| In my capacity as the UK Director of | | | | the mountain of varying difficulties. |
| Operations for One World Tours Limited, I am | | | | Depending on the weather you can climb in the |
| often asked about the destinations I have | | | | months of April to October although the |
| been to. I try to give a good opinion on | | | | "official" climbing season is from mid-July |
| those places and offer some helpful advice. | | | | to the end of August. |
| Here then, are my top suggestions for sites | | | | |
| to take in during your holiday in Japan. | | | | Lake Ashi can be found in the volcanically |
| | | | active Izu National Park in Japan. The lake |
| Made up of four major islands and surrounded | | | | is breathtaking and was apparently formed in |
| by more than 4,000 smaller islands Japan has | | | | the caldera of Mt. Hakone 3000 years ago |
| coastlines with varied scenery. The country | | | | after the volcano's last eruption. This is a |
| also offers imposing mountains, which are | | | | popular tourist attraction which is well |
| very often volcanic and amazing valleys that | | | | known for its hot springs and stunning views |
| encompass the onlooker with the magical world | | | | of Mt. Fuji on a clear day. |
| of nature. Being covered with over 70% of | | | | |
| forest and mountains makes it unsuitable for | | | | You will have the opportunity to take cruise |
| any inhabitants. That however does not alter | | | | boats resembling pirate ships along the lake |
| the fact that Japan is the thirtieth most | | | | where some small towns are located on the |
| densely populated country in the world. | | | | shore. |
| | | | |
| With many hot springs in this country, they | | | | Nikko is a small city at the entrance to |
| have given rise to some stunning resorts. | | | | Nikko National Park. Here you can experience |
| | | | the famous Toshogu shrine which is Japan's |
| Tokyo, Japan's city is a modern city of which | | | | most elaborately decorated shrine. |
| is full of wonderful diversity. There are | | | | |
| many sacred shrines and temples that hold | | | | Nikko National Park offers one of the most |
| there own amongst the imposing might of the | | | | scenic landscapes, boasting mountains, |
| skyscrapers. | | | | stunning lakes, impressive waterfalls, hot |
| | | | springs. You can get close to the wild |
| The Tokyo Disney Resort in Chiba, is a | | | | monkeys on one of the many walking trails. |
| holiday and recreation resort which has | | | | |
| become the most popular and most visited | | | | Hiroshima is the largest city in the Chugoku |
| theme park in the world since it was opened | | | | region on the largest of Japan's islands and |
| in 1983. | | | | was rebuilt after World War II. |
| | | | |
| Mount Fuji is stunningly impressive and | | | | You cannot mention Hiroshima without it |
| standing at a stunning 12,388 ft., has earned | | | | conjuring up the reminder that it was the |
| it the title of the tallest mountain in | | | | first place in history to be subjected to an |
| Japan. The Japanese revere this majestic | | | | atomic bomb by the United States of America. |
| mountain and use it as a symbol to the very | | | | |
| spirit of their country. The best viewing | | | | Thankfully in modern times, new buildings |
| place for Mount Fuji is Hakone and although | | | | have grown all over the city. Now proclaimed |
| it is almost always shrouded in clouds on a | | | | as a City of Peace by the Japanese |
| clear day the peak becomes visible. | | | | parliament, Hiroshima has become the |
| | | | seemingly appropriate place for holding |
| The adventurous among you will be pleased to | | | | international conferences on peace. |
| know that there are 6 ascents to the peak of | | | | |