Tour Japan: The Ultimate Guide

Island Japan is also called Nippon or Nihon. This means 'origin of the sun'. Did you know that the red dot in Japan's flag represents the sun? When you think of Japan you probably think of delicious food with fish as the main ingredient and the beautiful nature full of cherry blossoms. There are also plenty of temples. Learn all about the culture and religions during a tour through this versatile country.

1. Features Japan

The clarity of Japan basically makes it an easy country to travel through. The good train connections between the cities certainly contribute to this. If you don't speak Japanese, you can only encounter a language barrier. But the friendly locals will certainly do their best to help you where they can. Kon'nichiwa - enjoy your tour of Japan!

2. Useful to know for a tour of Japan

If you're going on a tour of Japan, it's useful to know a few things:

• No special vaccinations are recommended for Japan.
• Don't forget to visit a Japanese Onsen. These spas are all about relaxing. Often they are separated for men and women.
• Letting the chopsticks in your food stand upright means that the food is reserved for the dead. So don't try to do this.
• Japanese bow to everything. Bending back is often appreciated.

It is common in many places that you take off your shoes when you go inside. Often you will see a row of shoes next to the door. If flip-flops are also there, you should put them on when you take off your shoes.

2.1. Safety Risk's Japan

For Japan, in principle no safety risks are reported. It is of course always advisable to check this just before travelling. However, it is reported that the nuclear disaster area to the southeast of the city of Fukushima is closed.

2.2. Required travel documents and customs

At customs you must be able to present on request the following documents: a return or onward ticket, documents proving the purpose of the trip (e.g. hotel reservation for a tourist trip) and proof of sufficient financial means during the stay. For this you can think of a bank statement, a salary slip or cash and credit cards

A number of exta night points:

• Look, just like in other countries, good on your stuff.
• Pass on your drink during e.g. going out that no one is doing anything to drug you and rob you. This sometimes happens in the popular nightlife centres Roppongi and Shinjuku in Tokyo and in Namba in Osaka.

3. Best travel time round trip Japan

What's the best time for a tour of Japan? Spring and autumn are generally considered the best time. It is during this period that the cherry blossoms bloom and the country begins to wake up from the winter. For a visit to the north, May to October are good months. The middle and south of the country can very well be visited between April and October. This way you avoid most precipitation and the worst low temperatures.

In view of Japan's large surface area, the country's climate differs. For example, in the north you can encounter temperatures of -40ºC in winter to 20ºC in summer. In the south, temperatures are higher with minima of around 15ºC in winter to around 30ºC in summer. In summer it rains more than in winter. And in winter you can expect snow in large parts of the mountains of Japan.

4. Transport in Japan

You can choose for a round trip to Japan to fly to different airports in Japan. The most famous one is Tokyo. If you have a direct flight, it takes about 11 hours. However, you will also find many flights with a stopover, which means that the total travel time is longer and you have to count on as much as 25 hours.

4.1. Travelling by train

In Japan itself you can travel around very easily by train. The country has a very good train network in which the trains always run on time. So make sure you are punctual, otherwise the train may already be gone. For tourists there is the Japan Railwaypass where you can save a lot of money. Please note that this pass can only be purchased outside Japan. It will save you a lot of money. You can make unlimited use of the train for the duration of the pass.

The train will take you across the country in a couple of hours. The Japanese even want to increase the speed of the train, so that domestic flights become superfluous.

4.2. Unlimited use of public transport

For the use of public transport within a city you can also buy special passes. For example, in Tokyo with a Subway 24, 48 or 72-hour ticket you can make unlimited use of the city's subways during this time. By the way, all major cities have a metro network that is often the preferred means of transport for the locals.

You won't actually find buses in the cities in Japan, given the good metro and train network. For longer distances there are night buses, for example. So you travel from A to B while you save on paying for accommodation for the night.

4.3. Travelling by car

Deviating traffic rules. For example, it is not allowed to overtake within 30 metres of an intersection and a pedestrian or bicycle crossing. And the traffic lights are often horizontal instead of vertical.

5. Round trip Japan: places of interest

View temples, enjoy spectacular views from the mountains, soak up history. Japan offers a special combination of all this, and more. During a tour through Japan, both culture and nature are on the program. We would like to list 23 highlights not to be missed.

5.1. Mount Hakodate

This mountain in the north of Japan is known for the beautiful views it offers. On clear days and especially in the evenings, you can enjoy views of Mount Inasa and Mount Rokko at an altitude of over 330 metres. You can walk up, take a bike, use the cable car or of course take a bus or car.

5.2. Our National Park

For vast swamps, grassland and all that surrounded by mountains, you must be in Ose National Park. North of Tokyo you will find this area of more than 372 km2 which consists mainly of grassland. You can make several walks through the national park, varying from over 5 hours to several days.

5.3. Garden of Kenroku-en

Kenroku-en is a former private garden that is considered one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. You will find all the elements for a nice walk through the garden. Every corner offers special designs. A striking object in the garden is the oldest fountain in Japan that works with natural water pressure. And every season creates special atmospheres and landscapes. For example, winter is known for the ropes that are placed in special shapes. This to protect the trees from damage from the heavy snow.

5.4. Hida Folk Village

The open-air museum Hida Folk Village exhibits more than 30 traditional houses from the Hida region. Here you will get acquainted with the traditional architecture of the mountain regions. In the houses you will find traditional tools, such as cooking utensils. By the way, many of the buildings have been brought to the museum from their original location, so that they have been preserved in their original state. The new village is built on a roof, with a beautiful view of the surroundings.

5.5. Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto Castle is a national treasure in Japan as one of the oldest 6-storey castles. It owes its nickname to the crow's castle because of its black exterior walls. The black and white contrast against the beautiful Japanese Alps create a fantastic environment. This castle is easily accessible from Tokyo.

5.6. Tokyo: bustling capital

Tokyo is often a starting point for a tour of Japan. And this enormous capital of Japan is certainly not to be missed. Here you will of course visit the fish market to eat the tastiest sushi. You have to keep your eyes open, because a geisha can just walk by. And of course you go to the zebra crossing Shibuya Square for organized chaos. Here everyone walks crisscrossed, but at red light they wait neatly to cross. From Tokyo you can make several (day) trips.

5.7. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a national garden open to the public. The garden was originally built near the private house of a Naitō family in the Edo era. After the Second World War, the imperial garden was opened up as a national garden. The huge park combines different styles. You will find a formal garden, a landscape garden and a Japanese traditional garden.

5.8. Meiji Jingu

The Meiji Shrine is dedicated to honouring Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken. After the death of the emperor the parliament wanted to build a memorial place for him. As the emperor liked to walk through the Yoyogi Park with his wife, this place was chosen for this purpose. By the way, you won't find the emperor's grave here, it is in Fushimi-momoyama. Escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, as this sanctuary is located in a large park. Stroll through the gardens with ponds, various species of trees and a courtyard garden where spring irises bloom.

5.9. Minato Mirai 21

Landmark Tower. From this tower, the fifth tallest in Japan, you can enjoy breathtaking views over Tokyo and Mount Fuji. The Yokohama Bay Bridge is another famous symbol. Furthermore in Minato Mirai 21 you will find the Cosmo World amusement park with one of the world's highest giant rads and for example the Yokohama Museum of Art. Also shopping malls and many hotels have established themselves in this area.

5.10. Hase-dera Temple

The Hase-dera temple is known for the enormous wooden statue of Kannon, the goddess of grace. The statue of almost 10 meters high can be admired in the main building of this Buddhist temple. In the adjoining Kannon Museum you can admire various treasures from the temple, such as a temple bell and Buddhist statues.

5.11. Hakone Open-Air museum

If you want to spend an afternoon looking at art, you should definitely visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum. Here you will find more than 1,000 large sculptures in a natural environment. Works by Picasso, Henry Moore and Yasuo Mizui, among others, are exhibited in the park. There are even sculptures where children can play on.

5.12. Mount Fuji

5.13. Golden Pavilion in Kyoto

Kinkaku-ji, or Golden Pavilion, owes its nickname to its golden walls. These give it a fascinating appearance. The temple is not very large and stands between green trees and on a beautiful pond. The whole creates an almost unreal picture, where the temple seems to float on the water. In winter, the golden walls stand out against the white snow and the trees, which makes the colours stand out even more.

5.14. Monkey Park Iwatayama

From Kyoto you can visit the Arashiyama Monkey Park. About 120 Japanese Macaque monkeys live here. In a park an observation deck has been built where you can feed the wild monkeys. Here you can also enjoy a spectacular view over Kyoto. Furthermore you can enjoy the famous cherry blossoms in spring and the reddinung trees in autumn.

5.15. Dotonbori

In Osaka you can't skip Dotonbori. This place is known for its eccentric atmosphere and the many illuminated billboards. You can see a real urban neon jungle here. For entertainment and nightlife you've come to the right place. One of the most striking billboards is that of Glico, a food factory. The rider on this billboard who crosses the finish line is seen as the symbol of Osaka.

5.16. Nara park

In the Nara Park you come face to face with the sikahert. There are over 1200 deer living in this park that roam wild here. In the park you will also find gardens full of temples. These were once private gardens that are now open to the public. In the largest wooden building in the world, Todai-ji, you will find a 15 meter high Buddha statue.

5.17. Ritsurin Garden

The Ritsurin garden is full of elegant flowerbeds, ponds, pavilions and bridges. The Kikugetsu-tei teahouse in the southwest of the park offers the opportunity to drink tea on the veranda while overlooking the pond. The garden combines a Japanese style in the south of the park and a western style in the north.

5.18. Mount Omuro

This extinct volcano has the shape of an inverted rice bowl. And a beautiful silhouette that is visible from different places. The mountain is about 580 meters high. At the top a crater is visible of about 300 meters. A chairlift takes you up. And there you can enjoy a panoramic view over for example Mount Fuji and Oshima island.

5.19. The Atomic Dome

Also called the peace monument in Hiroshima, this is one of the few buildings that remained standing after the atomic bomb attack in 1945. This impressive ruin was almost at the epicentre of the explosion. But the walls remained upright as the air pressure dropped perpendicularly. The Atomic bomb dome is a memorial to the bombardment in which almost the entire city was destroyed.

5.20. Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden

Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden is known for the spectacular wisteria flowers that are present here in large numbers. The garden opens its doors during the Wisteria season, normally between April and May and in autumn. Please note that during the high season you need to purchase entrance tickets in advance. You will not be admitted without a reservation.

5.21. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb museum

In memory of the Nagasaki bombing in 1945, the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb museum was established. It is the counterpart of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The museum aims to inform visitors about the destruction caused by nuclear weapons. There are several rooms, each dealing with a different theme.

5.22. Sengan and

The Japanese garden Sengan-en is a traditional garden together with a stately home in the south of Japan. It was built in 1658 by the then head of the Shimadzu family. You will not only enjoy a walk through the house and garden, but also the surrounding area. You can enjoy a backdrop of the active volcano Sakurajima and Kinko Bay.

5.23. Shurijo Castle

Shurijo castle.

This castle symbolizes the history and culture of Okinawa. And that of the Ryukyu kingdom. You will find large castle walls, several open squares and many holy places. Considering the historical relationship between China and Japan, you will find architecture from both cultures. Keep in mind that Shurijo Castle Park is located on a hill about 130 meters high. From here you have a beautiful view of the surroundings. Furthermore, there are several stairs and other hills. It is therefore advisable to wear comfortable shoes during a visit.

A few months ago (in 2019) most of the castle burned down. So take a good look if it is possible to visit the castle at this moment.

6. Book a round trip to Japan: compare providers and accommodations

Enjoy the special things this country has to offer during a tour of Japan. Learn about the history, get to know the beautiful landscape and sniff out the local culture.

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