Japan Travel Guide

Japan is a country where surprisingly modern and ancient traditions come together smoothly. To introduce Japan, that is often its traditions at its current thirst for novelty and modernity. But more than opposition, which is characteristic of contemporary Japanese culture, is the fusion that the Land of the Rising Sun operates between these two extremes. Tokyo is the epitome of modernism, with its architecture dominated by skyscrapers such as Tokyo Tower. Upon arrival in Tokyo, you are immersed in unusual universe where the neon signs with the indecipherable characters follow one another. Fans of Japanese culture, manga and video games will be thrilled by walking in the districts of Shinjuku, Shibuya and Akihabara. The restaurant windows are filled with resin dishes, illustrating the local cuisine. The scenery is shaking our senses...

In Kyoto, the historical and cultural center of the country, you can discover some of the hundreds of temples, the Imperial Palace ((Kyoto Gosho) and Nijo Castle (Nijojo).

To approach the spirit of Zen, you can stop in Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, where you sleep on a futon, or test the waters in onsen, the hot springs that provide healing and relaxation. Attention, the codes and rituals which govern these places are to be studied not to make something odd...

And if you have a little more time, you can choose for the ascent of Mount Fuji, a pilgrimage which any Japanese must achieve. You can admire the view of the lakes that surround it.

Japan cohabit together its two characteristics in the plays where geishas, the former courtesans, joined the manga heroes who rage in Japan.

The kimonos, the traditional Japanese costume, are revisited by top designers each season. Respect for the past means a lot to the Japanese, but also know that there are many rules in public places. For example, you need to remove your shoes to enter temples, traditional hotels, and be careful not to plant your chopsticks in food, as this is how rice is offered by Buddhists to their deceased ancestors.

To mingle with the population without crossing too many tourists go to the Noto-hanto Peninsula. It is located in northern Honshu and offers some wild landscapes. But if you want more entertainment, the West Coast will be able to satisfy you with many choices. Hokkaido is also one of the sparsely populated islands of Japan. Japanese are not that much interested in its climate and mountains. But hikers and skiers will find a lot of interest. In summer, the fauna and flora develop: the gardens are raided by the visitors and if you're lucky, you'll come across a deer or a doe (attention to bear)

If you like the atmosphere of cities that are moving, do not hesitate to visit Tokyo. To find the calm and serenity, enter temples: Kyoto is home to temples and gardens with great beauty. Japanese cuisine is considered one of the best in the world so why not "try" chopsticks in traditional restaurants (Izakaya)...

• Chiba
• Fukuoka
• Himeji
• Hiroshima
• Kobe
• Kyoto
• Nagasaki
• Nagoya

• Nara
• Narita
• Okinawa
• Osaka
• Sapporo
• Tokyo
• Yokohama