Restrictions to visiting Tutankhamuns Tomb

Japan: a journey from the pebbled gardens of Kyoto… to Tokyo, the ultimate technological hub.

By Lizzie Johnson - India and Far East specialist

Japan

Having never visited Japan before I was delighted when the Kansai Tourist Board invited me to explore this region in March. Full of contrasts between the proud traditions of the past and the fast growing technological era, Japan had long fascinated me, so I was bursting with excitement as I landed in Kyoto. This city is truly the Japan of your imagination with raked pebbled gardens, wooden housed sheltering under bamboo groves and the odd geisha disappearing into narrow wooden doorways of traditional restaurants. I was immediately enchanted.

Beyond Kyoto the Kansai region was full of surprises. From the peaceful Buddhist town of Koya-san, nestled in the mountains to the south of Osaka, where I slept in temple lodgings and attended the monk’s morning chants, transporting me back to a way of life that must have continued this way for centuries.

To the next stop Osaka, a city that could not have been more bustling and lively. As is well known, Japan is a volcanic island, the fantastic advantage of this being the Onsen, natural hot springs that literally spring up everywhere. One of the highlights must have been my stay on Miyajima Island where I spent the late afternoon soaking in a steaming Onsen looking out over the famous sight of the Itsukushima-Jinja Shrine to the floating torii gate out in the bay. What a life!

After a quick stop in Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Park and marvel in amazement at how such a modern, vibrant city could rise up from such terrible destruction, my journey continued to Tokyo. The ultimate metropolis and technological hub of the country, Tokyo is still inherently Japanese. A city to get lost in exploring the bustling streets of Ginza shopping district or take a day trip to the stunning snow capped Mount Fuji, the immortalised symbol of Japan.

Although a fascinating country Japan seems to have mistakenly gained the reputation as a difficult and alien place to travel. In reality it is amazingly easy with friendly, interested Japanese eager to help the stranded tourist and to show them the delights of the food and culture. There is no-where else quite like it!