Japan Travel Specialist

Mt Fuji

Whenever I tell someone that I specialize in travel planning to Asia, 90% of people ask me about Japan. The country continues to mystify and enthrall anyone thinking of travel. People devour stories of Tokyo’s contrasts: streets lined with cherry blossom, indulgent toilets, and the mystique Samurais and Geishas from literature and cinema. Japan attracts anime and pokemon enthusiasts, gamers, history buffs, foodies, and many others. Even with all that, people do not realize how special Japan truly is. Let’s take a closer look.               

Travelers will realize that Japan is not one of those places you can understand virtually. It is a country you need to witness, breathe, experience and feel for yourself. To convince you that Japan is worth visiting, I can only give you a glimpse of this layered, complex, intriguing part of the world.

Japan's unique blend of ancient and modern is one of the main draws for visitors, who love to explore the modernity of Japanese city life while also experiencing countless natural wonders and learning about the country's rich history. The Japanese really pride themselves on their cleanliness, and upon first arrival in the country you may be surprised by how sparkling clean the streets are.

Hotels and restaurants tend to be absolutely spotless, filled with pleasant smells, and regularly and efficiently cleaned. One downside is that there tends to be a total absence of trash cans in public spaces. However, you can just follow the Japanese example and carry garbage with you until you find a place to get rid of it later on.

The Japanese have a worldwide reputation for being uncommonly polite, friendly, and welcoming. Although the language barrier may prove a challenge at times, people in Japan usually try to be as helpful as possible if you ask anything of them.

Japan boasts a total of 21 World Heritage Sites, including 17 cultural monuments and 4 natural landscapes, and there are currently 8 more sites pending UNESCO classification.

Travelers interested in Japanese history should definitely pay a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, which commemorates the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb, as well as Shirakawago and Gokayama, historic villages which feature unique thatched-roof dwellings.

Winter sports enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the chance to go snowboarding and skiing in Japan at one of the many resorts across the country, as Japanese powder snow is considered some of the best in the world.

Many of the best ski resorts in Japan are located on the northernmost island of Hokkaido, such as Furano, Rusutsu, and Niseko, as well as in the Japanese Alps on Honshu.

Food is incredibly important in Japanese culture, and while in the country you’ll be able to sample a huge range of the many delicious dishes that make up Japanese cuisine.From worldwide favorites like sushi and ramen, to Sukiyaki (beef hot pot) and Yakiniku (Japanese barbeque), there are an endless number of dishes in Japan guaranteed to make your mouth water.

Japan is also the country with the most 3-star Michelin restaurants in the world, and there are are also a number of Matsuri food and drink festivals you can experience during your trip.

From futuristic capsule hotels with complimentary tablets, to high-tech public toilets, advanced technology is in full display in every corner of Japan’s cities. If you feel like getting an inside look at technological advancements in Japan, pay a visit to the permanent robotics exhibitions at Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo’s Odaiba district.

If you first fell in love with Japan through manga and anime, you’re bound to be in heaven during a visit to Tokyo, which boasts a number of anime-themed experiences. Visit J-World Tokyo, an indoor amusement park based around popular manga characters, the One Piece Tower, or the Pokémon Mega Center Tokyo, a huge store which offers a range of Pokémon merchandise exclusive to Japan.

If you love belting out your favorite songs, whether in front of a small group of friends or a crowd of random strangers, then you’ll want to take advantage of the huge karaoke culture while in Japan. You might not be aware that Karaoke actually originated in Japan and continues to be incredibly popular: there are currently around 100,000 karaoke boxes and bars across the country.

I did not even mention the temples, castles, the summer festivals, the chance to bathe in natural hot springs, the amazing fashion, the fantastic architecture, how safe Japan is (extremely safe!) and much much more. Sooo what are you waiting for?