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