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