Longing for the Far East? Japan Holds a World of Wonders

A trip to the exotic far east is a dream come true for many travelers, and Japan offers a world of wonders within its borders. The ancient country can hold the imagination of those who love history and a sense of adventure. There is much more to Japan than just the bright lights of Tokyo, and here are just a few things to do while in this gem.

Mt. Fuji

Japan is home to the famous Mt. Fuji, the highest peak in the country, and an active stratavolcano. Mt. Fuji is located on Honshu Island and sits approximately 50 miles southwest of Tokyo. The peak is divided into 10 stations ranging from base to summit. There is road access to many of the hiking trails and there is direct access by bus from the Shinjuku Station. It takes about 6 hours to climb to the summit from the fifth and sixth stations so climbers need to plan for that.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Located in Kyoto Japan, the grove boasts an expansive walking trail system filled with thick, green bamboo stalks. The stalks give the grove an eerie quality to the lighting as it is diffused through the thick leaves. It is a pleasure to walk through this gorgeous region and a definite must-do when visiting Japan.

Himeji-j?

Japan is filled with glorious castles and Himeji-j? is one of the few remaining original construction buildings. The castle has a five storey main keep and a three smaller keeps. The entire castle is surrounded by moats and defensive structures complete with openings for weaponry. The structure was built in 1580 and then enlarged 30 years later. The castle is a definite must-see for those who love to take a look back at Japan’s vibrant and exciting history.

Kabuki-za

Japan is famous for its kabuki theater and a visit to the Kabuki-za is a definite for theater lovers. The building itself is gorgeous and flamboyant and visitors can take in full performances of three to four acts from different plays during an afternoon or evening outing. The theater does offer headsets for English translations as well as snacks during intermission.

You may also decide to choose to catch only single acts instead of the entire performance, and tickets are sold on the day of the performance. The seats are at the back of the theater, but do provide a good view. It is recommended to arrive at least 1 1/2 hours before the start of the show.