Things to do in Japan
Things to do in Japan From the frenetic capital of Tokyo to the natural wonders of Mount Fuji, you are almost guaranteed
Read moreOne of the lesser-known highlights of Japan is its beautiful scenery; sacred Mount Fuji, emerald green rice paddies and the tropical islands of Okinawa. See Geisha girls in the ancient city of Kyoto, marvel at Sumo Wrestlers in futuristic Tokyo and join pilgrims visiting the sumptuous shrines of Nikko.
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Experience flavours favoured by the locals with the popular Okonomiyaki the signature dish of Hiroshima. Literally meaning ‘to one’s liking’, Okonomiyaki is a popular pan fried food consisting of batter and cabbage and a selection of toppings, varying from meat and seafood to wasabi and cheese. Visiting the specialist restaurants is an experience in itself, with diners sitting around an open bar watching their food get prepared by the chef you will find a vast number of okonomiyaki restaurants across Hiroshima, particularly in Okonomi Mura, where every restaurant serves the city’s speciality.
For more than 1000 years, garden design has been an important Japanese art form. From the abstract sculpture gardens in Hakone, to the breath taking Bamboo Groves of Arashiyama, there are a variety of styles across Japan. The Okochi Sanso Gardens in Kyoto are a particularly outstanding example of a traditional Japanese garden, with impressive architecture, a traditional Japanese villa, tearooms and Shinto shrines.
The forests of the Jigokudani valley in Yamanouchi are home to the Japanese Macaques, or snow monkeys. The monkeys are native to northern Japan, with brown-grey fur and red faces, with remarkably human like mannerisms. Often caught bathing in the man-made pool, the monkeys are particularly photogenic when the area is covered in snow.
No trip to Japan is complete without staying in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. Sample the local hospitality, sleep on futons on the tatami mat floor, experience hot spring baths and eat delicious local cuisine.
Japan has many famous festivals, including the Aoi festival in Kyoto, which dates back to the sixth century, and the Toshogu festival in Nikko, which features a procession of more than 1,000 people dressed as samurai. Kyoto's largest festival, the Gion festival, spans the entire month of July and is crowned by a beautiful parade, the Yama-boko Junko. The Sapporo snow festival is one of Japan’s largest winter events, when up to two million people come to Sapporo to see the large number of splendid snow statues and ice sculptures that line Odori Park, the grounds at Community Dome Tsudome, and the main street in Susukino.
During cherry blossom season, locals gather below trees to celebrate the beautiful flowering of the trees. Everything turns pink, with themed chocolate, beer and clothing hitting the shops. There are even ‘sakura (blossom) forecasts’ with pink dots covering maps of Japan on the television and in the daily newspapers.
The Japanese Alps in the Nagano prefecture feature some of Japan's most dramatic scenery and picturesque rural villages. The area is also famous for its many onsen, or hot spring, resorts. The most celebrated of these is the Jigokudani onsen, or Hell’s Valley hot springs, in Yudanaka where wild snow monkeys gather to bathe in the natural hot pools.
Travel to Mount Koya in Wakayama prefecture, one of the holiest mountains in Japan. There are more than 100 monasteries here surrounding the head temple. Stay overnight in the complex and rise early to avoid the crowds and see the monks at morning prayers.
Things to do in Japan From the frenetic capital of Tokyo to the natural wonders of Mount Fuji, you are almost guaranteed
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Japan’s creative pastimes have a long heritage that offer a fascinating insight into the culture of local communities. The swirling marks of shodo calligraphy;
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Whether it be the colossal mausoleums and elaborate graves of the great and the good or eerie cemeteries and labyrinthine catacombs holding
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In Japan’s hectic cities, The Telegraph’s Sophia Money-Coutts finds peace, tranquility and good food.
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Find out more about what you can expect from travelling in the Far East – from internal flights to accommodation standards and local transport.
Learn more about the airlines we use to fly to the Far East, chosen for reliability and good service; as well as any available upgrade facilities.
Before travelling to the Far East, please read more about the entry requirements for each country, as well as any general health advice.
Discover the temperatures and rainfall you can expect when visiting the main areas of Japan, along with the best time to travel.
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© Cox & Kings 2021