Exploring Japan - THE WORLD HERITAGE SITES

Exploring Japan

More Convenient, More Affordable | Where to visit in Japan |

		TRAVEL JAPAN LIKE LOCALS – Where to visit in Japan While in Japan, take advantage of all the “world’s best” utilities to make travel easier and smoother. Here are convenient tips that you should know in advance. Among many international destinations, Japan has been in the major spotlights for historic landmarks, traditional culture, cuisine, modern art, high-tech products and nature, and the country’s small size and public transportation system built upon the world’s top technology allows visitors to experience wider varieties of experience. It enables foreign visitors access to a surprising number of destinations within a limited amount of time. This compactness is one of Japan’s cultural characteristics that most visitors would enjoy while staying in Japan. This element is reflected in various places traveling throughout the country such as high-level technologies, punctual transportation system and cozy yet hospitable guest rooms and dining scenes. While in Japan, take advantage of all the “world’s best” utilities to make travel easier and smoother.

TRAVEL JAPAN LIKE LOCALS –
Where to visit in Japan

While in Japan, take advantage of all the “world’s best” utilities to make travel easier and smoother. Here are convenient tips that you should know in advance.

Among many international destinations, Japan has been in the major spotlights for historic landmarks, traditional culture, cuisine, modern art, high-tech products and nature, and the country’s small size and public transportation system built upon the world’s top technology allows visitors to experience wider varieties of experience. It enables foreign visitors access to a surprising number of destinations within a limited amount of time.

This compactness is one of Japan’s cultural characteristics that most visitors would enjoy while staying in Japan. This element is reflected in various places traveling throughout the country such as high-level technologies, punctual transportation system and cozy yet hospitable guest rooms and dining scenes.

While in Japan, take advantage of all the “world’s best” utilities to make travel easier and smoother.

TOKYO

As the most well-known city in Japan, the capital has it all, from historic temples, traditional restaurants and pop culture to the latest electronics, shopping, high-end boutiques and more. Tokyo is one of the cities in the world where people experience the most modern urban lifestyle, since both old and new cultural elements coexist. Tokyoites take anything good from all over the world –food, fashion, design, electronics, and technologies. The appreciation for the superior quality from all over the world creates the ultimate urban life of the new century.

HAKONE

This is one of the most convenient and best destinations to experience several traditional elements of Japanese culture – traditional ryokans, hot springs and great views of Mt. Fuji. Just less than two hours by train from central Tokyo, Hakone is a small town originally founded as the checkpoint to the old Tokyo Edo during the samurai era. Historic landmarks still remain among the scattered traditional ryokans, which used to serve travelers waiting for approval to get into Edo from the checkpoint. Hakone’s geography also created accommodating environments with the great view of Mt. Fuji, natural hot springs and seasonal natural beauty. Some ryokans in Hakone have been in business for centuries, carrying traditional hospitality with Japanese natural beauty to this date.

KYOTO

Without seeing Kyoto, you wouldn’t experience the real traditional Japanese culture. As the old capital, Kyoto is the real-life museum of how most Japanese tradition started. Not only historic landmarks such as the Imperial Palace, the Golden Pavilion and several temples, the city of Kyoto has been successful in showcasing the ultimate beauty of Japanese tradition along with modern city life. While ordinary people live the average life of the 21st century, geisha girls stroll down the small cobble stone streets of Kyoto as part of ordinary daily life. Lanes of old townhouses still function in today’s life, and centuries-long history is reflected in all aspects: cuisine, social custom, festivals and architecture. Kyoto culture has cultivated the highest quality for most Japanese signature items such as sake, tofu, kimono fabrics, pottery and you name it. The world famous bullet train takes you from Tokyo to Kyoto in 2.5 hours.

OSAKA

As the second largest city in the country, Osaka is the food capital. Osaka has been developed as merchants’ town, and their local cuisine has wider varieties than any other region. Ranging from seafood to Kobe beef (Kobe is right next to Osaka), Osaka residents, famous for their friendly and humorous personalities, are proud of the best deal for good food. Osaka is within an hour train ride from Kyoto.

HIROSHIMA

Another famous place beyond Kyoto is Hiroshima. Known not only for the first atomic bomb, it also has Japan’s iconic torii gate in water at Miyajima.

TAKAYAMA

Rich with traditional craft arts, Takayama is one of the centers of Japanese traditional art. The annual local festivals are also very famous for their traditional decorations on floats. Takayama is also the gateway to one of Japan’s World Heritage sites, Shirakawa-go. The chilly winter climate produces superior sake in this region.

KANAZAWA

Along with Takayama, Kanazawa is another region rich with traditional art and culture. Kanazawa produces the high level of lacquer ware, detailed confectionary art, and gold leaf craftsmanship. Facing the Sea of Japan, Kanazawa also enjoys fresh seafood ingredients, which significantly contributes to local traditional culinary styles. The cold winter climate is appropriate for great sake, and traditional hospitality at historic ryokans is a luxurious experience in this city.

OKINAWA

Okinawa consists of several small islands in the southern most tip of the Japanese archipelago. Unlike the rest of the country, Okinawa stays very warm year around and the near tropical climate attracts tourists for winter escape. Okinawa’s clear blue ocean is rich with beautiful coral leaves and is considered to be one of the best scuba diving spots in the world. With its own unique indigenous culture, visiting Okinawa shows one of the distinctive local cultures of Japan.

HOKKAIDO

On the contrary of Okinawa, the northern most tip of the archipelago is Hokkaido. The host of the 1972 winter Olympics in Sapporo, Hokkaido became the fabulous winter resort for international travelers. With the arctic winter flow from Siberia, Hokkaido receives superior powder snow in winter, which provides excellent quality for skiing and snowboarding. Scattered natural hot springs are the great après ski activities.

---- Nori Akashi: Public Relations Manager at the New York Office of JNTO

Yokoso

Japan National Tourist Organization
New York Office
One Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1250,
New York, NY 10020
TEL: 212-757-5640
www.japantravelinfo.com