10 most beautiful places, a quick overview :
-Tokyo and surrounding area (Nikko, Kamakura, Yokohama)
-Kyoto Area (Nara, Mount Koya)
-Mountains: Mount Fuji
-The three most beautiful points (Nihon Sankei): Miyajima Matsushima Amanohashidate
-Castle Himeji
-Onsen Nyuto
-Park Shiretoko
-Beach: Izu Peninsula
-Remote islands: Yaeyama
-Old towns Takayama & Kanazawa
Tokyo
Tokyo is not a city to be visited for its traditions, but is nevertheless full of beautiful places to be discovered. Popular districts to be explored include Ginza (for racing), Akihabara (for those who like anime, or hoping to find some cheap electronics), Shibuya (for nightlife and Japanese mode), Shinjuku ( for its lively nightlife) Harajuku (preferably a Sunday, for the Goths and insane mode), Asakusa (for an old atmosphere), Roppongi (if foreigners missing you) and Odaiba (for fun).
Although this is common and you have probably heard before, there are also some typical places in Japan. For example, the Tsukiji market (although you need to be there at 5:00) is quite impressive! You should come prepared with shoes that will not be hardened and be ready to make you the smallest possible. If you put yourself in their way, the Japanese will not be happy. Keep in mind that the sales piece to tuna auction is now closed to tourists because flash cameras disrupted the sales process by auction and tourists touched the fish.
The Imperial Palace is also undoubtedly a visit, although most people only have access to the gardens. There are visits once a month, although you should be registered in advance and give your passport details. It is almost impossible to subscribe, and you should look for other possibilities: group tours.
Tokyo also some temples, although only three are really worth visiting: Yasukuni, Sensoji and Meiji.
Yasukuni is dedicated to Japanese war victims of the Second World War and thus sanctifies war criminals; this temple is highly political and politicized, responsible at times the cooling Sino-Japanese relations. We will not ask money to any of you if you just want to visit, do not get the impression that you are supporting a bad cause. It is particularly impressive during the nights Mitama festival, when it is illuminated by thousands of lanterns.
Meiji is dedicated to the Emperor and made a nice walk in the Yoyogi Park. Although not so impressive, you may be lucky enough to witness a traditional wedding ceremony! You can easily combine this output with a trip to Harajuku, Yoyogi Koen or where you can see the "rockers Sunday" dressed like they are straight out of Grease.
Finally, the Sensoji temple is by far the most impressive to visit, since it constantly deal with small stores. The temple complex is huge and the main hall definitely worth seeing. Go there in May for the Sanja festival, when you will be guaranteed a set of Japanese traditions (and perhaps can try the traditional dance with the Japanese).
Finally, the Ryogoku is also worth a visit. The sumo stadium comes alive three times a year in Tokyo (January, May and September) and is a wonderful event. Cheap tickets can be purchased on the day, but do not guarantee seat, although you can take any of that is vacant. It is recommended to get there early, see some struggles in the morning where you can sit right next to the stage, take a long lunch and return in the afternoon to see the highest ranked sumo and their parades. The atmosphere is unbeatable and if you're lucky, you will meet a young sumo who practice your Japanese for lunch.
Outside the city of Tokyo are two places worth a visit both. The first is the Ghibli Museum, dedicated to Hayao Miyazaki, creator of Ghibli films (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away ...). Tickets must be purchased one week before the entry in any neighborhood store (combini) which has a machine. However, they operate only in Japanese, but you can ask the staff to help you. The tickets include a time at which you must be in the museum if you want to enter - this system was established to ensure that there would not too many people in the museum at the same time (and Tokyo, museums can get very crowded).
The second place is a day trip to Takaosan (Mount Takao), which can be a nice hike in the mountains surrounding Tokyo. Only the first part is slightly uphill and the road is paved up, but the colors are beautiful and the descent through the forest is a real pleasure.
Other easily accessible locations include Tokyo Nikko, Kamakura and Yokohama. Nikko and Kamakura are very beautiful cities, easily accessible by train, full of temples. Nikko should preferably be visited on two day trip, while Kamakura can be seen in one day (consider visiting a temple, the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) and are hiking in Enoshima early morning). Yokohama is especially famous for its Chinatown, as it is the port through which many Chinese goods came. Other popular attractions include the Ramen Museum and the village of Kirin beer.
Kyoto
The city of Kyoto is full of temples and it would take you a lifetime to explore all. As such, consider the following selection as a directive from the most popular and the most atmospheric views in Kyoto's Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji, absolutely beautiful and should not be missed under any circumstances), Fushimi Inari Shrine (used as filming locations for Memoirs of a Geisha, this temple is a nice walk in the mountains and get to walk you through thousands of orange doors), Nijo Castle (contains beautiful paintings in his plays) Kiyomizudera (after a small sitting climb along a steep slope, you will have a nice view of any Kyoto), Gion (where you might take a look at a geisha, if you're lucky).
Outside Kyoto are two especially interesting places for tourists Nara and Koyasan (Mount Koya). In Nara, Todaiji, which takes another Big Buddha, is a wonderful sight and a walk in the nearby mountains or in the park allows you to relax. You can feed the deer, and even if you do not intend, they will probably (and eat your magazine). Mount Koya is the center of Buddhism in Japan and you can go there to spend a night in a temple. The atmosphere is very conductive to reflection and they give you the chance to experience the life of a monk for a day or more, depending on how long you want to stay.
Mount Fuji (Fujiyama)
Mount Fuji is the symbol of Japan and its peak is at 3776 m altitude. Flying over Tokyo, you'll get to admire it, as you might from some places in the winter when the air is clear. For two months in July and August, it is possible to hike to the top of Fuji, a typical Japanese experience (although once the volcano, you will realize that about one third of the hikers are foreigners). This is not an easy hike, and make sure you come prepared with at least running shoes and many layers of sweaters.
Generally, people take a bus to the 5th station, where you will then begin your hike. Fuji is very wide at the base and is covered with a dense forest called Kuroi Jukai (black sea trees) due to the high number of suicides committed there (cell phones have no signal and you can be lost very easily) ; For these reasons, it is best perhaps not to venture yourself and therefore prefer the bus. Since this is about four hours from Tokyo, it is customary to leave at 9:00 am and start climbing at about 13:00 to about 18:00, when you reach the 8th station. There, people stop for dinner and to sleep, getting up around midnight or 1 hour to finish climbing and watching the sun climbing to the top of the mountain. Although the track is very wide at the beginning, the end does not allow more than a single file and since most Japanese who try this hike are mostly older, you may find yourself stuck behind someone who rests. The camaraderie of the volcano is impressive, but really go much ahead if you do not want to miss the sunrise - one of the most beautiful views.
The Japanese have a saying - "He who climbs Fuji foiest a s a sage. He who climbs it twice is a fool. "And you will often hear the Japanese say, after returning downstairs, Fuji is a mountain designed to be admired from afar.
Miyajima Matsushima Amanohashidate
Miyajima, the most popular away from Nihon Sankei is near Hiroshima. The place of the famous torii (gate) orange in the sea, it is definitely worth a visit (if only for the photo). The shrine itself - Itsukushima is also very nice and portions of the walk is over water.
Matsushima, a bay dotted with pine islands of all sizes, is farther north, near Sendai. The walk around the larger islands undoubtedly relaxes and even in summer the temperatures are quite cool. You can also take a one-hour boat cruise around the islands.
Amanohashidate, despite being the least famous of the three, is perhaps the most exciting. The name means "a bridge to heaven" and to understand the meaning, you need to put your head between your legs and look behind you - try it and you'll realize that this is not as crazy as is believe. The clouds look like the floor of the heavens and the long bar of sand, dotted with pines, begins to resemble a bridge. You can walk there or rent a bicycle. It is also possible to swim here and has Amanohashidate a slightly cooler microclimate than the rest of the region: definitely paradise during a wet summer!
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle, one of the largest in Japan, is quite a detour. If you want to visit one castle, please ignore that of Kyoto, which is nothing compared to the size and splendor of it. Himeji is perhaps the only Japanese castle that was not destroyed during the wars, earthquakes or fires and you get to see the original instead of a cement reconstruction. Himeji is not recommended in summer as there is little ventilation inside the castle (unless you reach the highest levels) and haze across the city slightly spoils the view.
Nyuto Onsen
Nyuto onsen is a group of public baths in a very isolated part of Japan. Although these are available almost everywhere, this group is particularly impressive. Indeed, the Tsurunoyu ryokan (inn) offers the opportunity to swim at lower cost. Bring your own towel, however, since they do not give any. Public baths in Japan are divided between the sexes, so that you can swim to your own advantage (usually a relief to most foreigners). The proper etiquette is: do you clean first (the tap or the bath water - but not put your dirty water) before entering the hot whirlpool. It is normal for you to turn bright red as a lobster and the Japanese often come to cool off with the icy water tap.
There are also mixed bathing, although in these it is usual to cover you. They are mostly used by families, so children can swim with both parents.
Park Shiretoko
Hokkaido is famous for its unspoiled nature and the Shiretoko Park is no exception. Indeed, the whole peninsula has an impressive wildlife and beautiful flora, as well as a nice drop of hot water - which can be quite welcome since Hokkaido summers are never so hot. This peninsula is so well preserved that no road access and therefore there can only be reached on foot or by boat. You can see bears, as well as deer and other wildlife.
Izu Peninsula
The whole peninsula is a beach resort, popular for its beautiful beaches and hot springs. Although qu'Atami is well connected with a shinkansen stop, Ito also has direct trains to Tokyo (Super-View Odoriko) not only take very little time, but also have large windows to take make the most of the view (which is absolutely breathtaking).
The most popular beaches are in Izu Shimoda, all covered with white sand and with access to a transparent sea. The Japanese love it and they are right, it is absolutely sublime. You can also stay on the beach at night to play with fireworks before you retire to your very expensive ryokan (Japanese-style inn).
Islands of Yaeyama
The Yaeyama Islands are the southernmost and westernmost of Japan and give you the opportunity to meet people whose Japanese is absolutely not understandable. However, the islands are peaceful and beautiful enough to make you want to settle yourself for the rest of your life (which may be a good idea as the people of Okinawa has the longest life expectancy in the world - easily more hundred years). Think of Taketomi Island and Iriomote, since they are not so populated and offer good hiking trails. On Taketomi, you can also visit a traditional Ryukyu village, very well preserved. Overall diving and relaxing are the norm these islands.
Takayama & Kanazawa
Takayama and Kanazawa are two well-preserved cities in Gifu Prefecture, offering the opportunity to witness what life was like before in Japan. Takayama has a festival in spring and autumn and is widely consider it one of the best festivals in Japan. Kanazawa is a city that has avoided the destruction by fire during World War II and as such, much of its old town (the castle, the District of samurai and entertainment districts) is still in good condition . Kanazawa is famous for his garden Kenrokuen, which is considered one of the finest in Japan.
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