| There are two words which come to mind when | | | | these at their best, it is worth diving in and |
| considering a vacation in Japan: culture and | | | | participating in the traditional customs. |
| contrasts. The richness and diversity of life in | | | | Before you leave Tokyo, another aspect of |
| Japan is matched only by its enthusiasm for its | | | | Japanese culture which you must experience, and |
| own cultural heritage, and whether you stay a | | | | which contrasts very much with the throb and |
| week, two weeks or many months, you will | | | | hum of the city centre is the Hamarikyu Gardens. |
| always find it astonishingly easy to feel at one | | | | No vacation in Japan would be complete without |
| and the same time, both very much at home, | | | | seeing these beautiful gardens, occupying nearly a |
| yet transported to a world that seems uniquely | | | | quarter of a million square meters. They provide a |
| set apart from anywhere else. | | | | tranquil resting place, through which you can enjoy |
| Tokyo is one of the better known cities for | | | | a pleasant walk, perhaps enjoying a traditional tea |
| many people to choose to visit. This is not only | | | | ceremony at the teashop in Nakashima, in the |
| because of the 13 million inhabitants who help to | | | | centre of the gardens. The flowers here are |
| create a city to call home, but because of the | | | | fabulous, with peony gardens and a plum tree |
| fact that it has become ever more popularized | | | | grove just two examples of the areas which |
| through Hollywood, with the James Bond film, | | | | appeal, whatever the season. Depending on when |
| ‘You Only Live Twice’ being filmed here, | | | | you visit, there are a number of displays and |
| as well as ‘My Geisha’ and ‘Lost In | | | | exhibitions which demonstrate more of Japanese |
| Translation’. | | | | culture, such as Japanese goshawk hunting. |
| The skyline, dominated by the snow peaked | | | | Many people today associate Kyoto with the |
| mountains in the distance, is a testament to | | | | international climate agreement (or disagreement!) |
| modern architecture, with glass and steel | | | | but this former imperial capital of Japan holds |
| entwined towards the skies; a remarkable feat, | | | | many fascinating opportunities to explore the |
| but don’t spend too long staring up at the | | | | culture of Japan, and offers many contrasts with |
| heavens, because on the ground is the real | | | | the city of Tokyo, despite both names being an |
| Tokyo, with everything from exquisite sushi bars | | | | anagram of each other. Situated within a beautiful, |
| to trendy shopping experiences. If you enjoy | | | | lush valley, harbored by the mountains of the |
| modern, vibrant shopping, then you must make | | | | Tamba highlands, the city of Kyoto offers the |
| time to see the Harajuku on your Japanese | | | | chance to experience Japanese customs, such as |
| vacation, often referred to as Tokyo’s | | | | the art of calligraphy. |
| Champs Elysees. | | | | Of all written languages in the world, Chinese and |
| Or perhaps you might like to leave behind the | | | | Japanese symbols are perhaps the most artistic |
| bustling streets of Tokyo’s city centre and | | | | and decorative. Although Chinese sounds very |
| visit the breathtaking Meiji Jingu Shrine. The original | | | | different from Japanese, they use all of the same |
| shrine was erected in the early twentieth century, | | | | letter shapes, and it is well worth experiencing this |
| created from Japanese cypress and copper; sadly | | | | for yourself. A true master can help anyone to |
| this was destroyed in World War II, but rebuilt in | | | | feel the beauty of creating these exquisite |
| the fifties to create a magnificent modern | | | | shapes. If you’re interested in learning new |
| masterpiece which very much captures the spirit | | | | things, then perhaps rather than taking part in a |
| with which the original was constructed. The Meiji | | | | tea ceremony, you should indulge yourself in |
| Memorial Picture Gallery is based here, and it is | | | | learning more about it, and experts in Kyoto will |
| well worth spending time to admire the beautiful | | | | be more than willing to teach you this ancient |
| murals which depict the life of the Emperor Meiji | | | | tradition. |
| and his wife. | | | | But for a real taste of Japanese culture and |
| When it comes to dining in and around Tokyo | | | | tradition during your Japanese vacation, there is |
| during your vacation in Japan, as with much of | | | | one opportunity hidden away in Kyoto which is |
| Japan, the culture is one dominated by fish; | | | | hard to find, yet well worth it if you know who to |
| indeed, the very symbol of Tokyo itself is a fish. | | | | ask. The secrets of the Geisha have long been |
| It is well worth rousing yourself a little earlier than | | | | known, yet rarely understood; rarer still is to |
| usual and heading towards the Tsukiji Fish Market | | | | experience it for yourself, and even the Japanese |
| , known more commonly as the Tokyo | | | | consider it a great honor. |
| Metropolitan Wholesale Market. | | | | However, it is possible for westerners to |
| The fish here is often so fresh it’s still | | | | experience the song and dance ceremonies of the |
| moving! The sale of fish is frenetic and absorbing, | | | | Geisha, and nowhere else are the contrasts with |
| and afterwards it is highly recommended that you | | | | modern western cultures more noticeable than |
| enjoy the best of Japanese fish with an exquisite | | | | amongst the culture and heritage of Japan’s |
| sushi breakfast. If you’ve never tried this, | | | | Kyoto region. But be warned, you may well find |
| you really don’t know what you’re | | | | yourself tearing up your return tickets once you |
| missing. Japan is full of contrasts, and to enjoy | | | | have embraced the culture of a vacation in Japan. |