Un trip to Japan it is a unique experience. Many of our nearly 300 customers who have chosen us in these 4 years have returned with us or on their own. This happens both with enthusiasts who even at the first time know very well that sooner or later they will come back and with the simple curious who rely on us to take a trip to Japan and who therefore approach this country without being "contaminated" by culture pop of anime, manga, video games etc.
Expressing a personal opinion, I admit that this type of people is the one that has given me the most satisfaction in recent years, both for making this country known to those who did not know it, and because when you see the emotion and gratitude in people's eyes you understand that you have done your "job" well, which I do not consider as such but pleasure!
It's hard for me to make one ranking of wonders not to be missed but I try :)
KYOTO: Kyoto was the capital of the Japanese empire for many centuries. It is the cradle of Japanese culture with its over 1000 temples, among which Kiyomizudera, the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, Sanjusangendo and Fushimi Inari, which became world famous for some scenes from the film Memories of a Gheisha, which I recommend to watch.
NARA: Located about 40 minutes from Kyoto, Nara is the ancient capital. As in Kyoto there are many Unesco World Heritage sites. Surely the most famous is the great Todaiji temple complex. The current structure is from 1709, but it is about 30% smaller than the original one, despite this it remains the largest wooden structure in the world in which it is contained.
Inside is the statue of the Daibutsu that is a representation of Buddha about 15 meters high!
OSAKA: Osaka is the second largest city in Japan. In the eternal struggle for economic supremacy with Tokyo, it is a city of a thousand facets. Osaka is much more like an Italian city than other cities in Japan. Osaka locals speak a more free-range Japanese, are very friendly and outgoing unlike the Japanese in Tokyo. As evidence of this you will realize for example that while in the subway in Tokyo there is absolute silence in Osaka we talk and joke quietly!
Definitely to visit the beating heart of the city or Namba, where everything is open at any time. Osaka is also a city where you can eat well and full of specialties!
NIKKO: Nikko is a city located in a mountainous area about 150 km north of Tokyo. Naturalistically speaking, it gives its best in spring and autumn, but it remains a pearl even in the winter months when there is a very high probability that it will be covered by snow!
The main attractions are the Rinnoji temple, the Toshu-Gu where the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu is located among the most important, if not the most important and influential Japanese historical figure.
Absolutely to visit the Chuzenji lake and the splendid Kegon Falls.
TOKYO: about Tokyo there is little to say :-)! Obviously it is an ironic statement: the metropolis offers many possibilities both from a culinary point of view, Tokyo is in fact the city in the world with more Michelin-starred restaurants, and from a cultural point of view with its numerous museums and meetings.
Tokyo is made up of 23 special districts within which there are real thematic areas. You can indulge in buying electronics, manga, anime and so on in Akihabara, go shopping for luxury in Ginza, immerse yourself in pop culture and fashion in Shibuya and Harajuku or immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the 下町 "Shita machi" in the broad sense of the old city although the concept of old in Tokyo is highly questionable.
Tokyo is for all budgets don't be scared! From Tokyo I also recommend moving to the city of Kamakura, a beautiful town about an hour by train from Tokyo and do not miss to go and see Mount Fuji which can be reached in a couple of hours by cheap bus from Shinjuku station. To see it perfectly and for the beauty of the place I recommend going to the town of Kawaguchiko.
