HISTORIC KYOTO With 1,600 Buddhist temples and more UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites than any other city on earth, the majestic city of Kyoto is an absolute must for any culture vulture (p180).ĬHERRY BLOSSOM SEASON Each spring, as the cherry blossom front sweeps northwards, the Japanese population indulges in one of its all-time favorite pastimes: hanami – picnicking under blooms. Hot in winter, or cold in summer, it’s the perfect thirst quencher (p65). SIPPING SAKE Made from a large-grain rice and koji (yeast), sake gets its rich flavor from its unique fermentation process. Expect loin-cloth-clad revellers, sumo wrestlers, and tantalizing scents drifting from stalls (p70).įANTASTICAL CASTLES From the imposing fortresses of the Warring States Period, such as Kumamoto Castle (p274), to Himeji-jo’s graceful donjon (p224), Japan’s castles seem straight out of a fairy tale. RIOTOUS FESTIVALS Don’t let its introvert reputation fool you – Japan hosts some raucous celebrations. Explore the world of manga, anime, and cosplay in Tokyo’s Harajuku district (p94). Don a yukata (kimono), indulge in a communal bath and savour a home-cooked meal, washed down with plenty of sake.ĬELEBRATING OTAKU Once an offensive term for a super fan, more and more people are calling themselves otaku. STAYING IN A RYOKAN These guesthouses provide the ultimate Japanese experience.
Silently speeding at 200 mph (320km/h), you’ll feel as if you’re already in the future. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Japan.Īn avant-garde capital that pulsates with quirky cosplayers and raucous karaoke bars, hovering trains that rocket through awe-inspiring countryside, engrossing traditions, and an obsession with etiquette – what’s not to love?įAST TRAINS When Japan launched the shinkansen in 1964, they left the rest of the world in the dust.
Whether you’re staying for a few days, weeks or longer, this Eyewitness guide will ensure that you see the very best Japan has to offer. We’ve broken the country down into easily navigable chapters, with detailed itineraries, expert local knowledge and colourful, comprehensive maps to help you plan the perfect visit. Even with its unparalleled rail networks, Japan can still overwhelm with the sheer number of unmissable sites on offer. And don’t forget Osaka, where proud locals, a chaotic downtown and vibrant food scene meet under the enormous shadow of the country’s largest castle. The ancient capital of Kyoto – the ying to Tokyo’s yang – with its gilded shrines and graceful geisha, is a heritage wonderland, and – whisper it – a cosmopolitan city.
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Tokyo, the capital, where it sometimes feels that the only constant is change, is a science-fiction movie brought to life, with its cosplaying locals, cat-filled cafés, and psychedelic neon street scenes. Japanese efficiency is no myth – these islands may be some of the most densely populated on the planet, but the country’s thronging cities really do run like clockwork. This is a land of eternal natural beauty, as well as the yearly flowering and falling of ethereal cherry blossoms. In between, you’ll discover the snow-covered slopes of Hokkaido, majestic Mount Fuji, the otherworldly Arashiyama bamboo grove, and much more besides. 4 Kiyomizu-dera Temple, surrounded by fall foliage.įormed of thousands of scattered islands, Japan’s impossibly varied landscape stretches 1,864 miles (3,000 km) from the edge of Siberia in the north to tropical Okinawa in the south. 2 Neon lights of Tokyo’s frenetic Akihabara Electronics District. Whatever your dream trip to Japan includes, this DK Eyewitness Travel Guide is the perfect companion.ģ 1 A stone statue of the Buddha at Eikan-do, Kyoto. Japan is a land of contrasts – of tranquil zen gardens and steaming onsen, teeming crowds and robot restaurants – and it has charmed visitors for centuries because of it. Konnichiwa from one of the most fascinating countries on earth. 8 Reasons to Love Japan.10 Explore Japan. Left: Sake barrels at Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Previous page: Oarai Isosaki-jinja, Northern Honshu Front cover: The iconic silhouette of Mount Fuji 136ĮXPERIENCE JAPAN 146 Central Honshu.148