Experience our Finest Collection in Japan

Hiroshima Castle

Built on the plain in the city, as opposed to the typical hilltop or mountaintop of regal residences, Hiroshima Castle is both the physical and economic centre of the city. Though it was destroyed in 1945 by the atomic bomb, it’s since been rebuilt and is home to an informative museum depicting the history of the castle and others in Japan, as well as offering panoramic views of the city from the top floor.

Imperial Palace

Located on the former site of Edo Castle, the Imperial Palace is the current residence of Japan’s Imperial Family and sits in a large park area, surrounded by moats and stone walls in the centre of Tokyo. At the front, a large plaza showcases views of the quaint Nijubashi – two bridges that form the entrance to the inner palace. Guests can only enter the inner grounds on 2 January (New Year’s Greeting) and 23 December (Emperor’s birthday), otherwise, they are closed to the general public. You can take a guided tour of the grounds for the rest of the year, though no buildings are entered.

Tokyo Skytree

An iconic addition to Tokyo’s skyline, the Skytree is a television broadcasting tower and landmark of the region. Measuring 634m, it’s currently the tallest structure in Japan and the second tallest in the world at the time of completion. An aquarium and shopping centre are situated at the base, however, it’s the two observation decks which are the highlights of the tower. From a height of either 350m or 450m, witness the spectacular views of Tokyo at one of the highest observation decks in the world.

Sensoji Temple

Sensoji Temple, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple, is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa and is one of Tokyo’s most colourful and popular temples. It’s the region’s oldest temple, having been built in 645 for Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The temple comprises a 200m shopping street called Nakamise; the temple’s main hall and five-stories pagoda; and the Asakusa Shrine.

Meiji Shrine

Dedicated to the deity of Emperor Meiji, the Meiji Shrine is located in Tokyo, close to the Yoyogi Station. The whole complex is situated within a forested area which is great for a relaxing stroll during your visit. The main section of shrine buildings is marked by a large torii gate, where the Meiji Jingu forest covers the outside world and creates a tranquil setting to explore.

Currently, the Treasure House – which displays many personal belongings of the Emperor – is closed due to renovations ahead of the shrine’s 100th anniversary in 2020.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

For the ultimate torii gate experience, head to the Fushimi Inari Shrine which is found in southern Kyoto. Here, thousands of bright red torii gates line a network of trails around the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari. Inari is the Shinto god of rice and Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousand shrines also dedicated to him. It’s believed that foxes are Inari’s messengers, so you can also spot many fox statues across the grounds.

Motomachi

The harbour of Hakodate was one of the first to welcome foreign trade in 1854, following Japan’s era of isolation. Many traders then came from China, Russia and Western countries, resulting in the district of Motomachi being built which replicate the western-style architecture and influences from Russian and Chinese cultures. Popular buildings include the Russian Orthodox Church, the Old British Consulate and the Chinese Memorial Hall.

Shitennoji Temple

Another ancient architectural treat, the Shitennoji Temple is one of the oldest in Japan and first to ever be built by the state in 593. Despite being burned down a number of times throughout the centuries, construction also took the original design into consideration to reflect it’s 6th-century design. You can enter the outer grounds for free, though you need to pay for access to the inner precinct. The inner precinct includes the Gokuraku-jodo Garden and the treasure house which displays painting, sculptures and valuable belongings.

Japanese cuisine is unique, offering a range of foodie delights and gastronomical goodness to enjoy like nowhere else. There is a range of regional and seasonal foods, as well as international influences, throughout Japan which gives it one of the top-rated experiences for visitors with an appetite.

Restaurants range from street vendors and seasonally-opened terraces over rivers to Michelin star venues. While many follow the Western-style of tables and chairs, there are still some which offer low traditional tables with cushions to sit on the floor. This is referred to as zashiki and you may be asked which you prefer.

Some specialities across Japan include:

• Tokyo
  • Nigiri-zushi – a piece of seafood served on a small ball of rice
  • Tempura – pieces of food deep-fried in tempura batter

• Osaka
  • Takoyaki – Octopus slices, pickled ginger and green onion cooked in a batter and moulded into small balls with Takoyaki sauce and other toppings to serve
  • Okonomiyaki – A pancake-like dish featuring shredded cabbage, meat such as squid, prawn or octopus, all covered in batter and cooked before serving with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, aonori and dried bonito

• Nagoya
  • Hitsumabushi – Grilled eel, covered in a rich, dark sauce and served over rice
  • Tebasaki – Seasoned, deep-fried chicken wings which are made without batter

t-mizo / Flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

• Hiroshima
  • Oysters – Almost 70% of Japan’s oysters come from Hiroshima, where you can enjoy them at many dining venues. Try them raw with soy sauce, deep-fried, baked, grilled or served on top of rice.
  • Momijimanju – Cake baked into the shape of a maple leaf with a traditional filling of red bean paste, though there are alternatives such as cheese, custard, or chocolate.

Shukkeien Garden

Translated to mean ‘shrunken-scenery garden’, this spectacle is exactly that. Situated in Hiroshima, the garden displays many features of the traditional Japanese gardens such as tea houses, ponds, and miniature depictions of valleys, mountains and forests. The entire garden is connected by a path which is the best way to see it all during your visit.

Mount Fuji

Japan’s tallest mountain and iconic landmark, Mount Fuji rises 3,776m above sea level to pierce the sky. It lies along the borders of Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures and can be seen from Tokyo and Yokohama on clear days. One of the easiest ways to view this sacred mountain is from the trip on a trip between Tokyo and Osaka, however, if you’d like to stand an view it from a stationary point of view, then Fuji Five Lake is a nicer, natural surrounding at the foot of the mountain.

Cherry Blossom

Another iconic Japanese image and one not to be missed is the blooming of the cherry blossoms. This is a huge event throughout Japan, with news reports, food menus and festivals all commemorating the event as the trees go into full bloom across the country. The season is typically from March through to May, depending on the area. The best places to see them include Shinjuku Green in Tokyo which is home to over 1,000 species of blossom, or sakura. Another popular place is Yoyogi which has fewer trees but a larger expanse to sit and picnic beneath the trees – a tradition welcomed by all.

Sakurajima

Sakurajima is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes and the symbol of Kagoshima where she is situated. The volcano smokes constantly, with minor eruptions taking place each day. The volcano is located in the middle of Kagoshima Bay and is the area’s most prominent feature with an elevation of 1,117m and reaching almost 50km wide. It is prohibited to approach within 2km of Sakurajima, but there are many observation points around the volcano where you can watch the clouds of smoke form.

Senganen Garden

Found close to Kagoshima Bay is the Senganen Garden, which follows the northern coast of Kagoshima and is another place to view Sakurajima from. The garden includes small ponds, streams, shrines and a bamboo grove and also showcases excellent views of the scenery across Kagoshima Bay. The gardens also include the Iso Residence which was home to the Shimazu family in the 1890s and has been preserved as such to view on guided tours.

Nara Park

Nara Park is a large park in central Nara and home to a number of the region’s main attractions such as Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha and Kofukuji. The park is also the home of hundreds of free-roaming deer which are messengers of the gods in Shinto. These have since become symbols of the city and are considered a national treasure, you can even feed them with deer crackers available to purchase around the park.

Onuma Park

This national park is just 20km north of Hakodate and offers picturesque, island-dotted lakes and a majestic volcano – Mount Komagatake. The park is easily visited from Hakodate via train for a day of walking the trails. One of the most attractive areas is situated between the two lakes Onuma and Konuma. Visitors can also rent bicycles to explore the trails or, during the warmer months, enjoy a boat tour around the lakes.

Mazda Museum

Founded in Hiroshima in 1920, Mazda has retained its original, corporate headquarters in the city of its origin. The museum can only be viewed as part of a guided tour, which needs to be reserved prior to visiting. These tours include access to the manufacturer’s actual vehicle assembly line, grounds of the Mazda Hiroshima Plant, and an overview of the company’s history as well as a gift shop.

inu-photo / Flickr.com, CC BY-ND 2.0

Tokyo National Museum

One of Japan’s oldest and best museums, Tokyo National Museum is considered a must-see to all who visit the region. It features one of the largest and best collections of art and archaeological artefacts in the country, made up of around 11,000 individual items, including nearly a hundred national treasures. From art exhibitions and antique Buddhist statues to religious objects and costumes, it’s definitely the place to visit for an intricate look at Japan’s history and culture.

kaige / Flickr.com, CC BY-ND 2.0

Ghibli Museum

Created in memory to one of Japan’s most famous animation studios, Studio Ghibli, this museum is located just outside of Tokyo and is a must-see for fans of the films such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Howl’s Moving Castle – some of Japan’s highest-grossing films upon their release. The museum is designed in the style of the studio’s films, including famous characters and exhibits of animation techniques.