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Japan

6

Reasons To
Visit Japan

  • City life

    Modern and exciting cities make up much of the Japanese landscape, encapsulated by sleek bullet trains, flashing neon lights and dizzying skyscrapers. Scratch the surface to find hidden temples, preserved samurai quarters and local markets.

    City life

  • Food

    From delicate sashimi to prime grade steaks washed down with a local beer or a cup of hot sake, every mouthful you try in Japan will certainly be memorable and more often than not, delicious.

    Food

  • Ryokan accommodation

    A stay in a Japanese ryokan inn is an unbeatable opportunity to experience true Japanese hospitality, including kaiseki cuisine, hot onsen baths and sleeping on a tatami mat.

    Ryokan accommodation

  • Scenery

    Although the image of Japan is that of skyscrapers and flashing neon, most of the country is rural, rugged and mountainous, providing excellent walking and hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.

    Scenery

  • Temples & shrines

    Kyoto alone has over 1600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines paying homage to a number of different deities and gods. Enter the through the large torii gate and contemplate.

    Temples & shrines

  • Traditional culture

    From tea ceremonies and flower arrangements to lavish Geisha attended kaiseki banquets, Japanese culture is the most refined and elaborate in the world.

    Traditional culture

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Japan

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Excursions in Japan: Nara Excursion

Like nearby Kyoto, Nara was once the Japanese capital and a source of enormous cultural and religious outpourings. Unlike its more celebrated neighbour, however, Nara has survived relatively untouched by modern advances and remains a relaxed town dotted with temples, shrines and parkland.

Todaiji Temple
Todaiji temple, NaraFeeding the deer at Nara ParkTodaiji Temple, NaraStatues at Todaiji Temple

Nara Excursion

Kyoto, Japan
  • Culture & History

Like nearby Kyoto, Nara was once the Japanese capital and a source of enormous cultural and religious outpourings. Unlike its more celebrated neighbour, however, Nara has survived relatively untouched by modern advances and remains a relaxed town dotted with temples, shrines and parkland.

From the fifth and sixth centuries onwards this region was Japan's cultural heartland, and successive rulers displayed their devotion to the recently introduced Buddhist faith by building splendid temples and commissioning grand works of art. Many of these remain today, including the most famous, Todai-ji Temple, home to the great bronze Buddha housed in Japan's largest wooden structure.

Also worthy of a visit are the Kofuku-ji and Horyu-ji temples nearby. The parkland at the eastern end of town boasts the greatest number of these temples and is a pleasant area to stroll at leisure.

Nara is also home to several tame deer roaming through the park area. You are able to buy food for them at various kiosks. The deer can be quite frisky and will try to nibble items of clothing, but are generally friendly.

Nara is only a short 45 minute train-ride from Kyoto, and makes for a pleasant day trip or overnight stay if time allows.

Other countries in North Asia & Russia:
ChinaKyrgyzstanMongoliaRussiaTaiwanTibetUkraineUzbekistan

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