Explore Japan
Visitor Attractions
Sights
Japan offers a very wide range of attractions, from historical and cultural treasures to modern and futuristic sights and beautiful forests, mountains and sea coasts.
Tokyo:
Tokyo is sometimes called a bundle of exotic sights and sounds. There are a lot of things to do there and sights to visit: shrines, temples, excellent museums, shopping areas. Make sure to embark on a fascinating 40 minute day cruise on the Sumida River between Asakusa and the Port of Tokyo. Visit the New National Theatre and Opera City in the Shinjuku district. For theatre goers there are three unique forms of entertainment: Kabuki, Takarazuka, and Noh.
Yokohama:
Chinatown, Sankei-en Garden, Yokohama Bay Bridge, a famous local landmark, Kamakura, one of Japan's most interesting cultural areas with 65 Buddhist temples and 19 Shinto shrines, including the famous Great Buddha.
Sapporo:
The Sapporo Meissen Museum, Odori Park, Clock Tower, Sapporo Beer Garden and Museum, Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art.
Events
The Japan's biggest holidays are New Year and Golden Week (the lumping together of Green Day, Constitution Day and Children's Day, from April 27 to May 6). Other festivals include Coming-of-Age Day (second Monday in January), when ceremonies are held for boys and girls who have reached the age of 20. The Japanese celebrate the end of winter on February 3 or 4 by indulging in Setsubun (bean throwing). Hanami (Blossom Viewing) usually runs from February to April.
Another romantic festival is Tanabata Matsuri (Star Festival), which takes place on July 7. There are also O Bon (Festival of the Dead), when lanterns are floated on rivers, lakes or the sea to signify the return of the departed to the underworld, takes place from July 13-16 and mid-August.
The most renowned of all Japanese festivals is Kyoto's Gion Matsuri (July 17). Its highlight is a parade of massive man-dragged floats decked out in incredible finery. The Yah-Yah Matsuri (first Sunday to the following Saturday of February; Owase) is an argument contest: competitors scream Samurai chants and try to look fearsome. Afterwards, they take off all their clothes and jump in the ocean. Another interesting holiday is White Day (March 14). It is similar to St. Valentine's Day.
