Japan Holidays 2022/23
A land of ancient myths, neon lights, karaoke booths, intricate Shinto temples and sake – an intoxicating mix of the traditional and the modern. Japan is an exciting country that is constantly growing and developing. You will delight at the wackily themed cafes that range from robots to huskies to reptiles, the emphatic and ostentatious cities that are juxtaposed by rolling rice fields, picture-perfect cherry blossom, the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji, traditional tea houses, temples and so much more.
The bustling capital of Tokyo is home to the incredible Shibuya Crossing, allegedly the world’s busiest road intersection, where up to 3,000 people could be crossing at any one time, from all directions in what appears to be perfect synchronicity. The former capital of Kyoto is worth visiting, with its peaceful shrines and sublime gardens, as too is another former capital, Nara, home to one of the largest Big Buddha statues in Japan and where herds of resident sika deer roam Nara Park.
Japan is also a mountainous treasure trove of natural wonders that can be explored on foot, on two wheels and even on two skis! The instantly recognisable Mount Fuji has been an object of worship and an inspiration to poets and writers since time immemorial. You are bound to want to include a trip on the legendary Shinkansen, or bullet train, the frighteningly reliable rail service that has an average schedule delay of less than half a minute. On a more sombre note, the city of Hiroshima is home to one of the most poignant, not to mention controversial, UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Hiroshima Peace Memorial that commemorates the dropping of the first atomic bomb on August 6th 1945.
Information
Currency: Yen
Visas: UK citizens will be automatically issued a tanki-taizai (temporary visitor visa) on arrival. Typically this visa is good for 90 days.
