It doesn’t matter if you’re a first time visitor to the Land of the Rising Sun, or a bona-fide Japan fan: Japan is a vast country, with much to explore.
Here are five classic Japan itineraries that will appeal to most types of travellers, whether they be interested in history, culture, nature, religion or hitting up the slopes.
Oh, and make sure you read until the end, where you can find out how you can win a spot on an exciting famil opportunity for 20 agents to Japan, hosted by JNTO.
1. Golden Route
Itinerary: Tokyo, Mt Fuji/Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima.
The perfect introduction to the Land of the Rising Sun, the Golden Route takes first-time visitors on a whirlwind tour of Japan and allows them to experience both sides of this enigmatic country: from the bustling metropolis that is modern Tokyo, to the quant traditional temples of Kyoto.
Thrown into the mix is a visit to Mt. Fuji, Japan’s iconic mountain; Osaka, Japan’s third-largest city and a foodies’ paradise; and Hiroshima, a site of great historical significance to the Japanese.
Pro tip: The Golden Route is easily explored using a Japan Rail Pass down the main shinkansen (bullet-train) line from Tokyo to Osaka – or in reverse. There are direct flights from Australia to both Osaka and Tokyo.
2. Second Golden Route
Northern itinerary: Takayama, Shirakawago and Kanazawa.
Suitable for repeat travellers to Japan and those wishing to get off the beaten path and explore a more authentic side to the country, the Second Golden Route is split into a northern and southern component.
The northern itinerary is all about getting into the mountains and enjoying Japan’s stunning natural vistas and gorgeous historical temples. Visitors on the route will also be able to explore castles, gorge on regional cuisine and visit sake breweries.
Starting in Nagoya, this 3-day itinerary heads straight into the mountains to the historical town of Takayama, before heading to the World Heritage listed village of Shirakawago, where visitors can amble around its thatched roof farm houses built in the traditional gassho-zukuri style. Guests can even stay overnight in these farm houses for an authentic rural experience.
On the last day, visitors can head to Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa prefecture, and immerse themselves in Japanese history and traditional culture.
Pro tip: You can take the new Hokuriku shinkansen (which opened in 2015) all the way from Tokyo to Kanazawa in just 2.5 hours and do this itinerary in reverse.
Southern itinerary: Koyasan, Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes and Ise.
Starting in Osaka, the southern itinerary is all about exploring Japan’s spiritual side, with temple stays, walks along UNESCO World Heritage-listed pilgrimage routes and visits to important Japanese shrines.
Travelling south from Osaka, visitors head to Koyasan, a sacred mountain that’s home to over 100 temples and the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi (founder of Shingon Buddhism), and stay the night in a Buddhist temple before heading to the start of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route that leads to three very spectacular grand shrines.
Finishing in Ise, a coastal city in Mie prefecture, visitors can take a selfie in front of the 2,000-year old Ise Jingu, one of Japan’s most sacred shrines dedicated to the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu, before catching a train to Nagoya for air or train services.
3. Snow and Ski – Hokkaido
Itinerary: Niseko, Furano and Rusutsu.
This itinerary is perfect for snow bunnies and ski slayers keen on getting stuck into some fresh powder in Hokkaido, Japan’s most northerly island, known for its light, powdery snow.
As the most popular and famous ski resorts for Aussies – all easily accessible from Shin-Chitose Airport in Sapporo, with onward air connections to both Tokyo and Osaka – these ski resorts in Niseko, Furano and Rusutsu feature excellent, world-class facilities and are very internationalised, making a stay here easy, comfortable and so much fun!
4. Snow and Ski – Nagano and Niigata
Itinerary: Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, Shiga Kogen and Myoko.
Just a 90-minute shinkansen (bullet-train) ride from Tokyo, Nagano – the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics – is easily accessible from Japan’s capital city.
Set amidst steep mountains which receive plenty of snowfall, Nagano’s 85+ ski resorts offer boundless opportunities for keen skiers and snowboarders. The most popular resorts can be accessed within a 1 – 1.5 hour bus ride from Nagano Station.
Skiing in nearby Niigata, the birthplace of skiing in Japan, is also extremely popular with travellers seeking a snow holiday. It’s very accessible from Tokyo too, with the nearest resort – Gala Yuzawa – reachable in just 75 minutes via a shinkansen service.
Pro tip: Armed with a Japan Rail Pass, why not combine a trip to the snowfields with a trip to see the Snow Monkeys, or perhaps visit Disneyland and Universal Studios before or after your skiing holiday?
5. Snow and Ski – Tohoku
Itinerary: APPI, Zao Onsen, Alts Bandai and Hakkoda.
This snow and ski itinerary takes you to a very traditional part of Japan that receives a good amount of snow fall and not many foreign tourists – yet!
Head to family-friendly APPI, or spend a week at Alts Bandai if you’re a snowboarder.
Hakkoda is perfect for advanced skiers and snowboarders, whilst Zao Onsen is great for everyone: head hear to soothe your aching bones in a traditional Japanese hot spring surrounded by trees draped in fresh snow.
WIN A PLACE ON A JAPAN FAMIL
JNTO are giving twenty Travel Agents the chance to WIN a place on two famils to Japan later this year to explore the unique country first hand.
Both famils will see the Travel Agents explore both Tokyo and Kyoto with the first famil running between 16th – 22nd October, 2016 and the second famil running between 23rd – 29th October, 2016.
For your chance to be in the draw for a spot on either of these famils please visit https://elearning.jnto.org.au and complete the e-learning program.
The competition ends on the 15th August, 2016.
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