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| || Destination
Profiles || |
 Japan
- Destination Profiles From spectacular mountain ranges covered
in beautiful forests and lakes, to beautiful sandy beaches lapped
by emerald seas, Japan has the whole spectrum of beauty to entice
the tourist. Combined with its history, culture, tradition and
technology Japan offers you an endless world of discovery.
<< Please click the area
which you have got intereste in! |
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| [
Hokkaido ] |
| Place
to Visit |
Brief
Description |
|
Daisetzuan
National Park
|
The
largest national park in Japan. It includes 3 volcanic
ranges featuring virgin forests, gorges and spas. |
|
Hakodate
|
 |
Explore
either on foot or by tram, one of the first Japanese ports
to be opened to trade with the West. The old international
flavour of its past can still be found in the architecturally
diverse Motomachi district. |
|
Sapporo
|
Hokkaido's
capital city with its spacious grid layout of parks and
avenues, is a good place to start your exploration of
Hokkaido. Sites of interest are its Clock Tower &
the Sapporo Beer Garden & Museum. |
|
Shikotsu-Toya,
National Park
|
Noted
for its diverse volcanoes & caldera lakes. The main
features are Lakes Shikotsu & Toya & the graceful
contours of Mt Yotei. |
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| [
Northern Honshu] |
| Place
to Visit |
Brief
Description |
| Kakunodate
& Tazawa
|
 |
The
'Little Kyoto' of northern Japan is a Lake charming town
to visit, with its 350 year old. samurai houses &
Arcade of Cherry Trees. Only a short journey away is Lake
Tazawa, Japan's deepest lake an ideal place from which
to explore the surrounding hiking trails of Mt Komagatake. |
|
Sado Island
|
Once
an island where undesirables were exiled, later on the
site of a gold rush, the small Sado island is the fifth
largest island of Japan. Explore its stunning scenery
of mountains, farmland and coastal beaches. |
|
Towada-Hachimantai,
National Park
|
In
this park of great natural beauty can be found the beautiful
crater lake, Lake Towada, and the 'must-see' Oirase River.
Explore the Hachimantai Plateau with its bubbling mud
pools and steaming vents. |
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| [
Central Honshu ] |
| Place
to Visit |
Brief
Description |
|
Tokyo
& Vicinity Tokyo
|
In
Japan's capital city, home to 12 million people, you will
be able to see the Japan of past, present & future.
A visit to such beautiful historical sites as the Imperial
Palace, Meiji Shrine & Asakusa- Kannon Temple will
transport you back in time. The bright neon lights &
hustle & bustle of such areas as Ginza, Shinjuku and
Akihabara will amaze you. |
|
Mount
Fuji & Hakone
|
 |
No
trip would be complete without a tour to Japan's highest
mountain, Mount Fuji. In the beautiful surrounding area
take a relaxing cruise of Lake Ashi, jump on a cable car
up Mt. Komagatake & spend a restful night in one of
Hakone's many 'onsen' (hot spring) resorts. |
|
Nikko
|
Escape
from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo to the tranquillity
of Nikko, the city of Shinto shrines & explore the
picturesque Nikko National Park. |
|
Kamakura
|
Explore
the shrines, temples and gardens of this historical capital
of Japan. See the Great Buddha, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Shrine & Hase Kannon Temple. |
|
Kanazawa
|
The
highlight of a visit to Kanazawa is the splendid Kenrokuen,
one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens. Take a walk
along the city's narrow winding streets in search of samurai
houses, temples & the old geisha quarter. |
|
Takayama
|
 |
Takayama's
streets are filled with old merchant's shops and a variety
of other historical buildings. In this 'elegant city of
craftsmen' situated in Japan's Alps, view its beautiful
festival floats and wander round its famous markets. |
|
Shirakawago
|
Shirakawago,
the hamlet of "praying-hands" houses (gassho-zukuri)
is situated in the beautiful Shokawa Valley. See its impressive
three-storey farmhouses with steeped roofs, built hundreds
of years ago to protect the inhabitants during Winter. |
|
Matsumoto
|
Matsumoto
is an ideal place from which to explore the surrounding
spectacular Japan Alps. In the city itself is the fantastic
Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's 'National Treasures'. |
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| [
Osaka Vicinity ] |
| Place
to Visit |
Brief
Description |
|
Osaka
|
Osaka
is Japan's third largest city and certainly one of its
most dynamic & vibrant. Having been an important centre
of trade from the earliest times, this city has its own
proud distinctive character. Definitely a place to eat,
drink & shop until you drop. |
|
Kyoto
|
 |
As
Japan's capital for over 1000 years, Kyoto is an absolute
must on anyone's itinerary. As a flourishing centre of
Japanese art, culture, religion & tradition, Kyoto
symbolises the Japan of old most people conjure up in
their minds. Visit Kyoto Imperial Palace home to countless
emperors & their courtiers; marvel at Nijo Castle,
once the residence of mighty Shoguns & their warriors;
&. stroll around the old entertainment & geisha
district of Gion. |
|
Nara
|
Visit
delightful Nara, Japan's first real capital. Visit the
world's largest wooden building the Todaiji Temple, stroll
through Nara Garden Park & meet its tame deer. |
|
Himeji
|
 |
Himeji
Castle or 'the White Heron Castle', built in 1580, is
one of only a few castles in Japan still in its original
medieval form. With its towers, turrets, ramparts &
moats, it is undoubtedly one of Japan's finest castles.
It is registered on UNESCO's World Heritage list. |
| Kobe
|
 |
For
centuries Kobe has been one of Japan's most important
ports, as it still is today. The international influences
on this 'gateway for trade' are reflected in the architecture,
food and character of this city. Visit the Ijinkan, the
old foreign district, or view Kobe from the vantage point
of the surrounding Rokko Mountains. |
|
Ise-Shima,
National Park
|
This
National Park is home to a superb variety of interesting
sightseeing destinations. Visit Ise Jingu, one of Japan's
most important Shinto shrines or watch the women pearl
divers on Mikimoto Pearl Island, the birthplace of cultured
pearls. |
|
Mount
Koya
|
Surrounded
by forest covered mountains situated 3000 feet up on a
tableland is the Buddhist temple complex of Mt.Koya. As
a centre of Japanese Buddhism since the 9th century, Mt
Koya is the perfect place to experience Japanese Buddhist
life. |
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| [
Western Honshu ] |
| Place
to Visit |
Brief
Description |
|
Okayama
|
'
The garden of taking pleasure later' or Koraku-en Garden,
constructed in the 17th century, is considered to be one
of Japan's finest gardens. Walking around its tranquil
landscaped grounds you will come upon streams, waterfalls,
bamboo groves, teahouses & even a small tea plantation. |
|
Kurashiki
|
 |
This
delightful old 'warehouse village' that once prospered
from the trade of rice, sake & cotton, is a must on
anyoneOs itinerary. Stroll along its many willow-lined
canals surrounded by the homes of samurai & wealthy
merchant families & many black tiled warehouses that
date back hundreds of years, now housing museums, ryokans,
restaurants and boutiques. |
|
Hiroshima
|
This
lively modern city was the site of one of the most horrific
events in history. On 06 Aug 1945 it was the target of
the 1st Atomic bomb used in war. A visit to the Peace
Memorial Park with its museum, hall & cenotaph, dedicated
to the victims of the bomb & to world peace, will
leave a lasting impression on you. |
|
Miyajima
|
 |
The
'Island of Shrines' situated in the Seto Inland Sea has
been a sacred site of Shintoism - Japan's indigenous religion
- since as far back as the 6th century. The highlights
of a visit to this island are Itsukushima Shrine built
over the water on stilts & out to sea in front of
it, the seemingly floating red 'torii' Shinto gate. |
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| [
Shikoku ] |
| Place
to Visit |
Brief
Description |
| Takamatsu
|
 |
On
Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's 4 islands, you will be
able to explore the natural beauty of Ritsurin Koen: a
magnificent traditional Japanese garden containing winding
paths, bridges, teahouses, ponds and pine forests. |
|
Matsuyama
|
In
NW Shikoku you will find Matsuyama City, the largest city
in Shikoku, famous for Matsuyama Castle & Dogo Spa.
Why not take a relaxing dip in the spa, reputed to the
oldest one in Japan. |
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|
| [
Kyushu ] |
| Place
to Visit |
Brief
Description |
|
Kumamoto
|
Kumamoto,
often called the "forested city", brims with
historical sites, museums & areas of natural beauty.
The centrepiece of the city is the impressive Kumamoto
Castle and to the east is the beautiful Suizenji Park. |
|
Mount
Aso
|
 |
A visit
to the double coned volcano, Mount Aso, will help you
to understand why Kumamoto Prefecture has been called
the "Land of Fire". 3 climbing paths lead to
the crater. Explore the surrounding park, which abounds
in many hot springs. |
| Nagasaki
|
 |
Nagasaki
once was the only open window to trade in a period of
200 years of Japanese international isolation. With an
intermingling of Portuguese, Dutch & Chinese influences
many consider this city to be one of the most beautiful
in Japan. |
|
Kagoshima
|
With
its sunshine, palms trees, beautiful sea & wide avenues,
Kagoshima has been dubbed by some the 'Naples of the Orient'.
The awe-inspiring beauty of Kirishima National Park is
on its doorstep including the active volcano, Sakurajima. |
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| [
Okinawa & Islands ] |
| Place
to Visit |
Brief
Description |
| Okinawa
&
Islands
|
 |
Okinawa
is the largest of a string islands stretching for over
a 1000 km from Kyushu down towards Taiwan. The islands
offer brilliant sunshine, emeralds seas, & golden
beaches. Watersports are plentiful as to are historical
sites of interest. |
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