and artistic Naoshima Island’s stunning array of contemporary art galleries and outdoor art installations (page 21). From Shikoku, it’s an easy trip to Hiroshima (page 61) for the Peace Memorial Park (page 22)–the moving memorial at the site of the first nuclear attack–and the famous floating torii, or shrine gate, at Itsukushima Shrine. From there, move on to Kyushu (page 65) for a soak in the famed Beppu hot springs, and continue on to the southern island of Yakushima (page 24), with its ancient towering cedars.
The extreme north and south of Japan are equally worthwhile. Hokkaido (page 69), the large northern island shaped by its harsh winters, is not surprisingly home to Japan’s premier ski slopes, in Niseko (page 25), where perfect powder snow attracts skiers from around the world. If you go, make sure to spend a night in Sapporo (page 67), Hokkaido’s main city, to indulge in its wonderfully hearty cuisine and laid-back vibe. At the opposite end of the archipelago, in the far south, Okinawa (page 71) is the perfect place to end your trip, unwinding on its pristine beaches or diving amid its beautiful coral reefs.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
In the front of the book, we give you a brief overview of Japan, including its geography, climate, people, language, religion and government. Chapter 1 covers Japan’s “Don’t Miss” Sights, detailing the top 18 places to visit and things to do, from staying at a temple on sacred Mount Koya to exploring the contemporary art galleries of Naoshima Island to skiing the perfect powder snow in Niseko on the northern island of Hokkaido.
In Chapter 2, we take a more detailed look at the varied regions and major cities that make up Japan, starting with the ultramodern, unerringly traditional and at times quirky faces of the capital Tokyo and ending up on the subtropical islands of Okinawa in the far south. In between, we explore several not-to-miss areas within day-trip range of Tokyo, including the ancient shrines and temples of Kamakura and the popular weekend retreat of Hakone, before heading west to the Japan Sea coast and the city of Kanazawa. The isolation of the mountains that one crosses between Tokyo and the Japan Sea Coast are home to a number of very picturesque towns. We then move on to Kyoto, the former capital and for many the cultural and spiritual heart of Japan. We also delve into Osaka, Japan’s vibrant second city, and then the major islands of Kyushu and Shikoku.
The last section of the book is Chapter 3, Author’s Recommendations. Here, we present some of Japan’s better known hotels and restaurants, top kid-friendly activities, must-do activities in the great outdoors, must-see galleries and museums, and more. Lastly, the Travel Tips section presents all you need to know before you go, including the lowdown on visas, health and safety advice, important points of etiquette, essential Japanese, and much more to help take the stress out of your trip.
While all information is correct at time of print, do make sure to check ahead if you plan to visit any of the venues listed in this guide, as some places frequently change management, especially in cities that change as often and as rapidly as Tokyo and Osaka. Prices change, too, and occasionally senior discounts are available. Repair work may necessitate closing a venue. It is advisable to ask your hotel to check. As such, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors that may be contained within the Travel Pack.
CHAPTER 1
JAPAN’S “Don’t Miss” Sights
Ask anyone who has visited Japan to recommend a “must see” or “must do” list for your trip and you will get a variety of responses that underscores the diversity of the country. Some will tell you to go straight to the ancient temples of Kyoto or lace up your walking boots for the breathtaking natural scenery of the Japan Alps. Others will suggest you dive head first into Tokyo’s old east end. The 18 listings that follow are a selection of Japan’s “Don’t Miss” Sights, chosen to offer a mix of the traditional and the ultramodern, the tranquil and the intense, the sacred and the cutting edge–components that combine to make Japan such a wonderfully distinctive and indelibly memorable experience.
2 Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown
4 The Great Buddha at Kamakura
7 Traditional Houses of Shirakawa-go
8 Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en
14 Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park
15 The Holy Mountain of Koya-san
17 Niseko Ski Resort, Hokkaido
18 The Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa
Kenroku-en, Kanazawa
Tosho-gu Shrine, Nikko
Shirakawa-go, Japan Alps
1 Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo
A journey to the heart of Old Tokyo’s Asakusa district
Senso-ji
