mount Fuji. It is an active volcano , known for its graceful conical form. Commonly called “Fuji-san,” it’s the country’s tallest peak, at 3,776 meters. A pilgrimage site for centuries, it’s considered one of Japan’s 3 sacred mountains, and summit hikes remain a popular activity. Today one can use the Hakone Ropeway to view the lakes, hot springs in the area as well as for stunning views of the mountain.
Whats a visit to Japan without a ride in the iconic Bullet Train? Although Bullet trains (called Sinkansen in Japan) run between many cities, the most popular one in Japan is the one from Tokyo to Osaka and that also goes to the towns of Kyoto and Hiroshima.
Hiroshima
A japan visit is never over without a visit to this “Peace Island” as it is called now. Hiroshima, a very modern city now, was largely destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II. Today, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park commemorates the 1945 event. In the park are the ruins of Genbaku Dome, one of the few buildings that was left standing near ground zero. Other prominent sites include Shukkei-en, a formal Japanese garden, and Hiroshima Castle, a fortress surrounded by a moat and a park.
Osaka
is a charming, relaxed city best known for its food, fun and nightlife—with some history and culture peeking through. A short shinkansen ride from Tokyo, but has a very different personality compared to Tokyo, Japan’s capital city. Exciting nightlife, delicious food and straight-talking, friendly locals. Along with plenty of shopping and modern attractions, Osaka also has a historical side, the highlight of which is Osaka Castle. The castle is a great place to discover more about Japanese history and to wander the beautiful grounds, especially during cherry blossom season in April when the sakura blooms and the weather is often at its best. One of the world’s longest suspension bridges – the Akashi Kaiko – is also close to Osaka.
Kyoto
once the capital of Japan, is a city on the island of Honshu. It’s famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It’s also known for formal traditions such as kaiseki dining, consisting of multiple courses of precise dishes, and geisha, female entertainers often found in the Gion district. The most famous Buddhist Shrine here is the Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). It is a Zen temple whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Kinkakuji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond.
The Nara Deer Park between Kyoto and Osaka serves as a bridge between the bustling city and tranquil nature, offering a retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation with its landscapes bringing a sense of calm and wonder. The vast area covers 660 hectares and is renowned for its free-roaming deer and world famous temples. Feeding the deer is an attraction in itself and special crackers are on sale all around the park.Todaiji Temple with its 15m high Buddha is the most prestigious of Nara’s seven great temples and draws a steady stream of visitors.
With excellent flight connectivity from India, an easy visa process, Japan is now seeing an upswing in the numbers of Indian tourists. The Spring season (March to May) is the most popular time for Indians to travel to Japan especially with the Cherry Blossoms blooming and temperatures in most parts of the country between 24℃ to 5℃. In the last few yearsFall (September to November) is also seeing an uptick in Indian tourist numbers because that’s a relatively less busy month for tourism.
So next time you want a holiday that showcases Nature (Cherry Blossoms), Technology (Bullet Trains), spirituality (Buddhist Shrines), Peace (Peace Shrine in Hiroshima) and a lot of other fun filled activities in one trip – head to Japan!!