Who is Japan best for ?
Japan holidays are above all an immersion in Japanese culture. Enjoy bewitching encounters with Edo-era 'floating world' culture; Japanese cinema; the imagery of Kabuki theatre or a tea ceremony; the subtle symbolism of a traditional kimono motif or Ikebana flower arrangement; and the often enigmatic universe of Japanese writers and illustrators. Lovers of nature will also be captivated by Japan's majestic, romantic scenery. For travellers who love new and original experiences, a stay at an onsen (hot spring spa), a ryokan (traditional inn) or a Buddhist temple is the perfect way to reiterate that this country really is like no other place on Earth. Known as a profoundly spiritual place, Japan is perfect for anyone looking to find themselves, or their inner peace. Japan is also a superb family holiday destination, and ideal for teens particularly thanks to the profusion of adolescence, Manga, state-of-the-art gadgets, electronics, gaming consoles and inter-active games, robotics, and very creative fashion.
What to do in Japan ?
What you can find in Japan that you cannot find anywhere else :
Quite simply, a holiday to Japan is like visiting another planet. It is a country that is both strangely familiar yet totally unpredictable, surprising and original in its traditions, culture and civilisation. Japan is home to an ancient civilisation which is very attached to its values, codes, rituals, beliefs, and roots and yet resolutely looks towards the future. The contrasts here are stronger and more striking than arguably anywhere else. Japan is one of the few countries that speaks as much to the heart as to the head.
The best things to discover on your Japan holidays :
The best option for a Japan holiday when it comes to flights, accommodation and train passes is a combination of slick organisation and freedom . Even the language barrier is not really a problem. The Japanese will listen to your needs and you will find that they are as interested in listening as they are about anything else. A typical 15-day itinerary should include Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Mount Koya-san, Miyajima Island and Osaka, staying alternately in international hotels and ryokan traditional inns, and with one night staying in a temple.