Tokyo
- Capital City |
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Tokyo
is the official capital of Japan since 1868 and has a population
of 12 Million people covering 800 square miles. The exciting city
is a fusion of futuristic buildings, ancient Buddhist temples and
Shinto Shrines. There are many world class museums, fantastic food,
Unique sport events and exciting nightlife for all tastes.
Key
Attractions:
- Ginza
- World famous shopping area.
- Tokyo
tower.
- Imperial
palace (formerly Edo Castle).
- Asakusa
Kannon Buddhist Temple.
- Meiji
Shrine.
- Rainbow
Bridge and Odaiba district.
- Sengakuji
temple.
- Tokyo
Disney Land.
- Sony
Centre - Ginza
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Kyoto
- Historical city
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Ancient Kyoto was
the imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years. The city has over a 1600
Buddhist temples and 270 Shinto Shrines and represents the embodiment of Japanese
culture. Kyoto is filled with beautiful architecture both ancient and modern and
numerous gardens to explore. - Nijo
Castle -home of Tokugawa Shogun.
- Kinkakuji
- Golden pavilion.
- Ryoanji
temple- stone style Zen garden.
- Ginkakuji
Temple - Silver pavilion.
- Gion
Corner - traditional arts, restaurants and theaters (often Kimono clad Geisha
or Maiko can be observed in this area)
- Kiyomizu
temple
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Hakone
- Lake Ashi
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Hakone
is situated between Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula. The National
park area is a famous hot spring resort set in beautiful tree covered
mountains & is one of the most beautiful areas in Japan..
Lake
Ashi offers marvelous views of Mount Fiji and surrounding area.
Boat trips around the lake are also available. |
Mount
Fuji |
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Mt Fuji is the
symbolic image of Japan. The mountain is 3,776m in height and is
Japans tallest mountain set in a breathtaking area of natural beauty.
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Hokkaido |
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Hokkaido is Japan's most Northernly island, easily accessable by bullet train and plane. The island is known for its unspoilt spectacular mountainous scenery, glacia lakes, ice flows and unique wildlife including Sea Eagles, White Cranes, Bears and Whale watching.
In the summer enjoy hiking, cycling and camping. Whilst in the winter months skiing and snowboarding is popular due to the guarrateed snow fall. The relaxed and laid back culture on the island combined with the vast choice of great hotels, Ryokans and Onsen hot springs makes this a fantastic location to explore.
Visit the capital city of Sapporo and sample great local food, Beer and Sake. During the summer months the town of Furano is famous for exploring the spring flowers and Lavender fields.
Visit Hokkaido Tourism Organisation's new website for further details. |
Nagano |
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The prefecture
of Nagano is situated in the awe-inspiring Japanese Alps. Seasonal snowfalls of
10m or more are commonplace and average winter temperatures of just below -3 degrees
makes skiing in the heart of Japan an unforgettable experience. Nagano also benefits
from natural volcanic outdoor hot spring spa's which are the ideal way to relax
after a long day skiing. Nagano City hosted the 1998 winter Olympics and is built
around the 1400 year old Zenkoji Temple and is a fascinating blend of ultra modern
and historic sights. |
Nagoya
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Nagoya
is Japans 4th Largest city and has many site seeing attractions and gardens that
can be explored, such as the Magnificent Nagoya Castle,
Tokugawa Art Museum
& Kenchuji temple. Nagoya
has a relaxed and friendly feel to the city with an abundance of excellent dining
and shopping possibilities, both at more affordable prices than found generally
elsewhere in Japan. |
Nara |
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Nara
is an ancient capital city of Japan (even earlier than Kyoto) and is known as
the 'cradle of Japan's arts & crafts'. The restful rural city is set in a
backdrop of scenic woodland and was where Buddhism first flourished in Japan whilst
under the patronage of emperors who resided at Nara. It is therefore not surprising
that Nara is home to many ancient temples and historic Buddhist Artifacts. The
most striking temple in Nara is the Todaiji Temple, which houses the Great Buddha
of Nara. The Daibutsuden where the Buddha is housed claims to be the worlds largest
wooden structure. Not surprisingly the temple has World Heritage status as designated
by the UNESCO. The
colourful Kasuga Shrine
is a famous Shinto shrine erected in 768. Another
popular attraction is Nara Park, which is home to over 1200 tame Deer. |
Nikko
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Nikko
National park, a designated World Cultural Heritage site is a picture
postcard of rivers, lakes and wooden hillsides. This truly beautiful
location is home to one of Japans most important and impressive
historic structures, the Toshogu Shrine. The shrine is dedicated
to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Togugawa Shogunate (1542-1616)
and was constructed by his grandson in 1636.
Nikko
is filled with various splendid temples and Shrines to explore,
as well as the natural beauty of Lake Chuzenji, the stunning Kegon
Falls and Kirifuri waterfall. Another great attraction is Tamozawa
Imperial Villa,
a former residence of both the Tokugawa and Imperial Family.
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Takayama
- Shirakawago - Gokayama -Kanazawa
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A trip to the little
known towns and villages of Takayama, Shirakawago, Gokayama and Kanazawa will
surely be one of the outstanding highlights of any tour in Japan. If you have
the opportunity, we highly recommend a visit, as we believe no other locations
provides a clearer glimpse of Japans feudal past. Takayama
is an tranquil old castle town often nickname 'little Kyoto'. The town is best
explored by foot where you will still find streets with traditional style wooden
houses.
Shirakawago & Gokayama, each have World Heritage designation and truly a spectacular
experience, which many believe is the 'hidden treasure' in Japan. Visiting Shirakawago
is like stepping back in time, with uniquely crafted traditional wooden farmhouses
(Gassho-Zukuri) set in a beautiful mountainous landscape. Kanazawa
is the largest City of the Hokuriku district and is famous as a former castle
town of the feudal Maedas clan (15th-19th century). Kanazawa is home to the Kenroku-en
Garden, which is regarded as one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan.
It is also a unique experience to take a stroll through the Nagamachi Samurai
house district of the city. |
Mt
Koya - Wakayama
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Mt
Koya (koyasan) - The holy mountain is located in Wakayama surrounded
by beautiful wooded mountainous scenery. A sacred place of the Shingon
sect of esoteric Buddhism, founded by the Great Kukai, who established
an ashram at Mt Koya 1,200 years ago, after studying in Tang China.
The mountain is home to 117 temples and Shrines and is still a place
of Buddhist education for monks and pilgrims today.
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Osaka
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Japans
third largest city, Osaka is known as the birth place of the traditional
Kabuki theater. The main tourist attraction being the magnificent
reproduction of Osaka Castle originally built in 1586 by Toyotomi
Hideyoshi. Also Osaka has excellent shopping areas of Hankyu Sambangai,
Den-Den town and the exciting nightlife of Umeda underground arcade.
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Hiroshima
& Miyajima
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Hiroshima
is a former castle town that is famed for being the site where the Atomic bomb
was dropped during WW2 in 1945. It is know a thriving and favorite tourist destination,
with the world famous Peace memorial park & museum. Miyajima
is known as 'Divine Island' and has been revired since olden times as a site of
outstanding natural beauty. Particularly worth visiting in Spring when the cherry
blossom is in full bloom. |
Magome
& Tsumago
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The
two towns of Magome and Tsumago were once postal towns connected by the Magome-Tsumago
Trail. The trail leads through the hilly countryside and passes right alongside
the houses and fields of local residents. This was a trail which formed part of
the Nakasendo postal route between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo). The town of Magome has
been beautifully restored in contrasts with the striking authenticity of neighbouring
Tsumago. Tsumago is known today as one of the best preserved historical towns
in Japan and walking along its car free streets is like stepping back in time
to the early Edo Period, where Samurai walked the streets. |
Okinawa
- main island |
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Okinawa
is the perfect location to unwind, with its sub-tropical climate, beautiful unspoilt
white sandy beaches, crystal clear sea and has some of the best diving and Snorkeling
in the world. Okinawa also has its own unique cuisine and culture with many fascinating
historic places to visit, such as the 13th Century Shurijo Castle. The perfect
tropical hideaway. |
Okinawa
- Yaeyama Islands
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The
10 inhabited Yaeyama Islands are located 500km south west of Okinawa main island,
closer to Taiwan than Okinawa or Japan. Each of these fascinating Islands are
unique in character, flora and wildlife. If you want to relax on a quiet unspoilt
sandy beach, find hidden coves and experience some of the best snorking and diving
in the world, then the Yaeyama Islands are the ultimate tropical hideaway. The
islands are famous for diving with Manta Ray & Hammerhead sharks. Or snorkeling
amongst the islands extensive coral reefs, which have a wider varieties of coral
living together than even the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy
clear star filled skys and virgin rain forests. The islands untouched rain forests
and unique wildlife is home to many rare species only found on these island (including
the Iriomote Wildcat). It is for this reason that a growing interest from Eco-tourists
and nature lovers are choosing to explore the Galapagos of Asia.
Tailor-made
tours available -Click here for our Yaeyama
Islands Guide
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Kyushu
Island
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The
southern sub-tropical island of Kyushu, is famous for its lush green mountainous
landscape and famous active volcano, Mt Aso.
Kyushu
is Japan's third largest island and has a relaxed character which
is possibly due to its many famous hot spring resorts, such as Beppu
which is regarded as one of the best areas in Japan for its natural
and therapeutic Onsen (hot spring spa). The island also has much
history and beautiful gardens and ancient myths to explore. Truely
a dream island.
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