A town that blends the old with the new. The old part of town will give you an insight into traditional Japanese life, but without the hordes of tourists that you'll find in Kyoto.
A town that blends the old with the new. The old part of town will give you an insight into traditional Japanese life, but without the hordes of tourists that you'll find in Kyoto.
My suggestion
Kanazawa is less well known than Kyoto, but just as old and beautiful; it's well worth a visit. There's a host of sites you can explore: Japanese garden, castle...
Japan is a very safe country where you can travel with peace of mind. However, two things can scare off travellers; sexual assaults and the fallout from the nuclear accident.
Nature has always played an important role in Japanese culture, and the tradition survives with the celebration of the arrival of spring by observing the cherry blossoms. Here is some advice about this festival, the hanami, and the best places to observe the trees in full blossom.
The Ainu are an aborigine population living in Hokkaido and in the extreme east of Russia. This population is considered to be the indigenous population of Hokkaido and even of Japan, as they arrived around 1300 before Jesus Christ. Different places in Hokkaido allow you to understand their culture and traditions.
Hokkaido is a hiker's paradise, thanks to its majestic, wild mountainous landscapes.
Its national parks provide stunning views as well as a wealth of plant and animal life.
Some are very isolated and difficult to access, but offer, nonetheless, a great sense of freedom.