Home > Asia > Japan > Central Japan
Central Japan
The Central and western areas of Honshu encompass many of Japan's classic highlights. Some of them are most densely populated and urbanised areas in the world. The must-see spots of Tokyo 東京, Kyoto 京都, Hakone 箱根and Hiroshima 廣島are all linked by an efficent rail system. There are also beaten track destination of Tsumago 妻籠in the quiet Kiso villey 木曾谷. In Central and Western Japan, towering skyscrapers and peaceful temples and manicurred gardens are easily seen. Must of Japan's most glorious mountain scenery is in the Japanese Alps, linked to Tokyo by bullet train.
Kamikochi 高地 and the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine 立山黑部 route offer breathtaking hiking and walking, and Nagano 長野is a skiing and snowboarding paradise, with world-class runs and resorts. There is Yudanaka 湯田中 which is home to the playful snow monkeys. Further west, quiet and attractive artisan towns such as Matsue 松江 and Tsuwano 津和野 show a different side to Japan.
Tokyo 東京
Delve into the hustle and bustle of Japan's energetic and contrasting capital city, from smoky temples to towering skyscrapers.
Kyoto's heritage 京都
Kyoto had been Japan's capital for many centuries and to this day, it retains the nation's greatest and most glorious concentrationo of cultural treasures. This is a city of grand palaces, ornate shrines and exquisite gardens, mercifully spared from the World War II bombing that razed other Japanese cities. This is a place with plenty of ancient temples, peaceful gardens and elusive geisha.
Nara
Just a short train ride from Kyoto is historic Nara, an earlier capital. Today, this is a relaxed town with some beautiful sights, Nara residents are justifiably proud of the Todai-ji Temple, which houses Japan's largest bronze Buddha, as well as the tranquil expanses of the surrounding deer park where the sacred deer are so little afraid of humans that they will eat food out of your hand. Nara can easily be visited as a day trip from Kyoto or go for an overnight stay should time allows.
Miyajima Island 宮島
A short ferry ride from Hiroshima lies the peaceful island of Miyajima, renowed for the great red "floating" torii gate set in the picturesque Itsukushima Bay 嚴島灣. This is considered by the Japanese as one of the "Three Great Sights" in Japan. Miiyajima is a must for any visitor to this part of the country.
Japan Alps
Take in fresh mountain air and the region's river, valley and mountain scenery.
Tsumago 妻籠
For a slice of bygone Japan, visit this quiet village in the unspoilt Kiso Valley.
Yudanaka Onsen 湯田中
The small town of Yudanaka is a hot spring resort popular not only with humans but also with the native Macaque 'snow money. At the Jigokudani Onsen 地獄谷, which is known as "Hell Valley" due to the bubbling hot sulphur vents dotted around it, more than 100 moneys congregate in one of the hot spring baths, presumably to relax and warm up as humans do. They can seen throughout the year, but are especially picture perfect during the cold winter months when the air templerature drops below freezing and the valley is covered by a thick layer of snow. The small town of Obuse is a short train ride away and is home to the Hokkusai museum containing replicas and originals of the artist's wood-block paintings, such as the acclaimed "Wave".
Mount Koya 高野山
High in the forested mountains of the Kii Peninsula, south of Osaka, lies the monastic complex of Mount Koya. It is home of the esoteric Shingon Buddhist sect. Recently designed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town contains more than a hundred different temples, many of which offer lodging for pilgrims and visitors, allowing you to join the monks in their daily routines, share their delicious vegetarin cuisine, and experience a very different aspect of Japanese society. Take a stroll at dusk along the winding, lantern-lit paths through the Okuno-in cemetery for a uniquely atmospheric experience. Other temples across Japan offer similar opportunities to stay and join in the monastic life.
Nikko & Kamakura 鎌倉
Only a couple of hours norht of Tokyo, the small mountain town of Nikko feels like another world. Here, beneath the cool cedars, stands the magnificent Toshogu Shrine, mausoleum to the first and greatest Tokugawa Shogun 東照宮神社 on whom James Clavell based his famous novel. The superb carvings of the shrine, including the original 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' money carvings, are complemented bu the beautiful mountain setting. After a thorough exploration of the shrine precinct, this is recommended to head up the hairpin road to enjoy the fine scenery of Lake Chuzenji 中禪寺湖 and the Kegon waterfall 華嚴瀑布. For Tokyo-ites the tranquil seaside town of Kamakura, which lies just an hour south of the city is a favourite getaway from the hustle and bustle life. Kamakura is also home to the Daibutsu Buddha. This is carved out of bronze, stands over 13 meters tall in grounds of Kotoku-in Temple.'
Kanazawa 金澤
Kanazawa with easy reach to Takayama and Kyoto, there is Japan number one garden, the magnificent Kenrokuen Garden 兼六園, one of the finest example of landscaped gardens in Japan. This is built in the classic 'stroll graden' style, this is wonderful place in which to observe and enjoy the six elements that combine to form the perfect Japanese garden. While in Kanazawa, this is well exploring the Samurai district with its craft museums and visit Ninja-dera. Within striking distance of Kanazawa is the windswept, rugged Noto Peninsula 能登半島, a world away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo or Kyoto. The Noto Peninsula is accessed by car or plane, offering beach drives, swimming, walking and relaxing is one of the many hot spring resorts that pepper the coastline.
Takayama & Shirakawago 高山 & 白川鄉
Surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the northern Alps, the traditional Sanmachi district of Takayama possesses a charming old-world atmosphere and some fine Edo-period architecture. A highlight of the region is the twice-yearly spring and autumn festival, when impressive floats are paraded through the streets to the sound of taiko drumming and singing. Nearby, hidden in deep mountain valleys, is the UNESCO World Heritage village of Shirakawago, home to the few remaining traditional mountain farmhouses in the gassho-zukuri style.
|
|---|
Newsletter Subscription: 訂閱最新旅遊資訊
Site Map · Privacy Policy 私隱政策（只附英文版）
© 2020 Exotic-Holidays.hk · All Rights Reserved.
..
.