Japan
November 2024 - Honshu / Kyushu
Capital

Tokyo

Area

377,835 km²
(9x the Netherlands)

Time

UTC +9

Language

Japanese

Highest point

Fuji - 3,776 m

Flag

The national flag of Japan consists of a white area with a red circle (the sun) in the center. It was used during conflicts as early as the 12th century between samurai of the Minamoto clan and the Taira clan. The flag was used as the national flag from the beginning of the Meiji reign in 1868. It would take until August 13 1999 before the flag officially became the national flag.


Climate Itinerary
Currency

The yen is the main currency after the US dollar and euro. The currency was introduced in 1871 during the Meiji period and replaced the hansatsu which was the currency that the feudal empires used.




Highlights

Japan is long-stretched, so it is necessary to plan your trip well when visiting the islands. The Sakura Zenzen (cherry blossom front) passes through Japan from south to north and takes place from March through May, beginning on Okinawa and ending on Hokkaido. On Honshu, the main island, April is the best month. Autumn colors, Koyo or Momiji, can be watched from late September to early December, beginning on Hokkaido and ending on Okinawa. Among others, Japanese maples, rowan and Japanese sumac turn red; leaves of ginkgo, Japanese elm and poplar turn golden yellow; birches, chestnuts, oaks and beeches drop leaves in brown tones. This depends on temperature, location and altitude. predictions are difficult. For exuberant flowers, Hokkaido in the summer months is highly recommended.




Tokyo

is one of the most populous cities in the world and now has a population of more than 14 million. Together with its neighboring six prefectures, it has more than 41 million inhabitants. It is located on a bay on the east coast of Honshu, the largest island. Tokyo is the seat of the emperor and of the government. It had actually been the seat of government since 1603 when Tokugawa became Ieyasu Shogun. It officially became the capital in 1868 when Emperor Meiji moved from Kyoto to Edo 'estuary'. The name Edo was then changed to Tokyo. Although Tokyo is referred to as a city it is an urban prefecture. There are 23 districts, each governed as its own city. Edo was a fishing village and was first fortified by the Edo clan in the late 12th century. In 1457, Ota Dokan built a castle and in 1590 Tokugawa Ieyasu established his headquarters there. When he was appointed Shogun in 1603, he ruled all of Japan from Edo. The city grew steadily, reaching more than 1 million inhabitants. Supporters of Emperor Meiji deposed the last Tokugawa shogun in 1867. In 1869, the 17-year-old Emperor Meiji moved to Edo and the castle became his residence. The city of Tokyo was officially named on May 1, 1889. Two times the city was largely destroyed, in 1923 by an earthquake and by Allied bombing in 1945.

The Yamanote Line was inaugurated on March 1, 1885. The loop was closed in 1925 and today has 30 stations and it takes about 65 min to comlpete its 34.5 km loop. There are two tracks. Inside runs counterclockwise (uchimawari) / Outside runs clockwise (sotomawari). The total number of stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area is 882. The busiest stations are Shinjuku (also of the whole world) with more than 3.5 million passengers every day and Ikebukuru, with more than 2.7 million travelers every day. Shinjuku station has more than 200 exits. The city itself has 179 subway stations and the subway network is 195 km long, with 6.84 million people using it daily.

Tokyo Sky Tree has been Tokyo's tallest tower since 2010 and reached its current height of 634 meters in 2012. It replaces the Tokyo tower as a TV and radio transmission tower. It has two viewpoints, at 350 meters and 450 meters. Only a combo ticket gets you to the highest level. On a clear day, Mount Fuiji can be seen. The tower is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The elevator speed is 600 meters per minute.

Tokyo Station was opened in 1914. It was designed by architect Tatsuno Kingo to commemorate Japan's victory in the Russian-Japanese War. According to some, the design is said to be based on the Amsterdam Central Station. The facade on the Marunouchi side, opposite the Imperial Palace, dates from the original opening of 1914. In 1921, Japanese Prime Minister Hara Takashi was assassinated in the station. Most of the station was destroyed in 1945 during the bombing of Tokyo, and rebuilt after the war.

The statue of the akita dog Hachiko stands in front of the entrance to Shibuya station. This dog came to the station every day to greet his master who was coming home from work. When his boss, a professor, died in 1925 the dog continued to come to the station every day until his own death a decade later. Shibuya crossing has the reputation to be the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world. Experience it for yourself during rush hour. Shibuya Center gai is a car-free shopping street with lots of advertising.

Close to Harajuku station is Takeshita dori, a very busy shopping street with unusual fashion.

Teamlab borderless is a digital art experience in a super-modern new complex: Azabudai Hills, opening in February 2024, It consists of a large amount of rooms where moving figures are projected on the walls.

Senso-ji is the oldest temple in Tokyo. According to a legend, in 628 two fishermen found a golden statue of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. A temple was built around it. Entrance to the temple is through the Kaminari-mon (thunder gate) with a huge chochin (lantern) weighing 670 kg. Following this gate is a narrow alley with numerous stores, Nakamise-dori. This is followed by another gate, the Hozomon. Behind this gate hang a pair of waraji (sandals) weighing 2,500 kg. These sandals made of straw, which symbolize the power of Buddha. The present building dates from 1649 and is a fine example of early Edo architecture. Near the main shrine is a 53-meter-high pagoda reconstructed in 1973. Founded in 645, it is the oldest and one of Tokyo's most important temples and is the most visited religious site in the world, with more than 30 million visitors annually. In 1945, the temple was destroyed in an Allied bombing raid and rebuilt in the 1950s.

Ameya yokocho is a market just south of Ueno station next to the Yamanote railroad line. There is an atmosphere of a distant past. Just after World War II it used to be a black market with American goods.

The Nezu shrine (Nezu-jinja) in Tokyo dates back to 1705. This shinto shrine was modelled after the Toshogu shrine in Nikko. It is famous for its Azalea festival (Tsutsuji Matsuri), held from early April to early May. It is described as Tokyo's most beautiful shrine and most spectacular spring sight.

Akihabara (electric town) has many maid café's (Meido kissa/Meido kafe). In March 2001, the first permanent maid café opened. Girls often stand on the street handing out flyers. They treat guests like boss or boss lady. The most famous and popular is @homecafé and there you usually stand in line for a seat. Nowadays there are also maid café's to be found in other parts of the city and other towns.

Omoide Yokocho (memory alley, also called piss alley) is an intersection of narrow alleys next to Shinjuku station containing about 60 restaurants and bars. It's easy to miss. You can smell th scent from the yakitory (chicken skewers) being grilled there. Just after World War II, the area began as a black market. Part of it disappeared with the construction of the train station in the late 1960s and another part after a fire in 1999.

Kabukicho is the red light and entertainment district of Shinjuku. On top of a movie theater you can see the huge head of godzilla. The name of this district comes from the plan to build a kabuki theater around 1950. The theater was never built but the name was kept. Originally this area was called Tsunohazu and this was a swamp. In the 1920s it became a residential area. It was completely destroyed in 1945. Today there are more than 3,000 cafes, nightclubs, love hotels and brothels.

Hamarikyu Garden, (Hama-rikyu Onshi Teien) was opened to the public on April 1, 1946. It is a landscaped garden covering 250,216 m2. It was converted into a public garden in the 17th century on the site of a villa of the ruling Tokugawa clan. In 1654, a younger brother of Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu received permission to reclaim land from the bay, on which he built a villa and garden. The villa was destroyed by fire in 1724 and has not been rebuilt since. Starting in 1729, elephants were kept on the property for 12 years. In 1867, a building was erected which became the residence for foreign diplomats. During the reign of Emperor Meiji, it was proclaimed “Hama Palace” (Hama-rikyu). The building was demolished in 1889. The gardens burned down during the 1923 earthquake and again in March 1945 during the air raid.

Tokyo Tower was completed in 1958. At 332.9 meters, it was the tallest tower in Japan until the construction of Tokyo Sky tree in 2012. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower, it was painted white and orange to comply with regulations for aviation safety. The tower is repainted every five years, and takes a year.

Zojo-ji is the main temple of the Jodo-shu (“Pure Land”) Chinzei sect of Buddhism in the Kanto region. Six of the Tokugawa shoguns are buried in the Taitoku-in Mausoleum on the temple grounds. The Sangedatsumon (main gate) of the temple is the oldest wooden building in Tokyo and dates back to 1622. Zojo-ji was the family temple of the Tokugawa's. Tokugawa Ieyasu had the temple moved, first to Hibiya and in 1590 to its present location. At its peak, the temple complex had more than 120 buildings. Most of the buildings were lost in the 1945 bombing. The Daiden (great hall) was rebuilt in 1974.

Rikugi-en (Garden of the Six Principles) is considered one of the three most beautiful gardens in Tokyo. It was constructed between 1695 and 1702, for the samurai Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu under the fifth Tokugawa shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. After his death, it was neglected. The founder of Mitsubishi, Iwasaki Yataru, bought the gardens in 1878 and began restoration. Today, the garden is about a third of its original size. It was donated to the Tokyo government in 1938 and specified as a special place of scenic beauty in 1953.

Drink coffee and eat cake at the 2D café, located north of Shinjuku station next to the railroad line. The interior is painted white and the outlines of the furniture are painted to look like 2D. Even th cake looks 2D.


Kamakura

Kamakura is one of the ancient capitals of Japan, alongside Kyoto and Nara, and it served as the seat of the Kamakura shogunate from 1185 to 1333, established by Minamoto no Yoritomo. It was the first military government in the history of Japan. As a result of the 1923 earthquake, many old buildings were lost but nevertheless it is still an major tourist destination known for its historical monuments such as Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and the Great Buddha of Kotoku-in. Definitely worth visiting are Hase-dera, Kenchi-in and the Sasuke-inari jinja.


Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is a 3776-meter-high active stratovolcano and the highest mountain in Japan. Mount Fuji is covered with snow for about five months a year. The main crater has a diameter of 780 meters and is 240 meters deep. Since December 2002, the the volcano is classified as active with a low risk of eruption. The last recorded eruption was the Hoei eruption that began on december 16th, 1707, and ended around januari 1th. The eruption formed a new crater and a second peak, called Mount Hoei, halfway up its southeastern side. Biggest chance to see the mountain is in the autumn and winter.


Matsumoto

The city of Matsumoto originated in the Japanese Alps in the 8th century. The black and white Matsumoto-jo castle is the highlight and along with the Himeji-jo and Kumamoto-jo, it is considered one of the three most beautiful castles in Japan. It is also known as Crow Castle because of its black exterior. In 1504, the fortress was built by Shimadachi Sadanaga of the Ogasawara clan and named it Fukashi. In 1550 it came under the control of the Takeda clan and then the Tokugawa who in 1590 began a substantial expansion of the castle. For the next 280 years until the abolition of the feudal system, the castle was ruled by 23 warlords from six different clans. The main building (tenshukaku), has retained its original wooden interior and external stonework. It is listed as a National Treasure of Japan and is one of 12 surviving tenshu. In 1872, the new Meiji government ordered the destruction of all former feudal fortifications. When news came out that the tenshu would be demolished, an influential figure from Matsumoto, Ichikawa Ryozo, joined with residents in a campaign to save the building. Their efforts were rewarded when the tower was purchased by the city government. The castle can be visited. Keep in mind that you must enter the building without shoes and that the stairs are are very narrow and steep.


Takayama

The town is popularly known as Hida-Takayama in reference to the ancient province of Hida to distinguish it from other places named Takayama. The name 'Takayama' means high mountain. The first mention was in 377 AD. The district on the other side of the Miyagawa River is like an open-air museum with the highlight being Sanmachi-dori. It is very crowded with tourists.

Hida Minzoku Mura, Hida no Sato is an open-air museum featuring nearly 30 old farmhouses in traditional alpine architectural style. Many of the buildings have been removed from their original sites to preserve them. The buildings are 100 to 500 years old. Especially in autumn it is very beautiful here because of the autumn colors.

On April 14 and 15, the city is the site of one of Japan's three largest Shinto festivals, Sanno Matsuri, a spring festival of the Hie-Jinja shrine built in 1141. After a spiritual ceremony at the shrine the festival begins. Hundreds of people in traditional costume participate. There is a parade with old antique floats (Yatai) with moving puppets. Four floats are permanently in a museum because of their value, and the chariots are changed regularly. The floats participating in the festival can be seen on the streets on the first festival day from 9:30 in the morning. In case of rain, they are not put outside but you can admire them in their storerooms. These are scattered here and there throughout the city and can be recognized by their high doors. April 15 is the most important day. The festival takes place twice a year, in April and October.


Kyoto

formerly, Kyoto was called Kyo, Miyako, Ky0 no Miyako and Keishi. After the city was chosen as the capital of Japan at the beginning of the Heian period (794-1185), the city was often referred to as Heian-kyo (Kyo meaning capital). Later in this period, the current name was used. Emperors ruled from Kyoto for 11 centuries until 1869. The capital was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo after the Meiji Restoration. The modern municipality of Kyoto was established in 1889. After the imperial seat was moved to Tokyo (eastern capital), Kyoto was temporarily known as Saikyo (western capital). During the Hamaguri uprising of 1864, toward the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, 28,000 houses in the city burned to the ground. The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the Edo shogunate, was the military government of Japan during the Edo period from 1603 to 1868 when supporters of the emperor expelled the shogunate. During World War II the United States considered Kyoto a target for the atomic bomb because of its status as an intellectual center. There was virtually no bombing so many pre-war buildings were preserved such as the machiya houses. Kyoto has over 2,000 temples, both Buddhist and Shintoïstic.

The Buddhist temple Kiyomizu-dera (Pure Water Monastery) was founded in 778 by Enchin Shonin, a priest from Nara (capital from 710 to 784). He is said to have had a vision to build a temple next to the Otowa spring. Many of the temple's current buildings were built in 1633 by order of the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. Not a single nail was used in the entire structure. An Edo period tradition was that if someone made a 13-meter jump from the podium of the main temple, his wish would be granted. There were 234 jumps recorded during this period. 85% of the people survived the jump. The jump was banned in 1872.

Close to Kiyomizu-dera you'll find Sannenzaka (three-year-old slope) and Ninenzaka (two-year-old slope) with shops. These streets are protected cityscapes.

Tetsugaku-no-michi, literally Philosophy Path, is a pedestrian path that follows a cherry tree-lined canal between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji. The path was constructed in 1890 and extended in 1912. The path got its name from two 20th-century Japanese philosophers and professors from Kyoto University, Nishida Kitaro and Hajime Tanabe, are believed to have used it for daily exercise. The walk takes about 30 minutes

The shrine Yasaka Koshin Do is dedicated to Koshin-san, a nickname for the main worship object Shomen Kongo, a blue, protective warrior, and to the "three wise monkeys". They represent the Koshin faith. At the temple you can see numerous Kukurizaru hanging. This is a round ball-shaped talisman made of cloth. It depicts a monkey with hands and feet tied behind its back. This is a symbol of self-control and triumph over desires. The idea is that if you put your wish into Kukurizaru, Koshin, the deity of the temple, will help you forget that wish and make another one come true. It is believed that Koshin helps all those who struggle in their lives with all their efforts to be good people. It is also believed that he punishes the bad guys.

The five story Yasaka Pagoda is the last remaining structure of a 6th-century temple complex known as Hokan-ji. It was built in the 7th century. The pagoda and its associated temple were destroyed and rebuilt several times until 1440. The current pagoda dates from that last year. The temple itself no longer exists. It is a popular photo spot both during the day and at night.

Central a the Yasui Kompiragu shrine is a megalith in the shape of an EMA (a votive tablet). This stone is 1.5 meters high and 3 meters wide. There is a crack in the middle through which the power of good flows into the hole in the middle. There are so many KATASHIRO (wishes) stuck on the stone, with different wishes written on them, that the monument itself is barely visible. Crawl through the hole with your wish while saying it and back through the hole and then stick the katashiro on the megalith.

Kennin-ji is one of five major Zen temples of Kyoto, the so-called Kyoto Gozan. Founded in 1202, Kennin-ji is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto and a replica of public Chinese monasteries in Zhejiang Province, frequented by Japanese monks in the thirteenth century. The monk Eisai, who introduced Zen to Japan, was the founding abbot of Kennin-ji and is buried on the grounds. Upon completion, the temple had seven main buildings. After several fires, wars and rebuildings, many of the buildings were eventually rebuilt during the Edo, Meiji, Taisho and Showa periods, such as the Kuri (1814), the Reito-in (1853) and the Kaisan-do (1884). The Imperial Messenger Gate (Chokushimon), dating from the Kamakura period, still shows traces of arrows. The ceiling painting in the Honden, 'Twin Dragons' by Koizumi Junsaku commemorates the 800th anniversary of Kennin-ji. A ceremony was held in April 2002 to celebrate the installation. It measures 11.4 meters by 15.7 meters and is drawn in the finest quality ink on thick traditional Japanese paper. It was created in the gymnasium of a primary school in Hokkaido and took the artist just under two years to complete.

Gion is a district in Kyoto that originated as a nightlife district during the Sengoku period, the period in Japanese history that saw almost continuous civil wars and social upheavals in the 15th and 16th centuries. The district was built to supply the needs of travelers and visitors to the Yasaka Shrine. It eventually developed into one of the most exclusive and famous geisha districts in all of Japan. Kyoto's geisha do not call themselves geisha, but use the local term 'geiko'. While the term geisha means 'artist' or 'person of the arts', the more direct term geiko essentially means 'a woman of the arts'. Gion has two 'hanamachi', geisha districts: Gion Kobu and Gion Higashi. The two were originally the same district, but split many years ago. The Gion-odori performance takes place annually from November 1 to 10. It is the only public performance of any of the five kagai (geisha quarters) held in the autumn. Held in the Gion Kaikan Hall, the public performance features all the geisha and maiko apprentice geisha of the Gion Higashi kagai and is hailed in Japan and elsewhere as an important part of Kyoto's autumn calendar. It takes place two times a day from november 1th to november 10th.

Ponto-cho is a hanamachi district known for its geiko and maiko, and is home to many of the city's okiya and traditional teahouses. Like Gion, Ponto-cho is known for preserving forms of traditional architecture and entertainment. Ponto-cho is a long alley and is also known as the traditional location for the origin of kabuki as an art form. A statue of kabuki's founder, Izumo no Okuni, stands across the river.

Nishiki Market (Brocade Market) is rich in history and tradition and is known as the place to buy Kyoto’s famous foods and goods. In 1615, the place was officially allowed by the Bakufu government to sell fish, which was the first step in growing into the renowned market it is today. In 1883, after the Meiji Restoration, due to fierce competition among businesses, the number of shops was reduced to just 7. In 1911, a new association promoted the market as a place to sell fish and seafood. As a result, the market saw a renewed vitality and today there are around 300 shops. The roof was built in 1993.

Kinkaku-ji, Temple of the Golden Pavilion. The site was originally a villa called Kitayama-dai, which belonged to Saionji Kintsune, a powerful statesman. In 1397, the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu purchased the villa and converted it into the Kinkaku-ji complex. When Yoshimitsu died, his son converted it into a Zen temple. During the Onin War (1467-1477), all the buildings in the complex except the pavilion were burned down. In 1950, the pavilion was set on fire by a 22-year-old novice monk, who then attempted suicide on Daimon-ji Hill behind the building. He survived and was subsequently sentenced to seven years in prison, but was released in 1955 due to mental illness. During the fire, the original statue of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was destroyed in the flames (now restored).

Ginkaku-ji, Temple of the Silver Pavilion. Officially called Jisho-ji ('Temple of Shining Grace'), this is a Zen temple. Ashikaga Yoshimasa, 8th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate (r. 1449 - 1473) planned to build a retirement villa and gardens as early as 1460. It became a place of pleasure for the shoguns to rest from their administrative duties. The two-story Kannon-den is the main temple structure. Construction began on February 21, 1482. In designing the building, Yoshimasa aimed to emulate the golden Kinkaku-ji, which had been built by order of his grandfather Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. In 1485, Yoshimasa became a Zen Buddhist monk. After his death on January 27, 1490, the villa and gardens became a Buddhist temple complex, renamed Jisho-ji after Yoshimasa's Buddhist name.

Nanzen-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple, founded in 1291 by Emperor Kameyama on the site of his previous palace. Its Hojo gardens are a World Heritage Site. The temple was last destroyed by fire in 1895 and rebuilt in 1909. The Suirokaku aquaduct was constructed in 1890. It carries water from lake Biwa to the Kyoto basin for drinking water.

Kurama-dera is a temple complex north of Kyoto and can be reached by train from Demachiyanagi Station. Kurama-dera houses some of Japan's national treasures and was founded in the 8th century. The temple has changed hands between three different Buddhist sects over the centuries. The temple was often destroyed by fire, but the Buddhist statues and treasures were always saved and are now national treasures. Today, it is still believed that 'tengu' and other mountain spirits live there. Tengu are a type of legendary creatures that are now depicted as creatures with a red face and a long nose. A beautiful example of this is the tengu at Kurama Station. The 800-year-old cedar tree that stands at the Yuki-jinja main hall is 53 meters high. It is believed to be a yorishiro, an object that attracts kami, or spirits, in Shinto Buddhism. To mark it as a sacred object, the tree is wrapped with a shimenawa, or rope, which is decorated with paper streamers. The ancient cedar is believed to be imbued with special powers and to make dreams come true for those who pray to it.

Just south of the city is the Fushimi Inari Taisha. This is the main shrine of the god Inari. Inari is the god of rice but merchants and manufacturers have traditionally worshipped Inari as a patron of business. Each torii at the shrine was donated by a businessman. The shrine is located at the foot of a 233-meter hill with paths to many smaller shrines. The first shrine was built in 711 on a hill in southwest Kyoto but was moved to its present location in 816 at the request of the monk Kukai. The main shrine was built in 1499. At the foot of the hill are the main gate 'Romon' and the main shrine 'Go-honden'. Behind these, halfway up the hill, is the inner shrine 'Okumiya' which can be reached by a path with thousands of torii (Senbon torii). The custom of donating a torii originated around 1600 to make a wish come true or as a thank you for a wish coming true. There are approximately 10,000 torii (gates). In the Inari shrines there are often statues of foxes (kitsune) with a key in their mouths. Foxes are seen as messengers with the key to the warehouse with the rice in their mouths. If you want to take a photo here between the torii without people, it is best to choose a position near a bend, a higher part or arrive very early or late. The complex is easily reached by train



Nara

was the capital of Japan during the Nara period from 710 to 794 as the seat of the emperor before the capital was moved to Kyoto. Nara is home to eight temples, shrines, and ruins, most notably Todai-ji, Saidai-ji, Kofuku-ji, Kasuga Shrine, Gango-ji, Yakushi-ji, Toshodai-ji, and the Heijo Palace. Nara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city, once known as Heijo or Heijo-kyo, became the first permanent capital of Japan in 710. It served as the seat of government until 784 AD, with a five-year hiatus from 741 to 745. Nara is home to lots of tame sika deer.

Todai-ji (Eastern Great Temple) is a Buddhist temple complex modeled after the Chinese temples. Originally founded in 738 and opened in 752. The Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) houses a bronze statue of Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese as Daibutsu. The Daibutsuden has been rebuilt twice after a fire. The current building was completed in 1709 and measures 57 meters by 50 meters and is 49 meters high. Due to lack of funds, the current building is 30% smaller than its predecessor. Until 1998, it was the largest wooden building in the world. The Buddha statue has been recast several times for various reasons, including earthquake damage. The current hands of the statue were made in the Momoyama period (1568–1615) and the head was made in the Edo period (1615–1867).

Kasuga-taisha is a Shinto shrine, founded in 768 and often rebuilt. The interior is famous for its many bronze lanterns, as well as the many stone lanterns leading up to the shrine. The Torii at Kasuga-taisha is one of the oldest in Shinto and served as a model for Torii throughout Japan. There are over three thousand stone lanterns along the way.


Koya

is a village and temple complex in the mountains south of Osaka. It is the headquarters of the Koyasan Shingon Buddhists, founded in 819 by the monk Kukai. It is located in an 800-meter-high valley between the eight peaks of Mount Koya-san, chosen because the terrain is said to resemble a lotus. The original monastery is now the town of Koya with 120 temples. In 2004 it became a World Heritage Site.

Okuno-in is the largest cemetery in Japan with over 200,000 gravestones on both sides of the 2 km long path to Kukai's mausoleum. Over the centuries, many people were buried here to be close to Kukai and to gain salvation in death. In front of the mausoleum is the Torodo Hall with over 10,000 lanterns that burn eternally. In the basement are 50,000 statues that were donated in honor of the 1150th anniversary of Kukai's accession to eternal meditation in 1984. Behind the Torodo Hall is the mausoleum (Gobyo). The cemetery is home to very tall conifers. The first plantings of these trees, mainly belonging to the genera Cryptomeria and Chamaecyparis, date back to 1012.

Kongobu-ji is the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism. The name means Temple of the Diamond Peak. The temple was first built as Seigan-ji Temple in 1593 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi after the death of his mother, rebuilt in 1861, and given its present name in 1869.

Daimon (Great Gate) marks the entrance to Mount Koya. Originally, the central gate was a torii located further down the winding valley below. That gate burned down and was rebuilt at its present location in 1705. The tower is 25.1 meters high and is flanked by two Vadrajhara figures; they are considered the second largest in Japan after those at Todai-ji, and are the work of Edo period sculptors.

Konpon Daito. Kobo Daishi and his successor Shinzen Daitoku devoted themselves to the construction of this pagoda, which lasted from 816 to 887. It is believed to be the first square two-story pagoda in Japan. The sixteen pillars supporting it are engraved with images of sixteen bodhisattvas. The Konpon Daito is approximately 48.5 meters high.


Osaka

is traditionally considered the economic center of Japan. From 300 to 538, it had become an important regional port. After the Meiji Restoration, Osaka expanded greatly and underwent rapid industrialization. In 645, Emperor Kotoku built his Naniwa Nagara-Toyosaki Palace in present-day Osaka, making it the capital of Japan. The city was called Naniwa at that time. The capital was moved to Asuka in Nara Prefecture in 655, but it remained a vital connection, by land and sea, between present-day Nara Prefecture, Korea, and China. Naniwa became the capital again in 744 under Emperor Shomu and remained so until 745, when it was moved back to Heijo-kyo (Nara).

Osaka-jo, Osaka Castle: In 1583, Toyotomi Hideyoshi began construction of the castle on the site of the Ishiyama Hongan-ji temple. The plan included a five- story main keep, with three additional stories underground, and gold leaf on the sides of the tower to impress visitors. In 1585, the Inner Keep was completed. Construction was completed in 1597 , and Hideyoshi died the following year. The castle passed to his son, Toyotomi Hideyori. In 1614, Tokugawa Ieyasu besieged the castle. Although the Toyotomi forces were outnumbered by about two to one, they managed to repel Tokugawa's army of 200,000 men. After a year, it finally fell to the Tokugawa shogunate, and Toyotomi Hideyori committed seppuku. Under the Meiji government, the castle became part of the Osaka Army Arsenal, which produced guns, ammunition, and explosives for Japan's rapidly expanding Western-style army. In 1931, the iron-concrete tenshu was built. During World War II, the castle became one of the largest military arsenals, employing 60,000 workers. American bombing raids on the arsenal damaged the rebuilt main tower, destroying 90% of the arsenal and killing 382 workers on August 14, 1945. In 1995, the government approved a restoration project, with the intention of restoring the main tower to its Edo-era splendor. The restoration was completed in 1997. The keep is a concrete reproduction.

Shitenno-ji, (Temple of the Four Heavenly Kings) was first built in 593 and is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan. The temple complex and buildings have been rebuilt many times over the centuries. The last reconstruction took place in 1963. Prince Shotoku promoted Buddhism in Japan. And so he started a project and ordered the construction of the temple. He invited three Korean carpenters from Baekje. They brought knowledge and led the construction of Shitenno-ji.

Shin-sekai (New World) is an old district. The district was created in 1912 with New York as a model for the southern half and Paris for the northern half. A Luna Park amusement park was located on this site from 1912 to 1923. The focal point of the district was the Tsutenkaku Tower ('tower reaching for the sky'). The current tower is the second to stand on this site. The original tower, modeled after the Eiffel Tower, was built in 1912 and was connected by a cable car to the adjacent Luna Park amusement park. At the time of its construction, it was the second tallest structure in Asia, standing at 64 meters (210 ft). It quickly became one of the city's most popular landmarks, drawing visitors from all over the area. The original structure was severely damaged by fire in 1943. Instead of repairing the structure, it was dismantled and the steel was used for the war effort. After the war, citizens lobbied to have the beloved tower rebuilt. The new, eight-sided tower opened in 1956. Biliken is a type of 'good luck charm' that originated in the United States and was introduced here.

Sumiyoshi taisha is a Shinto shrine and the most important of all Sumiyoshi shrines. It gives its name to a style of shrine architecture known as Sumiyoshi-zukuri. In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered that imperial messengers be sent to report important events to the protector kami of Japan. These heihaku were initially presented to 16 shrines, including Sumiyoshi. From 1871 to 1946, Sumiyoshi taisha was officially designated as one of the Kanpei-taisha, meaning it was in the first tier of government-supported shrines. Sumiyoshi taisha was founded by Tamomi no Sukune. The main attraction is the Sorihashi Bridge. When originally built some 400 years ago, the bridge is said to have been built over an inlet of the sea, but it now crosses a pond and provides a scenic entrance to the shrine.

Hozen-ji is a Buddhist temple. It has a reputation in Japan for helping women who are about to give birth. The temple was founded in 1637. The temple is located in the middle of a theater district and was frequently visited by actors and other performers. Performances were regularly given in tents. Except for one statue, it was completely destroyed during the bombing of 1945. The statue of Fudo Myoo is known for its unusual appearance: it is completely covered in moss. Pouring water over the statue, known as "Mizukake Fudo", is traditionally considered a good luck gesture.

Dotonbori is known as one of Osaka's main tourist and entertainment areas and runs along the Dotonbori Canal from the Dotonboribashi Bridge to the Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba district of Choo ward. Historically a theater district, one of the area's most notable features is an illuminated billboard for the Glico confectionery company depicting a runner crossing the finish line, which is often seen as an icon of Osaka. Dotonbori's history dates back to 1612, when the local canal administrator, Nariyasu Doton, began construction of the canal on the southern edge of Osaka. The canal was completed in September 1615. The new lord of Osaka, Matsudaira Tadaaki, named the canal and the avenue along it Dotonbori. The character of Dotonbori was defined in 1621 when the Tokugawa Shogunate instituted urban planning and designated Dotonbori as Osaka's entertainment district. By 1662, the avenue boasted six Kabuki theaters and five Bunraku theaters, as well as the unique Takeda Karakuri mechanical puppet theater. Many restaurants and cafés were built to cater to the influx of tourists and entertainment seekers who poured into Dotonbori each night. Over the years, the waning interest in traditional forms of entertainment led to the closure of most of Dotonbori's original attractions. With the exception of the Osaka Shochikuza, the remaining theaters were all destroyed during World War II.


Himeji

has been the center of Harima Province since the Nara period and was the location of the provincial capital and Harima Kokubun-ji. After the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Ikeda Terumasa (vassal of the Tokugawa shogunate) received a fief in Harima Province and established the Himeji Domain. He expanded Himeji Castle and its castle town. Due to its location dominating the San'yodo Highway that connected the Kinai region with western Japan, Himeji was an important stronghold of the Tokugawa shogunate during the Bakumatsu period. After the Meiji Restoration, Himeji was the capital of "Himeji Prefecture" from 1871. The city of Himeji was founded on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipal system. On April 1, 1996, Himeji achieved the status of a core city, with greater local autonomy.

Himeji-jo is considered the most beautiful preserved castle in Japan, consisting of a network of 83 rooms with sophisticated defense systems from the feudal period. The castle is often referred to as Hakuro-jo or Shirasagi-jo (White Heron Castle) because of its brilliant white exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight. The tenshu (donjon) is the most prominent structure, used as a storehouse in times of peace and as a fortified tower in times of war. Himeji Castle dates back to 1333 when Akamatsu Norimura built a fortress on top of Himeyama Hill. The fortress was dismantled and rebuilt as Himeyama Castle in 1346, and then rebuilt as Himeji Castle two centuries later. Many more rebuildings followed. For nearly 700 years, Himeji has remained intact, even through the bombings of Himeji in World War II and natural disasters including the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995. Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan, and was registered as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1993. During the Meiji period (1868-1912), many Japanese castles were destroyed. The castle was abandoned in 1871 and some of the castle corridors and gates were demolished to make way for Japanese army barracks. The entire castle complex was to be demolished by government policy, but was spared through the efforts of Nakamura Shigeto, an army colonel. When the Han feudal system was abolished in 1871, Himeji Castle was auctioned off. The castle was purchased by a Himeji resident. The buyer wanted to demolish the castle complex and develop the land, but the cost of destroying the castle was overestimated, and it was again spared. Himeji was heavily bombed in 1945 but miraculously spared. An incendiary bomb was dropped on the top floor of the castle, but it did not explode. In order to preserve the castle complex, extensive restoration work was carried out from 1956, involving 250,000 man-days of labor and costing 550 million yen. In January 1995, the city of Himeji was significantly damaged by the Great Hanshin Earthquake, but Himeji Castle survived virtually undamaged and showed remarkable resistance to earthquakes. Even the bottle of sake on the altar on the top floor of the keep remained in place. This is the most beautiful place in Japan to photograph cherry blossoms (due to the combination with the castle).


Hiroshima

was founded in 1589 as a castle town on the Ota River delta. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Hiroshima quickly developed into a major urban and industrial center. In 1889, Hiroshima was officially granted city status. The city was a center of military activity during the imperial era, playing important roles in the First Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, and both World Wars.

Hiroshima was the first military target of a nuclear weapon in history. This happened on August 6, 1945 at 08:15, when the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) dropped the atomic bomb "Little Boy" on the city. The bomb exploded at a height of 600 meters. Most of Hiroshima was destroyed and by the end of the year between 90,000 and 166,000 people had died as a result of the explosion and its aftermath. The Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, built in 1915, now called the Atomic Bomb Dome, is located 800 meters from ground zero. The building was the only structure left standing in the area at the end of World War II and now serves as a memorial. Opposite, on the other side of the river, is the Peace Park and its impressive museum.

Itsukushima is popularly known as Miyajima, which means shrine island in Japanese. Itsukushima is famous for the Itsukushima Shrine, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to archival documents, the shrine was founded during the time of Empress Suiko. The warrior-courtier Taira no Kiyomori gave the shrine its present appearance. Toyotomi Hideyoshi built a large building, the Senjo-kaku, on a hill above the shrine. The main attraction is the Itsukushima Torii, which stands in the sea at the height of the temple of the same name. At low tide, many people dare to cross to the Torii.

Daisho-in is located at the beginning of the trail leading to the top of the 535-meter-high Mount Mizen, from where you have a beautiful view of the surroundings in clear weather. Daisho-in is a historic Japanese temple on Mount Misen, the island's sacred mountain. It is the 14th temple in the Chugoku 33 Kannon pilgrimage and is famous for its maple trees and their autumn colors. The figures around the temple are in all kinds of funny poses. As the headquarters of the Omuro branch of Shingon Buddhism, it is the most important temple in Miyajima.

The Peace Boulevard in Hiroshima is the scene of lavish Christmas lights, including a boat and a castle from the second half of November.


Kumamoto

Kato Kiyomasa, a contemporary of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, became daimyo of half of the (old) Higo administrative region in 1588. Kiyomasa then built Kumamoto Castle. Due to its many innovative defense designs, Kumamoto Castle was considered impenetrable, and Kiyomasa enjoyed a reputation as one of the best castle builders in Japanese history. After Kiyomasa died in 1611, his son Tadahiro succeeded him. In 1632, Tadahiro was removed by Tokugawa Iemitsu and replaced by the Hosokawa clan.

Kumamoto-jo, the castle, was a large and well-fortified castle. The tenshu (donjon) is a concrete reconstruction, built in 1960, but a number of wooden buildings remain from the original castle. The history of the castle dates back to 1467, when the fortifications were established by Ideta Hidenobu. The castle complex measures approximately 1.6 kilometers from east to west and 1.2 kilometers from north to south. The tenshu is 30.3 meters high. The castle was besieged in 1877 during the Satsuma Rebellion and the castle tower and other parts were burned down. The strength of the castle was demonstrated by the fact that it withstood 19th-century weapons without falling. 13 of the buildings in the castle complex remained undamaged. From 1998 to 2008, the castle complex was restored, with most of the 17th-century structures being rebuilt. The castle was damaged by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in 2016. A stone wall at the foot of the keep partially collapsed. The next day, on 15 April, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake followed, completely destroying some parts. While the keep itself withstood most of the earthquake with little structural damage, two of the castle's turrets were badly damaged and partially collapsed, and more external walls at the foot of the keep also collapsed. Restoration began on 8 June 2016. The restoration of the main tower was completed in 2019. The restoration of the Nagabei Wall was completed in January 2021. The repair and restoration of the entire castle is scheduled for completion in 2037.

The Suizen-ji Joju-en garden was built during the Edo period by the daimyo of the Hosokawa clan. There is an artificial hill that is said to represent Mount Fuji. The gardens were designated as a National Scenic Area and a National Historic Site in 1929. The garden was first established as a place for the Japanese tea ceremony, built around 1636 by Hosokawa Tadatoshi, the first daimyo of Kumamoto. Hosokawa Tadatoshi chose the site because of the spring-fed pond, whose clean water was excellent for tea. During the reign of Hosokawa Tsunatoshi (1643-1714), the garden was converted into a strolling garden with paths and an artificial hill. It was called "Seishu-en" around this time. After the Meiji Restoration, the garden became the property of the central government, but the teahouse was burned down and the garden destroyed in the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877.

Mount Aso (Aso-san) is the largest active volcano in Japan and one of the largest in the world. Colloquially, it often refers only to the somma volcano at the center of the Aso Caldera. The highest peak, Takadake, is 1,592 meters (5,100 ft) high. The caldera measures 25 kilometers (16 mi) north-south and 18 kilometers (11 mi) east-west with a circumference of about 120 kilometers (75 mi), although sources differ on the exact distance. The central cone group consists of five peaks, Neko, Taka, Naka, Eboshi, and Kishima. The highest point is the summit of Taka, 1,592 meters (5,100 ft) above sea level. The crater of Mt. Naka, whose western side is accessible by road, contains an active volcano that continually emits smoke and occasionally erupts. Only the northernmost crater (the first crater) has been active in the past 70 years: 1974, 1979, 1984-1985, 1989-1991, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2021. The current Aso Caldera was formed as a result of four massive caldera eruptions that occurred 90,000-300,000 years ago.


Nagasaki

(Long Cape). The port of Nagasaki was founded by the Portuguese and became the only port for trade with the Portuguese and the Dutch in the 16th to 19th centuries. The Portuguese converted a number of daimyos. The most notable among them was Omura Sumitada. In 1569, Omura granted a license to establish a port to receive Portuguese ships in Nagasaki, which was founded in 1571. The small port village soon grew into a versatile port city. Due to the instability during the Sengoku period, a converted daimyo and the Jesuit leader devised a plan to transfer administrative control to the Society of Jesus rather than let a non-Catholic daimyo take over the Catholic city. Thus, Nagasaki became a Jesuit colony for a short period after 1580, under their administrative and military control. It became a refuge for Christians escaping mistreatment in other regions of Japan. Concerned about the large Christian influence in Kyushu, Hideyoshi ordered the expulsion of all missionaries and placed the city under his direct control. However, the expulsion order was not carried out and most of Nagasaki's population remained openly Catholic. In 1596, the Spanish ship San Felipe was wrecked off the coast of Shikoku, and Hideyoshi learned from the pilot that the Spanish Franciscans were the vanguard of an Iberian invasion of Japan. In response, Hideyoshi ordered the crucifixion of twenty-six Catholics in Nagasaki on February 5 of the following year. Portuguese traders were not expelled, however, and so the city continued to flourish. In 1614, Catholicism was officially banned and all missionaries were ordered to leave. A brutal campaign of persecution followed, with thousands of converts in Kyushu and other parts of Japan being killed, tortured, or forced to renounce their religion. Many Japanese and foreign Christians were executed by public crucifixion and burning at the stake in Nagasaki. The Portuguese were expelled from the archipelago altogether, having previously lived on a specially constructed artificial island in Nagasaki harbor that served as a trading post, called Dejima. The Dutch were then moved from their base in Hirado to the artificial island.

During the Meiji period, Nagasaki became a center of heavy industry. The main industry was shipbuilding. During World War II, Nagasaki was an important industrial city. On August 9, the nuclear attack took place with the bomb called 'Fat boy', at 11:02, at an altitude of about 600 meters.

The Half Torii is the most famous remnant of the nuclear attack and stands about 800 meters from ground zero. As a result of the atomic bomb, the torii broke in half and miraculously this part remained standing but rotated 30 degrees on its axis. Another, still completely intact, torii that stood further down was later destroyed as a result of a traffic accident.

Mount Inasa is a 333-meter-high mountain with a viewpoint over Nagasaki Bay and is accessible by cable car or bus.

The former Dejima is no longer an island but is now enclosed by the city. It now houses a museum that covers the history of the Dutch trading post.


Transport

The Shinkansen first entered service in 1964 on the Tokaido Line, connecting Osaka with Tokyo. The network in 2024 will run from the southernmost tip of Kyushu Island to Hakodate on Hokkaido Island. An extension to Sapporo is planned. The first trains reached a speed of 210 km/h. Today, it is 320 km/h. Transport between cities is by Shinkansen and local trains. Separate tickets or passes must be purchased for these.


For transport within the cities by train, metro and bus, and on certain routes outside of them, prepaid IC cards can be used such as Suica, Icoca and Pasmo. These IC cards (and seven others) can be used in most major cities in Japan. You can also pay with them in restaurants and shops. The Icoca card can only be purchased in the Osaka/Kyoto region. You cannot top up this card in Tokyo at all stations, but they can do this for you at the information desk. The IC cards can also be topped up by the staff of the numerous supermarkets such as 7-eleven, Lawson and Family mart. When you take the metro, you hold your card against the reader of the gate and then you can see on the display how much is left on it. When you leave the metro, go through another gate.

Suica is the IC card of JR East for the Tokyo region

Pasmo is the IC card for trains, metro en busses in Tokyo which are not JR.

Icoca is the IC card of JR West for Kansai region and Osaka amd Kyoto.