Vacations Blog

Japan has easily become linked with the’Land of Enchantment’ and, even though it’s a modern and technologically-savvy society, it’s not without its culture, beauty and history.  That’s the reason why guided tours of Japan are so popular for couples and families alike. 

Almost all guided tours of Japan start by flying into the Tokyo Narita Airport.  Many tours permit you a night’s rest before heading off to see the sights in Tokyo, a giant town of more than 8,000,000 people.  You’ll visit the Meiji
Shrine-a wonderful Shinto monument erected within a man-made forest.  After that, you will probably travel to the Imperial
Palace piazza where you may see the Imperial Palace of the Emperor of Japan.  Almost all of the palace is off limits but it’s got a lovely East Gardens for visitors to stroll in. 

Many guided tours in Tokyo will take you to the Asakusa Kannon temple and the nearby Nakamise shopping center, where visitors can shop at their leisure for mementos or other items.  Later that night, walk the streets of Tokyo with your tour director to take in the stunning lights of this wonderful city.  Next day, you can take an excursion to Kamakura, which is the home of the Great Buddha-a shrine that is 750 years of age. 

After seeing the Great Buddha, may steered tours of the area will take you on a dramatic drive to Hakone so you can take a wire auto ride and get the best views of Mount Fuji, if the weather cooperates.  Guests can choose a stirring ride on the bullet train back to Tokyo. 

After you’ve seen a lot of Tokyo and surrounding area, most steered tours of Japan will take you up to Matsumoto, considered the gateway to the Eastern Alps.  There you may visit the Matsumoto Castle-a fortress all the way back to 1593.  Nearby is the Japan Folklore Museum and a nice way to see artifacts from Japan in their natural setting. 

Later, most guided tours of Japan will take you to Takayama where you can visit the local farmer’s market and travel to the San Machi Suji historic district, famous for distilleries that make Japanese sake.  Nearby are beautiful lacquerware shops which make items excellent for souvenir shopping.  Also nearby is the Kusakabe Heritage House, a lovely place to see traditional jap architecture from the late 19th Century. 

the next stop on many guided tours of Japan is the Hida Minzoku-Mura folk village-a big collection of traditional jap buildings, including farmhouses.  There, you can enjoy demonstrations of craft-making, for example lacquer making, silk dying, basket weaving and wood carving. 

Most led tours of Japan will take you through the mountainous areas, including the Shokawa Valley and onto the village of Shirakawa.  This is a remote region of Japan that’s home to many world heritage sites.  Enjoy traditional Eastern food with your tour mates. 

the following stop on most led tours of Japan is Kyoto, a lovely city and home to the engaging Nijo Castle, built as the official residence of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603.  Nearby is Kinkakuji, the temple of the Gold Pavilion and several shrines and gardens.  Kyoto is home to many temples, shrines and palaces and is a place you’ll be wanting to spend 2 days visiting. 

As you’ve traveled so far north, most guided tours will then take you to Osaka and to the Kansai Airport for your departure home.  Hopefully, you have taken in tons of Eastern food and culture, and you have enjoyed their unique food.

Do you enjoy reading this? If yes, you may also visit famouswonders.com to read more about some of the best places to visit in the world and have a look at Himeji Castle.