Japan Endless Discovery
Japan Endless Discovery
Japan is a country which has so much to offer, it is steeped in history, tradition and has some amazing landscapes and a fascinating culture.
It is no surprise then that it is fast becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination.
Well known for the Samurai, Sumo Wrestling, Geisha’s, the Cartoon Culture, Tea Ceremonies, Sushi, Bonsai Trees, Mount Fiji, Cherry Blossom and the Bullet Train. It really is a must see destination.
There are numerous direct and indirect flights from the UK to Japan, which takes approximately 11 hours 30 minutes. UK citizens are exempt from visa’s and are able to stay for up to 90 days.
Japan has a temperate climate and has four distinct seasons, Spring Summer, Autumn and Winter, they are the same months as the seasons in the UK. As Japan stretches a great distance from north to south the climate is cooler in the north and in winter there is frequent snowfall in the Japanese Alps providing great snow for Skiing. June and July see the monsoon rainfalls.
The most desirable time to travel is in the Spring and Autumn when the weather is mild and warm and the Cherry Blossom is in bloom from late March to mid-April and the splendour of the Autumn leaves in late October –November.
Travelling around Japan is made easy by it’s great public transport network in particular that of the train network, where trains are always on time! The Japan Rail Pass is a definite must if you are planning on travelling around as it provides virtually unlimited travel on the entire Japanese Rail network (excludes the new super express Nozomi).
Accommodation is in both Japanese and Western Style and varies from youth hostels, B&B’s, Ryokan’s (traditional Japanese Inn’s), hotels and even a chance to stay in temple’s. Offering accommodation for budget traveller’s right up to the luxury traveller.
There are 7 regions of Japan Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Kansai, Chubu, Chugoku and Shikoku and Kyushu and Okinawa.
Hokkaido – home to the unspoilt mountain scenery and abundant wildlife. It is a nature-lover’s paradise. It’s cool summers bring spectacular blooms of flowers while world class ski resorts mean it is also a great winter destination.
Tohoku – has a rustic charm, with a slower pace of life, rich natural beauty and countless hot spring resorts.
Kanto – home to Toyko is a region which boasts cultural attractions such as the ancient capital of Kamakura and the impressive temple Nikko set among beautiful scenery of lakes and waterfalls.
Kansai – the cultural heart of Japan is its ancient capital of Kyoto, with its many stunning temples and gardens. By contrast, the city of Osaka offers a taste of vibrant modern Japan.
Chubu – the iconic site of Mount Fiji and the panoramic mountains of the Japan Alps provide well worn hiking trails in the warmer months and fantastic skiing in winter. The Chubu region is also home to the picturesque towns of Kanazawa and Takayama.
Chugoku and Shikoku – the highlight of this region is the city of Hiroshima and the nearby island of Miyajima. The inland sea separates this region from Shikoku, Japan’s fourth largest island.
Kyushu and Okinawa – the southern island of Kyushu offers lush greenery, hot springs and mysterious volcanic formations. Highlights are Nagasaki and the volcano Mt. Aso. Further south, the tropical island chain of Okinawa boasts amazing coral reefs, white sandy beaches and a fascinating cultural heritage that is a mix between Japan and South-East Asia.
Japan is not as expensive as you think and, in fact, compares very favourably with London prices and has something for everyone, whether you are looking at a city break, tour, adventure, island getaway, family holiday, cruise, honeymoon, ski holiday etc.
So all that is left to do is book a trip and let the Japanese people Kangei (welcome) you.