With its unique combination of timeless tradition and modern lifestyle, Japan enthralls travelers of all ages. This unique island nation in the Pacific Ocean is known for its dense cities, imperial palaces, mountainous national parks, and thousands of shrines and temples. It really is unlike anywhere else, and is a once in a lifetime family trip. For those visiting for the first time, we suggest visiting Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto, with each destination providing a completely different experience from the last.
Japan is a year round destination, with four distinct seasons that offer something for everyone. We love spring, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom and temperatures are mild and pleasant. The fall is also beautiful, with the “koyo front” moving southward and the autumn leaves turning a vibrant red. Not only is Japan a year round destination, it’s easily accessible from Houston. There are daily flights available on ANA or United. There are also many other options available through Los Angeles and San Francisco. Our favorite is flying from Los Angeles to Tokyo on Singapore Airlines, which provides the ultimate Asian airline experience.
Once there, it’s fairly easily to move around. Japan has probably the best public transportation system in the world with its world-famous Shinkasen bullet trains. Tokyo offers an extensive metro and over ground rail system, while Kyoto has an excellent bus network. Taxis can be useful for short distances but get expensive for longer drives much longer than 2km.
Now for the fun part – exploring! We recommend a guide for at least one day to help you get the lay of the land. Your West University Travel advisor can put together a custom sightseeing itinerary based on a wide range of interests, from shrines and gardens to manga, anime, and Studio Ghibli.
Tokyo is a huge urban city. It is completely foreign and can be overwhelming, but at the same time the city is friendly and warm. It has the feel of New York City but is cleaner and extremely well organized. Some of our favorite destinations are Asakusa Temple, Meiji Shrine, Tsukiji Fish Market, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, and the Tokyo Imperial Palace, among many, many others. Asakusa Temple is Tokyo’s oldest Geish district and also the home to Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. The streets surrounding Senjo-ji feature many traditional shops that sell Japanese crafts and souvenirs. Meiji Shrine is dedicated to none other than the Meiji Emperor. We suggest taking advantage of your jet lag and visiting Tsukiji Fish Market on one of your first days. There, at the largest fish market in the world, you’ll experience one of the most magnificent spectacles that Tokyo has to offer. Finish the morning adventure in true Japanese style with fresh sushi for breakfast. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is one of the most popular and biggest parks in Tokyo. A former garden for the Imperial Family, it is also one of the best hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spots in the city. For thos interested in shopping, visit Akihabara, a major shopping area for electronics, computers, anime, and otaku goods, or Omotesando, which is commonly referred to as Tokyo’s Champs Elysees and features a number of fashion flagship stores.
Though you’ll never truly have enough time to explore Tokyo, at some point you will need to continue your journey through Japan. Next up, we suggest Hakone. Within easy reach of both Tokyo and Mount Fuji, the hot springs of Hakone have turned this picturesque region into a popular onsen spa resort, not to mention winning it UNESCO Geopark status. Cable cars sway across the green volcanic slopes, and a fleet of painted wooden ships ferry visitors across scenic Lake Ashi to the ropeway that leads up to Owakudani sulfur springs.
We suggest ending your time in Japan in Kyoto, a city of ancient Shinto shrines and immaculate Zen temples, professional geishas, Noh theatre, and the evocative wooden architecture of “old” Japan. Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of the most unusual Shinto shrines in Japan. Fushimi Inari is composed by thousands of tori gates following trails inside the forest of Mt. Inari. Stop by Gion, one of Kyoto’s hanamachi (flower towns), and the place where geishas live and work. You can find shops, restaurants, and ochaya (tea houses) inside well-preserved machyiya (old houses). Head up to Kiyomizu Temple, where you can enjoy amazing views of Kyoto from the 13-meter high veranda. Don’t forget to explore Arashiyama, which contains some of the areas most stunning scenery. Start at Togetsukyo Bridge, one of Arashiyama’s most recognizable landmarks and make your way to the bamboo forest path on the west side of the river.
There’s something for everyone in Japan. Young kids love to hear behind-the-scenes stories from retired sumo wrestlers before trying their own hand at sumo wrestling. Older kids and adults can enjoy “yakitori hopping” — between sips of sake, you’ll take a skewer of this Japanese chicken from one of several local restaurants. And of course, you can’t leave Japan without experiencing the traditional Japanese cultural practice of a tea ceremony. There is so much to see in Japan it can be hard to know where to start. This is where your West University Travel advisor comes in handy. We can tailor your itinerary to your interests, so that you see the parts of Japan that will most excite you and your family. With a destination so unique, it’s priceless to be able to talk with someone who has actually been there and experienced it. Call West University Travel today and plan your next family getaway – one that will create memories to last a lifetime