Inspiration for holidays in Japan

1

Mount Fuji

Mount Fiji is one of the most iconic sights in Japan.  Standing 3776m to its peak it’s the tallest mountain in Japan and is an active volcano.  There’s plenty to see and do on and around the mountain including the Mt Fuji 5^th Station Observation Deck.  The observation deck is 2300m above sea level and provides jaw dropping views of the surrounding landscapes along with a spectacular view of Mt Fuji’s perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone.

2

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) – Kyoto

Kinkaku-Ji, a three-storey pavilion, was originally bought, in 1397 from the Saionji family, as a retirement villa for the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. It became a Zen Temple in 1408 but suffered extensive damage in a fire in 1950 and had to be rebuilt using traditional methods and plans. The three-storey temple, with the two top floors covered in gold leaf, still stands in the original strolling garden created in 1397.

4

Winter Snow Festival – Sapporo

The Sapporo Snow Festival (Yuki Matsuri) held for 1 week in February, was first held in 1950 in Odori Park. Since then, it has developed into a huge festival featuring spectacular snow and ice carvings that attract over two million visitors a year. Some of the larger snow sculptures can be more than 25 meters wide and 15 meters high.

5

Peace Memorial Park & Museum – Hiroshima

Hiroshima has a complex history and is well known around the world as it was almost completely destroyed in 1945 during world war II by an atomic bomb. Now days it is a bright and vibrant city which promotes peace and understanding. It has a beautiful Peace Memorial Park and Museum with 70 monuments and memorials dedicated to the those who lost their life. The only building that was not destroyed by the bomb has been preserved untouched and is known as the Atomic Bomb Dome which is a UNESCO world heritage listed site.

7

Hida Folk Village -Takayama

Hida Folk Village is a beautiful, and one of the best, examples of an open-air museum that exhibits more than 30 traditional thatched-roof houses in a village setting in the hills. Many of these houses were built during the Edo Period (1603 – 1867) and were relocated from their original locations to create the museum at Takayama.

8

Beppu ‘Hell Holes’ – Kyushu

The Beppu ‘Hell Holes’ are a natural hot spring tourist attraction, that are not suitable for bathing as they are too hot. They feature such ponds as the ‘White Pond’ with a milky appearance, ‘Sea Hell’ a pond of boiling blue water, a Mud Pond with bubbles emerging from boiling silver mud pools, the ‘blood pond’ of hot red water and the ‘hell spout’ a geyser of boiling water that erupts every 30-40 minutes

10

Kanazawa

Kanazawa, the seat of the Maeda Clan during the Edo Period (1603-1867) was the second most powerful feudal clan in Japan. Now, the town is famous for the Magnificent Kenrokuen Garden (rated in the top 3 gardens of Japan) preserved Samurai District, the historic Higashi Chaya District, the production of Gold Leafing and specialty food of gold-leafed ice cream.

11

Okinawa

Okinawa, Japan’s most southern island, is a tropical paradise with its coral white beaches, lush jungle, many small islands and stunning scenery. To make the most of this island we would recommend staying at least 5 nights.

13

Ritsurin Garden – Takamatsu

Ritsurin Garden, a landscaped garden in Takamatsu (Shikoku Island) was built by local feudal lords during the early Edo Period. Set at the base of Mount Shuin, the Ritsurin Garden is considered one of the best and most picturesque gardens in Japan with its manicured lawns, lakes and the magnificent Kikugetsu-tei Traditional Tea House.

14

Miyajima Island

Miyajima (Japanese for ‘Shrine Island’) a small island less than an hour from Hiroshima, was founded in 806 and is regarded as the island of the gods. It’s most famous for its giant floating Torii Gate and has been ranked as one of the top three scenic spots in Japan.