All about Japan

Think of Japan, and what springs to mind? Trees laden with cherry blossom, sake in porcelain cups, folded origami masterpieces and kimonos, scenes from the recent hit film The Last Samuri or poignant moments from Memoirs of a Geisha…?

However traditional your impressions of The Land of the Rising Sun, a modern, fresh and funky Japan is jostling for recognition… and it’s not going unnoticed.

This is a cool and urban country where the striking cities of Tokyo and Osaka rise out of the landscape with stunning towers of glass and avant-garde architecture. Neon lights accentuate the undercurrent of excitement that sweeps through the unique city inhabitants whose outrageous fashions are just as colourful! Traditional block printing methods have been mixed with Western Animation to produce the vibrant, characteristic animations of Manga. You’ll see hi-tech gadgetry in every store window and get the chance to play with cutting edge gizmos until the sun goes down (unless you’ve been whisked off to a Karaoke bar!)

Yet even in the bright city you'll stumble upon ancient temples, quaint traditional restaurants and historic inns - amidst a modern way of life, rural Japan is not to be forgotten. With its 3000 mountainous and volcanic islands (the largest of which are Honshū, Hokkaidō, Kyūshū and Shikoku) the climate ranges from long cold winters and cool summers in the North, to far more temperate warm winters and long hot summers in the South.

No trip to this country of contrasts would be complete without taking a trip to an Onsen natural spa, seeing the majesty of Mount Fuji and visiting a Buddhist retreat. Stroll through Tokyo's public parks where sights to look out for include the statue of Takamori Saigo and The Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple - a famous religious structure dedicated to Kannon, the Shinto fertility goddess.

Whether you end up serenading the locals, surfing an indoor wave, playing with a virtual puppy, musing in a Zen temple, bathing in a thermal spa or speeding through the landscape at nearly 200mph, come to Japan with an open mind and be prepared to be surprised.