Throughout its history,
Japan
has continually imported
cultural traditions,
while at the same
time adhering to the
festivals, sports,
and religions of its
past. The result being
that today there is
a variety of things
to do in Japan. Where
else in the world
can you watch baseball
and sumo wrestling
in the same afternoon?
Where else can you
witness ancient Bunraku
puppet theatre, and
still have time to
catch a cutting-edge
Anime movie at the
25 theatre multiplex?
If modern Japan is
a contrast of the
old and the new, the
result for the tourist
is a list of things
to do in Japan that
are different, exciting,
exotic and adventurous.
From the secluded
northern island of
Hokkaido, to the karaoke
bars, neon lit shopping
districts and numerous
downtown Tokyo
attractions, there
is never a shortage
of things to do in
Japan during your
stay. Here is a list
of ten things you
shouldn’t miss.
Tokyo’s Imperial
Palace
The first stop on your
Tokyo sightseeing
tour (besides the
cash machine), the
Imperial Palace is
home to the emperor
and his family and
much of the palace
grounds are closed
to the public. The
castle is surrounded
by moats and massive
stone walls, and is
just a short walk
from the main Tokyo
rail station.
Kokyo Gaien
Located outside the
palace, the Kokyo
Gaien (palace garden)
is open to the public
and a suitable spot
to snap a postcard
perfect photo. The
garden is also one
of the most heavily
trafficked of all
Tokyo sightseeing
options, so be sure
to come early in the
morning or late in
the afternoon to avoid
crowds.
Mt. Fuji
If Tokyo sightseeing
leaves you feeling
a bit claustrophobic,
head south towards
the majestic and almost
perfectly symmetrical
cone of 12,388 ft
Mt. Fuji. A sacred
volcano imbued with
a living spirit, Mt
Fuji can be climbed
from July 1 to August
31. But if you don’t
feel like climbing,
the nearby Hakone
National Park and
its many natural hot
springs are a perfect
way to relax.
Sumo Wrestling
Sumo is a unique sport
in that everyone knows
of it, but hardly
anyone outside Japan
understands its rules,
or could name a single
sumo wrestler. This
Tokyo attraction is
best seen in mid January
when the first tournament
of the year, Hatsu
Basho, is held
for fifteen days at
Tokyo’s Kokugikan.
Fire Walking
One of the hottest Tokyo
attractions is the
Fire-Walking Ceremony
held in mid march
at the foot of Mount
Takao. Come see this
1400-year-old, pre-Buddhist
sect of Yamabushi
Monks meditate for
hours, perform a mesmerizing
fire dance and then
take the hot walk.
And if you feel up
to it, you can even
participate!
Kabuki, Noh
and Bunraku
These three distinct
types of traditional
Japanese theatre are
a feast for the eyes
and the ears—even
if you can’t understand
a word of the production!—and
a mainstay of modern
Japan tourism. The
best place to watch
a show is in Kyoto,
or, if you’re lucky,
a rickety old village
theatre.
Hiroshima
If you travel in Japan,
the Peace Memorial
Museum that stands
witness to the atomic
bomb dropped here
on August 6th
1945, is a sober reminder
of the horrors of
nuclear war. The Hiroshima
Peace Memorial, known
as the Genbaku Dome,
was the only structure
left standing in the
area where the first
atomic bomb exploded.
It is today a Unesco
World Heritage site.
Hokkaido
This is Japan’s northernmost
island and the volcanic
landscape of the relatively
unpopulated Hokkaido
is highlighted by
lakes and forests,
and provides a perfect
destination for those
seeking adventure
travel in Japan. One
of the best National
Parks is Daisetsuzan.
Densely forested and
mountainous this unspoiled
wilderness is perfect
for outdoor enthusiasts.
The Kodo Drum
Festival
The remote island of
Sado-ga-shima, is
home to a famous Japanese
taiko drumming
troupe. Each year
a world-renowned dance,
drumming and music
festival is held,
making this event
a remote but interesting
Japan tourism option.
The Tono Valley
If you crave a vacation
that includes rural
travel in Japan, hire
a bike or hook up
with a Japan tourism
company and spend
a day cycling or bussing
through this picturesque
valley.
