Temples, Blossom and Bullet Trains Across the Archipelago
Japan is an island nation in East Asia, famed for its ancient temples, cherry blossom, Mount Fuji, bullet trains, onsen hot springs and one of the most celebrated cuisines in the world. Four main islands, Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku, are joined by thousands of smaller ones, and a landscape of mountains and coast gives the country remarkable variety. Tradition and modernity coexist with ease: a morning in a mossy Kyoto temple garden can be followed by an evening in the neon of Tokyo, with a shinkansen, a service launched in 1964, linking the two in a little over two hours.
The great cities are the starting point. Tokyo, the capital, offers the crossing at Shibuya, the temples of Asakusa, Meiji Shrine and a food scene of every level. Kyoto, the former imperial capital, has 17 monuments inscribed by UNESCO in 1994, including Kiyomizu-dera and the Golden Pavilion, along with the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari and the bamboo grove of Arashiyama. Nearby Osaka adds street food and humour, while Mount Fuji, inscribed in 2013, anchors the horizon. Travellers also continue to Seoul or Shanghai on a wider Asian circuit.
Ryokan Stays, Kaiseki Dining and Hokkaido Snow
Japan's stays are part of the experience. A ryokan, a traditional inn with tatami rooms, futon bedding and a communal hot spring bath, offers a quiet introduction to Japanese hospitality, often with a kaiseki dinner, a multi-course seasonal feast. Hakone, Kinosaki and Beppu are among the best-known onsen towns. Contemporary hotels offer a different style, from design-led city towers to mountain lodges, and a hotel group has plenty to present here. The Japanese Alps, Shirakawa-go with its thatched farmhouses, inscribed in 1995, and the temple settlement of Mount Koya all add depth.
Food is a national passion. Sushi, ramen, tempura, yakitori, okonomiyaki and wagyu beef appear everywhere, from tiny counters to grand dining rooms, and regional specialities reward every stop, while convenience stores and department store food halls are a delight in themselves. In winter, Hokkaido's Niseko and Nagano's snow monkeys draw skiers and wildlife lovers, while Okinawa and the southern islands offer subtropical beaches. For those who love island journeys, the Philippines and Thailand are good companions for a longer holiday.
Read the full Japan guide on Visit Travel Group, or see YourJapan.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.