Japan things to see and do

Tourist offices

Japan National Tourist Organisation (JNTO) in the USA

19th Floor, 11 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Tel: (212) 757 5640.
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1700.
www.japantravelinfo.com

Japan National Tourist Organisation (JNTO) in the UK

5th Floor, 12 Nicholas Lane, London, EC4N 7BN, United Kingdom
Tel: (020) 7398 5678.
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1730.
www.seejapan.co.uk

Things to see and do

Geisha dances

Kyoto's geisha dances (odori) are held in April, May and October, are open to all. The most prestigious is the Miyako Odori (www.miyako-odori.jp/odori_en.html) held throughout April every year in the geisha quarter of Gion.

Himeji Castle

Himeji-jo is Japan’s most impressive castle. Dating from the 17th century, it is in excellent original condition and is dominated by a towering six-storey central donjon. The castle is also known as Shirasagi-jō, or “transparent egret castle”, because of its gabled donjons and is supposed to resemble the shape of the bird in flight. Himeji-jo survived the WW2 bombings that destroyed much of Himeji city, and in 1993 it was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list. It has also featured in many Japanese samurai television dramas, as well as Hollywood movies such as the 007 adventure set in Japan, You Only Live Twice, and the Tom Cruise film, The Last Samurai.

Website: http://www.himeji-castle.gr.jp

Kumano Kodo

The Kumano Kodo, literally the 'Kumano ancient road', is an ancient pilgrimage route in the mountains of Wakayama Prefecture. It is an area of stunning natural beauty — forests, waterfalls, tea fields and soothing hot springs. It is also the spiritual heartland of Japanese mythology, and unique for its synthesis of Buddhism and Shintoism. Since 2004, it's been a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kyoto International Manga Museum

The Kyoto International Manga Museum, housed in an old primary school, is the first museum in the world devoted to manga, or Japanese comics. The museum has a massive collection, both historical and contemporary, as well as international editions of Japanese comics and the works of international comic artists. Best of all, visitors are allowed to take the comics off the shelf and read them in one of the many reading spaces or outside on the lawn. Manga workshops are held at weekends and there are regular exhibitions of Japanese and international comics.

Website: http://www.kyotomm.jp

Naoshima

Naoshima is an island in the Seto Inland Sea, located off the coast of Okayama Prefecture. Originally a fishing port, the island is now home to an exciting array of contemporary art museums, including one which also functions as a hotel, and outdoor art exhibits. Old houses on the island have been converted into exhibition spaces.

Shirakawa-go Mountain Village

In the mountains of central Japan, lies the remote yet picturesque area of Shirakawa-go, which is famous for its Gassho-zukuri farmhouses. These charming traditional houses have high and narrow thatched rooves – said to resemble gassho or hands together in prayer. This architectural style developed as a result of the heavy winter snows in the area, and also became a place to cultivate silk worms. Many of the still-inhabited farmhouses are open to the public for inspection and offer a fascinating glimpse of both traditional and modern rural life. In winter, hoards of photographers descend upon the villages of Shirakawa-go, to capture the farmhouses covered in snow. The farmhouses are also extremely photogenic in spring and summer.

Website: http://www.shirakawa-go.org

Cherry blossom parties

From April through May, sakura or cherry trees start blossoming across the country, and lively parties are held underneath the pretty blossoms. The most famous areas are in Ueno Park in Tokyo and Maruyama Park in Kyoto.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Hiroshima in Western Honshu is known around the world as the city which was destroyed by the world's first atomic bomb on August 6, 1945. Every year, millions of visitors come to the city to pay their respects in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Memorial Museum. The park, which was reconstructed in 1949, is home to many famous monuments and buildings, including the Children's Peace Monument and the A-Bomb Dome, which was built in 1915 and designed by the Czech architect Jan Letzel. The ruins of the dome, which are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, have become the symbol of an international desire for peace.

Website: http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp

Hokkaido

This northern island was for a long time Japan's 'Wild West', and it still retains a distinct pioneer feel. Hokkaido is home to the last of Japan's indigenous Ainu people, and the remnants of their distinct culture. The Hokkaido Ainu Center (www.ainu-assn.or.jp/english/eabout07.html) is in Sapporo, and the Ainu Museum (www.ainu-museum.or.jp/en/index.html) is in Shiranoi.

Hot springs

When the Japanese want to relax, they head to a natural hot spring resort, or onsen. Famous ones include Dogo in Matsuyama, Shikoku, one of the oldest in Japan; and Ibusuki, on the southern tip of Kyushu, renowned for its hot-sand saunas.

Japanese tea ceremony

Arrange to take part in a traditional tea ceremony through the tourist information centres in Kyoto and Tokyo. The elegant ritual takes place in a tranquil room designed and designated for tea, a chashitsu, and is steeped in seasonal symbolism.

Kamakura

This pleasant coastal town, one hour south of Tokyo, was the seat of Japan's medieval feudal government, and is full of historic sights. Highlights include the giant bronze Great Buddha and colourful shrine Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu.

Kyoto

Don't miss the visiting the imperial capital of Japan for over 1,000 years, Kyoto. Founded in AD794, Kyoto's sights include the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji), the Zen rock garden of Ryoanji, the dramatic verandah of Kiyomizu Temple and the medieval Nijo Castle with its musical “nightingale floor”. The historic Gion geisha district makes for a wonderful late afternoon wander.

Miyajima

Near Hiroshima is the picturesque island of Miyajima, where a famous red Shinto torii gateway seemingly floats on the sea at high tide. Attractions include the Itsukushima Shrine, the tame deer, and the cable car up the central mountain for panoramic views.

Mount Fuji

From July to early September it's possible to climb Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain at 3,776m (12,388ft) tall. You won't be alone, as in high season there are queues along several parts of the route (www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp). There are lodges along the route where you can stop for a rest or refreshments.

Website: http://www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp

Nara

One hour south of Kyoto, Nara was the first imperial capital of Japan, and marked the far eastern end of the Silk Road. See the Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple, the world's largest wooden structure at 57m (187ft) high, and the sacred deer in ancient Nara Park.

Okinawa

Head to the subtropical islands of Okinawa, south of Japan, for sun-drenched, transparent-sand beaches, friendly locals and turquoise waters. Okinawa is the best place in Japan for water sports. Diving and surfing are also popular.

Osaka

Japan's third largest city is renowned for its abundance of excellent restaurants, historic castle (an excellent reproduction of the original) and the performing arts of kabuki and bunraku. The city's Dotonburi area is particularly vibrant after dark.

Sanjusangen-do Temple

Completed in 1266, the Sanjusangen-do Temple which is officially called Rengeo-in Temple, is a faithful copy of an original that was built in 1164, but burned down in 1249. Originally built by Taira no Kiyomori for the emperor Go-Shirakawa, the temple is today a national treasure. It is best known for its wooden image of the Thousand-Armed Kannon (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy), a masterpiece of the Kamakura period, which stands surrounded by 1000 smaller statues of the same goddess. The hondo (main building) is split into 33 sanjusan (bays) that exist between its many pillars to symbolise the 33 incarnations of Kannon, hence the name Sanjusangen-do Temple, which literally means '33 bay hall'.

Website: http://www.sanjusangendo.jp

Sapporo Snow Festival

Every February, Sapporo, Hokkaido's vibrant capital, hosts its extraordinary Snow Festival (www.snowfes.com). The ice party lasts for seven days and is marked by huge, elaborate snow and ice sculptures. Several other towns in Hokkaido also have snow and ice festivals during the winter.

Sensoji Temple

This is Tokyo’s most revered Buddhist temple, and pilgrims have flocked here for over 1,000 years – though its size, noise and commerce may surprise you. A military commander commissioned Sensoji’s entrance gate – and boy does it show! Giant lanterns watch over smoking incense, swirling crowds and teeming shops. Originally founded in AD628 to enshrine a statuette of the Kannon Bodhisattva (the Goddess of Mercy), damage from bombing raids mean that today you’ll find a lavish, five-storey reconstruction. Smoke from the huge incense burner in front of the temple is said to have healing powers.

Website: http://www.senso-ji.jp

Skiing

Come winter, do as many Japanese do and hit the slopes. Mountains here are covered in top-class ski resorts (www.skijapanguide.com), especially in the central Japanese Alps and Hokkaido, and are famous for their powder snow. Many resorts also have onsen (hot springs) to relax in après-ski.

Sumo wrestling

Watching sumo wrestling is an exciting and very traditional Japanese experience. Six major tournaments are held throughout the year in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka (www.sumo.or.jp/eng). Tickets can be purchased in advance or on the day.

Theme Parks

Universal Studios Japan (www.usj.co.jp) in Osaka and Tokyo's Disney Resort (www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp) are both enormously popular with families. Even better is Tokyo's delightful Ghibli Museum (www.ghibli-museum.jp) based on the animated movies of Studio Ghibli.

Tokyo's Imperial Palace

Gain access to generally off-limits parts of the Imperial Palace grounds by joining a tour (www.kunaicho.go.jp/eindex.html). Otherwise, the East Gardens (Higashi Gyoen) are open year round without prior booking.

Traditional Performing Arts

In Tokyo or Osaka book a seat to see some bunraku, a unique form of puppet theatre, or the dramatic forms of noh and kabuki theatre which feature participants dressed in colourful traditional costumes (www.ntj.jac.go.jp).

Tsukiji Fish Market

Get up early to witness the world's largest fish market at Tsukiji (www.tsukiji-market.or.jp) in Tokyo. The action kicks off around 0400 and winds down around midday. Visitors must register by 5am at the Information Center for a special tour. Afterwards, feast on the freshest of sushi and sashimi at the restaurants beside the market.

Whale and dolphin watching

Several former whaling ports have caught onto the tourist value of switching to whale-watching tours. Between January and April is a good time to go whale or dolphin watching in eastern and western Japan (www.whaleroute.com/areas/japan).