Japan Travel Guide

The splurge of islands in the North Pacific that makes up Japan offers the visitor a wealth of things to see and do. Where else could you spend the morning trying out the latest digital technologies and the afternoon watching Buddhist monks perform rituals unaltered since the 8th century AD?

As recently as the 16th century, the harsh neon jungle that is Tokyo was little more than a fishing village. Today you can lose yourself in its population of 32 million. As well as stunning architecture, the city offers world-class museums, galleries and theatres, plus plenty of opportunities to indulge in the national pass-time: karaoke.

Step outside Tokyo to explore the rest of the country and you’ll find that all this development and modernisation has not overwhelmed Japan’s exquisite cultural history. Take the time to visit one of the many festivals or World Heritage Sites such as the ancient city of Kyoto or the Itsukushima Shrine with its floating Torii, dating from the 13th century.