Cultures of Japan

Tokyo Sightseeing Highlights:

• Tokyo: One of the 47 prefectures of Japan, the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the most populous metropolitan area in the world. Seat of the Japanese government, Imperial Palace, and Imperial Family. Located in the Kantō region on Honshu.
• The Tokyo Tower: 333 meters tall (13 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower), the world’s tallest self-supporting steel tower. Completed in 1958 as a symbol for Japan’s rebirth, serving as a broadcast antenna and tourist attraction.
• Happo-en (Tea Ceremony): View nature from every angle at the garden of eight views, preserving Edo ambience, and enjoy a traditional tea ceremony.
• Imperial Palace Plaza: Located on the former site of Edo Castle in the center of Tokyo, residence of Japan’s Imperial Family (Access to East Garden Only).
• Sumida River Cruise: Pass beneath 12 bridges on the historically significant Sumida River, starting at Hinode Pier and ending at Azumabashi on Tokyo Bay.
• Asakusa Sightseeing: Center of Tokyo’s shitamachi (“low city”) where past decades survive. Main attraction is Sensoji, a popular Buddhist temple.
• Nakamise Shopping Street: Stretches over 250 meters from Kaminarimon to Sensoji Temple, lined by 50+ shops offering local specialties and souvenirs.
• Ginza (Drive by): Tokyo’s most uptown, classy, and luxurious shopping district filled with towering department stores and brand-name shops.

Hakone & Mt. Fuji Highlights:

• Hakone: Part of Shizuoka Prefecture, less than 100 km from Tokyo. Famous for hot springs, outdoor activities, natural beauty, and Mt. Fuji views.
• Mt. Fuji 5th Station: Mount Fuji (Fujisan) stands at 3,776 meters as Japan’s highest mountain, worshipped as a sacred volcano.
• Lake Ashi Cruise: A scenic crater lake along the caldera wall of Mount Hakone, known for stunning views of Mt. Fuji, hot springs, and ferry rides.
• Mt. Komagatake Ropeway: Japan’s first mountain ropeway line offering exquisite panoramic views of Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps, Mt. Ontake, and rare alpine flowers.

Kyoto & Nara Sightseeing Highlights:

• Kyoto: Former imperial capital of Japan for over 1,000 years (“City of Ten Thousand Shrines”), located in the Kansai region with a population of 1.5 million.
• Nijo Castle: A UNESCO World Heritage Site completed in 1626, built to lodge Tokugawa Shoguns.
• Kinkaku-ji Temple: World Heritage Site also known as the Golden Pavilion, featuring wooden architecture covered in pure gold surrounded by a lake.
• Kyoto Imperial Palace: Preserves the look and ambiance of ancient dynasties, rebuilt in 1855, featuring structures like Shisinden and Seiryoden.
• Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: Houses the God of scholarship, famous for plum blossom and autumn leaf seasons.
• Nara Park & Todai-ji Temple: Symbol of the Nara Period, housing one of the world’s largest wooden structures and bronze Great Buddha.
• Kasuga Taisha Shrine: World Heritage shrine where Nara Park’s sacred deer roam.
• Nara Nagomikan: The largest souvenir shop in Nara.

Hiroshima & Miyajima Highlights:

• Hiroshima: Capital of Hiroshima Prefecture and largest city in the Chūgoku region. Known historically as the first city targeted by a nuclear weapon in 1945.
• Miyajima Island & Itsukushima Shrine: Famous UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the iconic floating torii gate and shrine established under Empress Suiko.
• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum: Established in 1949 as a symbol of peace, housing the preserved Atomic Bomb Dome.

Osaka Highlights:

• Osaka Castle: Founded in the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as a symbol of his power.
• Osaka Aqua Liner: Okawa River Cruise showcasing seasonal landscapes and notable historical sites.
• Umeda Sky Building: Landmark building featuring twin 40-story towers connected at the upper stories by bridges and escalators.
• Tempozan Harbor Village: Japan’s first “Festival Market Place” with shops, restaurants, and entertainment spaces.
• Namba Shopping District: Vast underground and surface shopping mall network at Nankai Namba Station.

Kobe Highlights:

• Kobe: Japan’s sixth-largest city and capital of Hyōgo Prefecture, located on Osaka Bay.
• Kobe City Museum: Opened in 1982, combining archaeological and Namban art collections.
• Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake Memorial Museum: Opened in 2002 to commemorate the 1995 earthquake and educate visitors on disaster prevention.
• Mahaveer Jain Temple: Opened on June 1, 1985, serving the local Jain community.