The Top Ten Reasons to Travel to Japan Soon
Japan is an enthralling country of economic and business strength, rich culture, technological prowess, geographical conundrums, and paradoxes. From 1968 until 2010, Japan was the world's second biggest economy for more than 40 years. With a population of 32.5 million people, Tokyo, Japan's capital city, is the world's biggest metropolitan region. Despite having a land area slightly larger than Germany and a population somewhat lower than California, Japan is the world's tenth most populous country, with 127.3 million inhabitants.
"The Top 10 Reasons to Visit Japan Soon"
Though Japan is still still closed to British visitors (as of December 10th), the tourist authorities have recently announced the relaunch of its British-facing tourism board, and we couldn't be more happy to finally get to share some of the amazing reasons to visit Japan with you.
The tourism board is planning to make travel firms ready for Japan's opening to visitors, and we can only image how many people are excited about it. Japan is highly popular among travelers for a variety of reasons, and we've never met someone who was thrilled about a trip to Japan who wasn't gushing about it.
There are so many fantastic reasons to visit Japan, from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, from current culture to ancient culture, history and architecture, and a tremendous quantity of breathtaking nature, but here are just a few.
1. Tokyo:
So, of course, we couldn't write about all the fantastic reasons to visit Japan without mentioning Tokyo. Tokyo lies at the heart of many of Japan's attractions for certain tourists, despite the fact that Japan attracts such a varied spectrum of visitors.
Tokyo has several strange and amazing things to offer, as well as colorful city life, towering architecture, and a big section of the pop culture scene. These cityscapes coexist with a lively commercial scene, historical monuments, and beautiful botanical gardens, and are even adjacent to some excellent hiking trails like Mt. Takao (you can find out more about the attractions of Tokyo in the Visit Tokyo site).
Even if you aren't drawn to the sights in Tokyo, if you're searching for an outstanding central hub for your activities in Japan, there is a vast choice of lodging in Tokyo ranging from hotel pods to luxury accommodations. Furthermore, Tokyo's public transit is well-known for its efficiency. Even if you're not interested in pop culture, fashion, or the cityscape, we highly recommend seeing Tokyo at least for a day trip when visiting Japan; there's no other city like it.
2. Mount Fuji:
Mount Fuji, another well-known Japanese destination, is often regarded as one of the country's most stunning sights. It is certainly one of the top reasons to visit Japan for all types of travelers, and it is a sight that can never be completely portrayed in a photograph due to its grandeur.
Mount Fuji, also known as Fujisan, is the tallest point in Japan's volcanic range and is regarded as a holy mountain. It is popular all year, and when you visit Mount Fuji, you are there for the experience of visiting it, not the mountain itself. This is not a short excursion, but it is well worth dedicating a day to it in order to really appreciate it.
What more proof do you need? It is also regarded as a symbol of Japan and is shown in a variety of artwork. It's certainly no surprise that there are several fantastic tours and guides available to see Mount Fuji. Whether you're a hiker or simply captivated by its beauty, there's little doubt that Mount Fuji is one of the top reasons to visit Japan.
3. Food:
When you think of Japanese food, you generally think of sushi, right? Sushi is a love/hate cuisine (personally, it's one of my favorites), but it's not the only fantastic dish available in Japan. In fact, Japan has such a diverse selection of excellent cuisine, building on what we already know and love while introducing new flavors, that we're confident there's something for everyone.
There's no limit to the excellent flavors in Japan, from sushi to noodles, the intriguing diversity of vending machine meals in Tokyo, great drinks, warm foods, cold foods, luxurious foods, and street foods. But it's not just the cuisine that makes Japanese dining so delicious; it's also the experience. When visiting Japan, we highly encourage eating out at a variety of locations; the experience is a large part of the delight, and the experience varies depending on where you go.
If you prefer more informal meals, there are lots of street foods and noodle bars to choose from, and let's be honest, we're all wondering about how they have so many different sorts of kit kat and what those ramune bottles are like. Whatever kind of experience you're searching for, Japan has it.
4. Architecture
If this list wasn't restricted to just ten reasons to visit Japan, this point would take up half of it. One of the most intriguing aspects of Japan is the balance between the old and magnificently historical side of the nation and the hyper-modern side of the country, which both draw a wide range of people all year round. This is visible in a variety of ways, the most prominent of which is architecture.
The architecture of Japan is fantastic, from the amazing temples, shrines, and castles that are rich in history and culture to the structures of cityscapes like Tokyo. Even if you're just enjoying it as you tour a city or town, this is a compelling incentive to go; it actually transports you to another planet.
There are just too many wonderful locations to mention, but Hasedera Temple, Enryaku Temple in Kyoto, and the Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo are three of my favorites. Hasedera, in particular, is home to a well-known 11-headed wooden sculpture of the Goddess of Mercy, and the tales surrounding this shrine are enthralling.
5. Festivals and Matsura:
Festivals are an essential and beautiful characteristic of Japan all year. From the three most important ones, such as the Shinto Sanno Matsura Festival, which features a beautiful temple called Hida-Sannogu, to bright, modern festivals in Tokyo, the events you will find in Japan are lively and awesome to be a part of, and we recommend witnessing at least one when you visit.
There's always something exciting going on in Japan, no matter what time of year you come. Yuki Matsuri in Hokkaido, commonly known as the Sapporo Snow Festival, is one of Japan's most popular winter festivities, taking place in January and February. There are other large events, such as Gion Matsuri, which lasts the full month of July and is quite popular in Kyoto.
If you're searching for vivid colors, parades, and mythological creatures, we propose Aomori Nebuta Matsuri in August, when you can see the daily procession of lantern floats, which is certainly the highlight of the whole day.
6. Pop Culture:
There is so much to see and see in Japan, whether it's Studio Ghibli, Nintendo, various anime and video game cultures, or even the fashion that thrives, that it's without a doubt one of the top reasons to come. There's nothing like being present in the moment. You may even go to Super Nintendo Land or one of Tokyo's large Pokemon Centers.
There's a reason Japan is recognized and appreciated for the fantastic anime, games, and lifestyle items that come out of it, and even shopping in some of the stores is enthralling. We dare you to visit some of Japan's pop culture sites and not appreciate the joyful sensations that emanate from them.
7. Onsen:
Onsen spas are often hot springs that are accompanied by traditional Japanese inns; some are even located in onsen towns. Because Japan has some volcanoes, the magnificent natural hot springs that these are constructed around are available. Japan is one of the few places where this natural type of relaxation can be found, and the onsens are definitely worth a visit.
Whatever location you're in, there are over 2000 onsen to pick from; you may even center your vacation in a specific onsen town to soak up the clean ambiance and thoroughly unwind away from home life. We wholeheartedly suggest one of these spas as one of the finest reasons to visit Japan, regardless of your reason for going.
8. World Heritage Sites:
There may be a whole list dedicated to natural beauty in Japan. However, in order to fit it into our list, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites are unquestionably a good spot to focus on for some breathtaking natural excursions to promote.
It should come as no surprise that Japan has over 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 19 of which are cultural, and one of which is, of course, Mount Fuji itself. Another popular attraction is Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, a beautiful shrine surrounded by water. This is situated along the Golden Route, which is a trek across Japan to view some incredible sights; many new travelers follow this track for good cause.
Himeji Castle, Japan's biggest castle, is another of these magnificent places. This may be one of the top reasons to visit Japan; with such a fascinating and breathtaking edifice to admire, you could easily spend an entire day touring one of Japan's castles and learning about its history.
9. Cherry Blossom Season:
Do I need to say more? The cherry blossom season, or sakura, is a magical time for both visitors and locals. A lovely springtime period when everyone gathers beneath the pink cherry blossom trees to celebrate the arrival of spring and the delicate beauty of the cherry blossoms.
If you only visit Japan once, we strongly advise you to travel during the sakura season; it's unlike anything else you'll see and you won't want to miss it. There are also blossom viewing parties where you may enjoy this two-week time in the company of others.
There are also special edition delicacies and goodies available during this time period with the sakura in mind, so you can bring a small piece of springtime home with you, or simply consume some wonderful pink delights in honor of the blooms themselves.
10. The Powder Snow:
Many people say that Japan boasts some of the best snow in the world in the winter. That is taken literally. Japan is recognized for having delicate, fluffy snow in the winter, ideal for creating that winter paradise you've always imagined, as well as some fantastic snow sports.
In fact, Japan is recognized for having a ski resort that has been rated one of the greatest on the world for the powder snow in the peaks and the breathtaking views that it provides. So, if you enjoy skiing or snowboarding, this is almost certainly already on your list of locations to visit.
If you enjoy being active and seeing the natural beauty of Japan during the winter, this may be one of the best reasons to visit Japan ever. Japan's winter season and mountainscapes are completely unique; you won't want to miss them.
So, if you're thrilled to schedule a future vacation in Japan in anticipation of the reopening, don't forget to contact a travel agency registered with PTS, which provides 100% financial security via trust. If you need help deciding which of the excellent PTS members to schedule with, you may call PTS directly at 0207 190 9988.
Check out our website to learn more about your consumer protection with PTS or how the Package Travel Regulations safeguard your trip booking.