- Tokyo:
- Tokyo is the world’s most populous metropolitan area, with over 37 million residents.
- The city features the Shibuya Crossing, often considered one of the busiest pedestrian intersections globally.
- Tokyo is home to the historic Senso-ji Temple, the oldest temple in the city, established in 628 AD.
- The Tokyo Skytree, completed in 2012, is the tallest structure in Japan and offers panoramic views of the city.
- Kyoto:
- Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan for over 1,000 years until 1868, when the capital moved to Tokyo.
- The city is famous for its well-preserved temples, including Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and Fushimi Inari-taisha, known for its thousands of vermilion torii gates.
- Kyoto is also renowned for its traditional tea houses and the geisha districts, especially Gion.
- The annual Aoi Matsuri festival, held in May, features a procession that reflects the city’s rich history and culture.
Unique Attractions:
- Nara Park (Nara): Home to freely roaming deer and significant historical temples, including Todai-ji, which houses a massive Great Buddha statue.
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (Hiroshima): Dedicated to the victims of the atomic bombing in 1945, it includes the iconic A-Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum.
- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Okinawa): One of the largest aquariums in the world, featuring a massive Kuroshio Sea tank that houses whale sharks and manta rays.
- Miyajima Island: Known for its floating torii gate and Itsukushima Shrine, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Age-old traditions, places with unique charm, harmony in everything: a Japan trip gives a unique experience. Here’s a tour of the past and present in the Land of the Rising Sun…
The Land of the Rising Sun bewitches and fascinates anyone with its thousand-year-old traditions, its legends, and its multifaceted terrain. Japanese culture is, in fact, characterized by a skillful mix of ancient and modern: ancestral traditions coexist in perfect balance with contemporary influences. Japan, isolated for centuries from the rest of the world, rests its foundation on the utmost importance of thesocial harmony, of the respect and theeducation toward others: not surprisingly, the kindness of the Japanese is famous all over the world. L’omotenashi, meaning “taking care of guests wholeheartedly” for this people is a true calling card, it is a portrait of the hospitality mentality centered on the care rather than expectation. Wandering around the Land of the Rising Sun it will be normal to deal with smiles and bows, especially at cultural experiences such as the ryokan (Japanese-style inns), kaiseki (Japanese banquet) and sado (tea ceremony). If you decide to treat yourself to Japan, know that you will always feel pampered.
We have chosen to tell you about the Japan via two of its most important cities Tokyo and Kyoto and must-do stops and experiences here.
Tokyo: the capital where tradition and technology coexist, creating a magnificent spectacle
First stop, first meeting, first lightning strike can only be the city of Tokyo. The country’s capital is a melting pot of all facets of Japanese: from the myth of the geisha, to the fascinating tea ceremony, from the modernity of its skyscrapers, to the hypertechnology that will accompany you throughout your stay. The Japanese capital is an increasingly popular destination for tourists from around the world.
Must-see stops in Tokyo
- Walk aimlessly through the Shibuya district and say “wow” a million times
This is Tokyo’s most iconic neighborhood. Shibuya is not only a true mecca for all shopping and entertainment lovers, is, also, one of the most vital and eccentric districts in the entire capital. Famous for appearing in so many blockbuster movies this Tokyo district is popular especially for the Shibuya Crossing, the crosswalk located in front of the station. This intersection has become one of the most iconic, and instagrammed places in the entire capital city. Immediately outside the station you can find a’other must-see attraction: the statue of Japan’s best-known dog, Hachiko.
- Spend an afternoon in the Asakusa district and end it with a good sushi dinner
This district is one of the most authentic in the entire capital city that is home to some of the must-see attractions. The most important of these is definitely the Sensoji. This Buddhist temple, which dates back to 628, is the oldest in all of Tokyo and certainly the one most photographed, both by Japanese and tourists. At the temple is accessed by passing through the imposing Kaminari-mon gate., Driving along the famous Nakamise-dori road.. Asakusa Is also the ideal place if you like Japanese cuisine more traditional. Here you can find plenty of restaurants offering typical foods such as sushi, soba, sukiyaki and much more. In addition, there are so many other attractions to visit in the surrounding area, including. Tokyo Skytree and Ueno Park.
- Visiting the Meiji Temple
Tokyo is not famous for temples. In fact, wars, earthquakes and fires have deprived the country’s capital of much of its historical heritage. The Meiji shrine Is one of the few survivors. Opened in 1920, the temple is dedicated to theEmperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. It is a’ island of peace which stretches between the districts of Shinjuku and Shibuya and which, together to the neighbor Yoyogi Park, constitutes one of the largest green areas in the entire capital city. The splendid buildings of the sanctuary, combined with the charm of what is a real “urban forest” that surrounds them, make this corner of the Japanese capital one of the most evocative to visit.
- Visiting the gardens of Rikugien
These are considered the most beautiful gardens in the city. Splendid example of Edo-style gardens, the Rikugien date back to 1695. Note that the entire area was originally flat. The choice of the architect who designed them was to create a pond, surrounded by hills (which are in fact artificial). Everything is connected by beautiful paths.
- Staying at Keio Plaza Hotel in the central Shinjuku district.
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To immerse yourself in the Japanese atmosphere, an experience worth having is to stay at the beautiful Keio Plaza Hotel In the very central Shinjuku district. This property, in addition to being in a very convenient location, allows for the most typical experiences of local culture, such as participating in a tea ceremony, follow a Ikebana workshop, try a “kimono experience” And sleep on the traditional Japanese bed the futon.
Kyoto: the pink city of cherry trees where absolute mysticism creates an incredible atmosphere
When we talk about Japan, we talk about cherry trees, of the characteristic hanami, of spring and the first city one thinks of is Kyoto. Kyoto it is true, it is the hot spot of spring, among zen gardens, cherry blossoms, but it is also the center of creative galleries and new clubs a well-known destination, but one that always amazes. The Japanese city has been, for 10 centuries, capital of the empire, so around it are over 1500 temples and is a testimony to a solemn past and a place of absolute mysticism, which coexists with the winds of renewal of disruptive modernity. In this center one can find as much of Japan’s most iconic.
Kyoto must-sees
- Diving into the Fushimi Inari
One of Japan’s most famous icons, who has appeared in numerous films including “Memoirs of a Geisha,” as well as one of Kyoto’s most sacred and celebrated places. The famous path lined with hundreds of red torii is one of the most famous postcard images of Kyoto and Japan. The complex consists of five shrines and extend along the sides of Inari Yama, within a forest. The path of torii penetrates the mountain for about 4 km. Fushimi Inari is the most important of the shrines dedicated to Kami Inari, the deity of rice and fertility. Its origins are very ancient, the countless red torii that make up the tunnels have all been donated over the centuries by individuals and families as well as Japanese companies.
- Indulge in an atmospheric walk in the bamboo forest of Arashiyama
Here the sense of time is lost in the dreamlike atmosphere of the reed mazes. Arashiyama is a green area located west of Kyoto, ideal for a day trip or even a morning excursion. Famous and super-photographed bamboo grove, with reeds so tall that light can hardly filter through! It has been a popular Japanese tourist destination since the Heian period (794-1185), when the imperial court traveled there to enjoy its beautiful scenery.
- Walking around the typical marketplace in Nishiki.
The stores in the Nishiki market are the essence of the delicacy of Japanese cuisine. Here you can enjoy the sweet sourness of the yuzu candied, of the vegetable doughnuts, some dried sesame seaweed. Before leaving the market, be sure to stop by Aritsugu, legendary cutlery shop where you can buy luxurious blades and molds shaped like cherry blossoms.
- Taking a photo at Kinkaku-ji.
One of the iconic images of the city of Kyoto is definitely the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji. In the middle of a pond, set in a very characteristic and picturesque natural environment, the temple is spread over three floors, each built in a different architectural style. Its peculiarity, from which among other things it derives its name, is that of be completely covered with gold leaf. Depending on how the sun’s rays strike it, it creates luminescent effects really distinctive. It is located in the northern part of the city. It was built in 1397, initially as a villa for the Ashikaga shogun Yoshimitsu, only following his death was the converted to a Zen temple.
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