Japan is considered a very closed country with its own way of life and rules. Tourists are happy to travel here in order to get acquainted with the unique culture and see a variety of attractions. The amazing combination of ancient buildings with modern architecture attracts travelers from all over the world every year.
Holiday season in Japan
Traveling around the islands and cities of this country is comfortable almost at any time of the year. However, you should know some of the nuances of the Japanese climate. Firstly, it is coldest in Hokkaido, where the average air temperature in February is -10 degrees. Naha, Fukuoka and Osaka are considered to be very warm regions. Here the air warms up in the summer to a maximum mark of + 28-32 degrees.
Secondly, vacation on the seaside is often combined with skiing. For example, in Okinawa they swim and sunbathe all year round, and in Hokkaido they invite tourist complexes focused on active winter sports.
TOP 15 interesting places
Senso-ji Temple
In the central part of Tokyo, there is a majestic temple, the history of which goes back to the distant past. According to legend, in 628, two fishermen found a gold statuette depicting the goddess Kannon in the Sumida River. Later they handed it over to the village elder, who immediately realized that the figurine personified the Buddhist deity of mercy. The elder decided that this was a sign of heaven and decided to build a temple on the site of his home in honor of such an important event. Today Senso-ji is an example of Buddhist architectural tradition and a symbol of Tokyo.
TV tower
Locals call this landmark the "sky tree", as the building is the second tallest building among other famous skyscrapers in the world. You can see the TV tower by getting to the Sumida district in Tokyo.
The construction of the skyscraper lasted several years and was completed only in 2012, after which everyone could enjoy the beautiful views of the Japanese capital, while on the observation decks. The TV tower project was developed by an architectural bureau with significant experience in the construction of structures of this kind.
Meiji shrine
The temple is located in Tokyo and is officially considered the shrine of the Shintoists living in Japan. The initiative to create Meiji belonged to the city authorities, as a result of which at the beginning of the 19th century in the Shibuya area a magnificent structure dedicated to the memory of the imperial couple Meiji appeared.
A park area of about 680 thousand square meters was created around the temple. In the future, on the territory of the park, ordinary people planted several trees of various types every year. Currently, the temple is surrounded by greenery, which creates a serene atmosphere.
Disneyland
This amusement park, built in the Urayasu area, attracts tourists with children and simply those who want to immerse themselves in the world of the great animator. Despite the fact that Disneyland appeared in Tokyo in 1983, it is still one of the five best children's parks in the world.
The park staff made every effort to create a magical fairy tale for visitors. A huge number of themed zones, attractions equipped with security systems, cartoon characters in colorful costumes - you will find all this in Tokyo Disneyland.
Enoshima Island
Japan is not rich in natural attractions, but this island deserves special attention. Due to its inaccessible location in Kanagawa Prefecture, it is better to go to Enoshima with a guide. The excursion program includes:
- Walking around the island visiting historical and cultural attractions;
- Inspection of garden and park ensembles;
- Sailing on yachts.
In addition, you will definitely be taken to Benten Cave, which, according to legend, became the progenitor of the island. Legend has it that a good goddess saved the cave from a terrible dragon and then created an island as a sign of her victory.
Todai-ji Temple
It is impossible to imagine Tokyo without the presence of Buddhist attractions, one of which is considered to be the Todai-ji temple. The shrine was erected in 752 in accordance with the order of the Emperor Shomu. In the 8th century, Japan experienced a flourishing of Buddhism, which influenced largely the architecture and culture of the country.
You can get to know the temple by walking in Nara Park. A giant Buddha statue is installed in the inner halls of the temple. Old paintings and paintings have been preserved on the walls, and relics with a thousand-year history are exhibited in a separate room.
Golden Pavilion
If you happen to be in the city of Kyoto, then it is worth going on an excursion to the Golden Pavilion, towering over the surface of Lake Kyokochi. The architecture of the pavilion outwardly imitates temple buildings, therefore the Japanese often call the building "Precious Temple".
The erection of the landmark dates back to 1397, when the ruler of Kyoto Ashikaga decided to build a temple that embodied the ideal world on earth. Ashikaga spent the rest of his life within the walls of the pavilion, enjoying his creation. Over time, the temple was reconstructed, but the original concept of the masters of the past was completely preserved.
Mount fuji
A natural formation that emerged on the site of an extinct volcano has become the hallmark of the land of the rising sun. The Japanese can spend hours admiring the scenery surrounding Fuji and its surroundings.
In Japanese mythology, the mountain is mentioned as a living creature with incredible inner potential. Those who made it to the top of Fuji were declared national heroes. The volcano ceased to function back in 1708. However, the haze that periodically appears over the mountain is associated by the Japanese with the fire of immortality.
Fushimi-inari shrine </ h3
On the slopes of Mount Inari in 711, there is a temple dedicated to the deity of fertility and wealth. Fushimi differs from other Japanese temples in that it consists of a system of corridors connected by red gates (torii). Numerous staircases climb along the entire slope and lead to the main sanctuary.
At the foot of the mountain, a prayer house is located inside the temple, and as you rise, in a certain sequence, you can see the mounds - places of worship. The road to the temple is quite difficult, so you should calculate your strength in advance.
Bamboo grove
Kyoto prides itself on its amazing forest, made up of slender bamboo trees that were planted around the same period. The grove is called "Sagano" and is included in the list of protected natural sites in the country.
Tourists come to the forest not only to see such an interesting phenomenon, but also to hear the "singing" bamboo. The fact is that air currents penetrating the hollow stems of tree trunks emit melodious sounds. In the opinion of the Japanese, such sounds are capable of healing spiritual and physical ailments, so many people always come to the grove.
Sanjusangen Temple
Another name for the attraction, Rengeoin, was recorded in sources dating back to the XII century, when Emperor Gosirakawa ordered the construction of a temple, which became the sanctuary of the Kannon bodhisattva.
The shape of the building is unusual, as it is a wooden structure 124 meters long and 17 meters wide. The structure is crowned with a roof with graceful curves. This concept of construction was not typical of the architecture of that time and is of interest to visitors to this day.
Himeji Castle
In the small Japanese town of Himeji in 1333, a palace was built on the site of the former port, which is also called the Castle of the Egret. During its existence, the structure has survived wars and fires, which allowed it to remain in its original form.
As conceived by the craftsmen, the castle was supposed to perform a defensive function, so a large number of labyrinths were included in the project. Wood was chosen as the material for the construction, from which 82 towers were erected, united by a single architectural style.
Nikko
This is a whole city on the island of Honshu, where the key religious sites of the country are concentrated. The vast territory of Nikko is home to only 92 thousand people who respect natural laws and treat their observance with special trepidation.
Once in Nikko, rent a car and explore iconic sites such as Toshogu Tomb, Rinnoji Temple, Botanical Gardens and Edomura Park. Cultural and historical sites are concentrated in different areas and are examples of Japanese architecture.
Jigokudani Monkey Park
The funniest animals in Japan live in the snowy Yokoyu Valley at an altitude of more than 800 meters. The number of macaques grows every year due to the ideal climatic conditions. The park is home to about 170 monkeys who love to bask in the hot thermal springs.
Walking along Jigokudani, you can not only feed the macaques, but also watch them. In addition, you will be pleasantly surprised by the surrounding landscapes and recreation areas. On request, the park staff conduct individual excursions for those who want to learn more about the life of monkeys.
Itsukushima shrine
Miyajima Island is a geographical landmark of the famous symbol of Japan, namely the Itsukushima Shrine. Externally, the attraction looks like a sixteen-meter red torii gate, connected at the top with a wooden roof.
The main highlight of the gate is that it can only be approached at low tide. As the water level rises, the sanctuary becomes like a ship sailing on the sea. Thanks to this visual effect, the image of the gate was included in the list of the most recognizable landscapes of the country.
