Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Yasaka Pagoda and Sannen Zaka Street in Kyoto, Japan. getty Japan is a country that seamlessly blends the old with the new, offering travelers a unique opportunity to experience its rich history alongside its cutting-edge modernity. Two cities that epitomize this balance are Tokyo and Kyoto.
Tokyo, the bustling capital, is a vibrant metropolis filled with skyscrapers, neon lights, and a nonstop energy. Kyoto, the former imperial capital, is a serene city known for its ancient temples, traditional tea houses, and picturesque gardens. Together, these cities offer a comprehensive glimpse into Japan’s diverse cultural landscape.
Exploring Tokyo The Shibuya shopping district in Tokyo, Japan. getty Tokyo is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own distinct character and charm. Shibuya, for instance, is famous for the iconic Shibuya Crossing, where travelers can witness the organized chaos of thousands of people crossing the street simultaneously.
This district is also a hub for fashion, youth culture, and entertainment, with many shops, cafes, and nightclubs. Senso-ji Temple, Asakua, Japan. getty Just a short train ride away is the historic district of Asakusa, where travelers can step back in time and explore the city’s more traditional side.
The highlight here is Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, which is approached via the bustling Nakamise shopping street. Here, you can purchase traditional Japanese snacks and souvenirs, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in the cultural history of Japan. MORE FOR YOU NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram And Answers For Sunday, August 18th UFC 305 Results: Bonus Winners, Highlights And Reaction ‘Inside Out 2’ Debuts On Digital Streaming This Week The Sagamu food tour includes tastings of many local, traditional sweets.
Nancy Edwards For those looking to delve into Tokyo’s vibrant culinary scene, the Local Foodie Adventure Tour in Sugamo is a fantastic way to taste authentic Japanese cuisine. Sugamo, often referred to as the “Old Ladies’ Harajuku,” is a charming neighborhood known for its traditional shops and eateries. The tour guides visitors through local markets and food stalls, offering a taste of everything from street food to traditional sweets.
function loadConnatixScript(document) { if (!window.cnxel) { window.cnxel = {}; window.
cnxel.cmd = []; var iframe = document.createElement('iframe'); iframe.
style.display = 'none'; iframe.onload = function() { var iframeDoc = iframe.
contentWindow.document; var script = iframeDoc.createElement('script'); script.
src = '//cd.elements.video/player.
js' + '?cid=' + '62cec241-7d09-4462-afc2-f72f8d8ef40a'; script.setAttribute('defer', '1'); script.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript'); iframeDoc.
body.appendChild(script); }; document.head.
appendChild(iframe); const preloadResourcesEndpoint = 'https://cds.elements.video/a/preload-resources-ovp.
json'; fetch(preloadResourcesEndpoint, { priority: 'low' }) .then(response => { if (!response.ok) { throw new Error('Network response was not ok', preloadResourcesEndpoint); } return response.
json(); }) .then(data => { const cssUrl = data.css; const cssUrlLink = document.
createElement('link'); cssUrlLink.rel = 'stylesheet'; cssUrlLink.href = cssUrl; cssUrlLink.
as = 'style'; cssUrlLink.media = 'print'; cssUrlLink.onload = function() { this.
media = 'all'; }; document.head.appendChild(cssUrlLink); const hls = data.
hls; const hlsScript = document.createElement('script'); hlsScript.src = hls; hlsScript.
setAttribute('defer', '1'); hlsScript.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript'); document.head.
appendChild(hlsScript); }).catch(error => { console.error('There was a problem with the fetch operation:', error); }); } } loadConnatixScript(document); (function() { function createUniqueId() { return 'xxxxxxxx-xxxx-4xxx-yxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx'.
replace(/[xy]/g, function(c) { var r = Math.random() * 16 | 0, v = c == 'x' ? r : (r & 0x3 | 0x8); return v.toString(16); }); } const randId = createUniqueId(); document.
getElementsByClassName('fbs-cnx')[0].setAttribute('id', randId); document.getElementById(randId).
removeAttribute('class'); (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.elements.
video/tr/si?token=' + '44f947fb-a5ce-41f1-a4fc-78dcf31c262a' + '&cid=' + '62cec241-7d09-4462-afc2-f72f8d8ef40a'; cnxel.cmd.push(function () { cnxel({ playerId: '44f947fb-a5ce-41f1-a4fc-78dcf31c262a', playlistId: 'cce06289-75b9-40f5-8676-50e517ab7eb5', }).
render(randId); }); })(); The teamLab Borderless Digital Art Exhibition in Tokyo. Nancy Edwards Another unique experience in Tokyo is the teamLab Borderless Digital Art Exhibition. This immersive digital art museum blurs the boundaries between the viewer and the art, creating an interactive experience where you become part of the installation.
The museum features rooms filled with vibrant projections, where the environment shifts and changes with your movements, offering a mesmerizing experience unlike any other. Kayaking in Tokyo gives a different perspective of the city. Nancy Edwards For a different perspective of the city, consider taking a kayak tour of Tokyo.
This activity allows you to paddle through the city’s waterways, offering a tranquil escape from the urban hustle. The route provides stunning views of Tokyo’s skyline and iconic landmarks, giving you a chance to see the city from a unique vantage point. No visit to Tokyo would be complete without exploring its pop culture—two hotspots include Harajuku and Akihabara.
In Harajuku, you’ll find the latest fashion trends and quirky shops, while Akihabara is a paradise for fans of anime, manga, and video games. Hotel Groove Shinjuku, in Tokyo, Japan. Hotel Groove Shinjuku, A Parkroyal Hotel While there are no shortage of hotels in Tokyo, the recently opened Hotel Groove Shinjuku centrally located in the vibrant district of Shinjuku, this contemporary hotel offers modern amenities and stylish rooms.
Its central location makes it a convenient base for exploring the city, with easy access to Shinjuku’s bustling shopping and entertainment areas. The hotel’s on-site restaurant, JAM17, offers a delightful dining experience, blending Japanese and Western cuisines with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Exploring Kyoto The Bamboo Forest in Kyoto, Japan.
getty While Tokyo dazzles with its modernity, Kyoto captivates with its timeless beauty and cultural heritage. As Japan’s capital for over a thousand years, Kyoto is the heart of traditional Japanese culture. Kyoto is home to an incredible number of temples, shrines, and historic sites, each offering a glimpse into Japan’s rich spiritual and cultural history.
One of the most famous is Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, a stunning Zen temple covered in gold leaf that reflects beautifully in the surrounding pond. Another must-visit site is Fushimi Inari Shrine, known for its thousands of red torii gates that form a pathway up the mountain, creating a breathtakingly serene atmosphere. Maikos walking on in Gion, Kyoto.
getty The historic district of Gion is another highlight of Kyoto. Known as the center of Kyoto’s geisha culture, Gion is filled with traditional wooden machiya houses and narrow streets that transport you back in time. It’s a wonderful place to explore on foot, particularly in the evening when the lanterns are lit, casting a soft glow over the streets.
Staying at Machiya Residence Rikyu-An offers a unique opportunity to experience traditional Japanese living. This beautifully restored machiya, or wooden townhouse, is located in the heart of Kyoto and provides an authentic and immersive experience. With tatami-mat rooms, sliding shoji screens, and a tranquil inner garden, Rikyu-An combines the charm of old Kyoto with modern comforts.
Food tours are popular excursions in Kyoto. Nancy Edwards For food lovers, the Pontocho Evening Food Tour is a good option. Pontocho is one of Kyoto’s most famous dining districts, known for its narrow alleys and traditional wooden buildings.
The tour takes you to several local izakayas and restaurants, where you can sample Kyoto’s famous kaiseki cuisine, yakitori, and more. It’s a fantastic way to experience the local food culture while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Pontocho. Traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
getty A popular activity for many tourists to Kyoto is a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. The Tea Ceremony at Camellia Teahouse is located in the heart of Kyoto, and provides an intimate setting where you can participate in a tea ceremony led by a skilled tea master. You’ll learn about the rituals and techniques involved in preparing matcha (powdered green tea) and have the opportunity to savor the delicate flavors of the tea along with traditional Japanese sweets.
Planning a tour to Japan Most Japan tours start or end in Tokyo. getty While some people prefer booking their travel ala cart (hotels, activities, train travel), others prefer to book with an agency. One option is InsideJapan Tours , which was founded by two Japanophiles, Alastair Donnelly and Simon King.
Here’s how it works. The agency creates an itinerary based on the requests of the traveler. The itinerary can be in-depth and include hotels, activities, train tickets and more (with each day planned out from morning to night) or can be more a frame-work (with hotels planned and suggestions made in terms of activities).
When including activities in the itinerary, the agency can include Insider Experiences which range from video game tours, an insider’s look at the world of sumo wrestling, Tokyo’s Manga and Anime scene, Kyoto’s gardens tours and Gion’s geisha culture. One of the key strengths of InsideJapan Tours is their deep knowledge of the country. Their team of experts includes both expatriates who have lived in Japan for years and native Japanese staff.
The Insider Experiences are all led by native English-speaking guides, who are also fluent in Japanese and currently live in Japan..
