Japan has easily become associated with the’Land of Enchantment’ and, although it’s a modern and technologically-savvy society, it isn’t without its culture, beauty and history.  That’s the reason why led tours of Japan are so popular for couples and families alike. 

most all steered tours of Japan start by flying into the Tokyo Narita Airport.  Many tours permit you a night’s rest before going off to see the sights in Tokyo, a large town of more than eight million people.  You’ll visit the Meiji
Shrine-a wonderful Shinto monument erected within a synthetic forest.  After that, you’ll likely travel to the Imperial
Palace piazza where you can see the Imperial Palace of the Emperor of Japan.  The majority of the palace is off limits but it has a lovely East Gardens for visitors to walk in. 

Many guided tours in Tokyo will take you to the Asakusa Kannon church and the nearby Nakamise Shopping Arcade, where visitors can shop at their leisure for souvenirs or other items.  Later that night, walk the streets of Tokyo with your tour director to take in the stunning lights of this wonderful town.  Next day, you can take an excursion to Kamakura, which is the home of the Great Buddha-a shrine that’s 750 years old. 

After seeing the Great Buddha, may steered tours of the area will take you on a dramatic drive to Hakone so you can take a wire auto ride and get the best perspectives of Mount Fuji, if the weather cooperates.  Guests can select a stirring ride on the bullet train back to Tokyo. 

After you’ve seen much of Tokyo and surrounding area, most steered tours of Japan will take you up to Matsumoto, considered the gateway to the Eastern Alps.  There you’ll visit the Matsumoto Castle-a fortress going back to 1593.  Nearby is the Japan Folklore Museum and a nice way to see artifacts from Japan in their natural setting. 

Later, most steered tours of Japan will take you to Takayama where you may visit the local farmer’s market and travel to the San Machi Suji consequential district, famous for distilleries that make Japanese sake.  Nearby are beautiful lacquerware shops that make items perfect for memento shopping.  Also nearby is the Kusakabe Heritage House, a lovely place to see traditional jap architecture from the late 19th Century. 

the subsequent stop on many guided tours of Japan is the Hida Minzoku-Mura folk village-a massive collection of traditional Eastern buildings, including farmhouses.  There, you can enjoy demonstrations of craft-making, for example lacquer making, silk dying, basket weaving and wood carving. 

Most led tours of Japan will take you through the mountainous areas, including the Shokawa Valley and onto the village of Shirakawa.  This is a remote region of Japan that’s home to many world heritage sites.  Enjoy normal japanese food with your tour mates. 

the subsequent stop on most guided tours of Japan is Kyoto, a wonderful city and home to the interesting Nijo Castle, built as the official residence of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603.  Nearby is Kinkakuji, the church of the Gold Pavilion and many shrines and gardens.  Kyoto is home to numerous temples, shrines and palaces and is a place you’ll want to spend a couple of days visiting. 

As you have traveled so far north, most guided tours will then take you to Osaka and to the Kansai Airport for your departure home.  Hopefully, you’ve taken in loads of Eastern food and culture, and you’ve enjoyed their unique food.

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For such a tiny total landmass, Japan has left a definite stamp on human history.  If you are considering Japan as a destination, here is a helicopter view of the country. 

An outline of Japan for Travelers

Extending along the eastern coast of Far East, Japan is a country composed from a collection of islands.  The mainland, as we think of it, is the island of Honshu.  There are three other huge islands, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu, and roughly 3,000 much smaller islands comprising what we call Japan.  Put together, the total land mass is smaller than California.  The geography across the islands is mountainous, best embodied by Mt.  Fuji at 12,385 feet.  As you’d expect, the island country is intrinsically recognition of a volcanic are and Japan experiences earthquakes fairly frequently, some on a giant scale. 

Japan is an intensely urbanized country with many people living in major towns.  The 2 notable faiths are Shintoism and Buddhism.  The belief systems are harmonious and frequently share similar temples. 

Per legend, Japan was founded by Emperor Jimmu around six hundred BC.  The existing emperor is a descendent of the first. 

the 1st interaction with the West was in 1542 when a lost Portuguese ship landed in Japan.  Over the following century more Westerns came, but they were not trusted.  The Japan shoguns ultimately banned all foreigners and the country was isolated for over 200 years.  Not till 1854 did Japan open its doors to the world under the Convention of Kanagawa with the US.  Once this happened, Japan quickly evolved from a feudal state to a more modern approach. 

World War I used to be a boon for Japan.  Fighting on the side of the winning Allies, Japan repeated new respect as an economic and army power following the defeat of the Axis.  Alas, the emperor of Japan went in a different direction after the war, seeking dominance of China and Pacific Rim generally. 

In 1937, Japan became a friend of fascist German.  This at last led to its call to pursue an attack on Pearl bay on December seven, 1941.  Following four years of war, the loss of 3 million Japanese lives and two atomic bombings, Japan surrendered to the united states on September two, 1945.  It was stripped of the majority of its territorial holdings and was ruled de facto by General Douglas MacArthur, delegated the ultimate chief. 

Following WW2, Japan turned to a democratic system thru reforms.  The U.S.  And allies returned absolute control to Japan on April 28, 1952 thru the deal of Peace.  Though its days as a army power were over, Japan once again became an economic giant.  Despite its relatively miniscule land mass, Japan has the second biggest economy in the world. 

modern day Japan covers 145,902 square miles.  The capital is Tokyo.  The terrain is best described as rugged, mountainous islands with varying temperatures. 

The people of Japan are called’Japanese.’ The total population is just over 127.4 million folks, but the population is decreasing slightly in size.  Jap is the essentially language spoken and literacy rates are 99 %.  Jap males have a survival expectation of 77 years while girls live to 84 typically. 

With its mountainous island landscape, Japan is a hot destination spot for travelers.  It is dear, but a trip to Mount Fuji alone makes a trip worthwhile.

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Visiting Japan can be like transporting yourself to another world.  Life revolves around ancient customs and the beauty of nature. 

Nagasaki

be sure to visit the vision bridge near Nagasaki.  This beautiful ancient stone bridge seems like a couple of glasses when viewed with the reflection of water flowing under the bridge and is a popular visitor stop.  Visiting the pretty red and yellow shrine known as Confucius Shrine and Museum of Natural History near Nagasaki can give you glances of Chinese treasures on loan form Beijing.  Chinatown dates back to the 17 th century and can be a haven for food lovers visiting Japan.  Dejima is an artificial island once used to confine Dutch employees and now homes a museum and many historical buildings. 

On August 9, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki.  Be sure to go to the museum dedicated to this crisis when visiting Nagasaki as well as Nagasaki Peace Park.  Glover Gardens is an open air museum featuring nine western style homes including Glover Mansion.  Nishizaka Hill located in Nagasaki is the location of a religious monument to the 20 six martyrs who were crucified on this spot for practicing Christianity in the 1600’s. 

Tokyo

Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo is an interesting traveller stop and is a sushi lovers nirvana.  It’s the biggest wholesale market in Japan.  Asakusa in Tokyo is a popular neighborhood stuffed with shops and restaurants together with the famous Senso church.  The East Gardens are found near the outside of the Imperial Palace and are open to the general public.  Yasukun jinja is the site of a large, torii gate that stands at the entrance to this shrine built in memory of people who died protecting Japan.  Many officials still come and offer prayer annually on August fifteen, anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War. 

The Kabuki Theater hosts conventional Japanese Kabuki performances and is found in the Ginza district.  The Edo Tokyo Museum displays artifacts and design showing Tokyo’s history.  Exhibits include replicas of a traditional Kabuki theater and the original Edo Castle.  The Hama Rikyo park is found next to Tokyo Bay and is one of the most beautiful gardens in the town.  The Tokyo National Museum is a must see with the largest collection of japanese artifacts and artworks in the world.  It features over 100,000 pieces and room to display only 4,000 so exhibits are rotated consistently.  The Mori Art Museum is located in Roppong Hills, is one of East Asia’s, biggest collections of contemporary art. 

Hiroshima

While visiting Hiroshima, be certain to see the Hiroshima Peace commemorative Museum.  This park remembers the explosion of the first atomic bomb.  It houses the Peace memorial Museum.  The Hiroshima Castle and the Atomic Dome are also must see sites when visiting Hiroshima.

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