Japan: Exploring the Land of the Rising Sun
Japan, also known as the Land of the Rising Sun, is a diverse and unique country waiting to be explored. Japan has much to offer with its mega city of Tokyo and the mountainous region of the Japanese Alps. As someone who loves to travel, Japan is one of my favorite countries to visit. In this blog post, I will take you on a two-week journey through Japan, visiting seven different cities and sharing all the essential information to help you explore this fascinating country.
Overview of the Journey
Our journey begins in Osaka, known as the kitchen of Japan. From Osaka, we will visit the secluded temple town of Koyasan, the city of Nara, the ancient capital of Japan - Kyoto, Kanazawa, renowned for its gold leaf production, the mountainous region of Takayama, and finally, we will end our two-week trip in Tokyo. Throughout our journey, we will visit the most essential spots in each city and make the most of our time in Japan.
Travel Tips
If you plan to visit Japan, here are a few things you need to know:
November is a great time to visit Japan due to the beautiful autumn foliage and mild weather conditions.
Public transportation is the primary way to get around, so get an IC card, a rechargeable travel card accepted in most major cities.
If you follow this itinerary strictly, you will not need a Japan Rail Pass. Single-fare tickets will be more affordable since this is a point-to-point trip.
You can use Google Maps for navigation, which works well in Japan. For more detailed information and planning, check out the website Hyperdia.
Exploring Osaka
Osaka is a modern and lively city known for its love of food and nightlife. We arrived in Osaka and immediately headed to the famous Dotonbori area, a busy tourist spot with neon lights, shops, and plenty of food options. We explored the area and enjoyed a meal at Ichiran Ramen, known for its delicious tonkatsu ramen. The next day, we visited the Namba Yasaka Shrine and Osaka Castle, two of Osaka's most famous landmarks. We also explored Amerikamura, the center of Japanese youth culture in Osaka, and visited the Umeda Sky Building for a panoramic view of the city. In the evening, we enjoyed okonomiyaki at Okaru, one of the best okonomiyaki shops in Osaka. If you have more time in Osaka, you can explore the old neon-lit neighborhood of Shinsekai or ride on the Ferris wheel at Don Quijote.
Visiting Koyasan
Koyasan is a secluded temple town nestled in the mountains of Wakayama. It is the center of Japan's Shingon Buddhism and home to over 100 temples. We took a two-hour trip from Osaka to Koyasan and stayed at a temple lodging named Saizenin. The first place we visited in Koyasan was the Danjo Garan temple complex, which houses around 20 temples and buildings, including the Great Pagoda. We also visited the Great Daimon Gate and Kongobuji, the head temple of Shingon Buddhism. The main attraction of Koyasan is the Okunoin cemetery, Japan's largest cemetery, with over 200,000 graves. We spent some time exploring this serene and peaceful place. In the evening, we enjoyed a traditional Buddhist meal at our temple lodging and attended the morning ritual to complete the experience.
Exploring Nara
Nara is a city located between Osaka and Kyoto. It is famous for Nara Park and its deer population. In Nara, we visited Todai-ji, a Buddhist temple housing the Great Buddha statue. We also explored Kasuga Taisha, a Shinto shrine known for its lantern festival. Nara is a charming city with a rich history.
Known for its park with the same name, Nara is famous for its deer population. If you want to feed the deer, you can buy crackers from local vendors in the park. The first place to visit in Nara is the Todaiji Temple, which houses the most giant bronze statue in the world, the Buddha statue Nara Daibatsu. As you explore the temple, you'll come across a square hole in a pillar known as Buddha's nostril, which is believed to bring good health and luck if you crawl through it. Another notable site in the park is Kasugataisha, a Shinto shrine known for its hundreds of bronze lanterns lit twice a year during lantern festivals in February and August. If you're up for some exercise, you can climb Mount Wakakusa, a 342-meter tall hill in the park that offers an excellent view of the city and the park. After all that walking, you can grab a quick bite at a famous mochi shop in Nara.
If you're looking for more things to do in Nara, you can also visit Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. Kyoto has many important temples, shrines, palaces, and gardens. One of the must-visit places in Kyoto is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, next to the Tenryuji Temple. Along the Katsura River in Arashiyama, you'll find the Senkoji Temple, a hidden gem that offers a great view and a chance to meet the local temple dog. Another popular attraction in Arashiyama is the Iwatayama Monkey Park, where over 100 Japanese snow monkeys can be seen. In Kyoto, you can also visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of torii gates. Other places to explore in Kyoto include the Nishiki Market, Gion district, and Pontocho Alley.
If you have more time, you can take a train to Kanazawa, known as "Little Kyoto" due to its well-preserved historic districts. Kanazawa is famous for its gold leaf production and is home to art museums and beautiful gardens. You can visit the Omicho Market, which has a 300-year history and offers a variety of local dishes and seafood. Kanazawa also has plenty of museums, including the D.T. Suzuki Museum and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Don't forget to try sushi at a local restaurant like Sushi Ippei. Finally, you can visit the Oyama Shrine, Kanazawa Castle, and the Kenrokuen Garden, known for its beautiful scenery and seasonal changes.
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