Visit Hiroshima: The City of Resilience
Hiroshima, a principal city of the Chugoku Region and home to over million inhabitants, has come a long way from being the victim of the world’s first atomic-bomb in 1945. Hiroshima has recovered remarkably (you have to see it to believe it) since its scarred past and has rebuilt its destroyed monuments of historical importance like the Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden, along with the rest of the city. Visit Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, located in the heart of the city, that serves as a reminder of both the WWII attack and the importance of global peace. Explore the vibrant streets of Hiroshima and experience the thriving food scene, along with a chain of art galleries and be dazzled by its remarkable resilience and beauty in the wake of one of the most horrific events in world history.
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Osaka: Explore the Street Food Markets
Touted as the 'Nation’s Kitchen' and being the second largest metropolis after Tokyo in this food-loving country, Osaka is regarded as the ultimate food paradise all across Japan. A city filled with passionate food connoisseurs and a plethora of eateries, it is no wonder that the locals here spend more on food than anything else and celebrate their Kuidaore culture which translates as - eat until you drop. Famed for many local dishes which have even attained an international reputation, and several delicious warm snacks all round the year, Osaka is particularly famous for its seasoned, grilled meat recipe of Kushikatsu, Okonomiyaki and the ball-shaped Takoyaki. Walk through Osaka’s liveliest and most colorful shopping and dining streets, starting with Doguyasuji, a unique market dedicated to food. You could literally spend a whole day here; have our experts take you on a guided tour of japan's iconic and mouthwatering street food.
Visit Kanazawa: The Cultural Heart of Japan (After Kyoto)
Take a guided tour of charming Kanazawa, an UNESCO-appointed castle town that has become the center for classical and contemporary folk arts and traditional handicrafts. Kanazawa boasts of a rich history through its restored neighborhoods and modern museums, rivaling the country’s cultural bastion of Kyoto. Apart from the many attractions, Kanazawa’s unrivaled draw is its castle garden, Kenrokuen, which dates back to the 17th century and is considered to be one of the three best landscaped gardens of the country. Kanazawa still reflects the history of the bygone Edo era and showcases the beautifully preserved samurai and geisha colonies. Spend your time strolling around the city’s quaint streets that displays Japan’s unique history and personality dating back almost 300 years.
Takayama: Enjoy Sake-Tasting in the Best Breweries
Takayama with its breathtaking mountain location, cold weather, and quality rice production is home to some of the most authentic and best-tasting sake in Japan. Famed for its sake production over 400 years, with almost 56 breweries during the Edo period, Takayama now proudly boasts six traditional breweries around its old district, all flaunting its unique produce. Winter is supposed to be the prime sake making season in the area, which spans from November until the end of March. Visit Takayama in January and indulge in some free sake tours to learn about this time-honored practice, coupled with a sampling session. Also enjoy a stroll along with a tipple in this mountain city, where the streets are lined with century-old merchant homes and shops exhibiting local arts and crafts.
Learn the Art of Making and Cooking Soba Noodles
Soba is a variety of Japanese noodle, usually thin, made from buckwheat flour, as opposed to the thick wheat udon noodles, and is either served chilled with a flavored dip or as a hot noodle soup. Tracing its roots back to the Edo period in the 17th century, one can relish these scrumptious noodles throughout Japan, including the top-notch specialty restaurants. You can also find the dried, ready to be cooked version in the many markets across the country. Traditionally eaten on a New Year’s eve in major parts of Japan, ask your travel expert where in Tokyo (or any major town on your itinerary) you can learn firsthand the delicate art of rolling and making your own mouthwatering soba noodles, and preparing the various recipes under the expert guidance of a master chef.
Kyoto: Learn All About the Geisha Culture
A Geisha is a Japanese female entertainer who plays hostess in the traditional teahouses. An age-old culture that has thrived over hundreds of years in Kyoto, the Geisha or the Geiko (Kyoto phrase for Geisha) articulate themselves with a thick white foundation on their face, neck and chest, coupled with brightly colored red lips and embellished with a distinctive hairstyle. Head out to the teahouses, and experience first-hand the warm and affable nature of the Geisha culture that has experienced a steady decline in tradition and the number of its genuine hostesses. Get an in-depth lesson on this time-honored practice, and separate myth from fact by engaging in this unique insider experience.
Nikko: Soak in Therapeutic Hot Springs and Thermal Baths
Nikko is a small city nestled in the Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, well known for its numerous hot springs, each showcasing a distinct character and feel on the skin. From the popular Kinugawa Onsen to the rustic baths of Okukinu Onsenkyou, Nikko offers an abundance of such springs and is a perfect retreat for anyone wishing to soak in its thermal pool and revive one’s body and spirit. Apart from the myriad hot springs, Nikko is home to the gorgeous Nikko Toshogu shrine, which was established in 1619 and got its world heritage tag in 1999. Almost all of the hot springs here are loaded with sulfur, giving them a milky-white hue. These springs are said to enrich one’s skin and cure many disorders. Travel to this nature’s boon in Nikko and soak yourself in the therapeutic hot springs, amid the autumn leaves, pristine nature and appreciate the breathtaking views of lakes and mountains of the area.
Odaiba Island: Gaming Heaven for Kids
Odaiba is a popular shopping and entertainment district, just across the Tokyo Bay, set up entirely on a man-made island. This entertainment hub was redeveloped in the 90s with many shopping arenas, top-notch cafes and gaming complexes. Odaiba is known for its magnificent leisure options and it hosts some of the best gaming escapes in the country. Head over to the Leisureland Complex, which features a large gaming arcade, bowling alleys, a ninja illusion house and a food court. Another great alternative is the Daiba Icchome Shotengai Amusement Park, known to exhibit retro-styled Japanese shopping and gaming arcades including the famous Space Invaders, Pacman and Xevious, all available in classic table game style, rarely found elsewhere. Take the family to this entertainment hub and unmask your inner child with the kids in this gaming heaven.
Visit the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: Kyoto's Photographer Heaven
Lose track of time in this beautiful bamboo mini-forest of Arashiyama located on the western outskirts of Kyoto. Enjoy this natural setting as you walk though the pleasant paths that cut though the bamboo groves and feel the gentle breeze hitting your face coupled with a strong rustling sound of the bamboo leaves. Arashiyama turns into a pictorial heaven, particularly during the cherry blossom and fall color seasons, which can’t be missed. Apart from this verdant bamboo grove, Arashiyama is also home to the famed Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryuji Temple and serene lakes on which you can enjoy serene boat rides. Truly, the sense of being surrounded by this exquisite member of the ‘grass’ family is so surreal and ethereal, it is now wonder why this place makes as one of the most-visited and most-photographed spots of Kyoto.
The Japanese Alps: World Class Skiing in Honshu, Japan
The Japanese Alps is a series of mountain ranges cutting across Honshu Island, including almost all the tallest peaks of Japan after the mighty Mount Fuji. The Japanese Alps beckons its visitors with jaw-dropping sights of 3000 meter snow capped beauties; ranged along the floor of these mountain peaks are seven fascinating cities like Toyama, Omachi, Hida and Takayama, each brimming with unique sightseeing spots, excellent food and adventure activities galore. World-class ski resorts such as Hakuba lure visitors all round the year with hiking and mountain-biking trails, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route is any photographer’s dream, and the marvelous castle of Matsumoto is a sheer delight to admire. Easy accessibility among the cities makes it possible for visitors to move from one place to another, creating a memorable vacation amidst natural gems in the heart of Japan.
Tsukiji Fish Market: Tokyo's Seafood Paradise
Tsukiji, based in the heart of Tokyo, is the largest and busiest fish market in the world which also enjoys a prominent status on the Japanese culinary charts. After 82 years in existence, Tsukiji still brims with more than 480 different kinds of seafood varieties and handles almost 2000 tonnes of merchandise a day (worth 1.6 billion Yen). Tsukiji is extremely chaotic but superbly organized and bustles with raincoated fisherman, scooters, trucks and smiling retailers. It is comprised of an inner market, which oversees most of the wholesale trade and the world-renowned Tsukiji Tuna Auction, while the outer market is filled with retail shops, souvenir shops selling high-quality kitchenware and exotic restaurants serving you with the freshest seafood available. Witness the world’s greatest food show while you taste the delicious catch of the day. A truly unbeatable Japan-insider experience.
