Its amazing how many jaw dropping and unique experiences one can find in this country. I guess it really is true : Good things do come in small packages. So here are my personal picks of the best of Japan.
TOKYO
One of the great cities of the world, the densest, cleanest, and safest for its size that I have ever seen. Great public spaces, the largest number of restaurants and eating places in the world, numerous entertainment options, great shopping, super clean toilets.....Tokyo alone is a reason to go back again and again to Japan.
MONASTERY STAY, KOYA-SAN
A chance to spend the night in an actual Buddhist temple, as well as to participate in morning rituals as timeless as they come, any wonder that one has to book ahead weeks in advance to find a place to spend the night in this wonderful hill town.
OPEN AIR MUSEUM, HAKONE
This makes my list of favourite museums anywhere. Wonderfully conceptualised and well laid out, its a chance to see some of the best sculpture from all over the planet, distilled into one well maintained space. And where else could one have a foot soak in thermal waters while contemplating Miro, Picasso, Henry Moore, Rodin, and their peers. Plan to stay much longer than you thought you would.
HIMEJI CASTLE, HIMEJI
The white heron poised to take flight has been immortalised in the beautiful lines of this castle, which is Japan's best preserved. As you tread up the steps, walk in the footsteps of daimyo lords and samurai from centuries past and stop at the Harakiri Point to reflect on the strict code of honour that prevails to this day.
GASSHO ZAKURI, SHIRAKAWA-GO
Gassho Zakuri is the name given to the style of architecture involved in creating these spectacular thatched roof houses, whose roofs allow for the snow to simply slide off rather than accumulate during the freezing winter months. Designated a UNESCO Heritage site, the village offers tourists a chance to spend the night in one of these wonders. When was the last time you slept in a Heritage Monument over 300 years old ?
A-DOME AND PEACE MEMORIAL PARK, HIROSHIMA
The only country to over have suffered a nuclear detonation, and the strongest voice in the quest for non-proliferation, the site is a powerful reminder of how badly the human species can go wrong. A sombre space, but at the same time, a place of hope, as one sees the beauty of life continuing, even among the shadows of unspeakable horror.
FLOATING TORII, ITSUKUSHIMA SHRINE AT MIYAJIMA
Long considered one of Japan's three most photographed sights, the "floating" torii certainly justifies the name as one looks upon it at high tide.
GEISHA HUNTING, GION
Dusk in Gion heralds the coming of the geisha paparazzi, forever on the look out for one of Japan's most enduring icons, the geisha.
SHINKANSEN
They invented it, and are always reminding you with pride that they did. And justly so. The shinkansen, or bullet train, so many years later, is still among the fastest, safest, and most reliable ways to travel in the world.
MT. FUJI, HAKONE
Long Japan's most popular and venerated icons, Fuji-san is notoriously unreliable when it comes to tourists looking for it. Consider yourself lucky when you find yourself face to face with its perfectly symmetrical and majestic splendour.
BAMBOO FOREST, ARASHIYAMA
Even die hard travellers are lost for words when they encounter this wonderful spot. At once relaxing and disturbing, soulful and mysterious, its like you've entered a fantasy world.
TORII TUNNEL, FUSHIMI INARI
Fushimi is known for the tunnel of torii that have been donated by the faithful for decades. And since the tunnel goes on for over 2km, you can be sure to find a spot for that perfect picture.
KAISEKI
Kaiseki is probably the best way to experience the culinary art of Japan. Often exceeding 20 courses or more, the set meal showcases all the important facets of Japanese cuisine, a unique medley of taste, texture and visual artistry.
RYOKAN
The Japanese guesthouse is alive and well, suitably upgraded with all mod cons one could possibly want. Ranging from the ultra traditional to the contemporary and modern, you can find one to suit all tastes and all budgets. What does not change is the feel of the tatami under your feet, the soft poetry of the shoji screens, and the legendary hospitality.
ONSEN
The ultimate in pure bliss, ending a long tiring day of seeing the sights by soaking in a hot tub and feeling all the tiredness melt away. The Japanese have elevated the humble art of bathing into an experience like no other. And for the ultimate in soaking luxury, find a rotemburo, or outdoor tub with a view of cedar forests and waterfalls and lie back in thermal bliss to the sounds of the birds and the river gushing nearby. Who knew bathing could be so much fun !
GARDENS
A Japanese garden is truly a living art form. Restful, balanced and sublime, they offer the visitor a glorious way to commune with both the exterior as well as one's own quiet inner space.
Whether as a backdrop to heritage structures.......
.....or inviting personal oases of calm....
....whether facilitating a deeper look at philosophy....
.....or simply beautiful settings....
....or even framing the view from the ubiquitous tea house....
......the Japanese garden provides peace to your eyes and your soul.
SAKURA
How can any best of Japan list end without mention of this wonderful phenomenon. The annual cherry blossom is a sight to behold and savour, and its memory lingers on in the mind long after the last petal has floated down onto the ground.
Aside from the soft baby pink, sakura can be white....
....a deeper pink....
.....lilac....
.....cranberry red....
....or even all together at once
Whether achingly beautiful all lit up....
...or seen against a clear blue sky...
...whether a solitary tree....
...or drooping over a canal....
...or lining avenues....
...the sakura will never fail to uplift your spirits.
